Trying to dress nicer...

I just started a history major this semester, but since I came out of the art program, I don't really have anything super nice to wear on a regular basis. Most of my clothes are things I didn't care to get ink or charcoal on. I'm left with about 3 nice button-down shirts and one half-decent pair of jeans after having been a printmaker for the past 3 years.

Anyway, since I'm introverted I don't really pay attention to how people my age dress, so I'm kinda lost. I don't really know where to shop to get nice things since my criteria before was "Can I get ink on it and feel okay?"

I'm looking for a place that isn't Walmart where I can get good basic clothes... I want some nice black button-down shirts, colored camis and tanks, and some good jeans.

Living in small towns makes it pretty hard to find really nice clothes; the nearest Target is 70 miles away, as is the nearest big mall. In town, we only have JCP, Peeble's, and Maurices.

I'm also trying to look my age, but polished as well. (I'm 22, and kind of on the chubby & busty side with really wide hips.) My problem is that I usually either dress like I'm 18-19, or like I'm 35... both need to stop.

So please, if you have a place to recommend, or certain fits to recommend, let me hear it!
I'm also on kind of a budget and want to stretch $200 for new clothes as far as I can. I'd also like to modify most of what I get so I can add a nice gothic flair to everyday clothes without going overboard.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
19 replies since 12th January 2013 • Last reply 12th January 2013

Reply #1:

Rue 21 is good, and Jcpenney's has clearance items a lot. Thrift stores depending on the store are good also.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #2:

You’d be amazed at what you can find at thrift stores sometimes. If there’s a Ross nearby they’re pretty affordable to, what about Plato’s Closet? They’ve got jeans for as low as 9 bucks. It’s kind of pick and choose with them as far as the rest of the stuff goes bc it seems geared more towards 14-16 yr olds but the jeans are okay for someone in their 20’s. As far as style goes just cut out some photos in a magazine or print off line and take them in with you to see if you can find something similar but the best way to find out if you like something is to try it on. So my suggestions are Thrift Stores, if you’re looking for vintage stuff I’d go to Buffalo Exchange; if you’re looking for affordable jeans I’d go to Plato’s Closet. You can always try other ones but these are just some of the ones I'm familiar with. Ross has some nice stuff their jeans/dress pants are 13-20$. They usually have really cute blouses and dresses too. I wouldn’t suggest buying off line bc it may not look/fit how you thought it would based off of the photo on line.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #3:

I agree with the people above; thrift/consignment stores are a great idea! It saves you a lot of money. I get my jeans at Plato's Closet and the prices are amazing!! But if you don't have a Plato's near you, I'm sure other thrift stores are just as good.
If you own a sewing machine you can alter and refashion pretty clothes you find that maybe don't fit you well, or are not your style.
For jeans, I don't recommend shopping online because many brands are sized differently, but you can find a lot of cute tops for cheap online. Forever 21 has a great selection of basics and dressy clothes.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #4:

I'll have to see what kinds of thrift stores are in Sioux Falls. In town here, we only have Christian-run thrift shops that only sell very conservative clothing. I don't know if we have a Plato's Closet here and we definitely don't have Ross... though there are both of them close to my parents' house in PA so I'll look there when I visit for spring break.

I'll check to see if there's a Forever 21 or Rue 21 in the mall in SooFoo too.
I think there's a TJ Maxx, too that I'll have to check.

The midwest kinda sucks for clothing selection sometimes, especially if you don't live in a big city. lol

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #5:

My favorite place for quality clothes is New York and Company. Forever 21 has nice looking clothes, but they are cheeply made and anything I get there is a throw-away piece that I don't invest much in. If I want a quality piece that will last a long time I shop at New York and Company. Granted you'll spend around $50 on a pair of pants but they will last for years longer than what you'll get at other places. But hey, you're only 22 so enjoy dressing young for a few more years. I would love to be 22 again and be able to dress more freely. I feel like I'm having to get rid of certain articles of clothes I love simply because I'm 27 and a mom now. I can't dress they way I used to anymore.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #6:

I would try online shopping if I were you Happy I've doing that lately because my town doesn't have the best choices either (we do have most stores but they're all really small). Online sites have the same prices as in store and they have clearance and sale too, so it's worth a try Happy

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #7:

I've been checking online, but all the cute black shirts are always sold out.

