View Full Version : argh, basic work pants for women
Iam frustrated. Many of the pairs of pants I got a few years ago are showing serious wear. So it is time to get new ones, even my best pair have a light stain on them. I have some functional pants and some of them I really hate. About once a week I wear a skirt and I wear jeans on Fridays or when i know I will be active with kids more than supervisory.
So I went to both JC Penney and target to find a good pair of pants and then get 2-3 colors of the same size and brand and I could not find basic, Lee or Dockers type pants in a cotton twill type fabric that was not jeans. I found some silky trendy pants and some skinny leg bright colors and loads of jeans. I really need petites and in a size that seems very common (6 or 8). The heavier type twill is because often I put on running shoes and end up playing in the gym but earlier in the day met with the principal.
So I am thinking about either doing what I have been,. which is doign laundry every 2 weeks to force myself to wear clothes in a larger rotation even if they are not favorites, or to really keep searching. I thought maybe Sears had something like Lands End clothes so I could try them on, or maybe Kohls? I would go to a nicer store too since I have had my last batch of pants for 3-4 years now.
I've gotten Dockers at Kohl's. Decent selection. Land's End would be good too.
Talbot's has nicer clothes in petite sizes. They're more expensive but usually in classic styles. Also, Macy's has their Charter Club dept. I haven't been to a Macy's in some time but they've always had classic clothes in petites as well. Oh, and JC Penney carries Liz Claiborne which may work for you too.
Thank you ladies, Okay tomorrow after church I am trying both Kohl's and Talbots. I had some money owed that was caught up so this is a good time.
ZG, I ONLY wear black pants. Hugely simplifies my wardrobe. Since you're working with the kids and such, perhaps that might be something to consider. Or black and navy. Darker colors show stains less, is what I mean.
Imostly stick to black as well, i need at least one khaki however. It is a requirement apparently if you are from the midwest. My mom takes it seriously and wears khaki all the time, lol. I did want to branch out and have medium gray. I also like a dark brown to have an earth tone now and then. I looked in my closet one day and found 4 pairs of black pants and about 10 white shirts, If I ever want to change to waiting tables i am already set. (white tops are easy to bleach out, and look classy)
Um, I'm from the Midwest and don't do khaki colored pants. Too easy to stain! I've ruined pairs just walking into work on a really rainy, dirty day. You know all the stuff your steps kick up on to the back of your pant legs?
Simplemind
12-9-12, 1:55am
I am a huge fan of black pants and putting the color on top. That keeps the shoes simple too. Lands End is good as well as Eddie Bauer and Kohl's for Dockers. Wash them in cold, inside out to keep the black staying black.
ApatheticNoMore
12-9-12, 3:54am
So it is time to get new ones, even my best pair have a light stain on them.
If they are otherwise in decent condition, take them to the dry cleaners. Most of the time they can get the stains out, just point out where the stains are when you take it in. They have new "green" (not so toxic) dry cleaners these days, which are the ones I patronize. Of course I pay no attention to "dry clean only" labels and always do my own wash, except for stains that don't come out. Although I could see how clothes gotten really cheaply might not even be worth the expense of dry cleaning for stains, since frankly the dry cleaner isn't that cheap either.
I share your frustration with finding decent pants, I'm the same size and petite, but stores only want to sell weird looking stuff, not just normal pairs of pants. Maybe I need to check out the stores recommended here :) Although I think I'm usually looking for something slightly dressier than dockers, corporate business casual type pants.
I am so lucky that my work requires scrubs, in either black or white. I choose black, its a uniform every day, and I never have to think about this problem.
I am a firm believer in Talbots clothes and they carry a great Petites line. If you wait for the Red Hanger Sale and are patient you can get some killer deals on clothes that will last and can be washed a million times. Even their t-shirts I can get oodles of wear out of.
But you HAVE to wait for the Red Hanger sale and for the very end of it when the stuff is like 60% off or more, otherwise you risk an aneurysm when looking at the price tag.
