Dressing Young (Part 1)

Parents Forum Parent Cafe
121

<p>MiamiDAP–I also shop in the junior dept (better fit, more selection in my size…most women’s have little below size 4). But, I will say that in the past 15 years (!) the juniors depts have started offering many more unpleasant (to me) styles than previously. I used to be able to easily buy some nice things there – simple shorter skirts, etc. Now everything is ruffled, graphic, really extreme. If I had a teen daughter, I wouldn’t be happy with the backless, be-jeweled tanks, narcissistic sayings on t-shirts, etc. </p>

<p>My friend who owns a Plato’s swears by Sevens. I got a pair of jeans called “Salt” (I think? At Plato’s again). They fit incrediblely and somehow make me look better than I am. lol. And, $15! </p>

<p>I sprung for a pair of Lucky Brand jeans at an outlet recently – but I think I’m between sizes. Even hub said they were too tight! </p>

<p>I’m convincing myself that working styles have changed so much in the past 8 yrs since I’ve been away…the norm is ‘dress casual’ & a nice pair of jeans is an investment in work-wear! lol.</p>

<p>PS Can attest from Facebook that MOWC & missypie are incredibly youthful/slim and could likely carry off any style they choose…!! :-)</p>

122

<p>I love Ann Taylor Loft and buy most of my clothes there. My office is business casual (no jeans), so I can always find something appropriate and not “old” looking.</p>

<p>I do buy most of my shoes from Talbots as I wear a narrow and they are hard to find. My Mom suggested “Easy Spirit”. Uh…I think not :)</p>

123

<p>I do like the Not Your Daughter’s Jeans … they flatter me (if I say so myself, LOL). I have a long torso and short legs, and I cannot do anything low-rise as a result. Those jeans cover me up and keep me looking decent and pulled in, but don’t look like “mom jeans.” </p>

<p>I think you can find good basics in Talbots; sometimes they are old-lady, other times it works. I’ve liked Ann Taylor’s fall collection. I like the Banana Republic and J Crew looks, but they don’t fit my body as well. BR seems to be for people taller than I.</p>

<p>I also like boutique shopping.</p>

124

<p>wow, just checked out those seven jeans online. $165! Yikes! </p>

<p>Fall Girl… I sympathize with the hard to find comment. I’m tall with big feet. Cool, I guess if you’re Nichole Kidman…or even Michelle…but I’m have find I have much more limited choices for shoes, pants, you name it. And if you ever walked into a “tall girls” store, wow…those clothes are WRONG and overpriced to boot.
Thankfully, some stores have started carrying pants that fit…even AT Loft and BP. Things are getting better…</p>

125

<p>Guarantees: quality guarantees matter to me, I guess I’m hard on my clothes. I like the places like Lucy and LLBean that take back anything that you’re not happy with. Lucy recently replaced two pairs of their everyday pants for me, no charge, when I complained that I wasn’t happy about the zipper wear. And LLBean replaced a sweater my in-laws had given my daughter when the seams just gave out after less than a year.</p>

126

<p>toneranger–I have kind of big feet, too, for my height. I find that I totally steer away from skinny legged jeans & leggings for that reason! (makes feet look bigger! lol).</p>

127

<p>I like Limited jeans and also some Gap styles. I went through a stage of buying really expensive jeans (Diesel, Citizens etc) but I am trying not to do that right now.</p>

128

<p>I like GAP khakis (they size them flatteringly) but wait until they are on the clearance rack, since every season it’s basically the same style, over and over (I once asked a GAP clerk: “So what is the difference between these olive khakis here on clearance for $15 and the nearly identical ones for $54 on the display counter?” He laughed and really didn’t have an answer.).</p>

129

<p>

</p>

<p>I’m guessing you don’t like in NYC where it’s hard to find much above a size 2, and 00 goes fast!</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Check ebay. I bought a pair last week–new–for about $25 delivered. If you wear a size 2 or 4 ignore this advice!! I buy for both myself and DD and have little competition.</p>

130

<p>toneranger, Sevens can be found at Nordstrom Rack for about half of that $$. Still too pricey for me. It is a good thing they do not fit me. I like the fit of David Khan jeans ($50 at NR) and NYDJ ($40 at NR). For more formal pants, I go straight to Express or Limited.</p>

131

<p>

</p>

<p>Ah, you are sweet Jolynne. It seems like lately my body thinks it needs to store up fat for the coming famine or something. Got to get to the gym more…</p>

132

<p>

</p>

<p>:D My mother wouldn’t be caught dead in either. Not now, not ever.</p>

133

<p>I like to shop, but I have cut back drastically in the last couple of years. When I do shop, I never like to pay full price, so I go to outlets or wait for those 20% off coupons from Macy’s and Bloomingdales. I buy sweaters when they are on sale (plus 20 off), and recently I got Ralph Lauren petite jeans on sale(I really like these - are they old lady jeans?). I also never buy shoes for full price. I go to the sale at Nordstrom or the Cole Hahn outlet and look for deep discounts. I got a bunch of summer stuff at the Izod outlet a few months ago - but this is sportswear not work clothes. Right now I am wearing a really nice coat sweater that I got last winter from Bloomingdales for around $25 after the sale plus discount. My most recent great purchase was for D: some shorts at Macys (in San Francisco) for $8 after mega discount. With Macy’s it really makes a difference which store you go to - they are not all the same. I loved the San Francisco store - but I don’t live there.</p>

