No longer a junior...

Laura

Hi everyone! I have been looking around this site for a few days now, and am so excited that I found you all! I have been wanting to re-do my wardrobe for a while now, but I always felt so overwhelmed. Now I'm thinking I can do it, one step at a time.

So here's my question...I'm 23, and work at a 'business casual' office. We CAN wear jeans, but they'd rather us not. Since I just started about a year ago, I've been wearing jeans. Now I'm ready to grow up, and start dressing better. So I'm wondering if I need to be shopping in the Junior's department, or Womans or Misses? And what's the difference between woman's and misses?
Also, I am young, and at an entry-ish level job at my employment. I don't have much money at all, but really want to get some long-lasting items. I can afford maybe $50/month or so. What stores should I shop at? Up until now I've been shopping at Forever 21 when I'm feeling brave, also Charlotte Russe. Otherwise I go for Sears and JC Penney, which I know aren't very high end. I'm still developing my style and learning how to put colors together, so I really need some help!

Some stats: 24 years old, 5'2", and 125lb (working to lose a few) and I think I'm a pretty pear.

Sorry this turned out so long...I could really use some help, though!

18 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Laura

Maya

Veteran

I am your age and I have no qualms about shopping in the junior's dept., but I wouldn't go there for work clothes. I usually only go there for trendy pieces and things that will probably fall out of style in a few years. Juniors clothes are not built to last. Teenagers are still growing and changing and don't have the need or desire to hold onto clothes for years at a time, and they also have a smaller budget if they buy their own clothes. But if you can fit into their clothes, go for it. I do think you really need to be discriminating though. No one should be able to tell that you bought your clothes from the jr's dept. just by looking at them. There is a lot of awful stuff out there and you really need to have a good understanding of what is and isn't appropriate.

Woman usually denotes plus size. Misses is mainstream sizes. Misses sizes come in even numbers and juniors sizes are odd numbers. For work clothes, you should be shopping in Missy sizes as they will generally last longer and have more appropriate styles. Try other department stores. Macys and Nordstrom have decent sale racks. Banana Republic and ATL also do. All of these places also have petite sizes, which you're going to need at 5'2.

18 years ago

Laura

Active Member

Wow, thanks Maya, that was so helpful! I will definitely try to stay away from junior's like you said, and be more careful about what I do get from there. I'll also try the stores you suggested. I'm ashamed to admit I've never been in any of them, I always thought their clothing would be too pricey. I'll give it a shot, though! I've never tried on a petite size, either, but I'll keep an eye out for petite items that I like and try them on.

18 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Maya had super advice. Out of the stores she mentioned, I'd say ATL and Macy's are the best options for your budget. Nordy's and BR are quite pricey (except Nordy's BP department, but it's not your best bet for work clothes), and the sales aren't that frequent or steep. Macy's might be the very best starting point, because they have so many different lines, and their sales are just amazing. Get a Macy's card, too... it's really worth it.

18 years ago

LaurenNK

Active Member

Laura~

Your post is practically word for word my post from a month or so ago.
I'm 25, I work at a family-owned pest control business on the outskirts of downtown Seattle. The older women wear slacks and sweaters, the college girls that work summers wear jeans and tiny shirts. I've been trying to fit in in the middle.
I figure on spending about $50/month also on reworking my insanely casual wardrobe.

What I'm doing lately is trying to visit TJMaxx on a regular basis. I hope there is one near you...

Also, I browse eBay for all of the nice brands that everyone loves on this forum. I currently have recurring searches show me everything in my price range for Banana Republic, Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, Gap, and Esprit. Most buyers on eBay will list the measurements of the garments or you can look on the manufacturer's website. There is some hit and miss that way, but you're not likely to spend more than $15 total on any one item.

18 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Yep, you're probably going to need petite clothes. Ann Taylor Loft is perfect place to start for you. You fit their demographic perfectly: it's less expensive than Ann Taylor and aimed at 20 something who's just starting out her career and wants a wardrobe that can transition from work to social life.

They also have pretty good sales section. I was in there yesterday, and the early spring items are on sale right now. I saw shirts and skirts for only $20, and some tops for $9. Jackets may be a little steeper, but you'll find some good investment pieces. What's nice about ATL is everything seems to work together.

I'm in my 40s but I shop there a lot because I have a slim build - I can still fit in many junior-sized clothing (pants in particular - my hips are narrow).

