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Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Veroni Classic Pencil Skirt

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. There's something to be said for that great, amazing pencil skirt that takes you through all seasons and always looks polished. There's also something to be said for the high-end basic — if you wear it multiple times a month, shouldn't it be an investment? Thus: we're loving this simple, classic pencil skirt from BOSS Black — we like the faux pockets, and the fact that it's lined. It's $295 at Bloomingdale's (sizes 6-12 still available). BOSS Black Veroni Classic Pencil Skirt (L-2)

Sales of note for 12.5

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

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100 Comments

  1. Cute skirt! Agree – if you get to wear it often, and for a long time, an investment is usually worthwhile — but here’s my question

    – Do the pockets render it un-wearable with a shirt that is not tucked in? (I rarely wear tucked in shirts/sweaters)
    – If it has to be dry-cleaned how often can you really wear it without it costing a fortune in dry cleaning, and requiring its own carpooling schedule to get there each week?

    1. I wear my suiting separates at least 5-6 times in between dry cleaning. So unless you were wearing this skirt every single day in a given week, I even can’t fathom your “carpooling schedule/each week” comment.

      As for tucking, good question. I am thinking that it would depend on where the untucked shirt fell…if it truly covers the pockets or entirely clears them, wouldn’t be much of an issue IMO.

    2. I wear skirts easily 20-25 times between cleanings unless I spill something. I also wear pantyhose all the time, so maybe that’s what keeps them so clean.

      1. Same here. Sometimes I look at a skirt that I know I wear 2-3 times a month and can’t remember the last time it went to the cleaners. No odors or stains or wrinkles, but at that point I take it for a freshen-up anyway!

        I agree with B re: top length. Unless the shirt hits right at the pocket level, creating bizarre lumps, no problem.

      2. Yeah, I think this varies greatly. I walk/take public transport to work and I can’t imagine wearing something that many times due to sweat and train cooties. Plus things tend to stretch out or wrinkle after a few wearings and only cleaning helps it get its shape back. I sometimes hand-wash and lay flat to dry items that are supposed to be dry clean only, though, and this hasn’t bit me in the you-know-where yet.

        1. I’ve done that to cut down on the dry cleaning, but when an article of clothing is more investment than mere purchase in cost I get really skittish about possibly ruining it (ok, make that neurotic!)

          Have to say, I am not wearing anything 20 times without cleaning it! Between eating lunch/dinner, wrinkles from standing/sitting/standing, and general movement through the day, I think its more like 3 to 5 times before I worry about a smell, wrinkle, etc. killing the sleek professional look.

          1. I also don’t dry clean skirts that often. Probably only a few times a year, which at $6 per cleaning = roughly $18-24.

            With pants, I go to the cleaners every 3-4 wears max, but with skirts — especially lined ones — I find that hanging them & then going over with an iron before the next wear releases whatever wrinkles/creases there are; and, as to smell, I have never encountered one. Granted it may vary with your lifestyle — I wore a dress to a wedding recently for maybe a total of 4 hours , and it stunk like the wedding food so badly I didn’t even hang it in my closet for fear of contamination, just shoved it in the dry clean bag & took it there 1st thing next morning.

          2. I’ve never taken any suiting separates to the dry cleaner just for wrinkles. I either (1) throw the pants/skirt/jacket in the dryer with a very slightly damp washcloth for 10 minutes (often while showering in morning) or (2) a quick iron with steam. Works like a charm!

        2. I read something once that said if the label inside indciates “Dry Clean” and not “Dry Clean Only” that you should be safe with a gentle handwash. “Dry Clean Only” should be left to the pros.

          Not sure if it is true, but that’s generally what I try to follow and it has worked OK so far. Although have to admit, sometimes things go to the cleaners simply because it’s easier and I’m feeling a little lazy. I understand the carpool comment. I think a skirt can go longer than pants without being sent out. but I still would go no more than three or four times. Even if it still seems fresh, it’s likely to have lost a lot of shape.

