<p>They actually have quite a variety of things. Some things I’ve gotten there include stuff like crisp, shaped solid color blouses that can be worn alone or with a tank underneath, linen and cotton skirts and pants (both flowy and crisp twill), sleek matching tank and cardigan in great solid colors, some great silk or blend jackets that can be worn alone or with something underneath.</p>
<p>Despite the IMHO rather rude comments made by some, not everything is covered in huge flowers, and you cannot pick out every Chico’s shopper in a crowd. They do have “outfits” with a certain look that some people go for which I do not favor, usually because the look has too bold a pattern and is too dressy and too accessorized for me.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I’m not a teenager and feel no need to dress like one OR dress to please anyone else.</p>
<p>I imagine that those were the clothes that drew the mocking comments. It’s the “certain look.” I’m really not fond of wearing anything that screams “I got this at [name of store].” I guess that’s why I don’t own the type of Coach bag with the Coach logo all over it…</p>
<p>Her Etsy shop shows a wide range of clothes, all made from a nice knit fabric. Her prices are reasonable, and you certainly don’t see them on everyone. My daughter got a sleeveless hoodie dress with a wrap top and it makes her look stunning.</p>
<p>we don’t have a chicos. is it similar to a bonworths? i have purchased items there for my elderly mother.</p>
<p>i second plato’s closet. just last week i scored a victory as for the first time i purchased a shirt there for myself for the first time…it’s a victory because i’ve been working on reshaping my body. if i had the body to wear more clothes from plato’s…i’d do it ! cute stuff ! </p>
<p>my sister is receiving orders from her daughters not to wear mom clothes…no mom jeans with tucked in t-shirts ! no white tennis shoes ! lol</p>
<p>The clothes at Etsy are cute…not “me”, but cute. Believe me, I’d be charging a whole lot more than that if* I *was custom making the clothes.</p>
<p>We used to go to Plato’s Closet when they first opened. Then one day we stood in line at a register for quite some time. When it was our turn, the girl closed her register and walked away without a word. We left the store and haven’t been back. I do hope store managers realize what an impact their sales associates have.</p>
<p>There is a very useful phrase my British friend taught me years ago. I travel internationally often and am always looking for the perfect airplane outfit. I thought I’d found it when I bought some black leggings and an above the knee knit dress. With a shawl and flats it seemed perfect. But then I asked my daughter, “Mutton dressed as lamb?” and she had to agree. So much for that outfit.</p>
<p>The perfect travel outfit is a pair of dark wash comfy jeans, comfortable slip on shoes, and a black sweater set. I ended up wearing that outfit for two days straight a few years ago (not on purpose) and since then, I’ve worn a variation of that for all long flights.</p>
<p>Consolation- No rudeness intended. Poking fun at Chico’s (even by those of us who shop there on occasion) is a frequent thing IRL, too. There IS a distinct “Chico’s” look! My sister has a lot of things from Chico’s and was in hysterics one Sunday after church when an 80 year old woman showed up in the same outfit my sister was wearing!<br>
They really push the accessories (jewelry, belts, etc) to pull the outfits together. That’s where they make a ton of their profits. The accessories are appealing, but add a lot of $$ to the outfit. Plus, you have to be “together” enough to put on all your scarves, belts and jangly necklaces before you head out the door.</p>
<p>My wardrobe staple is Facconnable tailored shirts from Nordstrom. Expensive (but not as much as Thomas Pink, which I also love) but they go on sale. They are SO well made and always look great.</p>
<p>I can’t wear all that much black. I prefer bright colors, but the main reason is that I have a lot of animals and I always show up at work too furry!</p>
<p>One of my favorite stores in Ann Taylor’s Loft. Their close out sales are amazing…got a pair of white jeans for nine bucks at the end of the summer…they’re a bit low cut but OK and long enough for me which is rare!
I won’t wear leggings but I do like black tights in the fall and winter.
There’s a Chico’s near us and it’s right next to a Talbots! I walk in sometimes and can find a piece or two…I’ve purchased really cute jackets at both places. I notice that both stores have VERY generous cuts.<br>
I’m in a bit of a rut though… I have about 8 different pairs of black pants…some casual…some more dressy. And I wear them ALOT with colorful tops or short cropped jackets. Getting boring though.
