Best Dress Pants?

[scrub-jay]

Okay, so I'm about to start my new job and it is vastly different from previous experience. I have always worked in a laboratory setting where no one cared what you wore assuming you had your lab coat, closed toed shoes and safety glasses. Now, onto the real world - I will be working in an office setting and need to get more office-appropriate pants (think not nice jeans which is mostly what I have.) I'd love any suggestions as to where to find nice pants for decent prices?



-C

[poky]

I found that Dockers Metro slacks (can be found all over, but I've gotten them at Macy's and Kohls, I think) fit me comfortably and look reasonably professional, and aren't horribly expensive when they're on sale. I am the complete opposite of fashion-aware, though...

[MarissaNicole]

Target has some pretty cheap pants but they can be hit or miss - personally my favorite dress pants are Express dress pants but they aren't exactly cheap so I ask for them for Christmas and Birthdays.

[GrayMatterWife]

I like Ann Taylor. Brooks Brothers is too pricey for me and BR pantsuits often are not lined (so, if they are woolen, they are ITCHY!).

[scrub-jay]

Why pants? Is that a safety requirement or something?

Well, I'm out of the lab now, but in the lab because we were working with acids/bases etc, long pants were preferred. But now, sky is the limit. I figured I'd start with pants and work my way into skirts & dresses. (It is so new to me to be able to open my eyes to clothing again - before, in the lab, I had to pick clothes that I wouldn't mind getting acid holes in!)

I'll take any suggestions! I feel like such a fashion-baby...but DH thinks I should spend some $$ on a more office appropriate wardrobe if I feel like it (how can I resist?!).

-C

[Meenah]

I found Ann Taylor affordable and comfortable. The sales-people were also very helpful and never made me feel bad about not having any fashion sense. Another option is to get Vishenka to visit and shop with you (seriously).

[bokelley]

Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, J Crew, Gap, Banana, and New York and Company. Those are the stores I always go to when I need work clothes. Usually between those I can find something, Tax Free Weekend in Missouri this weekend, so might be the time for me to get some more.

J.Crew and Ann Taylor are my picks. I also like The Limited but I'm not sure that store is in all states...

[scrub-jay]

Thank you so much, you are all fabulous! I'm off shopping tomorrow morning...yippie!

[weeniegeniewife]

The Limited has great work pants and skirts.

[scrub-jay]

--update--

Okay, so I had fun at Ann Taylor LOFT today and was about to cringe when it was being rung up (I was building a new wardrobe okay?!) but then the salesgirl informed me that it was 30% off Friends & Family and she was calling us her California friends as she had moved to CO from CA a few years ago. *sweet*

So then, of course, I took the savings and bought shoes!

Thank you all for the suggestions, I am thrilled with the pants (and skirt, and blouses, and camis, and jackets...etc) that I found. I will look sharp on my first day...errr...week!

-C

[NYCHoosier]

Yay! That's so awesome! Ann Taylor is my own allotted store credit card. I shop there often enough to make it worth the occasional sales they have for card members.

I'm not sure which part of Colorado you're in, but in the future I have to recommend White House | Black Market. It's great for basics and dresses. They have an amazing loyalty program - after you spend $300, you get 5% off for life. That's even off clearance items!
Anyway, they have locations in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Loveland.

...I'm a little obsessed.

[bokelley]

I'm not sure which part of Colorado you're in, but in the future I have to recommend White House | Black Market. It's great for basics and dresses. They have an amazing loyalty program - after you spend $300, you get 5% off for life. That's even off clearance items!

I didn't know WHBM did that! I love that store. Amazing dresses for special occasions (weddings, graduations etc..)

[scrub-jay]

Anyway, they have locations in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Loveland.

Oooh, well I am hardly done with my wardrobe update, so I am so there. It sounds perfect, I am working in Denver, and living in Aurora...perfect. Thanks for the advice...I'm already drooling at some of the dresses!

-C