          1. I wear lots of light weight wool – Pendleton- and I have virtually no wrinkles or baggy look — after flying all day, sitting all day. It’s pretty conservative stuff, but it wears like iron. I don’t take it to the dry cleaners as much as I used to becuase it can get shiny from the hard press. I also always wear hose and usally tuck in for what it’s worth.

          2. I’ve wondered if there’s a difference between dry clean and dry clean only. I never try to handwash natural fabrics like rayon or silk, because they can shrink or wrinkle pretty badly. But synthetic blends usually handwash fine, and hanging them to dry eliminates wrinkles. (Full disclosure: I don’t own an iron, and don’t ever intend to.)

          3. Erin – I inherited an iron as part of a box of household items from a relative’s estate…never used it, don’t plan to! (Although have not yet thrown it out for fear that I will inexplicably regret not having one available…hmmm)

          4. For those of you opposed to ironing, but still unhappy about having to take your clothes to the cleaner for wrinkles, try a steamer. I have an inexpensive Conair model and I’m quite happy with it. Irons scare me, too (though my boyfriend will iron anything I ask him to – one of the most thoughtful and helpful things he does!).

          5. I second the steamer comment! I have a portable one by Rowenta that I got for around $40 and it works like a charm on most all fabrics (linen is a little tougher/more time consuming). It also takes up about the same amount of space as a pair of heels in a suitcase so I can steam out the travel wrinkles too! Highly recommend…

          6. I’m a bit confused — what’s with the iron fear?

            Also, for those who do not iron or steam, what do you do???

          7. @AIMS – It’s not a fear. Ironing’s a huge pain in the neck. I don’t have time for it and I can think of better ways to spend my time. Most of my clothing doesn’t wrinkle because I hang everything to dry instead of using a dryer. The wrinkles will fall out of most suits if I hang them after wearing. Otherwise I can spend $10 to get them pressed after every few wears, although I can’t even remember the last time I actually had to do so. Considering the rate at which my time is billed and how long it would take me to properly iron a suit, I consider it a reasonable expense.

          8. Erin — thanks for the explanation. I am not one to quibble with the time/money equition — I send my laundry out to be washed for this reason, e.g.

            I am just surprised that so many people can get by without an iron — I seem to need to iron stuff way more frequently. I wonder if it has anything to do with tight closet space. I am constantly out of room in both the dressers & the closet — maybe trying to contain too many clothes in snug quarters is making them wrinkle more. Alas, I can’t see a solution in my small NY apartment!

          9. I got a Rowenta steamer for $19.99 at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago, and picked up one for a friend at HomeGoods for the same price. Definitely worth it!

          10. @AIMS: I live in a studio with a decently big, but not walk in, closet. I hang my pants from the hem rather than folding them in half and that seems to help. Not sure what else to suggest. Hanging things to dry instead of using the dryer does seem to cut down on wrinkles significantly, but if you’re sending your laundry out that’s probably not an issue for you.

          11. Thanks, Eponine. I think I just need to cull my closet & put away everything I don’t wear. I also hang my pants/skirts from the hem & it doesn’t entirely work for me. I think having clothes not stuffed too much into the closet/dresser drawer may help. I think I will also try the steamer idea — I always wanted to get one, but I assumed you would need a really expensive one for it to work well. But if I can spend 20-40 bucks on it & it will work, maybe it’s worth a shot ( I hate when I iron & the fabric turns shiny or otherwise switches color). Maybe the steamer will help!

    3. I’ve definitely saved a fortune in drycleaning by getting those dry clean at home sheets (where you just throw it in the dryer for about twenty minutes). It won’t get back the shape of the garment if it is in serious need of a trip to the professionals – but it does a great job of freshening it up, minimizing the need to use an iron, and smells great. I probably wear a suit 3-4 times before doing the at-home treatment, and thus don’t really need to get my suits professionally dry cleaned more often than after wearing a suit about a dozen times. I don’t think I would use it for silk items – but for anything synthetic, or for any type of wool blend (just put the dryer on “air”), it works great.