I wear flats cause I’m tall…love patent leather.
I really envy ladies who can wear short skirts with no hose in a business setting. My legs just don’t stand up to that…oh well.</p>
<p>One year when H’s parents were visiting for Christmas, H bought his mother and I identical cream colored velour sweat suits…now that’s nothing that I would ever wear anyway, but the fact that my MIL also had one made me return it all the faster.</p>
<p>I also have alot of Chicos in my closet…mostly jackets for work and tanks and sleeveless-turtlenecks. Also a couple of pairs of work trousers, and I love their jewelry. But there are definitely strangely patterned clothes at Chicos to stay away from. Actually, I bet most folks would be surprised at how many Chicos items I own, as my work style is pretty tailored, with a bit of creativity. Stay with the solid colors!</p>
<p>I also have quite a few pieces from J.Jill and Coldwater Creek. Many of their offerings can also be too casually frumpy, so it’s important to pick-and-choose.</p>
<p>Wearing an above the knee black pencil skirt with no hose at work right now. The trick is to find the “right” length of skirt for you (and no, ankle length doesn’t count) and then pretend that you have great legs. Almost no one has truly fabulous legs and almost no one has truly horrible legs, so just show your legs as if they’re great, because they probably look as good as everyone else’s.</p>
<p>missypie,
I love Stacy and Clinton and their show (What Not to Wear). I am not big fan of TV, but there are few shows that I would watch. I wish that they do not repeat so much though. I cannot take their advice though, I do not even like their clothe most of the time, although Stacy is much better than Clinton. I do not shop in expensive stores anyway. $20 dress was OK for the wedding last time (oh, well, had to shop for that one). I am doing alternations all the time by myself though.</p>
<p>MP…well…I’ve developed some thickening in my ankles even though I’m pretty thin (water retention I think…I don’t know). Anyway, I dread showing off my “cankles.” Wearing flats doesn’t help. So I just wear pants. Like Hillary (although I don’t think mine are as bad!)
Miami…the expensive stores sometimes have great deals when they’re unloading off season wear. More than half price off. Proof…my nine dollar jeans!</p>
<p>I know about deals, but then you have to hunt for deals and go to many places. I do not care for shopping at all, I just go to TJ Maxx. Even there, you have to search and spend time, which is utterly annoying, well I count it as exercise, since I get tired much more during shopping than my 2-hour daily exercise routine.</p>
<p>That is so true…you just have to have the nerve to walk in and go straight to the sale rack.</p>
<p>I took my Ds to NY in July to shop and see shows. Our favorite stores were the boutiques in Nolita. We’d just screw up our courage and walk into the tiny places…look at a few price tags…some were WAY too expensive, but we got some very nice things from the sale racks that we’re not likely to see back here in Texas.</p>
<p>My youngest D - who is still an “extra small” - has gotten some fabulous clothes marked down to “almost free” because the clothes are too tiny for most of the people who shop at the store.</p>
<p>Adding: I also look at the clothes in sizes other than mine on the clearance rack. I’ve found clothes that were sized wrong, as in a manufacturing error…a tiny size 10 or a huge size 0, for example.</p>
<p>Yep, the sale rack is very full of XS and XLL, and I am right in a middle being jusr regular person, not that I am complaining about it, but it is hard to find decent staff on sale when you are just average. Another reason for not shopping at all.</p>
<p>I used to LOVE shopping. It was true “retail therapy”. When I lived in Dallas I had to put restrictions on myself. Shopping was a main social activity. On a stressful workday my paralegal and I would go to the mall (suburban office) at lunch! I could drop some serious bucks at the Limited just at lunch!<br>
I feel differently now. Part of it is that I don’t have as good of access to nice stores, but a lot has to do with the economy. It just feels creepy to spend a bunch of money. It just isn’t fun and there is a sense of desperation in the stores. I still like shopping for running stuff, but a lot of that happens online.</p>