The Frumpy Dilemma
Posted on October 25, 2006 20 Comments
No one wakes up in the morning and attempts to look frumpy. Yet, every day for the past week when I’ve arrived at work, that’s how I’ve felt…FRUMPY! My clothes are just the slightest bit outdated, they don’t fit exactly right…I even noticed a huge hole in one of my favorite sweaters (that I was wearing) on the same day that a hem fell out on my pants. Meanwhile, the rest of the staff here has been looking sharp and sassy in their new fall wardrobes lately, which makes me feel even more gross.
Here’s the dilemma. I have to pay off my vacation and several health care bills this month. Buying some new outfits and shoes would be going over my monthly spending budget. Part of me doesn’t care, because I think it’s important to keep a professional appearance and not walk around looking like a slob all day. But at the same time, I’ve got to exercise some self-control!
Eek! What’s a girl to do?
PS- So far I’ve been shopping a few times this month and have not bought any clothes. But I’m itching to do it! I need sweaters!
Category: Life
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20 Responses to “The Frumpy Dilemma”
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October 25th, 2006 @ 3:19 pm
Thift stores! Most have a color of tag that is half off. Only buy the half off things. It may take some digging, but you’ll find something that will do.
Ebay can also be a good source. Set a limit of what you can spend on clothes (and make it low- like 30 or 60 dollars for EVERYTHING) and buy only things that meet those limits. You can find decent clothes for NOTHING on E-bay. (Regular clothes, not designer things, mind you.)
Freecycle can be good as well. I got a whole trashbag stuffed with clothes on Freecycle and was able to use almost all of them.
If you’re feeling adventurous, check the dumpsters. Esp. keep an eye out for signs that somebody is moving out. My favorite shirt came from a dumpster.
October 25th, 2006 @ 4:08 pm
Do what I did in high school and borrow some cute clothes from your friends or actually throw a clothing swap.
This site is focused on new moms but I’ve been doing it since before I had my son and it’s waaaay easier with no baby (or baby body) to deal with: http://www.rookiemoms.com/swap-til-you-drop/
Or go to Target and buy a necklace.
Good luck!
October 25th, 2006 @ 4:47 pm
I had a reduction in income last year and it matters what I look like. Resale shops and walmart!! I started shopping resale shops and find that ones in the tonier districts have loot that has not even been worn at a fraction of the price purchased new. Also, not sure what side of the Walmart political fence you might be on, I never used to shop there, but…getting some paint for my sister up north I strolled by the clothing, and wow, some nice trendy stuff. Let’s face it, everything is made in China now anyway, from Antropologie to Walmart not much difference but the price. my employees consistently spend more money on clothes than I, but if you know how to through a look together now one will know where you shop.
October 25th, 2006 @ 5:09 pm
My friends have a ‘Naked Lady Party’ which is a huge clothing swap. They trick is that you have to be relatively the same size for it to work. As it is, I only get stuff from my friends as hand-me downs since I’m relatively small. However, since I just got a new outfit last week, I’m not complaining! My hipster friends keep me in hand-me down style.
Thrift stores. They can tide you over till you next check comes around.
October 25th, 2006 @ 5:09 pm
I say, take inventory of what you have, determine a few basics and a few cute accessories that will spruce things up, and go with that. A girl needs new clothes every now and again. And I’m a believer in buying quality clothes that last. I don’t think that buying a few new items is necessarily a splurge when you need to look professional…just don’t go overboard!
October 25th, 2006 @ 6:59 pm
Can you hold out til Thanksgiving for the after Thanksgiving sales?
Here’s another option… You probably won’t be able to do this given your work schedule, but maybe some of your readers who are strugglin’ to be stylin’ might try: getting a part-time position in a department store or other clothing retail store. Employee discounts can be as much as 30% or 40% off regular price and often times you don’t even have to work a full 20 hours per week.
And it’s so nice to see you back! Hope you enjoyed your much-needed and well-deserved vacation.
October 25th, 2006 @ 7:47 pm
i feel your pain! I went through my closet last night to purge unnecessaries/past trends…it’s lookin’ awfully empty in there.
Luckily my job usually doesn’t require much more than jeans and t-shirts (guess what I’m wearing currently?) but I actually like dressing nicely once in a while.
The thrift store option is always there, but there’s nothing like a brand-new, never-been-worn, sharp, clean outfit to get your jiggy-self back on track. I’m sorry, I’m not helping, am i?
I like the earlier anonymous poster’s idea of waiting until the Thanks-taking sales…I think that’s going to have to be my compromise with myself. good luck holding out!
October 25th, 2006 @ 11:50 pm
Also (i’ve been scheming), don’t forget to remember TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall’s, and Target!
Looooove Target.
October 26th, 2006 @ 12:17 am
Ann Taylor Loft is having a sale right now where for every $50 dollars you spend, you get a $25 gift card (which to redeem you would have to spend another $50 before the end of this year). So basically you get $125 for spending $100. There are cardigans, pants, and skirts on sale, and if you are anywhere between sizes 6 to 14, there should be a fair selection for you. Ann Taylor Loft looks very professional but doesn’t completely decimate the wallet. I think for classic pieces (i.e. cardigans, wool pants, etc.) it pays to spend a bit more for a nicer quality.
October 26th, 2006 @ 12:21 am
Or try an outlet. Good luck!
October 26th, 2006 @ 9:20 am
Nicole, I had the same dilemma earlier this Fall and I just decided to go for it. The wardrobe needs refreshing every once and a while. In a weird sort of way, I’m more productive at work now that I’m not worrying about my crappy clothes.
