Calling All You Skinny Mini's!!! Where to Shop? HELP!

I've been fat all my life and all through my teens and into my career I have shopped at Lane Bryant almost exclusively (still love their clothes).  It has been my go to store for fashion forward nice dress clothes, suits, and slacks and I often went to Torid for casual clothes.  I have always dressed my body well (well not now).  I have gone from a size 22 to a 6 and EGGADS! I DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHERE TO SHOP NOW!!!! HELP!  When I go into stores I find I automatically go towards a piece of clothing that I like look at the size and it's way to big.  When I was bigger I imagined being smaller would make it easy to shop, but I am lost.  I need a new GO TO STORE for dressy work clothes.  I don't want to have to go to 10 different stores.  Can those of you who have reached your smaller goal sizes tell me where should I shop?  Thanks for all ya'll's help!

Well, I'm not a 6 yet, I'm a 14, but in the price range you are talking about, I love New York & Company.  They have a lot of nice work clothes at amazing prices, especially if you get their credit card and get their extra coupons for 20% and 30% off.  They have lots of good stuff on their clearance racks at all times.  And for the price, a lot of their clothes are pretty well made.  They are fashion-forward without being flashy.  I love the fact that you can buy petites and tall sizes in many of their pants.  I am short and hate having to get my pants hemmed; when I buy the petites at NY&Co. I don't have to.

I also like The Limited for work clothes, but they are more expensive, and fewer of their clothes can be machine washed.  (I hate spending money on dry cleaning even more than I hate spending money on hemming!)

Ann Taylor also has lots of nice work clothes.  I only shop at AT's outlet stores, though, because I'm too cheap to pay the prices in their regular stores.  Of course, that is partly because I am still losing weight and can't justify spending very much on anything until my weight stabilizes.

The Gap and Banana Republic have lots of work clothes, but they are (surprisingly) often more expensive than the sources listed above.

Finally, there are gems to be found at Target, but it'****or-miss.  I just found a super cute, cottony cool, comfortable, fashionable shirtdress there for $25 (on sale for $19.99 this week).  I predict I will wear that baby until it falls apart or gets too big, whichever comes first.

I hope this helps.  Happy shopping.

Cynthia

Thanks for replying.  I have bought 1 pair of jeans at Old Navy.  A skirt at White House Black Market, and a skirt at Walmart.  I am short too 5'2 and I am like you Ann Taylor is expensive to me.  I will try New York and Company.  I just wish I could find one place I love like I did Lane Bryant I could almost always find something there I liked and didn't have to run all over town.  I don't know shopping is harder than I thought it would be...everything seems to be sleevless which I hate I have a lot of skin on my arms.  So, I always have to find a top that looks good with a cardigan (which are usually too long cause I'm short) or a shrug that matches the top.  Listen to me B***h I am blessed to be here.  You are so sweet to help me out.  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS!

I shop Macy's.  The one by me has a personal shopper and it is free.  She helps you find what size you are and also has wonderful coupons to make things less expensive.

Personal Shopper.....NOW WE ARE TALKING!  Just Kidding, Thank you for the suggestion.

I can SO relate to the sleeveless thing -- it drives me bananas that everything is sleeveless, because I'm not comfortable with my upper arms either.  The only thing I want to add is that I do think NY&Co. is perfect for you because it is a "one stop shop" in the same way Lane Bryant is.  Department stores are also one-stop shops, but they are so much bigger, therefore more of a hassle to find everything in, and usually more expensive.  I admire those who shop at resale shops and deep discounters like Ross and Marshall's, but I just can't cope with those stores because I don't have the patience to dig through all that disorganization.  I could probably save a lot of money if I weren't such a princess about that.

NY&Co. has work clothes, weekend clothes, workout clothes, and accessories, just like Lane Bryant.  The only thing they don't have as much of is lingerie.  They are about the same quality level, trendiness level, and price level.  NO, I don't work there!  I work in a law firm.  I have just been very impressed with it for the price.

Lorelie_Lee,
I don't know if you are aware, and reading from your post, you aren't but The Limited does free hemming of their pants in most(if not all) of their stores.  If you buy the pants there or even online from their catalog, there is a seamstress in the store.  I think it is 24 - 28 hours, but you should check next time you are shopping there.

I hope that helps.

Good to know that!  I had no idea.  Thanks for the tip.

Macy's and Kohl's clearance racks  ..... I buy nothing at full retail price.  There are also "upscale" resale shops around that I find name brand top quality merchandise at unbelievably low prices.  ROSS Dress For Less is also a good place to start if you can stand the messiness of the stores.  And personally, I have no problem shopping at Goodwill and Thrift Stores.  I've gotten many name brand items with the retail tags still in place.  Nothin' says lovin' like a Liz Claiborne sweater with tags for $1.49!!

HIJACK !!  Jodie I just LOVE this new avatar. You're looking hot!!!