Trying to upgrade my wardrobe

[KDCat]

Macys and Bloomingdales have good websites that includes their sales.

Zappos.com is good.

Some people swear by 6pm.com

You should also look around for high end consignment shops in your area, and hunt around there. If you know where the good thrift stores are, that can also help.

You can also find new stuff on Ebay at a discount.

[HopefulInterest]

Zappos sells clothes? I didn't know that! I thought they only had shoes! I'll have to check that out!

I really want to buy stuff in person though because I always like to try stuff on before I buy it because I'm in-between sizes and my body has changed a lot in the past year or so, so styles that used to look good on me don't anymore.

[pam713]

What ever you buy, wherever you buy it, make sure it fits! If you are between sizes, go up. Expensive clothes can still look awful if shirts gape between the buttons and waistbands create muffintop. Conversely, inexpensive clothes can be elevated with a good fit. NY&Co. sometimes has good prices on basics, too.

[ree-Xi]

Not sure if you have a NY&Co around (they are also online), but they often have really cute "basic" skirts and dresses. If you sign up for their emails, they will send you coupons and alert you to sales like BOGO. I've bought $300 worth of clothes for about $100. I love sheath style dresses because they are so easy to wear. Just add a few accessories and you're good to go! They also always carry neutral-colored pencil skirts, which can be dressed up or down, some pretty, striped, button-down "business-y" shirts and patterned shells which look good with their jackets/blazers.

If you are looking for Cardigans, Old Navy has some nice ones that have a little bit of spandex in them - they are a bit more fitted but not tight: http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/produc...scid=476877062

[Xidelt]

Also try the women's section of Kohl's. They have great stuff and you won't spend a ton of money. If you are looking for classic and tasteful, look at stuff other than the juniors section. Try brands like apt. 9, Vera Wang, Dana Buchman, Elle, jennifer Lopez, etc.

[HopefulInterest]

I went shopping tonight and had some success. I got a plain, black skirt from H&M along with a couple tunics, one in black, and the other in one of the sorority's colors, and a navy blue cardigan from Papaya. In total I only spent about $25. There was a dress that I thought about buying but didn't end up getting, but I'll probably go back for it. I think I did well.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by HopefulInterest

I went shopping tonight and had some success. I got a plain, black skirt from H&M along with a couple tunics, one in black, and the other in one of the sorority's colors, and a navy blue cardigan from Papaya. In total I only spent about $25. There was a dress that I thought about buying but didn't end up getting, but I'll probably go back for it. I think I did well.

No, no, no, no, no. I wouldn't walk around telling people that you bought a shirt in a sorority's colors, no matter which type of organization you wish to join. It comes across as presumptuous.

[GeorgiaGreek]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

No, no, no, no, no. I wouldn't walk around telling people that you bought a shirt in a sorority's colors, no matter which type of organization you wish to join. It comes across as presumptuous.

I don't know how this particular GLO does their recruitment, but the OP has said she is an "official interest," so wearing the colors might be considered more acceptable, or even encouraged for someone of that status. It seems like her situation would be viewed differently as, say, a girl wearing a green and pink dress to prefs at DZ in an NPC recruitment, but I could be wrong.

[jenidallas]

Try Banana Republic too. I know they have a reputation for being pricier, but their sales are unbelievable. Yesterday they were running 30% additional off anything marked down. I got four dresses, two sweaters, and four tops for under $250 total. All stylish but appropriate for work or chapter wear - but several that I'd also change up shoes or accessories and feel comfortable wearing out for an evening with the girls!

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGreek

I don't know how this particular GLO does their recruitment, but the OP has said she is an "official interest," so wearing the colors might be considered more acceptable, or even encouraged for someone of that status. It seems like her situation would be viewed differently as, say, a girl wearing a green and pink dress to prefs at DZ in an NPC recruitment, but I could be wrong.

Ahhh RIF and I didn't read that correctly. I was going by the username. I fail at reading comprehension today.

If I am incorrect, I apologize!! Thanks for pointing it out, GG!

[Kevin]

If you need suits or business-formal attire, you can get pretty good deals on tailor-made clothing at Tom James. You'll have to find a salesman in your city. They come to you, you pick the fabric and what you want made, 6 weeks later, you have a new suit. They cost around half what you'd pay for the same clothing at a department store and it's tailor-made so the fit is always perfect.

[HopefulInterest]

I can see why my username might confuse you. I didn't want it to be something like HopefulSister because that in my mind seemed too in your face, if you know what I'm saying. Maybe something like SororityInterest would be better...is there a way I can change my username?

From what I know of the org, it is completely appropriate for me to wear their colors. I have a dress that has their colors (I've had it for years -- long before I even knew this org existed...I just really liked the dress and it was on sale so I bought it), and even when I was an unofficial interest, the president and VP of the chapter encouraged me to wear that dress to events.

This org does recruitment much differently than other orgs I've looked into. I'm not going to go into details, but I think the way they do things is pretty unique.

I totally forgot about Banana Republic. I had a limited amount of time to shop last night because my ride didn't want to be at the mall for very long, but I can definitely go some other time.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Kevin

If you need suits or business-formal attire, you can get pretty good deals on tailor-made clothing at Tom James. You'll have to find a salesman in your city. They come to you, you pick the fabric and what you want made, 6 weeks later, you have a new suit. They cost around half what you'd pay for the same clothing at a department store and it's tailor-made so the fit is always perfect.

They do girl-stuff too? I did not know that.

[HopefulInterest]

I may need business attire in the future, but for now I'm all set.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by Xidelt

Also try the women's section of Kohl's. They have great stuff and you won't spend a ton of money. If you are looking for classic and tasteful, look at stuff other than the juniors section. Try brands like apt. 9, Vera Wang, Dana Buchman, Elle, jennifer Lopez, etc.

I will agree with going to Kohl's! They have amazing deals, and I don't think I've ever paid full price for any article of clothing I've bought there. You also get bigger discounts if you open and use the Kohl's credit card, and it seems I'm always walking out of there with $10 in 'Kohl's cash'.

I'm 28, and I do still shop in the juniors section at Kohl's for certain items.. jeans, basic tees, and shrugs. The brand SO fits me PERFECTLY, so I get some of my more casual clothes there. I won't even go near the juniors section in other stores. Once I hit up that section, I move over into the women's section.

I also shop at Express, The Limited, H&M, etc. The trick is to wait for deals. I get coupons in the mail from Express all the time. Two weekends ago, I walked into the Limited not knowing if they had any deals, and the woman at the door handed me this card and said, "Open it, and today only, you get that percentage off of your entire purchase." 30%. When I got up to the register, the person in front of me said she wasn't going to use hers and gave it to me.. bumped it up to 40% off.

Most of these stores also have an email signup where they send you coupons and keep you apprised of upcoming sales. Sign up for these!

I've found that it's very difficult to shop in your 20s. In most department stores, the juniors section can be too young, and the women's section can be too old. The stores with everything in between are expensive. Just look out for deals.