HIT>Career clothes, what they are and where to get 'em

[Rita Hennessey <RitaInCT@AOL.COM>]

Thanks everyone for helping me get dressed for work :-)
I guess I'm not the only one with this dilemma, because here is a Hit
(requested by many).
In general, Speigal, Talbot's, JCrew and Land's End catalogs were recommended
for quality and said to be worth the price; JC Penney's (store and catalog)
was recommended for the mix 'n' match quality to their clothes (a few pieces
make a lot of different outfits) and are resonably proced; Chadwick's of
Boston recommended for price but not quality; and several Netters recommended
thrift shops.  I'm including all the fashion advice as well as store /
catalog recommendations. Thanks again to all who replied!

--Rita

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I always shop at Joslin's Dept. Store and get comfortable dresses with
pockets.
I hate to wear a skirt and blouse as they always seem to come untucked when i
reach up to shelve those books on the high shelves.  You might try Dillard's
Dept store too.  Do you have these 2 chains on the East Coast? I shop in
Cheyenne, WY, Fort Collins, Colo., and Lincoln, Nebr.  Judy Jensen, Laramie
Senior High School Librarian, Laramie, Wyoming.
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Do y'all have Goody's in CT?  They're really inexpensive and have a wide
selection!
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 In July I discovered a great place called The Charter Club. The
normal prices on their clothes are pretty expensive, but their sales and
clearance prices are great (100 % wool pants for 25, silk blouses for about
the same.) There is one at the Westfarms Mall and one at the Danbury Fair
Mall. Good luck.
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I was thinking about that just the other day and wondered if I might
feel comfortable and not look *weird* if I wore a lab jacket! I LOVE
the pockets... I'm always trapsing around with THINGS and I teach a
full load too... I'm thinking I might try it...

Joni Rathbun, Taft High: jrathbun@orednet.org
http://teams.k14.ojgse.edu/~rathbunj
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Rita--

Yep, what a problem!  I've had to resort to no dresses/skirts as I am
crawling under computers most days at some time.  I finally have broken down
and ordered from Speigal which can be pricy, but they look professional and
modern.  I've tried Chadwick's mail order as well, but the quality isn't
there and I end up getting rid of them much quicker.  I have some stuff from
Speigal from 8 years ago that still looks good and not out of date.  Liz
Claiborne is a label I like too for the above reasons, but I have to wait
for sales or go to T J Maxx, Ross or someplace like that before I tend to
buy them.  Good luck.

Linda
-------------------
I hate heels and I hate dresses and I loathe "cute teacher clothes".
I own about 5 pair of black, navy, kaki etc. pants -with pockets, about
15 solid color t-shirts  (from both the mens and the women's departments
at Target) and about 5-6 vests, which I also buy at Target ($10-15 each).
I wear loafers and socks that match my tee -shirt. Easy, cheap,
comfortable and practical.  I do have some "reading inspriation" t-shirts
that I've picked up here and there. I do buy the pants at the department
store and have them dry cleaned so they always look tidy.

Good luck!  dress for sucess suits just don't make it an elementary
school library.
Guusje
                           Guusje Moore
                 Librarian, Housman Elementary School
                           Houston, Texas
                          guusje@tenet.edu
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I order from JCPenney's. Then again, I'm a large sized person and have
difficulty also finding professional clothing. But Penneys does have a
wide range of sizes.
-------------------
For years I have purchased nothing but Christian Dior, Liz Claiborne, and
other brand names in all the styles that I like which are classic lines,
straight skirts, and in my colors--black, white, red and yellow--I do not
make pockets a prequisite, but I do like them, too. I have never paid (much)
more than $10.00 for any outfit. Where do I go? Thrift shops--Salvation
Army, Goodwill. In fact, my "find" of all time was a Christian Dior suit in
Goodwill for $7.99 just last week. If you want to spend a bit more there are
the consignment shops. I love the Charity Thrift Shops because they have
great stuff and the money goes to a worthy cause!!

I am very picky, too, and have definite demands in clothing as stated above.
I have looked in all the catalogs and the stores and find nothing that I
would wear at any price.I take everything directly to the dry cleaners, of
course. They also fix any small problems that the dress may have. Just look
carefully for cigarette burns--they cannot be fixed too easily!!

