Comments on: The Frumpy Dilemma http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/ A personal finance blog for career minded women with small budgets and big dreams. Sun, 05 Aug 2012 15:47:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymous http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/#comment-1700 Anonymous Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:51:00 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=243#comment-1700 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. <br/><br/>I would check Target online. They have a lot of exclusives there that your coworkers will not recognize as Target. 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.

]]> By: Anonymous http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/#comment-1649 Anonymous Sat, 28 Oct 2006 19:47:00 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=243#comment-1649 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%.<br/><br/>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! 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!

]]> By: Anonymous http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/#comment-1647 Anonymous Fri, 27 Oct 2006 22:15:00 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=243#comment-1647 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! <br/><br/>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). <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>Good luck! 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!

]]> By: mapgirl http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/#comment-1646 mapgirl Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:38:00 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=243#comment-1646 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.<br/><br/>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. :-) 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. :-)

]]> By: Elaine http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/#comment-1643 Elaine Fri, 27 Oct 2006 03:24:00 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=243#comment-1643 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. <br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>Or if you shop outlet ask them when they get their new shipments in. Very helpful. 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.

]]> By: Him http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/#comment-1642 Him Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:12:00 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=243#comment-1642 There's a clothing swap going on in Rogers Park this weekend:<br/><br/>http://www.chicagoist.com/archives/2006/10/26/a_big_crafty_mess_hall.php<br/><br/>From the website:<br/><br/>"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."<br/><br/>That may be worth a shot. 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.

]]> By: Nicole http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/#comment-1641 Nicole Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:14:00 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=243#comment-1641 That said, I LOVE the clothing swap idea! But my friends and I are all vastly different sizes :( That said, I LOVE the clothing swap idea! But my friends and I are all vastly different sizes :(

]]> By: Nicole http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/#comment-1640 Nicole Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:13:00 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=243#comment-1640 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! 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!

]]> By: beatrice http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/#comment-1639 beatrice Thu, 26 Oct 2006 14:33:00 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=243#comment-1639 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! 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!

]]> By: Angela http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2006/10/25/the-frumpy-dilemma/#comment-1638 Angela Thu, 26 Oct 2006 09:20:00 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=243#comment-1638 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.<br/><br/>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. 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.

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