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.