<p>I met up with a girlfriend who is over 50 for drinks last Fri. I was in my business suit and she’s just gone shopping in NYC. She showed up with a pair of black tights looking pants, short leather jacket (her butt was not covered by the jacket) and a pair of army boots look alike. Now granted, there was no bulge, the whole outfit fit well on her. She looked fine without her face, but when you look at the face and the outfit, they were just so out of place.</p>
<p>I have to say, a lot of my girlfriends, who have started to work out and losing weight, are going overboard in trying to dress young. I want to say, “You could still look nice without wearing 20 year olds clothes.”</p>
<p>You hit on something Oldfort–as we self improve as many women seem to do at a certain age, we want to wear the clothes our new muscles/leanness/shape can look good in, only to realize so much is inappropriate!</p>
<p>I find the best answer is to live vicariously through a daughter/niece/employee/friend. Yesterday I shopped with DD for outfits I’d be wearing if I was 30 years younger–in this case leggings with short jacket (though even here, butt covered!) and great high boots. She will break some hearts! I was just as happy seeing it on her as if I had been wearing it. DH invited me to buy a like outfit to wear at home:)</p>
<p>Need coffe and ignatius, Hollister and Abercrombie brands run small.</p>
<p>I’ve often wondered about ladies like you! I’m about 10 lbs heavier & an inch taller & I sometimes find it hard to find things that fit (don’t bother w/Banana Republic pants – I tried on a 00 yesterday and they were baggy! talk about vanity sizing…!). I can only imagine if you are super-tiny. </p>
<p>I hate to suggest this, but have you tried the girls department for basic (non-kiddie) stuff? These days, girls’ sizes 12-14 are running big enough to fit a grown-up! Also, any shirts w/lycra will cling & fit a slimmer person better. Hollister shirts are cut very, very slim (xs is too small for me) & I bet would look great on you both. They do have basic polo shirts & tops that don’t have brand names plastered all over.</p>
<p>oldfort–would not do the ‘leggings-type’ pants & short jacket, either! There’s a line, and it helps to include some classic pieces/styles in a mix w/trendy – not all trendy!</p>
<p>mom60–yes, thinking anything here would work — dark wash jeans, cool shoes/boots, an artfully draped scarf…?</p>
DH mentioned something similar about the Halloween costume I wore last night. I told him that my hysterical laughter might ruin the mood he was going for.</p>
<p>In my case, I’ll frequently wear something old and H will ask if it’s new (even if I’ve had the thing for years) or I’ll wear something brand new and H won’t notice unless I point it out! Actually, H is the one who puts new things in the back of his closet - they have to “marinate” for awhile before they get worn - don’t ask me why!</p>
<p>Relevant to this thread, I haven’t watched her show for a long time, but happened to notice that Oprah is having a special segment Monday afternoon on accessories, especially shoes and handbags - and how choosing the wrong ones can add unwanted years to your look.</p>
<p>roshke - maybe you are my SIL, if you are, don’t tell me. SIL would put new purchase in her closet for a while, so when my brother asks her if it’s new she could say, “No.”</p>
<p>I don’t like to shop for “occasion.” It would be too stressful. If I see something I like I’ll buy it even if I wouldn’t wear it for a while. Yes, I have a lot of black dresses.</p>
<p>oldfort - Actually, the quote was from worknprogress - maybe she is your SIL, LOL. In our house it’s the opposite - H is the one who puts things in the back of his closet, not me!</p>
<p>I’ll be sure to take notes if I am home tomorrow afternoon to watch.</p>
The problem with the girls department is that although they are smaller, they are proportioned to fit girls. Not women. No curves at all. Juniors department is a little better if you’re not too curvy. I’m 5ft, 105 pounds. Kohl’s is a good choice because teen girls don’t like shopping there. I have found that the petitie department in most department stores is disappearing and they charge so much more for less material. I will also shop Lord & Taylor and Macy’s clearance sales. Old Navy works well for everyday stuff.</p>
<p>There is a lot of stuff that fits me in the girls dept and I am fairly curvy- but I also have short arms- things with stretch fit, girls long underwear are identical to womens but cheaper ( and it isn’t always a choice between pink or purple)</p>
<p>I weigh a lot more than 105 but I can wear girls large size clothing ( except for jeans- juniors cuts are bad enough!)</p>
<p>Outdoor clothing I use for work, fleece jackets, rain gear, synthetic long sleeve shirts, down vests and gloves ( but not socks) all are from the " childrens" section.</p>
<p>Petite sizes really don’t fit usually my legs are too long & I have too much boob.
The styles that are in petites are also much more conservative than I want to wear, so I usually stick to the same brands, I buy a lot of stuff at REI or other sporting goods stores.</p>
<p>NorthFace jackets girls’ XL are very similar in size to ladies’ M, yet cost $50 less. Guess what DD and I wear?</p>
<p>LOL about living vicariously through daughters - guilty as charged here! My D knows very well that shopping with mom yields tons of great stuff for her (and maybe a bra or a top for mom), and she doesn’t mind going to the mall with me. DH is going to pay her a visit soon, and he promised to take her shopping for warm clothes. That would be an interesting experience, since (i) H hates shopping, and (ii) he thinks young ladies’ clothes are too revealing. LOL. You should see what kind of stuff he thinks I should wear!</p>
I’m about 10 lbs heavier & an inch taller & I sometimes find it hard to find things that fit (don’t bother w/Banana Republic pants – I tried on a 00 yesterday and they were baggy! talk about vanity sizing…!). I can only imagine if you are super-tiny. </p>