| Author | Message | ||
     MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3648 Registered: 12-2004  |
You are no longer 27 and no longer a size 2, nor are you a size 22. Somewhere along the way, after several children, you may have misplaced your waist. You're not preppy or conservative. You'd like to look stylish, a bit more on the "hip" side, but not like an "old lady" trying to look 17 again. You have a limited budget and limited time. Oh yeah, and you HATE SHOPPING! HELP? | ||
| Soparents Citizen Username: Soparents Post Number: 276 Registered: 5-2005 |
That just about sums me up.... 1) Costco - along with the milk and eggs - they normally have some good tops and jeans 2) Sears when I am running through on the way to grab something else - Bought some nice skirts and tops so that I am not always running round in the jeans from Costco... returns are easy too when you find you have the wrong size due to the tag on the hanger being different to the one on the item, and me being in too much of a rush to try things on... 3) Nordstrom.com..... So easy. Their sizes are consistent, I can drink a coffee while ordering, I can place items in my cart and they will stay" there while the kids need attending to and best of all, I don't need to use/wait for, a changing room in the store!!! Their sale pages are very good too. Quick shippers. 4) Lord and Taylor - When I need something "Different" | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3649 Registered: 12-2004 |
Interesting, the disparity between your choices! Costco and Sears vs. Nordstrom and Lord and Taylor. I'm with you on the Costco thing, have found some good stuff there. | ||
| Petal Citizen Username: Petal Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2006 |
LOEHMAN'S the prices are great, you don't wind up owing something that everyone else has, you can get clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, underwear, gifts all under one roof. they have incredible sales, easy return policy. heaven on earth as far as shopping goes. i don't even bother with the clearance racks and i'm still amazed at the prices and the brands. | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3652 Registered: 12-2004 |
Sounds like heaven! Where do I find the store? | ||
| Sherri De Rose Citizen Username: Honeydo Post Number: 160 Registered: 11-2005 |
I too am torn between the younger look (which now looks ridiculous) and looking dowdy. Sometime I go to Chico's which although on the higher price range has a nice selection. Either in the mall or in Westfield. (For those of you who don't know Westfield, they have all the mall stores in a lovely walking town). Love Loehmans as well and Daffy's, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Annie Sez and oh yes many consignment stores and Salvation Army and estate sales. (Just wash it or dry clean). | ||
| red Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 5458 Registered: 2-2003  |
Me--I actually love to shop, but found a great way to cut down on time. I will surf the net, looking at what each store has before I go. This way, I walk in the door, knowing what I am looking for, and avoiding stores I didn't like. Anne Taylor is great, they have wonderful sales. The Gap was supposed to come out with a store for our age called Town and ? Although I have never seen it. | ||
| Soparents Citizen Username: Soparents Post Number: 277 Registered: 5-2005 |
Well........... lets just say that the prices on Nordstrom.com on the sale section are VERY good... there is a section for "final reductions" of 75% off... check it out. I am always able to find something there to suit my needs and am delighted when they come...have a lookie and you will see what I mean. I've actually spent $50 on a 3 piece outfit for an evening event I HAD to go to - it would have been $200+ and it's beautiful. As far as L&T for something "different" I think I was only passing through there on two occasions about to head to Macys to look for something for a wedding, and found that they had a sale and some things had obviously been marked wrongly or reduced for a reason that I couldn't find, and to me it was bargain basement pricing!!! Had enough left in hand to hit Starbucks!!!! Seriously though, I am with you on the hating shopping thing... not time for it and no patience for it. Costco and Sears and good solid stores, and I occasionally (with a STRONG coffee in hand...) go through Nordstroms.com sale section, and feel that I have paid very little for the quality I receive...This is honestly where I go for the smarter etc stuff, and at night when the kids are in bed and Mr. Soparents is probably asleep, I can look at Nordstroms without any interruptions.. | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 3070 Registered: 9-2002  |