    4. To try to cut down on costs, I use Dryel on most things. I have found it doesn’t work real well on stains (the stain remover seems to leave its own stain) and I don’t know that I would use it on something delicate. But for sweaters and suiting items that just need to be freshened up, I find it is great and cuts down on costs.

  2. This is beautiful and classic. Wondering though if the pockets would add weight to the hip area.

    Speaking of buying investment pieces, I want to thank Corporette and all of you ladies for getting me to think about buying fewer, but more expensive pieces of clothing. I was a Ross/Marshalls type of gal, but recently splurged on some pieces from Nordstrom. I have a skirt from there that I probably wear about twice a week, so it’s been a totally worthwhile purchase (although at the time I was having a heart attack spending $130 on a single skirt). I still do discount shopping, but I find that I don’t have the time to scour the racks in the way that I used to. Thanks ladies for the inspiration!

    1. If you wear that skirt twice a month for four years, that’s 96 wears or only $1.40 per wear. Sounds like a reasonable purchase to me. Of course, sometimes you can find the exact same skirt from Nordstrom’s on sale somewhere like Ross, so I wouldn’t give up on discount stores completely.

      1. Yes definitely, and I actually wear it more like once or even twice a week, so the savings is even better. :)

  3. I just bought a very similar skirt (without the pockets) off the sale rack at Banana Republic – marked down from $80 to 21. It looks to be an identical color and very similar cut. I’ve worn it once so far and it is fantastic. It wrinkles a tiny bit, but I can deal with that. Now that I have four gray pencil skirts, I’m looking for a nice black pencil skirt (I have two black A-lines) in the sub $50 range.

    2. Talbots is having great sales on lightweight stretch wool suiting right now. All told, about 6 colors, multiple styles of pants, jackets, and skirts. I just ordered 3 pantsuits for under $150 each. Free shipping on orders over $150.

      1. Thanks! The seasonless wool-blend pencil skirt in black is exactly what I’m looking for, though the sizes jump from 0P to 10P. I’d consider getting a regular size and having it brought up, but I still haven’t found a decent tailor in NYC who’ll do this for a reasonable amount ($12 or so) – my tailor who I’d trust with anything wants $30 to shorten a simple skirt, and more if the lining or design is more complicated.

        1. I am in NYC and for simple stuff like shortening a skirt hem, I just go to the dry cleaners’ tailor. I’ve yet to regret this & it’s usually right around the 10 to 15 $ mark.

          1. Not in New York, but I also have hemming done by my dry cleaner for roughly $10. $30 for hemming a skirt seems outrageous! I do think Talbots skirts run long (great for me – 5’8″ with a 33-34 inch inseam, but not great if you are looking for petites).

    3. I’ve got the same BR skirt. Looks just like this one but without the pocket flaps. Fits and wears great!

      1. Me too re a gray BR skirt! Love love.

        The black version of the BR skirt seems to be on sale for VERY select sizes online…

  4. Ooh, this is pretty but not sure about the pockets.

    Anyone have recommendations on a white pencil or slight A line skirt to wear on weekends? Jean skirt would be fine as well. I’m ideally looking for a skirt that would flatter someone with ample hips (I’m pear shaped).

    1. Calvin Klein has a white cotton skirt on sale and Ann Taylor also has at one that looks very cute (but more formal).

        1. Hmm. Don’t see it online anymore. It was called Denim Pencil Skirt, # 730807.

  5. I don’t care much for the skirt because the pockets mean it’s not particularly versatile and you would want versatility from an investment piece. For example, you would probably look a bit awkward wearing a floral silk blouse with that because the pockets give it a slightly more masculine edge. A jacket might sit funny over it, given the pockets as would a cardigan, worn un-tucked. Furthermore, anything that contains polyamide and elastane is not worth $300. I have a mid-gray wool/cashmere skirt from Brooks Brothers which, bought at an outlet, was almost a sixth of the price. It has a neat, clean cut and NO ODD POCKETS so is so much more versatile and works beautifully with everything from a feminine silk blouse to a tailored shirt. You’ll have to pry it away from my cold, dead hands.

