Where do you shop?

[Veronica]

I use to be able to buy clothes from LL Bean or Lands End and know that they would fit. But a lot of manufacturers, including these two companies, seem to be tinkering with their sizes and the way their clothes fit, moving towards a lower rise and I'm no longer sure what size I am.

I'm not opposed to low rise - if there is not a huge gap in the back. I have not been able to find anything that I really like how it fits and how it is styled. I'm 42 and a 5th grade teacher. I want to look good, not too young and not frumpy. Why is this so hard? I'd prefer my clothes be machine washable, definitely comfortable and fairly durable. I do spend part of each work day sitting on the floor in class meetings.

So where do you shop?


Veronica

[Crankin]

The Loft, Banana Republic, once in awhile J Crew and Ann Taylor. No other stores have petite sizes that are not either too "old lady-ish" or for young girls. I like low rise, but I try to be cognizant of my age (55) and not go too crazy. Petite sizes are getting bigger or stores no longer have them, like J Crew, who has cut down on what styles they carry in my size.
I used to buy a lot of stuff at Eddie Bauer. Have you looked there?

I love clothes, but buying things, other than cycling stuff has become an exercise in frustration. I would buy all of the casual work stuff at Title 9, if they had things in my size.

[Biciclista]

I buy dockers at JC Penney's and the last time I noticed the cut and size HAD changed. Sigh.
No advice from me.

[Veronica]

I like Title 9, but their pants are all too long for me.

I tried some Eddie Bauer stuff, but it was too big. I THINK I should be a size 8. But apparently I'm now a six.

I was just looking at Talbots and they say if you have a 26 inch waist, you're a 2. Didn't that use to be an 8?

Veronica

[KathiCville]

J. Jill (on sale or on eBay). Ann Taylor Loft (eBay! Great deals on brand-new items). Talbot's for a few well-made basics. Lands End for jeans. Chico's for whimsical jackets. Athleta for some casual outdoor stuff. Target for its Merona 'double layer' tees---sleek, stretchy, substantial material.

[tulip]

I hate shopping! If I must, however, I go to a great consignment store near my mother's house in North Carolina. I can always find nearly new clothes for a very good price.

If I must shop, and I can't get to NC, then I'll go to Ann Taylor. I like their stuff. I don't know if they are even in business anymore, though. It's been a while since I did any shopping.

I never buy clothes on the internet, except from TE (I've done that twice). I have to try them on because it's just too much hassle to return them.

[GLC1968]

I shop all over the place and 95% of it is through the internet.

Most of my pants are no longer carried at their respective stores, and I have to keep changing where I buy stuff. And I never shop for pants based on waist - I always have to look at hip measurements.

I have found that the recent trend towards 'curvy' fits has been great for me. Ann Taylor Loft in the 'Julie' cut (petite) fits me right off the rack and that's a rarity for me! Most of my current work dress pants are of these style. The waists are only slightly big and not so much that a belt can't take care of it.

Most of my jeans are Gap (long and leans), but I have a couple of pairs of Carhart and of Chico that also fit. None of them are super low rise. My legs are too short - I look silly in the really low pants.

Tops - all over the map but there is definitely a general trend toward Ibex in the past two years.

[KathiCville]

Duhhh, I forgot to mention thrift shops, too! Love 'em! Thanks, Tulip, for the reminder.......One day between Christmas and New Year's Day last year, my BF and I spent the day visiting 7 or 8 thrift shops in Richmond and then collapsing into comfy chairs at the bar at swank, holiday-decked-out Jefferson Hotel to review our bargains! A day of practicality topped off with a little holiday cheer! ............

[tulip]

PM me those thrift shops, KathiCville! I haven't been out to search any in Richmond yet (yes, I've been here for two years...)

[martaw]

First choice was always Jcrew, American Eagle, Up Against The Wall, Old Navy, Banana, Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack, I love to shop sales

[maillotpois]

Martin & Osa, Nordstrom, REI.

[Trekhawk]

I'm 42 and a 5th grade teacher. I want to look good, not too young and not frumpy. Why is this so hard? I'd prefer my clothes be machine washable, definitely comfortable and fairly durable. I do spend part of each work day sitting on the floor in class meetings.

So where do you shop?


Veronica

I find lots of the clothes to be either for the super young or older set. It seems to be getting harder to find clothes that are comfy and hip (well at least hip for a 44 year old). The only thing I have figured out is that if I find something I like buy two because you can bet they will stop making it.

I still buy most of my clothes from the USA via the internet. The selection back here in Aust is not as varied.

[redrhodie]

I just found the perfect jeans at Old Navy. I've never shopped there for pants before, but we were getting some things for dbf, and on a whim, I tried them on. I'm also curvy, and there's no gap in the waist, and they're even the perfect length. The best part (and I know you'll care about this)--cat fur does not stick to them!

[shootingstar]

I was just looking at Talbots and they say if you have a 26 inch waist, you're a 2. Didn't that use to be an 8?

Veronica

Um, 24 inch waistband on anything for me...never fitted me. except maybe when I was 19 yrs. old. Otherwise too tight. Yea, underweight at that time but too tight on those waistline measurements.

At this time, I'm a size zero to 2, depending on the cut, line, etc.

Reading everyone's non-cycling clothing place responses so far, actually depressed me abit and reminded me how long I have not shopped for any dress clothing, even business casual.

I also buy either dressier clothing (when I did buy), made do with 1 pr. of jeans (from nearly 9 years ago...) or cycling clothing. But nothing really in between. Hence, no favourite store for business casual. I just pick away like a bird from different places/boutiques. Working in an office for a construction project, made me super slack in terms of fashion.

These are the type of dress shops (which do sell jeans and I've nearly given up trying) I do check out stuff, on the rare occasion have bought a garmet at places below. But I'll go to any independent and just buy also. Not notice the name of store next time.

Zara
Plum
R.W. & Co.
Mexx
Banana Republic
Jacobs
and I don't what-the-store-name-is-but-I-can-visualize-store-in-my-memory.

I've never bought any clothing via Internet yet. If I did, it might be casual type of tops. Never pants/fitted shorts with a waistband.

Or I've wrapped a hawaiian/bali like pareo large scarf, sarong skirt style. But I double wrap the whole scarf around me so I don't have to wear a slip. It works. Yes, I wear dress shoes. Wrapped scarf skirt sits above my knees. Top would be a fitted sleeveless but high neck tank top. Black always works against a brightly designed skirt like that.

[pfunk12]

For work clothes, I shop at Ann Taylor, AT Loft, Nordstroms (usually only sales), Banana Republic, or Limited (mostly for pants). For casual clothes, I usually order from Title Nine, Athleta, or Patagonia.