Please help me shop!

I have $300.00 to spend on new clothes for work. I know this is a very
small amount of money, but it's the best I can do for now as my fianc=E9
and I are paying for our own wedding (in Maui) and reception this May.
I'm so excited!!! The dress code in my office is business casual, and
the environment is generally conservative, as I work with engineers.
I'm especially interested in on line shopping since the store options
in my area are so very slim. My body type is slim, at 5'6" and 112 lbs.
I wear anywhere from a size 0–4. I think the style that most fits me
would be modern mixed with a touch of femininity. What else can I tell
you to help me in my quest??
=20
Thank you in advance!!
=20
Laura
In South Carolina

What is the climate like where you live? Also, do you have access to
discount places like Marshall's and TJ Maxx?
cofarb


<lauramichel...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1132579004.157676.4...@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
I have $300.00 to spend on new clothes for work. I know this is a very
small amount of money, but it's the best I can do for now as my fiancé
and I are paying for our own wedding (in Maui) and reception this May.
I'm so excited!!! The dress code in my office is business casual, and
the environment is generally conservative, as I work with engineers.
I'm especially interested in on line shopping since the store options
in my area are so very slim. My body type is slim, at 5'6" and 112 lbs.
I wear anywhere from a size 0–4. I think the style that most fits me
would be modern mixed with a touch of femininity. What else can I tell
you to help me in my quest??
Thank you in advance!!
Laura
In South Carolina

70's in spring, 90's in summer, 50's /60's in fall and 40's in winter.
Thank you!
cofarb wrote:

Sorry, I meant to add...I DO have access to TJ Maxx.
cofarb wrote:

On 21 Nov 2005 05:16:44 –0800, "lauramichel...@gmail.com" wrote:
Buy ten polo shirts in different colors with the company and/or
project logo. No engineer would ever object to that.

In article <dto3o1lqle9md9l67uqqerno2mfpasm...@4ax.com>,
nikve...@sbcglobal.net.BUTNOTWORKS says...
How about this logo :–)?
http://tinyurl.com/dqdls
––
Debbie the Dogged das at spamcop dot net
"Poodles are space aliens who think they've disguised
themselves as dogs." – Paghat the Ratgirl

try this online consignment boutique at www.laura–michelles.com
you might find something that fits your budget and size.
they have gently used designer clothing, shoes and accessories
in the Greenwood, SC and Easley, SC area

On Mon, 21 Nov 2005 07:54:14 –0800, Debbie the Dogged wrote:
On 21 Nov 2005 05:16:44 –0800, "lauramichel...@gmail.com" wrote:
The dress code in my office is business casual, and the environment
is generally conservative, as I work with engineers.
Buy ten polo shirts in different colors with the company and/or
project logo. No engineer would ever object to that.
It would be the thing for employees of the Mad Scientists Union, Local
42. (No, I'm not going to wear that one to work.)

lauramichel...@gmail.com wrote:
When you're working with a limited budget, a wardrobe cluster or
capsule can help you get a lot of different looks with a few carefully
planned, coordinating pieces. Here are a few sites to get you started:
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/FCS2/FCS2820/FCS2820.pdf
http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/p2228.htm
http://www.everywoman.co.uk/planning/article.asp?id=1327&switch=true
You might also want to check your local library for books & videos by
Judith Rasband. I've found her to be very inspiring.

Thanks to all! I have a plan! I will let you know the final result.
Laura

hi if you have that problem why not buy from online. i know some goods
are very cheap from our online store www.asuppliers.com
pls register it them we can contact you by msn or email.
sean

"Charlie Perrin" <nikve...@sbcglobal.net.BUTNOTWORKS> wrote in message
news:dto3o1lqle9md9l67uqqerno2mfpasm...@4ax.com...
He's kidding. And if he *isn't* kidding, he *should* be.
I don't work in an office anymore so I am reluctant to make specific
recommendations. There are books that really put it together for you. (And
previous alt.fashion threads if you can google for them.) You don't have to
buy the books, just skim through them at the bookstore. You might also look
at fashion magazines (and the online versions, too) for articles about
mixing and matching, as well as "take this look from office to evening"
types of articles.
When I travel, I try to pack in a way that lets me mix and match, as well as
layer the pieces. I try to stick to only one or two accent colors, plus
basic black, unless I'm headed someplace warm. I like black and white and
black and red outfits, but you can/should choose whatever accent colors you
like. I also happen to like dresses because you don't have to think about
putting together a top and bottom. I especially like wrap dresses because
the fit is flexible.
Because I am a klutz and I also have cats, I try to avoid "dry clean only"
items. A black/grey tweed skirt can hide a multitude of cat hair and lint.
And it makes a great foundation for a variety of tops in your accent
color(s).
I always found that it was better to be a little more dressed up––rather
than more dressed *down*––than the rest of the crew.
hth,
cofarb

