I'm too tall for Petite bottoms, the rise is off.

I've been to their store on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, MN. I've been to their store in Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, WI. I've been to their store on Bluemound Rd in Brookfield, WI.

I think this is youthful looking suiting.

I think something like this from Talbots would be great if it hit at or slightly above the knee. I think that's a frumpy length, especially when paired with a jacket. Sure, it's technically professional, but I'd rather wear the first suit.

I have three suits right now. One is from Limited and is a fairly traditional black two-button jacket, a knee-length a-line skirt, and also trousers. Another is a J.Crew wool garbadine suit, two button jacket, a-line skirt with very minimal fluting, and cuffed trousers. Third is a more casual Liz Claiborne one, tan with a thin green plaid pattern. I also have a three-button tweed Jacket that works great with the pants from my two black suits. I wear very traditional clothing, but Talbot's tends to be too shapeless in the jackets or too long in the bottoms.

everyone can go to talbots.com to make their own decision.

The first pair of pants I pulled up had front pleats. JUST SAY NO TO PLEATS!

I'm scared to see what's next- mom jeans?

Looking at the suits, they're overpriced, boring and inappropriate for a 20 year old. It's not necessarily something that can be described... you look at them and it screams OLD in the cut, fit, style, color, everything.

Overpriced is a biggie, as OP said that cost was an issue. The materials and styles offered scream suburban middle-aged mom much more than young professional who will have to be physical in the outfit.

In my opinion, you can find great professional wear for younger professionals at stores like Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft and the Limited. Ann Taylor Loft stuff always goes on sale. And if you try on something in the store and like it- go home and look for it online. There are always tons of online sales- not only regular sales, but a lot of email coupons for 15-20% off.

I agree with NY&Co not being of very good quality. However, their stuff is fairly inexpensive.

I also suggest hitting up a store like Filene's basement, that has high quality department store goods at cheaper prices.

Duh, I completely forgot about Tuscola being right there!!!


Here's their women's list:
Bon Worth (217) 253-9888
dressbarn (217) 253-2539
Gap Outlet (217) 253-6666
Geoffrey Beene (217) 253-9010
Maurices (217) 253-2374
Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store (217) 253-4753
Tommy Hilfiger Company Stores (217) 253-5880
Van Heusen (217) 253-3398
VF Outlet (217) 253-9890

And may I just state for the record that Dress Barn terrifies me. Talk about ugly, cheap clothing... no 20-something should ever shop there. Ever.

This is from from Talbots, and it's adorable:

http://www1.talbots.com/images/688/A138688.jpg


But I don't really see much else.

ETA: And then I looked at the price...it's $118 adorable, which makes it 118 times less adorable. Yeesh.

The skirt is cute, i have one somewhat similar.

The shirt is cute, but it would make anyone with boobs look like a hooker.

I have a very similar skirt that you clicked on-- from Talbots-- as a matter of fact-- and it is much shorter. Being so short in stature, I look like a munchkin in longer skirts and dresses, and don't buy that length.

I can understand your problem with the rise. I have a friend who can't buy pants there either for the same reason.


I do agree with you on Ann Taylor and J Crew. They both have some beautiful clothes, and I do shop there too. J Crew is generally a bit more casual though-- although I did get a gorgeous blazer from them which I wear to work.

To Kddani: I personally would never recommend "The Limited" because it seems to be "Polyester City". Many of their clothes scream "cheap." I've found many have threads hanging from them because they're not finished properly.

And, remember, I recommended the OP shop at Talbots during their twice a year sale. You can get some very good bargains. I picked up some gorgeous skirts for $39!

And as for frumpy--- you haven't the black leather zip jacket I bought from them last winter!

And yeah-- pleats are bad, bad, bad, bad! (But, did you also click on "flat front pants?"

Thanks for all the advice guys!

And I am on a tight budget. I tend to spend 50-75 dollars at a time on clothes, if that. So hence my concern at expensive stores, even at sale time!

If that's your budget I would seriously check out Target and Old Navy....the other stores mentioned won't get you much for 50-75 bucks. However, online sales are the BEST at J.Crew and others.

It's really cute on the model. My mama always told me that if you don't
want something to look wider, you don't put horizontal stripes on it. Therefore, I'm one of many who should not be wearing that skirt.:p

Edited to add: This weekend could be the best time of year to get some bargains. Between coupons in the paper and clearance sales, department stores practically give clothes away. Go find yourself some nice new stuff!

I don't mind buying bits and pieces at a time, but I'm definately limited. Only making 8 an hour and saving up for graduate school. Thank God I'm not paying rent yet.