Happy Hunting!!!

Sharon Owen
LMS
2 Middle Schools
Madera, Ca
rsowen@psnw.com
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Ladies'trousers do not always have pockets.  Go to the men's shops
(assuming you
are  able to use the cut of men's wear).  In Westport there was always a
Jr. League thrift shop which might have some "out of style" items that
still have pockets and are basic.  Tunics have pockets.  Blazers have
pockets.  You are right...what is on the racks today does not fit your
description.  HLJ
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You might not believe this, but I've gotten some of my favorite
"professional" clothes--they meet all four of your criteria--at thrift
stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army, Red White & Blue, etc.) and other
Resale shops. Of course they all carry some things I would *never*
consider, but there are some great bargains to be found!

Julie Swartzentruber
swartzen@pps.pgh.pa.us
-------------------
 I don't know how old you are, or what "style" you
prefer, but if you like classic clothes, you might want to look
at Alfred Dunner and Koret as labels to look for.  They are
carried in the so-called "better" dept. stores, such as
Hecht's, Dillards, Leggett, etc.  I don't know how far-reaching
these particular chains go; Hecht's and Dillards may be in
Connecticut.  I think Leggett is primarily a southeastern chain.

 Alfred Dunner makes suits, slacks, blouses, sweaters,
vests, etc., and most have pockets, and most are comfortable,
and they all look good; coordinates are all sold separately so
you can mix and match to your heart's content.  I love the
Koret line that goes by the name, City Blues--dressy denims
that also fit your criteria.  I _think_ they're still made;
it's been too, too long since I went wardrobe shopping!!  Your
message is putting me in the mood!
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Rita,
I hate to shop.  I order clothes from Lands End and Chadwicks of Boston.
Chadwicks has very reasonably priced clothes.

Barb Benkert
-------------------
Interesting question.  While I have no idea of what your tastes are or
what you look like, I will make a few suggestions:  get yourself a blazer
(or two or three);  go for tailored pants or skirts - things that look
good with low-heeled but contemporary shoes.  Don't go for frills,
flowers, etc.  (That may be more personal taste than anything else.)
Almost everyone looks good in something black - then camel or khaki,
navy, red, green.  (I like basic strong colors over pastels.)

I guess what I mean is that there is nothing unprofessional about a good
pair of khaki slacks with a shirt and a navy blazer.  Hems should
probably be knee length or a little longer or shorter.  The long lengths
do not do quite as well.  Dress walking shorts are fine.  Always wear
stockings and "dress" shoes (though they need not have high heels).

As you can tell, I like separates - lots of flexibility.  And there is no
need to spend a lot of money!  Clean lines and "firm" colors.  And don't
worry about people seeing you in the same thing too often.  I used to
till I realized that I sometimes could not remember what I had worn two
days ago.

Is this helpful?  Hope so.  Whatever - don't panic over it.  Oh, and look
at your other teachers.  See what you like and wht you don't like.  Copy
the former and not the latter.  Good luck.

Kari Inglis    kbw_inglis@k12.mec.ohio.gov
-------------------
Talbots has great sales!  In January and July prices go down 70% on many
items.  Get on their mailing list, check stores near you, maybe you are
lucky enough to have a Talbots Outlet near you.  Clothes are well made...
lined and classic.  They never go out of style.  Its the only place I shop.

Gail M. Szeliga
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I know that you might find this unbelievable, but I really love Talbot's
(catalogue in Hingham, MA); Clifford and Wills is another good choice.
They have nice knits which wear well.  However, I'm still a big Talbot's
fan.  I'll look for the 1-800 number and send it to you.
-Joanne Peters
-------------------
Sew
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We have a great store called Chico's.  It's comfortable, cotton clothes
that have pockets that you can wear mix and match--vests, jackets,
skirts, pants.  All done by color coordinating and interesting patterns.
I would bet that Westport has such a store (I had cousins there when I
grew up on Long Island).  It can be pricey but their sales are great and
the clothes last from year to year.
-------------------
Rita, do you have a Goody's where you are?  It's a discount chain, but they
carry some nice clothes.  This week they gave out  a 10% off discount for
one afternoon for teachers.  They had several sweater vests which had school
pictures -- rulers, pencils, apples, etc.  There were cotton vests and shirts
with school appliques.  I found a sweater vest with books on it which had a
matching skirt and blouse.
A while back someone posted a message about a vest in Penney's catalog with
a book design.  It had a matching blouse.
I agree about the pockets.  I find if I don't have pockets I go around all
day
reaching for them.
Good luck!
Carol Wheat
-------------------
I would try Target, if you have it by you. They have some pretty decent
clothes that are resonably priced.

