Sorry to bump this thread, but does anyone know of good places to buy full business wear in Melbourne, and possibly accessories (looking for new handbags, possibly like longchamps bags)? I'm going to be in Melbourne around boxing day sales so if things will be cheaper there than in the US I'd like to get them in Australia.
Like... Suits? Or assorted corporate wear? I work at an investment bank, but I don't deal directly with clients so I rarely wear a full suit. Can't really offer much advice on shopping for suits coz I bought mine overseas, but it's definitely worth investing the money in one or two good suits. Buy the best suit you can reasonably afford, pay attention to the material, and if you can only afford one good suit then buy a black one.
Women's corporate wear is more flexible than men's, but that can also make it more challenging to know what to buy. If you're shopping because you've just got a new job where you'll have to wear corporate clothing, then my best advice is to buy a week's worth of reserved, plain corporate clothes. Black suit (skirt or pants, whichever your preference) as well as neutral coloured business shirts. Wear those for your first week and pay close attention to what the other women in the office are wearing. Then go shopping on the weekend to fill out your closet.
As for actual places to shop... I usually try to spend no more than $50 on a skirt, $40 on a top or $100 on a dress. Your suit is more important than the shirt underneath, so sink your money into that. It's perfectly plausible to buy nice business wear in this price range, and you shouldn't feel compelled to pay more than that. In saying that, I have paid more on occasion for something particularly flattering or whatever, but I have also paid much less on occassion.
Tops I reckon it's easy to get away with buying it on eBay. Get a tape measure out and measure yourself, don't just go with size numbers. Even if you end up with a couple of duds, it's so cheap buying online that it doesn't really matter.
Skirts and dresses I think it's worth going to a physical shop, especially figure hugging stuff like pencil skirts. Asian shops. I live in the Western suburbs, so for me that means a trip to Highpoint. There's also some Asian shops kind of underground in the CBD, but I'm having trouble remembering which street they're on. One of them was called *something* Angel or Angels *something*. I've only got my phone, otherwise is google it for you. I also personally like Portmans, but go to one in the CBD coz they intentionally stock more business-y stuff. Also Cue, but their stuff is usually at the high end of my price range. Also I haven't been in ages, but last time I went to DFO there was cheap last-season business stuff, just don't buy anything cutting edge, fashion statement... aim for timeless classic (or at least "I can wear this for at łeast a year without looking like a tool").
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