/Parents are driving me crazy though

the ann taylor loft jacket and skirt are lovely-but at $139 for the jacket alone, is probably out of our op's price range. i think the suggestion given to go look at more expensive clothing and really give it the once over, is a great idea. then go to less expensive stores and try to find something comparable, but be careful-there is nothing more unfortunate than a cheap suit!!

i don't know if i would send someone to gap or old navy-old navy's stuff, while often cute, looks cheap, and the merchandise i have seen lately in gap isn't much better. at least that is how it is here in the naples stores.

it may be better to save up until you can buy a good suit-jacket, skirt and slacks.and try to buy them on sale. then add a few nice v-neck sweaters-always flattering on bustier ladies-you can get away with 3/4 length sleeves year round. then you can mix and match so that it seems that you have more outfits than you really do.

If you have any birthdays/graduation parties or any other occasions coming up for family to get you gifts, ask for gift cards to stores like Ann Taylor and you can use them towards building a nice work wardrobe.

Maybe a July graduation party, but I am sadly a January baby.... :(

/Need to make up a giftgiving holiday in August.

Not to mention that you should never buy clothes from a store that has the word "barn" in it!

HAHAHAHAHAHA you've already met one that does. (Not me) I have a cute pair of khakis from there, but everything else that I own from there is basically "I am so freaking bloated this is all I can fit into and I wasn't about to pay lots of $$$ for bloat-clothes."

Talbots - I have one blouse from there that is one of the sexiest things I own. Then again, that's in the way I wear it. It could also be a frumpy work blouse, if I chose it to be. I would probably wear some of that stuff on the site, but then again 1) I'm 5'8" 2) I'm curvy below the waist. So I need something that's not going to cling to my butt like Saran Wrap.

Go to the Gap OUTLET and the Banana OUTLET. They are the bestest things that have ever been invented. I got a great dress at Banana for $30 (it was probably $130 in the regular BR store).

You used to be able to go to the juniors dept and get the cute suits from XOXO, Rampage etc, which I think were suitable for 20somethings at work, but I never see anything like those anymore. It's all jeans and lameass message t-shirts or going-out clothes.

Ok... I didnt read through this whole thread, but I grew up outside of Decatur so I know what you are up against.

There is a Maurices in Hickory Point Mall so you could check that out. Last time I was home I'm pretty sure they are still there. The NY&CO that was at Hickory Point Mall closed a couple years ago as did the Gap.

There is a Talbots in the downtown area. The name of the street escapes me but it's by Merchant Street, in that area. Within a block or so of Catz and Pastabilities. Talbots has helped a lot of my friends out with business type wear.

The TJ Maxx actually has some pretty decent business type clothing but it's one of those places where you have to dig and you have to hit it at the right time. That's in Brettwood Village right off 55. There is also a Dots there (at least there was last time I went there). They used to have stuff like that but I'm told they are going more towards younger fashions ie jeans and bar clothes.

Also there is a Cato by the Walmart in Mt. Zion. They have a good selection and aren't massively expensive. I bought a suit through them one time that has lasted me about 2-3 years and it was under 100 dollars. It is classy yet still youngish looking.

Let me know if you need anymore help and I can hit up some of my friends that still live there to see if they have any suggestions.

I'm in about the same boat as you. I just bought a lovely suit from the Limited. It was a bit pricey for me ($170 for the jacket, and I can't remember how much I spent on pants), but it fits me really nicely. I have the same body issues as you (big boobs and little everywhere else), and the Limited works pretty well for me. I'd second AT Loft and J Crew for young looking but professional clothes. J Crew actually has the best fitting button down shirts I've found for my shape.

Express has crappy dress clothes, so I'd stay away. I also typically wouldn't wear anything from Talbot, but I'm pretty stylish. ;)

Never shopped at Cato or Dots and I haven't been the mall much recently but I thought we lost our Maurice's.. I'll have to double check.

I'm not super tiny elsewhere, like I said, I'm average. 8-10 depending on where I shop, though I could range further than that depending on stupid sizing. I just have no defining hips or butt. Every pair of jeans I own can be pulled straight down without unbuttoning. (Keep those minds clean boys) The only time my dresspants can't is when they're so high waisted that I actually HAVE a waist.

I really appreciate all the suggestions! I'm going to try and hit the outlet mall this weekend. It's a start at least.

I <3 outlets. Sigh...

Happy Shopping!

You need to move near me! We have the most incredible outlet village. It's called Woodbury Common.

People fly in all the way from Japan with empty suitcases just to go shopping there. You see them rolling these huge suitcases from store to store, just snapping up the bargains.

In fact, all of the signs are in both Japanese and English.. and there is even a Japanese concierge there.