    1. Love your comments —

      And I have to say, while I love when a skirt has pockets for practical purposes, so I’m willing to forgo a little versatility out of gratitude for convenience – I’m not so sure that faux pockets are worth it…

  6. Why would one buy this for $300 in a “wool/polyamide/elastane” mix no less when one could have a beautiful wool-cashmere skirt from Brooks Brothers for about half the price (at worst, since their most expensive full priced skirts tend to be about $180)? Or, at best, why not wait for the Brooks sale/25% off days and buy the skirt for even less?

    Oh wait, I did that and got that very BB skirt I was just describing for less than $80. Cheaper than this, by far, and even cheaper than Ann Taylor. And, best of all, it is so soft and beautiful and built to last, and presumably of much better quality than a wool-stretch skirt that we have to be happy about that it’s even lined.

    1. That BB skirt rocks so much. I’m so glad it surfaced in outlets on two continents ;)

      1. That is just a testament to the true universality (or omnipresence??) of the mighty BB skirt.

    2. I hate to say this, because it is likely to make you more grumpy:) but maybe because Brooks Brothers skirts are not flattering on those of us who don’t have a “pouch” in our lower abdomen?

      While I agree with you on Brooks Brothers regarding quality, and buy most of my work shirts and sweaters there, I simply cannot wear any Brooks bottoms due to the enormous amount of extra fabric in my nether region. I’ve even taken things to my excellent tailor (Oprah’s tailor!) to see if there is anything that can be done, but it would be a fortune.

      1. Nope, I don’t think that’s it. I’m tiny (usually a 2) and have a completely flat stomach and I love Brooks Brothers skirts! I haven’t had quite as much luck with pants, but I have found a few pairs from there.

      3. I definitely have trouble with BB pants for that reason (I know the rise is designed to be higher than say, jcrew’s, but if the fit is appropriate/body skimming, the inseam STILL hangs too low).

        Skirts, however, work fine on me (whether I currently have the “I’ve been eating conference room food for a month and my bloat reflects it” pooch or not!)

      4. First, I think it’ quite rude to suppose you have any idea what the body type of a random internet stranger is. For all you know, I am an 80 lb. anorexic person, so I feel any comments about clothing fitting me or anybody else in a certain way because we are ‘pouchy’ can be left unsaid and you can find a different way of expressing the same idea (ex, “I find that on me, BB skirts tend to hang a bit baggier around the middle”).

        Second, BB sizing can vary across styles, just as at any other clothing store. I wear a 2-4 in shirts/dresses (including more form fitting cuts) but somehow always have to buy an 8 in the skirts in order to get them to sit where I like them to. I never have to alter shirts or dresses from there, but I always have to alter skirts. Perhaps it might be the same with you? That is, that skirts there might just not fit you off the rack just becaus there is normal variation within makers’ clothing cuts/sizes? It might not have anything to do with body shape per se…

        Third, as I said, I’ve never had a BB skirt fit me off the rack, and I’ve had every single one I’ve bought altered to fit me. I’ve never spent more than $30 on this, and these alterations were at dry-cleaner ‘tailors’ places and involved extensive alterations of the hem, hips, and overall line/cut. So… tailoring, in theory, shouldn’t be prohibitively expensive, nor should it necessarily be impossible (in general) to get something baggy to fit right. Maybe your tailoring potentially costs so much because you’re using a celebrity/high profile tailor who charges exorbitant/unaffordable prices because of his status?

        1. If you were an 80lb anorexic you wouldn’t wear Brooks Brothers. I can say this with confidence because I weigh 120 lbs and I already wear a 0 or 2 in their clothes.

          I’d been using Maria for a year before running into Oprah while picking up a dress. I use her bc she is awesome and 3 blocks from my house…and because it is not worth it to me to save 10 bucks at the risk of someone getting it wrong.