Also they have an email list that sends out decent coupons and a reward program.
At one point in time I found Talbots' styling to be on par with Barbara Bush, but I do think they have made an effort to get more modern over time. (or else my sense of style is getting more like Barbara Bush's .... probably more the later. ;P)
Plus if you are just looking for some basics you can accessorize/spin them however you want.
You are in Denver, right?
I have found smoking deals at the Coldwater Creek Outlet in the mountains in Silverthorne right off of i70 and you can pair it with coupons.
Now you'd spend a fortune in gas getting up the hill to get the deal, but if you were up that way anyway you could pop your head in.
I use this website to find coupons when I have to do some shopping:
http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/2005/10/retail-coupons.html
And of course it's always hit or miss, but finding a nice upscale consignment shop is great because you can at least see how the clothes will wear over time.
No one will fault you at work for always wearing your own "uniform". In fact, if you create your own look for work, it sometimes adds to profesionalism and makes life so much easier. NYC is known for black and it works for them. They were showing Donna Karan's closet (size of an apartment) and she only wears black (well shades of black are allowed). Black slacks and skirts and jeans should cover everything and then add those wonderful tops or scarves or combos on top. Easier to dress and to shop.
Khaki in midwest?? Lived here 35 years and never heard that one.
We just took mom to our local premium outlet mall and I was amazed at the choices. It did take hours to walk around because of the size of the mall but there was just what she was looking for. There were outlets for Ann Taylor, Coldwater Creek, Eddie Bauer, etc. Several of the combo stores (like a Kohls) had a wide variety of slacks for women in almost any style and color.
I have a number of pants from Lands End from what was called their commuter line. Don't know if they still have this. Although I don't normally like non natural fibers, these were great pants that didn't wrinkle and required only touch up ironing. I spend way more time ironing cotton twill pants, plus they always look rumpled on me. I have some that are > 10 years old and still look good (although they look a little dated because back then the waistlines were higher, so I only wear shirts untucked or sweaters with the old pairs ;)).
ooh lots of good ideas. I am stopping short of my 3rd idea which was to fix my sewing machine and make my own clothes. We have some outlet places not too far so I may check those out as well later this week.
So for other petites, why is it that I STILL can find the petite section by looking for a load of polyester elastic pants. Really, I saw them at JC penney last night. Not all old ladies are short after all. I am not talking abotu a classy covered elastic waist buy an elastic waist a hlaf step up from sweat pants. Geez, at least they all matched in pastel colors.
rosarugosa
12-9-12, 11:58am
Another vote for Talbot's; that's where I get most of my clothes. Right now, they're doing a 40% deal (I think they're really hurting). I know that Ann Taylor has a decent petite dept with a younger take on the professional look. I do mostly black and gray for work with more colorful shirts. It does simplify life and the darker colors tend not to show stains.
Another petite size 8 here. Funny thing is I have probably six pairs of black pants for work and only really like the fit of one - they are starting to look worn. I noticed the other day that Sears has a fairly large petite section. I am not fond of the current legging and skinny pants trend either. Just some good quality, well-fitting, straight leg pants would be a wonderful thing...I will look at Talbot's today too.
Gotta go w/ the Eddie Bauer Legend Wash for all twill/chino needs. I have found that they are the softest and nicest style and cut.
And, if you can wait until after Christmas they will have them on sale. At that time the price really comes down and makes them really reasonable.
Plus, their petites sizes are very nicely cut and they just extended the inseam to 30" which is perfect for 5'3" me.
OMG, I fondly remember a couple of pairs of black pants, petite sized, from Talbots but purchased at thrift stores. God I loved them, they were worth getting up for in the morning! haha.
While I can get by with regular sized pants sometimes, I love petite sizing in jackets, they fit me perfectly.