I actually used to work at NY&Co when I was 18 and loved their tops. The jeans there don't fit me very well because of how large my hips are. I usually shop at Talbot's because I have the credit card and get discounts every so often, but a lot of their pant cuts are too old for me.

I'm hopefully going to go to JCP tonight to see what I can find. I really need some new jeans that look a bit more grown up than the juniors jeans I've been wearing because they don't pressure my ovarian cysts.. but the cysts seem to be less severe since I have been working out more.

Once I find some good fits, I'll start getting stuff online. I'm just always worried about some brands being smaller than others, but what JCP carries tend to be pretty consistent between brands.

If I find some cool stuff, I'll post pictures of my shopping haul Happy

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #8:

Well, I got most of what I wanted today and came in $85 under budget!
Two pairs of jeans, 2 button-down shirts to modify, 5 camis in all sorts of colors, a cowlneck tank, and a really cool striped boatneck shirt. Happy

I'm going to do some more shopping this week to see if I can find some nice t-shirts and tanks to stencil for funsies. I'm really happy I found nice jeans. They're a darker wash than I like, but they look good.

JCP actually worked out for me, which is rare. lol

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #9:

I know I'm a tad late to this thread but I wanted to share this blog I found a couple of months ago:
http://fourtyninedresses.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/DIY
If you decide to go the charity shop/thrift shore route this blog has some great ideas for customising clothes to make them more flattering for your figure, as well as generally more fashonable and better for a younger person. You do have to be relatively good as sewing for some of them, but some are more straight forward. She also has some great styling tips.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #10:

Ooh, that's really neat! It gives me some ideas because I have some old clothes I could upcycle rather than throw out... woot!

I think this weekend I'm going to do a little more shopping to see what I can find.

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #11:

I was a once art student... I graduated with a humanities degree and got an office job where I needed to dress nice.

I was tired of buying cheep, teenage looking clothes that fell apart so I started shopping at places I wouldn't normally try and loved it. My favorite stores now are Gap, Macy's, New York and Company and I LOVE the Limited.You'd be surprised - prices can be really good especially with sales and coupons - sign up for free memberships and rewards programs.

It's alright to spend a little extra money on something so long as it's a quality piece you can get a lot of use out of - like a great pair of jeans or slacks, basic tops that can be worn it different ways over and over again. I love that I take pride in the way I look now - my confidence is much higher knowing I look my best and my age.

Good luck Happy post some before and after pictures

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #12:

I'll post some pictures soon Happy
I decided that instead of throwing out the corduroys I have, I'm going to turn the purple pair into skinnies and I might convert the grey pair into a pencil skirt.

My fiance is taking me shopping tomorrow so hopefully I can find even more neat stuff. I'll be checking NY&Co... they usually offer like a 10 or 15% discount when you have a valid AAA card, so that will help a lot. I really want some colored button down shirts and new belts.

I'm finally going to spend some time sewing this week since I don't have class tomorrow for MLK day and my Tuesdays and Thursdays are free. It's so liberating to be a history major now!

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #13:

I find my favorite flannel button ups at the Good Will, they aren't frumpy either they are fitted, a bit crooked but whatever I am too, on the right hip.... Do you have a Good Will near by? There are button up's for days and they are $3.00 so you can cut, sew and throw out if you mess up.

I am planning a skirt and t-shirt summer... may look Pentecostal... but I have my dreads..... I get all my skirts at the Good Will too and I love them all!!!! They are the best. my favorite is the floor length silky black one.... I can't wait till it gets warmer!

GOOD WILL WOOT WOOT! And I have a green and Black Striped New York & Co. Button up I got at the Good Will!! Ahhh crazy Good Will lady... I am done now. lol

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam
Reply #14:

I see Gap Jeans too! and I got a pair of Baby Phat.. IDK I like the cat on the butt...

Edit Delete
Moderate: Hide this post Mark as Spam


Reply