          1. Just because you could say with confidence I might not be an 80lb. anorexic person still doesn’t mean it’s very nice to assume that I or anybody else has a pooch/extra fat/whatever, when you really have no clue whether we might or not. You may have noticed from my post that I also wear small sizes at BB and can manage to get the clothes to fit me just fine, despite a lack of pooch.

            Obviously different makers of clothes/different pieces from the same maker can fit drastically differently on people just because no two bodies (larger and smaller ones) are shaped exactly like each other. But saying certain things must fit certain people better because they must have pooches/other “negatively connotated” characteristics is still a bit presumptuous, in my opinion.

      1. Brooks Brothers is the second place I hit online once the clock strikes 12:01am on Christmas day (after Nordstrom.com), and the second place I physically go to the day after Christmas (after Saks at 8am). I do more shopping in those two days than I do for another 9 months of the year. BB also has quarterly friends and family with 25% off everything; most recently a couple weeks ago.

        1. Not sure if this is true in any state but Florida, but, may be worth checking with your state bar (assuming you are a lawyer of course!)–but the Florida Bar has a year-round 20% discount for all members at Brooks Brothers (and Ann Taylor). A woman I work with said that the BB sales associate actually bumped it up to 25% on her last visit, but it’s 20% across the board there and AT.

      3. They have semi-annual clearance sales in the summer (late June/July) and in the winter (right after Christmas). They have a few 25% off sales throughout the year as well. These are also in addition to the year-round cleaance items they have available online- assuming your size is in stock (and I’ve found BB clearance items to be better stocked than a lot of other stores’ clearance sections), you can almost always find a good deal at BB on something.

  7. I am pretty sure that these pockets would not do anything for my hip/thigh area other than highlight how disproportionately large they are.

    1. Luluaj, I’m with you on this one. I have trouble finding a “regular” pencil skirt that fits well and doesn’t pull due to my large hips and thighs (if I go up a size, the skirts become too large in the waist). So, the faux pockets would make this a no-go for me. It’s cute for someone with a different body type than mine, though.

      1. Try the Classiques Entier skirts from Nordstrom, they are the only pencil skirts I have found that flatter my curvy hips/thighs. I never thought I could pull off a pencil skirt before, but I wear my CE skirts at least twice a week now. They are more pricey than I would like, so I usually wait for a sale (or try Nordstrom’s Rack).

        1. I’ve heard a lot of good things about that line (a lot here, actually). I’d definitely be willing to invest in a few basic skirts from them, maybe a black and a gray or something.

          I am anxiously awaiting Nordstrom Rack! I don’t drive, so I need one I can get to via D.C. metro and one is finally opening in August!

        2. Just got a postcard in the mail that Nordie’s twice yearly ladies’ sale starts next Wednesday. Rev up the charge cards gals…here’s hoping there’s enough CE to go around!

          BTW, I am assuming those sales are NOT ongoing at the Rack stores simultaneously. We just got a Rack in town, one block away from the b&m store.

          experience?

    1. I was just about to say that!
      So refreshing to see a work skirt styled with something actually appropriate to wear to work, and not just another pair of S&M sandals.

  9. I got a washable, very similar skirt from Banana Republic. I get several compliments about how great it looks on me, every single time I wear it.

  10. How long is this skirt? The website doesn’t tell you. I’m not going to buy anything, and incur shipping fees, if I can’t figure out whether it’s going to be too short on (eg it is too short for work on the model).

  11. UGH. I’m about to graduate college and have 4 interviews this week that are BARELY coordinated. And today I got an email that one company wants to move one of the interviews to a different day (each of those days I have another interview) — I don’t want to seem inflexible but I was really counting on this particular schedule! I guess I’ll just move it to the afternoon of one of those days (the other interviews are in the morning) and cross my fingers that the other interviews don’t run over. Ugh.

    I also have to drive 2.5 hours to get to the city that holds these interviews. So my week is awful, pretty much.