I second the suggestion to try out TJMaxx. Or Marshalls or similar. The only problem with those places is that the petite sections tend to be scanty. It pays to go in frequently. Marshall's would be an excellent place to look for suits though, if you need those. (Well, I do recommend you have at least one perfect fitting pantsuit .... you can mix and match it and will get a lot of use out of it as separates).

Ann Taylor is going to be more expensive than ATL, and comparable with BR. The quality is going to be better than ATL. Ann Taylor is GREAT for coats, jackets, suits. They aren't trendy, so the clothes will last for a long time. ATL is a bit more trendy. I think ATL is the better place to start, while you're evolving your fashion style. Once you learn what works great on you, then you can slowly go about upgrading to more expensive, better quality items.

If you have an H&M near you, do give that a try. The quality isn't that great, but your $ will go a long, long way. Good place to find filler stuff like tops.

And don't forget Target!! A lot of people find great stuff at Target.

JcPenneys... I don't think they are that bad. I don't have one near my house, but I know a lot of people who do very well there. They've upgraded a lot in recent years, so I wouldn't rule it out.

18 years ago

Laura

Active Member

Antje, I'll definitely focus on Macy's and ATL, I have both at my local mall a couple of miles from my work, so that's perfect, and another right down the road from my house. (Aren't I lucky?

LaurenNK, I never thought about trying ebay, thanks for the tip! And for $15, if they include the measurements, it should be close enough to even get tailored if need be. (I have a great one, and decent prices as well). I have been wearing jeans and t-shirts for so long now, and through college I wore scrubs, so it's definitely nice to know there are other options!

shiny, I honestly never considered petite clothes, but now that two people have mentioned it, I guess it's an obvious choice! ATL sounds perfect, and those prices will definitely fit in my budget. I'll save AT for things like coats (I need a nice light one, for Florida 'winters') and such. At least until I figure out my shape/style. Slowly but surely I can get my wardrobe up! I do have a TJMaxx, as well as a Burlington Coat Factory (anyone shop there? Is it nice, or too pricey?), Marshalls, and Ross. Actually, I have two Marshalls and two Ross-one each by work and one each by home. I also have 3+Targets by me, and I go there sometimes, but I've noticed with their t-shirts, at least, the quality isn't that great. Probably doesn't help that I wear them daily, either! Unfortunately, I don't have an H&M, but I've heard good things from watching WNTW.

Thanks, everyone, for all your advice! I can honestly say that for the first time in soooo long I'm looking forward to my next shopping trip!

18 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Yep, I think when you are a teen and just need jeans and tees, it's not as important and esp if you are slim you can manage to find things that will fit okay vertically. But when you are looking for more tailored clothing like a suit jacket or dress slacks, proportion and fit become much more important. Actually, I'd say fit is the #1 most important factor of good fashion. You can have the most fashionable, stylish jacket in a great color but if it fits you poorly, it will ruin the look.

So do try petites and compare to see what works best for you. A place like ATL will have items in both petites and regulars so you can try on exact items and compare fit. The scale of a petite jacket, for example, may fit you better in the sleeves, the lapels will be scaled to size, the waist will hit at your waist instead of lower, etc. Note you can be short but still fit in regular tops OR bottoms... it all depends on where your shortness is!!

18 years ago

Laura

Active Member

Great point, shiny! I hadn't thought of it that way...I'll have to try things on in both sizes, and see which fits me better and go from there. I'm not really sure where my 'shortness is' but I'm going to have fun trying things on and finding out!

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You couldn’t have received better advice Laura! Let us know how you fair.

18 years ago

Sarah

Active Member

Everyone has made great suggestions, Laura. Sounds like we have a lot in common. I’m 22 years old, 5’2”, and also re-evaluating my closet. As a college student, it’s taking me a while, but I’m enjoying the process. You asked about Burlington Coat Factory so I think I’d pop into the discussion because I think it’s a great store. My mom always took us there to buy coats growing up. Last year my sister and I found some adorable dresses there for great prices. My budget is similar to yours ($100 a month split between my husband and I), so I’m always hunting for bargains. Good luck shopping.

18 years ago

Laura

Active Member

Thanks, Sarah! I'll give Burlington a chance, maybe this weekend if I have time. I'm going to stop by the mall tonight, and try out ATL and Macy's. If I find something out of my price range, I'll remember my size and try it on ebay like LaurenNK suggested. I'll let you all know how it goes!

18 years ago

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