Interview Suit Blues
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| Sun, 05-22-2005 - 1:59pm |
Hi!
I am new to this board.
I have an interview for a job tomorrow, so yesterday, DH and I went looking for a suit for me to wear. Like so many other people, I have about 10 sizes of clothes in my closet, but I recently stopped smoking and picked up about 20 pounds (like I really needed the extra weight! lol)
Anyway, I live close to a reasonably sized city, with 2 big shopping malls and various other strip shopping centers. Unfortunately because of the weight I've gained, I'm a bit bigger than a 3X now, and I'm a size 28 - 30. I went into Lane Bryant in the mall, and couldn't believe what I saw - there was nothing but summer and casual stuff in their store. I even asked the sales lady 'do you have any professional wear or suits?' and she said 'no, we just have summer stuff.'
WTF???
So, like do we fat chicks NOT go on interviews or need professional office wear over the summer? I found the fact that Lane Bryant had no professional wear ridiculous!
Like I said, I'm a bit beyond a 3X, so the department stores that have this size don't quite fit well at the moment, so after the Lane Bryant fiasco, I went to another mall that has a Fashion Bug.
I couldn't believe it.
It was one of the bigger Fashion Bugs I've been to, and they, at least, had some professional-looking clothes, but NONE ABOVE A 26 IN WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR! Other times when I just browse in that store, I find EVERYTHING in my size (yeah, when I don't have any money to splurge at the time!), but yesterday, I could not even find ONE suit or dress. Maybe they need to order more of my size! Guess I'll have to cram into an old suit in my closet.
But isn't that maddening? I ended the day, feeling like a freak and mad at these clothes retailers, crammed in between Burger Kings, KFC's and Mc Donald's, that just simply don't measure up, literally!!!
GRRRR!
Julie

Hey Julie. I agree it's ridiculous. At my heaviest I was about a size 20, or a 1X, and I had a hell of a time finding suits that fit. I did have some luck in The Bon Marche women's department, but it was a pretty small selection, and it got worse after The Bon was bought out by Macy's. The stuff at Lane Bryant is not appropriate for a professional environment. Does JC Penney's women's department have anything?
Sorry you had such a hard time finding a suit. Good luck with your interview.
Hey Julie:
First welcome to the board. So glad to see another new face.
I feel your frustration. I am in constant need of suits for work and have a hell of a hard time finding them. A couple of suggestions for you. I'm not sure what money is like for you, but I have found that you can get a lot more variety and sizes at places like Robinson's, Dillard's or Neiman's. I also find that Dress Barn Woman has some really great stuff in a variety of sizes. The only problem I find with that store is you definitely have to try things on because they are sometimes cut funny and make you look weird. I recently bought a very basic black A-Line dress with a light pink jacket. It was very plain, but looked awesome when I put it on.
I hope to see you around the board often. Good luck on your interview!!!!
Fear
I don't know if you have a Catherine's Dress Shop near you....but they do sell suits. Hopefully you have one near you and you can go and get one before your interview.
SussieQ
Kristen.....What Dillards sells above size 20? Ours here in Houston it does not. I wonder what size JCPennys goes up to?
SQ
Fear
We have a CATO's, but they only go up to 24...I think...In any case they have nothing to fit me. But I love Catherine's! I got a lime green T-Shirt for 14.99! I seriously want 2 more...but I am trying to see how that goes, trying to save money.
I shame myself into not buying by admitting that I have enough clothing to dress a small village in a third world country.
But I still want 2 more T's and one or two work outfits....
SQ