    1. Just say — “I have another engagement in the morning of day X. I am not sure what time it will be completed. Could we start an hour later? Would you prefer to keep the original day, or find a day next week?” If you really have no idea how long the morning interviews will last, ask them too– say, “I am trying to schedule another engagement that afternoon. Do you think I will be finished by X, or should I reschedule my other engagement?” Companies understand that people have busy schedules, and would more appreciate your candor now than you showing up late or trying to leave early (or just generally being totally stressed …). This is a way to show how you would handle similar circumstances in your career, which come up all the time. Also, I know it’s a hard week, but having too many interviews sounds like a great problem to have. Good luck!

      1. Yeah I just got an email requesting my availability for Wednesday and Thursday, so I said something along those lines – I have a commitment in the morning, I am not sure how long it will run, so the later afternoon would be best.

        And yes, I am excited for the interviews and hope at least one generates a job. Hopefully. I guess we’ll see. And I suppose this saves me having to drive 5 hours on Friday, so there’s a plus.

        1. What field & city are you interviewing in? I recall that when I was interviewing right out of college and going from Boston to NYC, companies offered to put me up at a hotel the night before the interview. I wouldn’t propose this for interviews later in the day, but if you have some that start before 9am and they are otherwise reimbursing expenses, it might be worth asking if it would be appropriate to stay over the previous night (if that would make your life easier). My interview process was over 3 years ago at this point and maybe the world has changed in the meantime.

          1. I think the days of getting reimbursed for expenses (especially post-graduation) are long gone. If you’re not willing to make the effort to go to the interview, they can find someone else who can get there without asking for help.

          2. Unfortunately have to agree with MelD here — I think this was a boom-time interviewing perk that you shouldn’t ask about. If the company generally pays these expenses, you probably would have heard about it when setting up the interview.

          3. I would not ask either — of course that I won’t ask may be wrong – Men usually will go ahead and ask for a perk like this – and often do receive it.

            If you are travelling far, it may be worth asking — if it’s a larger company I would be more likely to do so —- a smaller one may be totally flummoxed by the request but odds are a bigger co. has done it at somepoint or another.

          4. If they know you’re from out of town and they didn’t offer, you shouldn’t ask.

          5. Hit submit too soon. I wanted to include that my company does not pay for hotel/travel expenses except for certain high-ranking positions. However, we certainly would appreciate it if you mentioned ahead of time that you’ll be driving a long distance the morning of the interview. That way if you’re running late it wouldn’t be a surprise of a big disqualifier.

          6. Unfortunately, most are either small startups (never going to happen) or the one big firm which includes in the signature of its HR emails “we do not reimburse interview expenses”… I think it’s just not the economic climate for that, particularly in an entry level position.

            But they do know I’m coming from a nearby state so hopefully will be flexible if traffic holds me up. We will see.
            Becca

          7. I work for a consulting company in the Boston area that brings undergrad and MBA recruits on site, and we pay expenses including train/plane and hotel stays the night before. I would definitely ask — it can’t hurt.

  12. I like the skirt though it’s out of my price range for now … someone mentioned Pendleton though and I know it’s been mentioned before. I’m looking at their suits and they look classic and 100% wool which I like. Any idea how their sizes run? Their size charts seem to indicate they are 1-2 sizes above Banana/Jcrew/AT (if I was a 6 in those sizes probably an 8 or 10 on Pendleton). Can anyone confirm that? Any comments on quality?

    1. I find that if I wear a 10 ordinarily, an 8 is what I wear in Pendleton. I buy it at a little shop that does all of the alterations for free. I will say I usually buy full price there, but I think that the pants alone now are down to less than .$25/wear.

  14. I like the skirt though it’s out of my price range for now … someone mentioned Pendleton though and I know it’s been mentioned before. I’m looking at their suits and they look classic and 100% wool which I like. Any idea how their sizes run? Their size charts seem to indicate they are 1-2 sizes above Banana/Jcrew/AT (if I was a 6 in those sizes probably an 8 or 10 on Pendleton). Can anyone confirm that? Any comments on quality?