And my favorite jacket EVER was from Talbots, purchased directly from the store and not from thrift store. I wore that thing into the ground. Years later I spotted another one at Goodwill and it was a size too small. My rule is that I never buy clothes that aren't in my current size (and I do go up and down.) I passed it by. BIG MISTAKE! A year later it would have been a perfect fit. I should always allow for an occasional rule break.
jennipurrr
12-10-12, 10:08pm
I have a couple of pairs of pants from Ann Taylor I really like the fit of. If you have an outlet near by you may be able to find a good deal. One is a lined suit pant and the other is a more casual pant. I have to buy tall pants, but I have had a couple of petite friends say they have a good petite line also.
I have two pairs of pants from Talbots that I got from the salvage store...heritage pant maybe? They're wide leg and a not my favorite "look" but they are very comfortable. They say Dry Clean on them but I have been washing them for a year or so now since they didn't say Dry Clean Only...no ill effects. Can I brag that I bought them new with tags for $2 :)
If you are near outlet stores try to find a Vanity Fair/Lee outlet -- Lee has some great pants and a good range of petite sizes. Their jeans are great, too. No elastic in the ones I have.
I have also had some luck with Anne Taylor Loft petites.
And I like Eddie Bauer stuff, but they don't seem to have a lot of petites.
lhamo
Voila! I found them, they asre Lee brand, sturdy and in petites and 4 colors! I found them at KMart when i was shopping with my program. I needed some slip on winter boots very much since it snowed and I found the pants. They have black, brown, tan and blue. I got 2 pairs and can 2 more in another paycheck.
Ahhh, feeling a lot more confident
rosarugosa
12-11-12, 8:07pm
Good score Zoe! I like K-Mart for health & beauty products, small household items and bras. We have one nearby.
Yay! I've been really happy with my Lee purchases -- they seem to be quite durable.
lhamo
I have a pair of Lees I love, too! They've got this wonderful stretchy waistband (not visible on the outside).
Voila! I found them, they asre Lee brand, sturdy and in petites and 4 colors! I found them at KMart when i was shopping with my program. I needed some slip on winter boots very much since it snowed and I found the pants. They have black, brown, tan and blue. I got 2 pairs and can 2 more in another paycheck.
Ahhh, feeling a lot more confident
Walmart actually carries a bunch of Lee brand colored jeans and cotton pants (kyackies?) as well as have more dressier pants by another manufacturer in all sorts of sizes. They are inexpensive too. Also try places like designer sales stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Ross, The Rack, etc.. as they carry petites as does Burlington and Kolhs.
shadowmoss
12-13-12, 9:42am
Check out http://www.sierratradingpost.com/ which is where I used to get all my pants. You can't try them on, but if you list lowest price to highest as the sort order you can find some deals. Mostly brand names that are discontinued in the stores.
Tussiemussies
12-13-12, 1:20pm
Glad you found what you were searching for!
:)
Check out http://www.sierratradingpost.com/ which is where I used to get all my pants. You can't try them on, but if you list lowest price to highest as the sort order you can find some deals. Mostly brand names that are discontinued in the stores.
You're a petite Shadowmoss with lots and lots of pants :-). Maybe you should start a petite-size pants trading site with other petites as it sounds like they are hard to find. As a giant (5'10") I have the opposite problem - finding extra long pants in smaller sizes.
shadowmoss
12-14-12, 10:16am
Let go of my preciouses????? NOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Just kidding. Mostly.
Let go of my preciouses????? NOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Just kidding. Mostly.
:laff::devil::laff::devil:
My sister is a bit of a packrat (sorry to out you sis if you are reading this you lurker, you!) and I was pretty shocked to see how much stuff she actually had when we moved in together. It's like I'm living with Imelda Marcos on steriods!! How many pairs of shoes and clothing does one human need? Especially when she wears the same old thing almost everyday! But the upside is that I can now borrow all her cute clothes and will never, ever have to buy anything again!! Brahahahahahh......!!
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