We're talking high-end bargains. Think Gucci, MaxMara, Escada, Donna Karan, Kate Spade, Dolce and Gabanna, Chanel, Armani, Barney's New York, Coach, and Burberry... just to name of few of the stores there.

I just love the place! It's situated in the mountains with a beautiful view. The buildings are meant to look a bit like a colonial village. Here's their website.

If any of you are planning a trip to the New York area... set aside a day for Woodbury Common. There are tour buses that take people there from NYC.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7

For pants - I LOVE Express Editor pants. I know some people will disagree, but I love them to pieces. I normally get the Editor in Premier Stretch b/c it's a little heavier (is that the word?) than the Luxury Stretch, but I have some luxury stretch too.... They also have a newer pant style out that is cute - I think it's called the Publicist?

Tops- I have bought a few work shirts from Express also. I second the AT-Loft idea... that place is awesome. I also like NY & Co (sorry they don't have one where you are :( )

You may want to checkout the outlet mall in Tuscola, IL. Tuscola is not far from U of I in Champaign/Urbana.

The mall is operated by Tanger Outlet Malls. You can get more info on the stores there at www.tangeroutlet.com.

Of course, there's always Peoria.

ETA: fixed web site address

When I found out I needed to interview for a fellowship on 3 week's notice with "professional business attire" specified for the interview and one of the weekend's dinners (and didn't really own professional business attire) I freaked.

Luckily spring break was during the 3 week span so I went scrambling around with my mom to find interview attire.

I wanted to go to Express, but we started at Macy's - their junior department was pitiful (cheap quality "suits" that looked horribly unprofessional and tacky) but their regular department had a wonderful selection of high quality designer suits - and they happened to be on sale! Between the sale and a coupon we cut from the newspaper, I paid about $138 each for a very professional looking lined black pinstriped skirt suit (both pieces included) and a lined grey pants suit with a pale blue sweater/shell that matched the faint pinstripe in the material (all 3 pieces included). Just a blazer at Express was about $128/138 and the quality was far inferior. Both suits retailed at $300+ but department stores like Macy's always have sales.

I tried on about 50 different suits at Macy's and found that Tahari fit me very well to the point where I didn't need alterations. Other suits looked silly on me, but knowing that there was a line out there that fit made it easy for me - I know what to look for in the future.

I had a lot more trouble looking for dress shirts that fit - especially a basic white one (most stores had shirts with detailing or stripes which would have looked funny with a pinstripe suit). Short on time, I finally bought 2 dress shirts (button down) from the GAP - white and blue (They were on sale for $24.99 and $14.99 respectively). I also bought a lime green shirt from Burlington Coat Factory on sale for $12.99 which I ended up wearing to my interview so I would stand out.

I got the fellowship so it must have worked :)

Depending on how conservative you want to dress, I'd say department stores can be wonderful! Head straight to the "real" suit section and shop the sales - My suit was anything but frumpy (I'm 5'4" and a size 2) and it hit at the knee and the blazer was fitted. They had women's, petites, etc so I'm sure there's something for everyone. The quality is better than most of the NY&Co/Express stores and if you time it right you can get a much better price too.

I googled and found suits similar to mine but I'm having trouble linking - go to the general page here:

http://womens-apparel.smartbargains.com/ and look for tahari

edit: I also found a beautiful tweed skirt suit (young looking) at Nordstrom Rack - the blazer was marked down to $59 and the skirt down to $19.99 - So far I've worn the blazer with tweed shoes and a black tulip skirt from express but it also looks nice (and more conservative) together

Ladies, I have a confession to make...:o

I needed some cotton tanks for the upcoming 99 degree weather - not for work, for around the house/weekends and the local Dress Barn is having a huge clearance sale so I went in Saturday...

I see this cute skirt - cotton, knee length, flouncy, white & coral pattern. I bought it. I also got the coordinating shrug/cardigan - both 50% off - paired it with some cute 9 West sandals and have had nothing but compliments on it all day today!

There was also an adorable white/floral summer dress that I would have bought in an instant if I had somewehre to wear it to. It was too low cut for the office - even with a cardigan.

Now, their fall stuff was looking pretty bad, but they had a lot of cute summer skirts and dresses. I was quite surprised...

I gew up about 30 minutes south of Woodbury Common and everything that blueangel said is so true! 100-person lines coming out of stores on busy weekends... Massive buses dropping of tour groups. They have so many fabulous stores and great bargins. Whenever I go visit my parents, my mom and I try to make a trip there. :)

I love that place. It was a half hour drive from my colllege and my friends and I would go there on weekends and spend the day there. Found so many great deals there.

Uhhh, so jealous. :( I wish I had gone to school somewhere near good shopping...especially good outlet shopping.