Ann Taylor Loft or Ann Taylor if I'm splurging Gap (sometimes Old Navy for jeans) Nordstrom JJill (SHMall, catalogs, online) Eddie Bauer (sometimes frumpy though) Land's End (ditto) I'm not into TJMaxx/Marshall's for clothes (though I love their accessories and home goods). If you don't like shopping it is too much work to plough through the 100 pairs of ugly jeans to find the one cute pair. The other stores mentioned make it easier because everything is more visable so you can see the styles and then just look for a size. Main tip, DON'T go with kids and DO go with a friend. | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 3071 Registered: 9-2002 |
One more...Tarjay has some nice stuff, you just have to weed though to find it. | ||
| Camnol Citizen Username: Camnol Post Number: 332 Registered: 3-2005 |
Red, this is the store you are thinking of: http://www.forthandtowne.com/welcome.html There is one in that huge Palisades Mall in NY. I've never been, though. | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3653 Registered: 12-2004 |
Love, love Chico's and J.Jill, but those are budget breakers in my book. Can't do stores like Marshall's or T.J. Maxx for the very reason Wendyn describes: very frustrating and way too time consuming. My mother, who has nothing but time on her hands, does very well at those stores. But not I. Would certainly never think of dragging kid/s along, but don't really have much choice at this point. And can't imagine finding a time that would work for me AND a friend. That would just translate into a scheduling nightmare. As for Ann Taylor, many, many people seem to like the store, so I guess I'll have to give it a go. However, in my experience, limited though it may be, the clothes seem too "fancy" for every day, hangin' with the kids kind of wearing, and they seem to cater to small-sized, "skinny" girls (like VIG)! I heard about Forth and Towne a while back, but I'll be damned if I'm traveling to Palisades Mall. That's hardly what I would call quick and convenient! Keep those ideas coming ladies. Anyone wanna shop with me?  | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3654 Registered: 12-2004 |
And yes, I sometimes do Tarjay as well. It's one of my favorite stores, but not because of the clothes. | ||
| Sherri De Rose Citizen Username: Honeydo Post Number: 162 Registered: 11-2005 |
Actually, I don't believe shopping with a friend is the best way to go. Not if you want speed and efficiency. Others just slow me down with their constant insecurities about what looks good on them. It's amazing how many woman can't make a decision on their own looks/dressing style unless someone else tells them it looks good. And that would only be one womans opinion. On a different note, I wonder if this special age we're all talking about is the same decade. I am 57. Anybody else out there in that generation? If so, I think we have more to talk about than clothes. (sweaty...sweaty...get my drift?) | ||
| Petal Citizen Username: Petal Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2006 |
loehman's is on route 10 near before you reach target i believe. go during the week without kids, i think you'll be pleasantly surprised. it's better than the shopping experience of tj maxx/marshalls. one year my sister got a $5,000 carolina hererra (spelling?) wedding gown for $450.00.....just one example of the FINDS. i am constanly being approached by people with comments "where did you get that?", "you paid HOW MUCH!" i don't shop anywhere else. i just wish they had children's clothes. my husband gets his entire wardrobe there as well. | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 3074 Registered: 9-2002 |
Daffy's has cute designer kids clothes. There is one on Rt 10, but I like the one at Jersey Gardens. Again though I'm too impatient to wade through their adult stuff. Ann Taylor (and the Loft) both go up to size 16, AND their sizes tend to run big (though not as big as the Gap and Old Navy). They definitely tend toward business and business casual, though I have gotten jeans and khaki's at Loft (which is at Livingston Mall). Forth and Towne is actually more business casual and it is more expensive than Banana Republic (which is already more expensive than Gap). I like Old Navy for inexpensive tshirts and jeans, just buy them big because they will shrink. They have a new line of bermuda shorts but unfortunately they don't work when you are (very) short. I found some cute shorts at the Gap this weekend but they weren't cheap ($38!). Unfortunately I needed them for vacation. | ||
