<p>I confess I like Eileen Fisher, I got my first stuff in my twenties and I still like to have a few pieces for those really bad work days when nothing tight around the waist works. I good friend of mine wore leggins with a longish top and sandals to dinner a few weeks ago. I was surprised when I saw her, but it did grow on me. I confess to having quite abit of Talbot’s in my closet, but I do like to buy something trendy each season to young up my outfits. I liked swing jackets with 3/4 sleeves this summer and the scarfs to tie around the neck. I cannot wear skinny jeans as they just don’t look right on me, but do love the really wide leg trouser jeans that are in the stores these days. I do “bare” my arms much more than thirty years ago when you covered from the knees to neck and topped it off with a floppy scarf tied around your neck and I bought tights to replace my nylons this winter. I have pointy toe heels, but gosh darn I hate them and keep flats under my desk. I think if you avoid the belly skin and ill fitting jeans, and Chico’s (LOL) you’re end up fine. Although I do have one vendor who adores Chico’s and looks fabulous so maybe it all depends, I’ve never had any luck.</p>
<p>At 54 and plump and living in extremely casual Portland, OR, I have a regular “uniform” of black stretchy pants from Lucy, a tank top from Victoria’s Secret (lots of different colors), and a cashmere sweater hoodie from LLBean (five different colors). With this I wear Goretex hiking shoes from Inov-8 (dry feet and don’t slip, no matter how muddy). I usually have dog treats in my pockets. I carry a black waterproof raincoat and a rainhat in my car in the rainy season (now through April or May).</p>
<p>To dress up, I have nice black pants from Coldwater Creek or a black skirt from Chico’s (the Traveler collection, it crunches up small and you can take it anywhere), a silk hand-dyed tank top (choice of two), and a newer cashmere sweater without a hood (I buy one every winter and wear it until it’s trashed). For shoes, I have a nice pair of comfortable dressy black shoes from Arche. (I also have a nice dress for weddings.)</p>
<p>I do not look snazzy or fashionable or really anything other than comfortable. I do always wear art-glass earrings (I have about fifty pairs) and I do have a nice hair cut (although I’m white-haired (with a pink streak)).</p>
<p>I’ve never been in a Chico’s, but despite all the negatives the traveler’s collection has me curious.</p>
<p>The Traveler’s stuff comes in handy. The pants don’t work for me, but I have some of the tanks and light jackets.</p>
<p>I have a black tank top and matching sweater from the traveler’s collection and I love it. Other than that, I really don’t like the “flowy” type of material. </p>
<p>In the last few years I’ve decided to come out of the dumps and once again dress fashionably. In my early years, I was always concerned about style, but then after four kids, I gave up. I’ve recently lost some weight (still have ten pounds to go) and have worked really hard to improve my appearance. The first thing I did is stop shopping at Chicos. Based upon the giant floral t-shirts in my closet - I had lost all sense of style and thought the giant flowers would hide my poor body image! It’s so easy to spot the Chico shoppers in a crowd.</p>
<p>I recently had to shop for several events and found a lot of great things at Ann Taylor and Steinmart. Nordstroms was great as well. Although I agree that “mom jeans” are awful - I find that “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans” at Nordstrom (which are by definition mom jeans) are really great. I’ve also found that wearing heels just naturally causes me to feel better about myself. The heels are only 2.5 or 3 inches - but I feel taller and skinnier. I hadn’t thought about tights - but I agree with all of the PPs…If there is ANY chance your butt might show, the tights/leggings would not be appropriate. If the tights/leggings are acting as leg coverings…they could look great.</p>
<p>I’ve found that most stores have some clothes that are less trendy and youth oriented, even places like H&M and Forever 21, believe it or not. I’ve been to a lot of those type places with my D and can always find something that basically doesn’t look like it belongs there. H&M has really great things, by the way. Size may be an issue–many things are cut somewhat smaller-- but not the styles . I also like JCrew and Anthropologie.</p>
<p>This topic reminds me of this blog:</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://youlookfab.com/]YouLookFab[/url”>http://youlookfab.com/]YouLookFab[/url</a>]</p>
<p>This really seems to suit all of your needs, since this is a veteran fashion blogger and personal stylist who caters to mature women that enjoy a younger style, while still being age appropriate. I still even find great tips on this blog even though I’m waaaay younger, so this seems to fit your bill.</p>
<p>This book is very popular at our library among staff and patrons - [Amazon.com:</a> How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better (9780446699976): Charla Krupp: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Look-Old-Effortless/dp/0446699977/ref=pd_sim_b_8]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Look-Old-Effortless/dp/0446699977/ref=pd_sim_b_8) </p>
<p>I tend to shop where it’s convenient. I have things from both Coldwater Creek and Chico’s and find that when I wear them I get compliments. It’s a matter of picking and choosing. I bought my first piece of Chico’s stuff because someone on this very forum recommended their travelers collection when we were going on a trip. They have great tank top’s and t-shirts and scrunchable jackets that are perfect for traveling and are well made.</p>
<p>I probably would not have shopped at either store except they built a shopping area less then 15 minutes away so they are convenient. There’s an LL Bean store there too, where I also shop. I have an iffy feeling towards fashion. I want to look nice, but don’t want to think too much about it.</p>