On Mon, 21 Nov 2005 16:21:06 –0500, "cofarb" wrote:
On 21 Nov 2005 05:16:44 –0800, lauramichelles wrote:
The dress code in my office is business casual, and the environment
is generally conservative, as I work with engineers.
Buy ten polo shirts in different colors with the company and/or
project logo. No engineer would ever object to that.
I should know what engineers object to... I have a BSEE degree.
BSCEs might be more conservative because the "PE" after many of their
names wasn't because of their performance in gym class. <grin/duck>
I've been in an engineering business casual environment for years.
You'd probably be better dressed than the engineers, at least around
here.
OK, maybe they'd object to a Rockwell International AC–130U Spectre
Gunship logo. (No, I didn't work on it. Yes, I thought it was cool.
Yes, I know a guy who happened to work on it. Yes, he just happened to
have one in XXX. No, he wouldn't even take money for it, he wanted it
out of the house because he was cleaning up on the weekend.)
Although what's not a problem in Houston might be a major wardrobe
malfunction in Research Triangle Park.
That's called "T–shirts and shorts." No, I don't dress that way at
work.
I'll agree with that.... in retrospect, after I chatted with a former
CEO of the company wearing hemp sneakers. Fortunately, he didn't note
the tag. He was the one with a nasty reputation but seemed downright
friendly to talk with.

lauramichel...@gmail.com wrote:
I realize I'm kind of late to the game, but I'm also an engineer in a
"business casual" environment who is 5'6", although I haven't weighted
that little in a long time. *ahem*
I recommend simple twill pants, at least five unless you want to do
laundry more often, and an assortment of simple tops with or without
colars. For pants, I really need to try them on. At your weight, you
probably have a bit more fit flexibility. When I started working again
after an unintentional hiatus in which I lost a lot of weight, I stuck
with the basic pants and shirts for a while. I'd find a few tops that I
really liked, but I didn't want to buy items just because I thought I
needed to fill out my wardobe. Since I didn't have a lot of sweaters but
got cold in the winter, I wore Cuddl Duds underneath. Still do, as a
matter of fact.
I think Kohl's has decent stuff for the money. Like these:
http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_vanilla3.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=198616061&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=24180659&bmUID=1132708829309
http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_vanilla3.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=237186621&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=24180659&bmUID=1132708913016
With any button down shirts, beware of "the gap" between buttons in the
bust area. A cleverly concealed safety pin often does the trick.
http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_vanilla3.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=203796059&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=3720301&bmUID=1132709181088
http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_vanilla3.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=236646383&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=231434299&bmUID=1132709258641
For shoes, I consider the minimum to be a brown pair and a black pair. I
used to try to mimick men's styles, but now I prefer a slight heel.
I started out jewelry–wise with a simple chain and pendant and some
simple earrings to go with them, and I've accumulated more since then.
JeanneP
JeanneP

It saddens me that business casual is now khakis/jeans and polo shirts.
Jeans that are a little beat up, the polo washed out with a curled up
collar and sneakers are now business casual. Ugh.
I work in a biz/cas office where some people look downright sloppy.
It's a debate about what defines business casual and there isn't a
defenition. On the same day that one woman in our office looks like
she's heading straigh to a nighclub (one shoulder top with dress
pants), a guy in our office looks like he's dressed to go wash the car
and another guy looks like a banker.
If you have an outlet center near you, head there for Nine West, Banana
outlet, etc
Here's what I like for biz/cas:
Express Editor & Correspondent pants (try them in the store then get
them cheap on eBay)
Nine West pumps – no matter what heel height, they are the comfiest
Gap has nice, cheap sweaters and cardies
Get a couple of cute tops from Zara/H&M/Forever21
That will pretty much burn up $300.
melanie

On 22 Nov 2005 18:27:15 –0800, "Lipgloss Junkie" wrote:
On ours (a klutzo admin accidentally leaked the proposed "upgrades" to
what's called "business casual") they want to edict out jeans.
Not sneakers, however, unless they want to make a special case for
ones that are traffic–cone orange (and I'm complain if they did that).
<grin/duck>
No definition implies no management.
Either that, or one that doesn't want to step on people's toes. Of
course, the NAM shills get on NPR and complain they can't get and keep
trained people while the UAW shills get on NPR and complain about the
potential unemployment rate among people who make GM's version of the
Edsel.
At least we aren't double–digit unemployment like a lot of the EU.
Of course, it could be argued that large corporations use the term
"Human Resources" only because the 14th Amendment outlawed the use of
the word "slaves." <grin/duck>
Washington Mutual banker or the other kind?
Multiply by 5 and you've spent more than the computer you're probably
using. Just as well revert to funeral–director suits.
IMHO, all dress code upgrades should take effect 30 days after the
last bonus or a "more–than–usual number of paychecks in the month"
month so people will have potential free money to replace the
now–verboten items. <grin/duck>

I know you got a lot of great ideas, but I had to chime in, since I'm
also work in an engineering office (though I'm a manager now and don't
get to play with the cables much any more.)
One of my standards has been a pair of slacks (feminine stylish chinos
or cargos, or well cut jeans), with a tank top or v–neck and either a
sweater or a open shirt over it. This lets me wear more feminine things
(depending on the tank, shirt or sweater), while still being practical
and somewhere in between the well dressed marketing types and the
way–casual engineers. And the tank means I don't have to worry about
the "gaposis" someone else mentioned!
I also picked up a corduroy skirt this winter, and some cute kitten
heeled pumps (Payless, $11), and that's been a nice change from pants.
The kitten heels also jazz up pants or jeans.
Have fun with it!
Nadya