[Michael Marshall]

Life threw me for a loop due to some health issues, and because of that I found myself without employment. It has been a 10 year journey, with some sporadic job opportunities that did not pan out.

I am back in the hunt for employment (again) but am realizing that all of my attire no longer fits as it should due to weight loss. I have merely hesitated in trying to purchase "workplace" attire because I did not know how much more weight I would lose; and what I do have is so loose fitting that I look unprofessional.

When I interview, I often hide this by layering a zipper sweater over a shirt and tie; and the sweater is long enough to hide my cinched/bunched up pant waist. My struggle is that if I happen to get a job, I am going to have to have enough articles of clothing which I can mix and match to look professional.

Second hand stores are an option, but I am realizing that with what financial resources I do have, I am finding it nearly impossible to replace an entire wardrobe. Advice/remarks appreciated.

 

[Shaver]

What style of professional attire do you have in mind? Suits, perhaps?

 

[Michael Marshall]

What style of professional attire do you have in mind? Suits, perhaps?

A "make it work" shirt can be bought at any store for a reasonable price, so I am in need of at least a blazer and slacks, and a suit. I am seeing quality things at second hand stores that either are going to need tailored extensively to fit me, therefore will cost as much as a new coat/suit afterwards, or the articles are nearly worn out/outdated. I suppose I may need to adjust my personal standards as to what I find acceptable.

 

[GraysonD]

I am almost in the same boat. I changed from a uniform workplace to a suit and tie everyday environment.
Ebay, Poshmark, Facebook, and thrift stores have been my goto. Even Macy's and Nordstrom will have lower end name brands that will work for the short term. But eventually I will want nicer clothing that will last.

 

[ran23]

I also lost some 90 pds and had to start over. Local consignment store got a lot of things in from CA. If I found something I liked, I hit ebay for more. I was pre-retired, but my wife was working. business Casual, so I built a Dress Casual wardrobe.

 

[Acct2000]

Will your employer really want you in suits anyway? If no, then you can accumulate them as you can afford them. Very few jobs really require a coat and tie any more; many employers actively discourage them.

Thus, you can get a couple khakis, a couple shirts on sale and a couple sweaters to get you by as you wait to accumulate a wardrobe that you will probably rarely wear to work.

 

[momsdoc]

A personal observation:

If you needed to lose weight despite your illness, turn the Lemons into Lemonade.

No matter how you establish a new wardrobe, dispose of all the larger clothes. If the weight you are at is one you wish to maintain, the, alter what can be altered, and get rid of everything else except shoes and socks.

Such a drastic move will prevent you from gaining back any unwanted weight, as the investment you have made will deter you from buying “heavier” clothes. If on the other hand you were happy with your previous size and expect to re-attain it, then thrifting for now is probably your best option.

 

[JBierly]

A blue blazer, tan and grey slacks, a few shirts and a few ties can go a long way in the short term. If you have lost more than a few inches in the waist then alterations are not going to work.

 

[Michael Marshall]

A blue blazer, tan and grey slacks, a few shirts and a few ties can go a long way in the short term. If you have lost more than a few inches in the waist then alterations are not going to work.

Exactly, in regards to tailoring... And, the search for items is difficult because of my overall body measurements. But I have to be patient, I suppose.

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

Momsdoc is always spot on with this advice. Weight management is the best thing one can do to look better in their clothes and maintain good health.

Start with a few cornerstone staples and slowly grow your wardrobe.

Best of luck with your health and job search!

Cheers,

BSR

 

[ran23]

I just spent some time on Macy's Fri/Sat sale page. big markdowns.

 

[Dhaller]

This comes up from time to time - and I've experienced Total Wardrobe Replacement myself - so I have a (good) stock answer to give.

Don't try to assemble a *nice* new wardrobe all at once. That can't end well unless you have limitless resources (and patience.)

Also, with the stress of reentering the workforce after a long absence, you don't need the distraction of worrying about clothes.

So what you do is you go to JC Penney and you buy some cheap-but-okay suits, shirts, etc. there. Don't shop around; it's a one-stop shop. Get the basics, a navy suit, a grey one (I'm assuming you need suits, but adjust accordingly). Some white and blue shirts. You know the basics.

Feel free to grab some casual wear as well.

Maybe you'll spend a grand, tops.

I probably wouldn't buy shoes there? If I sprang for one nice thing, I'd get a decent pair of shoes. They don't have to be Aldens or anything, but if you have a place which sells Allen Edmonds or even Cole Haan, go there. Black pair, brown pair. Done.

NO ONE is going to be like "oh my God, that new guy is wearing a JC Penney suit, ugh, remove my eyes now, PLEASE", or if they DO, it's probably the mail boy or a receptionist. Who cares?

Once you bank a few paychecks and get in the swing of things, THEN come back here and stress over whether a Shetland crew-neck from O"Connells is better than a merino from Alan Payne (probably).

Big ups on returning to the game, by the way, and good luck!

DH

 

[eagleman]

What sizes do you wear? Perhaps some in this group might be willing to share clothing that is no longer worn by them.

 

[Michael Marshall]

What sizes do you wear? Perhaps some in this group might be willing to share clothing that is no longer worn by them.

28 inch waist w/34 inseam ==>> nearly impossible to find unless specially tailored from onset
38 or 40 size Jacket with 36 inch sleeve

 

[Michael Marshall]

Before the Holidays, I took two suits to a tailor and learned that one will not be able to be altered to fit me at all because of my current shoulder structure; while the second one will take some work, but can be altered. Fortunately, I have one nice more formal outfit coming my way in a week or so.

 

[London380sl]

With that 12" drop in between your waist and chest you won't be buying off the rack suits. The drop is the difference between the size of a suit jacket and the waist of the matching pants. The usual drop on suit is 6 inches between jacket and pants. For example, if the jacket is a size 40, the pants that go with that jacket will have a 34-inch waist. It will be pretty difficult to take another 6 inches out of the waist of a pair of suit pants and have the proportions of the pants look right.

You're better off wearing sports jackets and slacks or a good candidate for made to measure.

 

[CLTesquire]

Suit separates (where you buy different sizes in pants and jacket) are a place to start until you can MTM. Macy's has suit separates for example. Without representation to quality or appearance, they appear to acquisition friendly pricing.