| kmk Supporter Username: Kmk Post Number: 1222 Registered: 5-2001  |
Oh Me...I have been wondering the same thing! I has been blessed with great height and cursed with a "not-so-flat" tummy. As a result it seems that I can not wear any ankle length pants on the market. Either they have too short an inseam or they are my worst nightmare - gasp - "hip huggers." I know that they are called low rise or something these days but I still know them as the dreaded "hip huggers"! I can't stand the way they look on less that perfect bodies... My favorite new phrase is "Muffin Top". It is the effect given by a slightly padded woman walking around in tight, low rise jeans....you know the little innertube of flesh that floats around above the waistband of the jeans! Even not-tight jeans cause a woman's naturally padded tummy to crease and then the bread dough overflowing-the-bowl look kicks in. I HATE IT! I have gotted to a place in life where I have a few "uniforms" that work for me. I simply replace what I know works....not as easy as one might think. They are alway s discontinuing your favorite tee shirt or ballet flats. That said, I like to shop only online. I have found items from Garnet Hill to be worth the expense most of the time. Patagonia makes a really, really useful skort that looks dressy but I wear it instead of shorts all summer. It has stretch so you can bend down to tie little kids shoes (and not give everyone a crotch shot because of the built in shorts!) I think J.Jill is too menopausal and Eileen Fisher just downright dumpy. The basics like tee shirts and capri pants I order by sets of 6 from the Gap or Banana Republic and J. Crew has much, much cuter things than ever before...not too trashy looking like A&F. If I have to go into a store it is almost always Nordstrom - their customer service makes it almost painless to shop there. I also like to shop when we travel...we are lucky enough to go to France often. When we visit I pick up cheap Petite Bateau undershirts and anything from their version of Target - it all looks so much cooler! Let me know of anything you discover | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3656 Registered: 12-2004 |
Sherri, 44 here. Not in a place to be talking about sweating, but certainly beginning to wonder. Petal. I will have to try Loehman's, but God only knows when. I think I would probably like to shop with a friend, just for moral support. 90% of the time, when I try to shop, I end up running away and driving home in tears. That's how awful it is for me. And I have a certain perception of myself and my body-image but, overall, most people seem to have a complete opposite perception of me. I find it very perpelexing. And it seems people offer up compliments totally of thier own accord. It's not as if I fish. Personally, I don't believe people will offer compliments, completely unsolicited, unless they mean them. Then again I could just be completely confused. | ||
| kmk Supporter Username: Kmk Post Number: 1223 Registered: 5-2001 |
Wow folks! By the time I finally posted the reply (that I started an hour earlier) so many others had replied. I will try Loehman's but I really, really prefer getting stuff delivered to my doorstep! | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3657 Registered: 12-2004 |
Ah yes, Muffin Top. Just learned that one myself. Unfortunately, I am hardly ever able to find a pair of pants/shorts that DON'T cause that effect on me! And being on the somewhat shorter side, kmk, I have the opposite issue with pants lenght that you do. The grass is always greener........... | ||
| campbell29 Citizen Username: Campbell29 Post Number: 419 Registered: 4-2002 |
I'm surprised nobody mentioned Talbots. I get lots of my casual clothes there (which would be pretty much my entire wardrobe). For even more casual - there's a line called "Fresh Produce" in the active section at Nordstroms, it is sold other places as well. Cool and comfy cottons. All this has made me feel like a spring wardrobe refresher - I think I'll head to the mall.  | ||
| Kibbegirl Citizen Username: Kibbegirl Post Number: 531 Registered: 5-2003 |
J. Crew Banana Republic Tarjay Cathy's Closet BlueFly.com Lucky Brand | ||
| Kibbegirl Citizen Username: Kibbegirl Post Number: 532 Registered: 5-2003 |