My personal favorite is Eddie Bauer, but I usually wait for things to go on
sale.
-------------------
Have you looked at Smith and Hawken's clothing?  They have great
gardening catalogs, but they also have a specialty catalog for gardening
clothes which are sturdy and practical also attractive - cool colors & lots
of pockets.  Some are skirts, dresses and jumpers but easy fitting
and not confining.  They look casual but not sloppy.  You may also have a
 S&H store in your area.  Happy hunting!
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I would check Talbots catalog (1800 Talbots) where I bought all my
interview outfits.  You can buy via catalog and they are also in a few
malls.

I also like Speigel, but it can get pricey for some things. It is all
professional looking and wuality clothes (you can get an order form in many
magazines or I think it's 1800spiegel)
-------------------
I depend on Lands' End. (Sorry, didn't mean to rhyme. . .)
Even though their clothes seem expensive at first, they are worth it.
 Everything I've ever gotten from their catalog -- especially the knit tops
and skirts -- lasts forever, endures constant trips through the washer/dryer,
always looks neat and put-together, and all the skirts have POCKETS.
Last year I had to make several presentations to the Bd. of Ed., Parent
groups, and even local civic associations.  I wore a turtleneck and matching
skirt, with a blazer on top, and was as professional as could be.
Alice H. Yucht
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Have you tried JCPenney?

 Okay, it might not be the height of fashion but their clothing
does meet your requirements.

 I have a wardrobe of suits that can be interchanged.  This
doubles your wardrobe immediately.  Suit jackets almost always have
pockets.  Add some pretty blouses/sweaters/scarves, a few
pins/earrings/etc., and hair ornaments.  You'll be set.

 In spring, when the weather is too warm for a jacket, I revert to
denim skirts - all of which have pockets.

 There are several mail order "professional" attire catalogs
(Bedford Fair, Chadwick, etc.)

 Good luck!
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I hate "looking like a librarian" and have spent 20+ years trying not too!
I keep my T-shirt/vest combos from looking to boring by always wearing
interesting, arty earrings.
Guusje
-------------------
My favorite for professional type inexpensive clothes is Chadwick's of
Boston--a catalog you can get by calling 1-800-525-6650.  Good for
skirts, blazers, dressy slacks, and reasonably priced.
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Rita, Have you thought about finding someone to
sew outfits for you?
 Up until a year ago, I had one black skirt that
had pockets and I just added a different top each
morning, or somedays I would have a loose jacket with
a top.
 I work in a vocational high school and the
faculty is just a little more relaxed than in other
schools.
 Watching for sales on material, and on patterns,
you could have a neat wardrobe.  Price might be the
same as you would pay in a store, after paying someone
to make it for you, but that might be a way to go.
    Emily Jean
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Try Vermont Country Store -1-802-362-2400
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Hi.. I have become the most "JUMPER" person I know. I find them now almost
anywhere from K-Marts to Northern Exposure.  I love jumpers with pretty
blouses or in the winter, warm turtlenecks!   I love those pockets TOOO!!!
bev
Bev Rovelli
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I get some of my clothes at Sears.  There I can get suits with pants and
skirts and all with pockets.

D. Frances Knight        fknight@tenet.edu
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My predecessor here at the Juvenile Justice Center School wore a fishing
vest over her regular outfits.  It had tons of pockets and hiding places!
Came in handy since this is a locked facility and we have to lug a ton of
keys around.  I've seen them in blue and khaki colors.  Check out REI or
Campmoor or LL Bean catalogs. Good luck!

Debbie Samuels
Media Specialist
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This is frivolous BUT important.  My comfort tip is to wear long skirts,
flat shoes and knee high trouser socks.  My friend calls them "cheater
hose".  The knee highs also last much longer than panty hose so you save $$$.
Have fun shopping!
Velda