  15. I like the skirt and would never worry how it would look with a floral blouse, because I only have one floral blouse and almost never wear that to work. It’s definitely a skirt for people who like – and look good it – tuck-ins.

    As for dry-cleaning, I try to avoid those woolens and so forth as much as possible, but you can’t avoid them entirely unless you live in the tropics, right?

    For skirts, I would say unless there is an accident or unless they are some shade of white you have them cleaned about every 15 wearings (more if you have little kids), which might come down to about once a year, right?

  16. I just ordered a BR pencil skirt. That’s what I get for coming here all the time! :)

  17. On the “splurge” topic … I can’t quite spend so much money on wool suits even though I’m about to start working at a firm and need them for my career. So instead of buying full price, I just ordered a bunch of new with/out tags and a couple of gently used Theory wool suit separates from ebay. I used different sellers and even different sizes (intending to take them to the tailor and spend money there since I spent so little on them). I ordered 2 jackets, 2 skirts and 2 pairs of pants in black and dark gray for $215 including shipping. Anyone done this before? I’ll report back after I’ve received them.

    2. I’m so glad you posted this! I recently went on Ebay and looked around and was really curious if folks had a good experience buying clothes from there. I think I would only buy brands that I knew looked good on me, especially considering most sellers don’t allow for returns. My old coworker bought lots of stuff on Ebay and was always pleased. Please report on your experience, thanks!

    3. I do this in fits and spurts…have had very good results, but I only buy brands that I know will fit that are NWT or NWOT (new w/ tag, new w/o tag). Most sellers are treating this as a business, so it’s in their best interest to describe as accurately as possible and ship quickly. I also try to order items where I can see the label and/or price tag.

      It appears that many of the sellers are purchasing their stock from the outlets and marking it back up for sale on ebay, so merchandise is running about a year behind (at least based on what I’m seeing).

      Just watch out for petite sizing –sometimes it’s not very clear in the titles of the items.

    4. I didn’t know theory made wool suits? All of mine are some blend. Are you sure they are theory?

    5. I’ve done this. Only buy clothes from brands you know, so the sizing will work for you. I bought 3 pairs of Ann Taylor pants for $15 2 years ago — fantastic deal, was very happy with them. I’ve missed on some stuff, as well, but as long as it’s not too expensive, I’m OK with tossing it into the Goodwill pile.

      EBay, btw, has been one of my best tricks to deal with dressing well while losing weight. I dropped 30 lbs last year, hoping to drop a total of 50, then plateau’ed and went back up courtesy of my messed-up thyroid + massive stress. Am now on the way back down again.

    6. I know someone who does this all the time. She tends to wear the same brands so it’s easy enough for her to know what she wants/what her size will be.

      I have a hard time shopping online, period, because I hate having to deal with returns & I never know what size to order or what will be good. I find that pictures are less than revealing. But that said $215 for all that Theory sounds amazing!!! Congrats.

    7. I like the idea of buying on Ebay in theory, but I’m overwhelmed by the number of choices on that site. What’s the best strategy for finding good deals? Do you just focus on 2-3 brands that you know and trust or do you take a risk and buy something from a brand that you have never tried? And on average, what percentage of Ebay bought clothin do you end up really liking and wearing?

  18. I’ve never bought EBay clothing, but I have bought many other things on Ebay (handbags, home furnishings, some jewelry). I’ve found it’s best to go in with something specific that I want. I like to at least narrow it down to brand, sometimes even to style name. I just think it’s easier to sort through the options that way. And, it could be because I’m lucky or because I’m buying things other than clothing, but in all of my Ebay shopping, I’ve never gotten an item that wasn’t what was advertised, nor have I had any other problems in dealing with sellers.

    I do cruise the site for vintage clothes all of the time, but I’ve never bought anything because I’m worried about fit. Has anyone else had any luck with vintage clothing on Ebay or any other sites? (I’ve actually bought two pieces off Etsy and loved them both, but I’m always looking for new resources!)

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