Oh, Banana Republic and J. Crew are stellar online as well! I hate trying on stuff, so I mainly online order. Banana and J. Crew are always true to size and you can order "formal" stuff from them too! They have been my stores since BK (before kids!) | ||
| Kibbegirl Citizen Username: Kibbegirl Post Number: 533 Registered: 5-2003 |
Sorry for my continuous rant on this subject, but ladies, have you checked this out? http://search.nordstrom.com/SearchResults.asp?KeyWord=tummy+tuck+jeans&CatID= | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 3077 Registered: 9-2002 |
I like JCrew and Banana as well, but wouldn't call them "reasonably priced". Both are pricier than the Gap and even much of Nordstrom. Although when they have sales you can get some really great deals. More good sales can be found (not right now unfortunately) at Hannah Andersson (online) which does have women's clothes. I am wearing a comfy knit "suit" right now! | ||
| Soparents Citizen Username: Soparents Post Number: 278 Registered: 5-2005 |
Kibbegirl thanks!! I will definately get some Do you think they do a pair that tucks the tummy, butt, legs, and takes 20lbs off my weight and 15 years off my age???? I wish....  | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 4360 Registered: 5-2001 |
VIG chiming in...my mom and I (very different bodies and sizes) have both had luck with the Gap Outlet in Jersey Gardens. This Spring we loaded up on nice t-shirts (bought 2 of each color I liked)—long enough to cover my long torso and big enough for my mom's big breasts. I bought half a dozen "gauchos" which I prefer over shorts because of the bending down thing KMK mentions, plus they have lots of capri chinos, tanks, skrts, etc. IMO it's a great place to get basics for hanging with the kids/at the playground. If you get the GAp credit card they always send discount coupons, or buy the Jersey Gardens coupon book $5 and there's a 15% off coupon in there. They do not have the same stuff as regular Gap (some items, not all). Also, their sizing is somewhat inconsistent, which can be frustrating, but the dressing rooms have big mirrors. Do not go on a weekend! FWIW, I have washed/dried the t-shirts and they wash well. I only paid $7 a shirt! | ||
| Shanabana Citizen Username: Shanabana Post Number: 349 Registered: 10-2005  |
Here's my two cents. If you're over by Bloomfield Ave in Verona (only 20 min) try Annie Sez. I check in there often 'cause it's next to my gym. They have discounted stuff (BCBG, 7 jeans, Tahari) for hipsters and "mature" (gross word) folks. They have deals on shoes, pj's, neglegee, and all...I used to shop online, too. Costs a BUNDLE though, with shipping, and all those clothes that dont quite fit right. Better to try everything on, I think. | ||
| lizzyr Citizen Username: Lizzyr Post Number: 239 Registered: 5-2001 |
Talbots fits are designed for the over-35 crowd. I like they tend to have solid colors and carryover the same shades from year to year. (I can get a green blouse to match the green jacket I bought there 2 years ago). I scope out what they have in the store (try on and make notes of ticket numbers) and then buy things on the first markdown. Get on their email list and you get an early notice of the sales and can go online and get stuff for 25-35% below the original price. Like Ann Taylor Loft most of the time. Some of their stuff this season is a bit "young". Can't stand their tops that cut across the chests. I think they are designed for people that have not had children and are under 30. | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 3078 Registered: 9-2002 |
There is an Annie Sez in Millburn. Haven't been there though. Agree about shopping online. I love it because I don't have to try anything on and get depressed (they looked so good on the model!). Then I get the items and hate them and have to pay more to send them back. I just did this with bathing suits (talk about depressing shopping!) with Land's End. I returned over $250 of merchandise (bathing suits are expensive!) at Sears. | ||
| kmk Supporter Username: Kmk Post Number: 1224 Registered: 5-2001 |
Kibbegirl - what a hoot! The folks who came up with "Not your daughter's Jean" are genious. Wendyn - I did the same thing with swimsuits, last February! I ordered at least 6 of them..tried them on in the privacy of my house and returned 3 of them. Best thing was that I got the sizes and colors that I wanted because is was just the beginning of the swimsuit season (think spring break in Florida) and they hadn't been picked over. I just got back from Loehman's on Route 10! I was out there for something else and I thought I would pop in. Not Bad.....I bought a dress for my 12 year old (size 0), a matching cardigan and lime green Ralph Lauren faux croc loafers for less than $100. She announced this morning that she needs to wear "something nice" to a choral concert tommorrow night. I was glad you all had this thread going because I would never have thought of Loehmans! | ||
| ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 1886 Registered: 11-2001  |
Lots of good advice here, so I won't repeat everything. I do think you can get a lot of great bargains online; you have to know where to shop. Sign up on www.ebates.com or www.rebateshare.com, so when you click to one of their vendor sites (e.g., Gap, Lands End) you actually get a rebate. Plus, you can always find good shipping deals. Must respectfully disagree with kmk about Eileen Fisher. Her clothes can be very flowy, or they can be very sleek. The simple designs are very flexible. I get tons and tons of EF clothes at the outlet, and never once did I consider anything "dumpy". You just have to know what pieces work on your body. Also, for those who hate shopping, a place like Loehmann's or Daffy's might tire you out, but if you look carefully, you can find amazing bargains on top-notch clothing. | ||
| kmk Supporter Username: Kmk Post Number: 1225 Registered: 5-2001 |
ess - You are right...it is so very personal and is directly related to body type. I happen to have the body of a very tall, thin boy! I need to have some semblance of a waistline sewn into my clothes to give me the slightest chance at the hourglass shape we all associate with a woman's figure. It was an unfortunate choice of words. I should have said: "I love Eileen Fisher's fabrics and quality but, given my body type, it comes out looking dumpy on me." The same for J.Jill: " While I think it is great that they are offering slightly funky and comfortable clothes to the masses - I find their blatant advertising to women of a certain age off-putting! All women over forty don't want to look like free-spirited gypsies with embellished clothing." | ||
| mjh Supporter Username: Mjh Post Number: 497 Registered: 5-2001 |
Me too kmk!! I hear you loud and clear. I look like a frump in EF/JJ clothing, much as I might otherwise like them. Where do you shop most successfully for clothes you like that fit you well? | ||
| ina Citizen Username: Ina Post Number: 350 Registered: 6-2001 |
Eileen Fisher outlet in is it Paramus? | ||
| joy Citizen Username: Joy Post Number: 440 Registered: 5-2001  |
Online: Coldwater Creek. great Outlet section. B&M: Kohls Target Sears I too have no time or patience for shopping. I used to love it - but now find it takes up all too much very valuable time. | ||
| Lizziecat Citizen Username: Lizziecat Post Number: 1197 Registered: 5-2003 |
KMK; I'm 63, tall, disproportionately long legs, and so not thin. JJill's pants fit me well. The ankle length pants are long enough and have a nice drape. I buy everything on line. I can't stand shopping. I even buy shoes and underwear on line. | ||
| kmk Supporter Username: Kmk Post Number: 1226 Registered: 5-2001 |
Oh ...that reminds me....I am a huge devotee of www.onehanesplace.com You will never buy cotton underpants or foundation garments from a department store again! They sell all the Hanes and Champion lines including "Hanes for Her", little kid's socks and tights and under shirts that come in Tall Man and 3XL for my very tall husband! They have pantyhose galore...I won't need those for a few years (when I return to the workforce)...and much of the stuff is considered seconds so it is very reasonably priced. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7379 Registered: 5-2001 |
Woodbury Commons for great selection and great prices. Mail order: LL Bean and Travel Smith | ||
| Miss L Toe Citizen Username: Miss_l_toe Post Number: 495 Registered: 10-2003 |
And if you're bored stiff with Victoria's Secret (their bras are for young women who've never had children - don't know why most of them are padded)and want something beautiful and sexy and fabulous quality then you can't go wrong with "Agent Provocateur"; they have a store in SoHo, NYC but I think you can probably order online: http://www.agentprovocateur.com (The original store in Soho, London was started by the son of punk designer Vivienne Westwood and her then spouse/partner Malcolm MacLaren - who was the 'Sex Pistol's' manager.) At their Knightsbridge store - near Harrod's & Harvey Nichols in London, you choose what you want to buy and they have models who will try on samples and strut along the catwalk in the lingerie...wow, men must love that LOL! |
