Where can women buy corporate clothing?

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TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#154140 19-Oct-2014 10:09

The Mrs wants to buy a new season of clothes.

Given a lot of companies where men must wear a dress shirt and pants and dress shoes and sometimes women turn up in a casual T shirt and pretty much anything on the bottoms with semi casual shoes, she doesnt want to be going in with this look.

I think half the problem is, women are left with the shopping malls, none of which seem to sell business attire.

Can any women (or guys) give a shout out where to buy some business attire for women in Auck?

kenkeniff

628 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1157747 19-Oct-2014 10:17

Many stores on Queen Street (Smith & Caughey's..) & High Street (CUE..) in Auckland CBD.

Also many on Broadway, New Market (Modes, 277..).

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#1157769 19-Oct-2014 10:56

thanks Ken

Yep was going to newy to find her some stores, I just dont know what stores specialise in womens corporate wear. Of course if they are unisex thats cool too, but the focus being corporate.

Geektastic

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#1157838 19-Oct-2014 13:19

TeaLeaf: The Mrs wants to buy a new season of clothes.

Given a lot of companies where men must wear a dress shirt and pants and dress shoes and sometimes women turn up in a casual T shirt and pretty much anything on the bottoms with semi casual shoes, she doesnt want to be going in with this look.

I think half the problem is, women are left with the shopping malls, none of which seem to sell business attire.

Can any women (or guys) give a shout out where to buy some business attire for women in Auck?

I asked my wife. She says London, New York, Sydney - or go on holiday to Vietnam and have it made to measure.

She won't buy clothes here as she does not find the quality or variety she wants (she says).

TeaLeaf

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#1157860 19-Oct-2014 13:45

yeah being european my Mrs is a bit the same. also she is surprised at what some of the shops call "work" or "corporate". basically flowery t shirts or skirts and casual shoes of all varieties.

what happened to womens suits and shirts?

Inphinity

2780 posts

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#1157977 19-Oct-2014 17:39

Are you after high-end stuff, with custom measurements etc, or just some basic off-the-shelf options? There are a number of options for both in Newmarket, and for the latter also at Sylvia Park or Dressmart.

Ick, suits :x

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#1157978 19-Oct-2014 17:43

i think at this stage she just wants some new off the shelf blouses, trousers, shoes etc. so if you know of some stores in newmarket or sylvia park she would be much appreciative. we are off to europe to visit her family later in the year so will be doing some high end shopping then.

we looked at espirit but most of what they classify as work wear looks like something you would expect to wear to a BBQ.

surely there are so professional looking clothing stores for women in NZ at a reasonable (not meaning cheap) price?

jnimmo

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#1157980 19-Oct-2014 17:54

You can pick up some great items from Trelise Cooper's Boardroom collection on sale if you keep an eye out. A lot of my wife's wardrobe has come from Karen Walker or Trelise online sales. Britomart store usually has a sale rack too.
If after more traditional women's business shirts, Nicholas Jermyn have some stuff but never really got into it.
Marcs sometimes have good deals but a lot of non-business stuff there too.

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TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#1157990 19-Oct-2014 18:18

thanks for that. giving everyone a +1 as i just realised you can do that on this site :-)

a number of the outfits at the t cooper website seem corporate like which is a good start, but again a lot of the stuff you would expect to see someone wear maybe going to the theatre.

looking for a more professional traditional look.

nicholas jermyn has some shirts that look more like what she is after. they arent cheap but im assuming good quality, which is as important.

Geektastic

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#1158131 19-Oct-2014 22:12

Unless she is an usual size or shape, Marks & Spencer now ship to New Zealand...!

TeaLeaf

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#1158150 19-Oct-2014 23:00

actually she does find NZ tayloring very hard fitting, but thats great to know about M&S.

at this stage i think she wants a nice simple corporate skirt and some business long sleeve shirts to freshen up last years wardrobe. the power suit etc can wait until europe/italy.

i think womens business clothing can be a bit casual in NZ in some companies compared to the likes of London, or even Sydney for that matter. the Mrs isnt one to go tardy just for the sake of keeping up with the culture. in saying that we are both thinking there is becoming a nice line between business and business casual that does make a days work more comfortable.

thanks again everyone, this really is a great forum with good help.

tardtasticx

3075 posts

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#1158162 20-Oct-2014 02:08

Has she given farmers a look?

4 months out of the year I work in a call centre, and have to buy a few shirts, pants and shoes because they want corporate dress for men and whatever for the ladies. I just buy farmers/hallensteins. Not too expensive but lasts for the short time I need it.

Mums an EA and usually has something like this: http://www.farmers.co.nz/women/fashion/pants-leggings/classic-pant-regular-length-5825878. Those pants could go with just about any top and look fab, but I probably wouldn't expect it to last more than a few months.

There are shops that cater to the professional woman, just gotta look hard enough. lol.

TwoSeven

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#1158732 20-Oct-2014 18:48

I would recommend much of the above, Amazon.com, Marks and Sparks, etc. for overseas stuff (also many of the local UK boutiques (such as top-shop) will ship overseas, so it can be worth to look around. Also, many of the NZ designers do a pretty good range of outfits especially if one understands ones body shape, colour styles and is willing to mix and match. Its worth while finding a few good pieces such as a skirt or trousers that are neutral and then using accessories to create the outfit. If power dressing is required for important meetings, then perhaps a suite or a jacket might be an addition to the wardrobe.

Being a bloke I will buy basics from the main-line shops but the centrepiece clothes such as trousers and shirts I tend to get from specialist men's shops - this is because being English I don't like wearing patterned clothing (plain shirts and drill shirts) and I like a heavy denier and pure materials (wool, cotton). I'm also very fussy with the stitching and don't like loose threads and the like (call me old fashioned).

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TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#1158747 20-Oct-2014 19:10

More good tips, thumbs up. Overseas shops are definitely the go. Hadnt even thought about amazon strangely enough.

The Mrs prefers a plain corporate wardrobe as it keeps her look professional and not fashionable, which sadly seems to be the focus of womans corporate attire in NZ over sophisticated business function. Then there is the straight out casual wear which a lot of NZ labels are putting in their work wear catalogues.

Nicholas Jermyn seems to have some quality shirts at very affordable prices that whilst not "tailored" can be fitted in certain places where required, so we are off for a shop there on the weekend.

Personally I find it strange wearing a double cuff to work whilst the person next to me wears a synthetic "fashionable" t shirt. The worst part is, even if I wanted to wear something casual to work Im sure Id get wrapped over the knuckles for it.