Whether you are just starting out in the workforce or going back to work after taking a break or simply wanting to update your current selection of work outfits, there are plenty of ways to buy interview and workplace clothing that won't break the budget.
1. Take Inventory at Home: Before you head to the store, the first step is to take an inventory of what you already have at home that would be appropriate for interviews and for the dress code at your place of work. Hopefully you already have a few key pieces that can be a good starting point for your wardrobe update.
2. Shop Thrift & Consignment Stores and Sales: There are many thrift and consignment stores here in the Triangle that offer high quality, stylish, gently used (and sometimes new) work clothing at a fraction of the retail price. In addition, there are multiple consignment sales that happen throughout the year. If you look for end of season sales at these stores, you can find some excellent buys. There are even online second-hand stores like
Poshmark and
ThredUp with huge inventories available.
Sarah Marchwiany of
Restyle Boutique in Cary, NC, shared that they have suits, dress pants, blazers, blouses, accessories and more at her boutique. You can often find full suits for $15 and up and they have a 50% off sale section, as well.
Another benefit of shopping local thrift stores is that many benefit the local communities. Stores including
Cause for Paws in Raleigh,
Dorcas Shop in Cary,
Pizazz Upscale Resale Stores in Clayton and Smithfield and more all help support various causes in the community.
See below for a list of specific Triangle-area thrift and consignment stores recommended by readers on the WRAL Smart Shopper Facebook page.
3. Shop End-of-Season Sales: Stores mark down clothing inventory at the end of every season. Shop the deeply discounted sales (often 70% off or more) and use coupons, as well, if possible. Check out
retailmenot.com for coupon codes to use in stores and online, including free shipping codes.
4. Shop Discount Off-Price Retailers: Stores including TJMaxx, Ross, Burlington Coat Factory and Marshall's carry name brand clothing at greatly reduced prices. Often these clothes are from past seasons, overruns, manufacturer's seconds, and returns and are sold at a fraction of the original retail cost.
5. Sign Up For E-mails: If you have some favorite stores you love to shop, make sure you sign up for their free rewards programs and for their e-mails. You'll receive special coupons and discounts and a heads up when they have big clearance sales.
6. Bargain: Don't be afraid to request a discount if an item has a defect. You may find a missing button, makeup stain or other issue that you can fix yourself.
7. Have a Clothing Swap: If you have some gently used clothing that you no longer wear, find a friend who is the same size and have a clothing swap. You can add a few new pieces to your wardrobe and clean out your closet by sharing some of the clothing you don't use.
8. Request A Price-Adjustment: If an item you purchased goes on sale during a certain window after your purchase, some stores will give you a refund for the difference. Read the fine print regarding price-adjustments on store websites or ask your favorite store if they have a price adjustment policy.
Additional tips to keep clothing expenses down:
1. Try to avoid dry-clean only clothing. Being able to wash your dress clothes at home will save you a bundle of money and a good amount of time. Using the home dry-clean kits may also save money for the dry-clean only clothes you already own.
2. Sell your gently used clothing that no longer fits or is no longer being used at thrift stores and consignment sales and use the profit to purchase new pieces for your work wardrobe. Some stores will pay you a flat amount for the clothing they wish to buy from you and some will give you a percent of the selling price when an item is sold.
3. Buy classic pieces that aren't too trendy so you can wear them for years to come.
Triangle-area thrift and consignment stores:
Cause for Paws in Raleigh
Classic Clothiers on Maynard in Cary
Clothes Mentor in Chapel Hill, Fayetteville and Raleigh
Dorcas Shop in Cary, NC
Dreamcoat Ministries in Knightdale
Dress for Success in Raleigh
Fifi's of Cameron Village in Raleigh
Garner Area Ministries in Garner
HANDmeUPs Thrift in Raleigh
Interact in Fuquay-Varina
J'adore Boutique in Cary
Next Consignment Boutique in Wake Forest
Petersons' Consigning Design in Cary
Pizazz Upscale Resale Stores in Clayton and Smithfield
ReStyle Boutique in Cary
Second Fling in Goldsboro
Serendipity Consignment Boutique in Fuquay-Varina
The Purple Shoe in Zebulon
2nd Glances Consignment in Sanford
Resources for getting back in to the workplace:
There is a
Back to Business conference being held on Friday, March 6, 2020 (originally scheduled for Feb. 21 but rescheduled due to snow) that includes a number of resources for those women heading back to work after being out of the workforce.