<p>So I shouldn’t buy anymore 60’s inspired clothing? I love my new tye-died t-shirt. It’s a blue/purple combo, so I didn’t think it was too wild. I’ve also purchaed a few peasant type blouses. I did refrain from purchasing a maxi dress this summer. D reprimands me if I dress too young and H reprimands me if I dress too old.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to one of my favorite stores, Von Maur:</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.vonmaur.com/Default.aspx?PageId=73&nt=4&cat=73]Women[/url”>http://www.vonmaur.com/Default.aspx?PageId=73&nt=4&cat=73]Women[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Entered a Chico’s store for the first time a couple of weeks ago with my sister-in-law - she and actually her daughter who just turned 28 SWEAR by their stuff - they seem to really love their pants and my niece can pull over a long skirt, patterned top and one of their big funky belts really well.</p>
<p>Didn’t feel like me though. </p>
<p>It’s funny how you could take 3 50-year-old woman and put them side by side and see them look/dress totally different. (hopefully, I will be the cute one!) I find myself astounded lately when I look at my peers in the workplace and at places like church, school events, etc. and see the variety - I find myself saying either “yikes! why is she dressing slouchy and looking so old!?” or “yikes! why is she trying to dress out of her 16 year old’s closet - pull your top up and get rid of the mini skirt!!!” </p>
<p>I base my wardrobe around a few (very few) basic pants - a couple of khaki, black and khaki green and then lots of tops, jackets, etc. I say a big “NO” to brightly colored pants!!!</p>
<p>I’m very happy doing most of my shopping at TJ Maxx where there is a variety of stuff, Levi’s for my jeans - they make SO many styles now and filling in with my Eddie Bauer/LLBean fleece/sweaters etc.</p>
<p>[Blue</a> Fish Clothing](<a href=“http://www.barclaystudio.com%5DBlue”>http://www.barclaystudio.com)
[Cynthia</a> Ashby](<a href=“http://www.cynthiaashby.com%5DCynthia”>http://www.cynthiaashby.com)
<a href=“http://www.studiorundholz.com%5B/url%5D”>www.studiorundholz.com</a>
[CYDWOQ</a> - Hand-Crafted Leather Shoes, Bags, and Belts](<a href=“http://www.cydwoq.com%5DCYDWOQ”>http://www.cydwoq.com)</p>
<p>a grown up hippie look… I think. If I didn’t dress in trends I have worn in earlier years I’d have to go naked… there just are no new looks for someone my age. lol</p>
<p>dmd: I love your style!</p>
<p>I shop a lot at Ann Taylor Loft because it’s inexpensive and the stores are everywhere. Also Banana Republic and sometimes Ann Taylor. I’ve been hitting Norstrom Rack lately because a new one opened near us and they’ve been stocking it (at least for now) with nice stuff. I’ll occasionally find things at Zara…to me, Zara in Europe = teen, but the one in a local mall seems more for grown ups. I love to look at White House/Black Market, but I never seem to buy anything there. I’ll occasionally find a dress at Francescas, but that tends to be young.</p>
<p>Talbots? I used to shop there a lot. Seems like their clothes have aged faster than I have. I agree about the Talbot’s outlets…I suspect that they NEVER get rid of merchandise…I bet they have clothes in their outlets from the '90s.</p>
<p>We have a Marshalls near us and I go in whenever I can just on the off chance they have something fabulous. Early this spring I got a lined light khaki jacket that EVERYONE has complemented for $19.99. I’m like a lab rat…since I’ve found a couple of terrific things there, I keep going back, hoping for more.</p>
<p>I just cliicked on the link to Von Maur…pretty clothes…I wish they had those stores in Texas.</p>
<p>Zara is a wonderful store and I think there is one in Dallas now. The ONLY thing I miss about leaving Dallas is all the great stores I no longer have. (probably not a bad thing…)</p>
<p>Yes, there is a Zara in the Galleria, near Nordstrom.</p>
<p>The astounding thing is that Dallas doesn’t have an H&M…they’re all over the world and not in Dallas…we’ve shopped there (mostly for the girls) in Barcelona and Heidelberg and Boston and NY…I’ve heard rumors of H&M coming, but it’s never materialized.</p>
<p>My daughter used to love H & M but now is of the belief that their clothes are not well made and that irritates her because she’s since spending her own money, she wants her clothes to last. She shops at Banana Republic quite a bit.</p>
<p>“Leggings are all right as long as a), your top covers your backside and b), you don’t have skinny legs combined with belly fat. Then you may look like a bug. I think for us older women, boots are really necessary to add gravitas to the look, though.”</p>
<p>Well, you just clarified why I personally don’t wear leggings. I have skinny legs. I don’t really have belly fat, but I do look a little bug like with a top and leggings. Okay, so don’t take any advice from me about leggings - they are just not for me. </p>
<p>I think we could start a whole section called the Dressing Room on CC. These discussions are really very helpful. It’s like having a bunch of really honest, opinionated friends accompany you while you shop. I know I will be starting a thread and asking for your help next summer when it gets closer to my 40th class reunion!</p>
<p>Now if we could just post pictures of ourselves in various outfits and get everyone’s reaction…</p>
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<p>I totally agree…but it’s perfect for the young girls who are still growing so the clothes don’t need to last more than one season anyway. It’s also good for the very trendy stuff that you know they won’t be wearing next year anyway.</p>
<p>I believe that everything is appropriate under official company dress code. I wear D’s clothe that she pitches all the time because I hate shopping. I am much older than you are. When I absolutely have to shop, I have to go to Juniors anyway becase woman’s fit funny and very uncomfortable and frankly looks weird most of the time. My suits (very many, I have tons of closet space) have been collecting dust for many years, I am lazy to take them to Salvation Army.</p>
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<p>Oooh, Stacy and Clinton (What Not to Wear) would take you to task for shopping in Juniors. Wonder what they’d advise? Alterations, I assume. I really do like their emphasis on fit. Poor fit - either way too tight or way too baggy - is the culprit with so many of the fashion impaired.</p>