Where To Find Career Wear (Part Two)

Today, I'm going to discuss discount chains.

You can find a range of brands at these chains, from big names like Ralph Lauren to labels made for the discount chain circuit, such as Willi Wear. Dresses are usually quite dreadful at these places, but you can always find nice-looking, up-to-date-styled complete suits for as low as under $100, plus all of the separates you could want for a low price. Casual or conservative, you can find pretty much anything at these stores to fit your office culture.

TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Ross--TJ Maxx and Marshalls have more or less the same merchandise since they are owned by the same company. How good the stuff is often depends on where you live/shop. I think the stores in SoCal have all of the best stuff, while TJ Maxx isn't nearly as good on the East Coast. My advice is to hit the stores in upscale neighborhoods...that's where you'll find the top notch stuff.

Loehmann's--You can find complete suits for less than $150. Search out the clearance racks and reduced price racks for the best bargains. A couple of years ago I got a complete Tahari suit for $99 on the reduced rack.

Saks Off 5th outlet--Here's where you can find Stella McCartney jacket on "sale" for $450 or luck out and find a Marc By Marc Jacobs blouse in a size 10-14 for under $150. But if you're budget is tighter than that or you need bigger sizes, there's plenty of stuff from Saks' in-store labels and other big names like Dana Buchman or Ellen Tracy to peruse. Again, head for the clearance racks for incredible bargains.

Nordstrom Rack--My local store always looks like someone tossed a hand grenade inside and ran, but if you haunt the racks near the front of the store, you'll find the best stuff culled from Nordstrom stores or from its catalog/website.