And this goes against some of the other comments on here, but I wouldn’t do Walmart for suits and work clothes. I have never found good quality there. Could end up costing you more in the long run if your clothes keep falling apart.
October 26th, 2006 @ 2:33 pm
LOL, I can totally relate! I just came out of a work meeting this morning where I was sitting there comparing my frumpy outfit (sweater, trousers) to my female colleague’s nice, sharp business suits and thinking to myself that it’s high time to update my work wardrobe. I usually wait for department store sales and use coupons that I get in the mail (from Ann Taylor, Macy’s). Also, have you tried yard sales? Sometimes you can find really nice, almost new clothes for dirt cheap at yard sales (esp. the fundraising ones usually held at churches). Good luck!
October 26th, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
Thanks for the comments ladies! For my profession, I’ll probably avoid thrift stores – it’s more difficult to find “in” cuts/styles and clothes that actually fit your body right (unless you’re talking about a consignment shop for styles, but you still have the fit issue). I find that Wal-Mart and H&M clothes don’t really hold up. I think I’ll just hit up the mall for sales (Anne Taylor Loft, J.Crew, Banana, Gap, Old Navy, Macy’s) after I pay my credit card bill. I’ll hold out for now!
October 26th, 2006 @ 4:14 pm
That said, I LOVE the clothing swap idea! But my friends and I are all vastly different sizes
October 26th, 2006 @ 6:12 pm
There’s a clothing swap going on in Rogers Park this weekend:
http://www.chicagoist.com/archives/2006/10/26/a_big_crafty_mess_hall.php
From the website:
“You can trade clothes, give yours away, take other people’s stuff, or repair and/or remake any and all of the above. No sewing experience is necessary. Learn to fix a hem or sew on a patch for starters. We will provide sewing machines and other supplies. Bring clothes and any extra fabric you have.”
That may be worth a shot.
October 27th, 2006 @ 3:24 am
I emphasize. I too work in a PR firm and have realized my winter wardrobe is sub-par. Here’s a trick for you – next time you are at your fav store (Banana, Gap, Loft) ask them when they put they make the switch to sale merchandise.
The Loft by me always adds their merchandise to the sales rack on Thursdays, so today I swung by and picked up a new pair of pants. Still pricey but I really have a hard time finding pants.
Or if you shop outlet ask them when they get their new shipments in. Very helpful.
October 27th, 2006 @ 8:38 pm
Outdated doesn’t bother me. I work in IT with a bunch of plaid shirted, khaki wearing guys. Occaisionally they were the embroidered corporate logo polo shirt instead during summer months. But I don’t stray too far off what they wear either, unless I put on heels and a skirt for an after work date. Even though I don’t crawl on the floor anymore plugging in wires, I still dress like I do.
I’d hate working in a field where they judge you by the trendiness of your clothes. But you sound like you love your job, which is ok by me.
October 27th, 2006 @ 10:15 pm
Hey Nicole! I LOVE the new blog focus on the next stage of your life. As a 24-year-old, PR-agency-working gal (still in the “making peanuts” stage), I feel like I have a window into my very near future!
Anyway, as for clothes, I absolutely swear by the Banana outlet. Not sure where outlets might be in your part of the country, but I recently bought a pair of cute ballet flats, brown pants, awesome chunky sweater, fitted scoop-neck sweater, and long-sleeved cotton top for around $160 (was going to be $206, but I discovered the outlet mall VIP card for $5, which gave me 25% off a purchase of $100 or more).
I also love Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off Fifth for quality/designer clothes on the cheap. Target for accessories, shoes and sometimes “real” clothes–they have some great sweaters there right now for $17.99! Forever 21 for accessories too. And I agree with someone else on Marshalls, Ross and TJ Maxx. SO worth digging for some great finds. Those places are also wonderful for high-quality home items, like dishes, flatware, cookware, candles, etc.
I was very cheap in the beginning of my post-college life, spending almost nothing on clothing (since I had to buy more important things like a bed!), and then I found myself, two years later, having absolutely nothing to wear. Now I think it’s better to maybe spend $250 every fall and spring to continually updating your wardrobe rather than having to buy everything all at once a few years down the road.
Good luck!
October 28th, 2006 @ 7:47 pm
I agree with the anonymous poster ahead of me, I think you gotta budget a couple of hundred bucks once or twice a year to update your wardrobe, then stretch it as far as you can. That being said, with the holidays coming up, two pieces of advice: can you identify a few pieces that will work for you as potential gifts from family/friends? Better than getting another appliance etc. that you won’t use! Also, everything out there now will be VASTLY cheaper after Christmas. You may be able to pick up a few good fall clearance items now, but I’d hold off on anything not discounted at least 30%.
I’m in the same position as you, I’m young, relatively broke, but have a job where I have to look professional. I do a lot of my shopping at outlet malls, Ann Taylor loft when they have specials, J Crew sales, and some Banana Republic sales as well. I find those stores offer the best compromise between quality/style and price. Good luck!
November 6th, 2006 @ 11:51 am
Holla to my PR chicas. Budgeting babe, I too shop at BR outlet but I have to warn you things can still be expensive there (especially pants). I have never ever done this before but this past weekend I went to a … consignment shop! I got a great Banana sweater, hardly worn 1-2 times, for $12.75.
I would check Target online. They have a lot of exclusives there that your coworkers will not recognize as Target.