134

<p>Well, I’ve been prompted to investigate jeans by this thread. Discovered that I have never in my whole life worn “Mom jeans,” for the simple reason that they have never fit me. I read that they started appearing in the 1980s, and that would explain why I wore jeans less and less and finally stopped. I am one of those comparatively waistless people. All of those jeans that claim to be cut for women are like clown pants on my hips and thighs if they fit my waist. My jeans-wearing heyday was mid-to-late 70s hiphuggers. Maybe I should investigate jeans again, since now one can apparently get jeans that come below the waist and fit the narrow-hipped…any suggestions? They have to be cheap! :)</p>

135

<p>I live in jeans- except for work where I can only wear them on Friday.</p>

136

<p>gap has some nice jeans on sale online but sizes are limited.
I love my jeans…wear them all the time. Don’t like the skinny ones cause I have big feet.
I read today that the long cardigan sweater (paired with a thick belt) is replacing the jacket at work. Now, I just need to work on developing more of a waist…lol. Not far to go though…just those stubborn last ten pounds.</p>

137

<p>Consolation try the Gap because they have several styles. Once you know what looks good, but them on ebay.</p>

138

<p>I see some Gap styles mentioned above - I recently bought a pair of khaki capri jeans there that I wish I had in several colors - fit great and SO comfortable!!</p>

<p>We do love Gap Outlet as well. :)</p>

139

<p>Not too long ago someone on CC, and I apologize for not remembering who, recommended the book Style Evolution by Kendall Farr. I don’t usually buy books on topics like this (even though I like clothes, less so shopping for them!) but was really impressed with this one. The author is a stylist to celebrities and IMO this book is a terrific resource for anyone who wants to learn how to pull themselves together clothes wise - on any budget. I am generally very casual on a day to day basis (fortunately, I live in an area that is very laid back that way) but try and make a reasonable effort now and then, LOL. I do notice and appreciate a pulled together look on others ( former roommate was a fashion designer in NYC and dated a big name designer - and my ancestors were tailors! ) but I don’t always feel all that creative or talented myself. I also have a tough time finding things that fit my figure right. The trend to empire waist lines on all things is thankfully receding. Anyway, this book is a great guide and addresses many issues that women our age have in finding clothes that look classy and pulled together. </p>

<p>The philosophy is to keep it simple - mix and match neutrals that fit to a T (she says you can buy cheap, and tailor to perfection)with the right accessories for added punch. I found one seemingly common sense piece of advice to be really valuable - buy to fit your largest part (pieces should skim over the body) and then take in elsewhere. Even things like tank tops! She also recommends investing in fewer but better quality handbags and shoes - and economizing elsewhere. And supposedly everyone ought to have at least one fitted blazer jacket that fits exactly, something that you can wear with jeans or dressy pants etc. </p>

<p>Farr makes the distinction between dressing too young vs. dressing and looking youthful. You can dress to look youthful and current at any age - but trying to dress young (as in too tight skinny jeans, ultra low cut, mini skirts or dresses, logo and cartoon T shirts of any kind, clothes that are too revealing, shirts with sleeves that do not flatter, outfits that are overly “matched” , Lilly type florals and patterns anywhere but a resort etc. , is not generally flattering to anyone over 40. Apparently, even Michelle Pfeiffer, who still has great legs, would not be caught in a mini skirt at this point - not that she couldn’t, but she feels it is just a silly, dated look on someone her age at this point. On the other side, and as relates IMO to some of the items in stores that have taken the bulk of grief on this thread - there are time when it’s not so much the items that are dated, but the cuts that are not always as current or flattering as they could be. </p>

<p>IMO the best parts of the book are: specific recommendations based on body type (and suggestions on how to tailor your clothes if you are that type) and the fact that she “names names” as to specific wardrobe items and stores and manufacturers she finds to be the really good values out there in a whole variety of prices, from budget to bridge and all the way up to couture. She recommends window shopping the high end first so that you can know what to look for in the mroe budget friendly stuff. Other good info here on foundation pieces - why they are so important and how to select. </p>

<p>A few things I would have to adjust to if I followed everything in there - she thinks that flip flops have no place on anyone except at a beach, resort or spa - I used to live in them in the warm weather! And logos on anything are apparently a no-no. I always knew that in theory but don’t always listen (I have a pair of shoes she refers to specifically that I find incredibly comfortable and some items I’ve had for years that wear like iron).</p>

<p>Personally, I like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic and J. Crew for everyday stuff. Boutiques and the nicer dept. stores for special occasions.</p>

140

<p>I have to disagree with those who say that H&M clothes are poorly made. They ARE inconsistent, which just means you have to pick and choose. I shop there all the time and always find lots of things that are made well, but I tend to go for their pricier items. Their cheaper stuff aimed at the younger set do tend to be less well made. Even their pricey items are reasonable though. I have a raincoat that’s lasted over 5 years, my H’s favorite jacket is H&M. I also have several party dresses from them (none of them short), have worn them to weddings and black tie events (at the Waldorf no less!) and always get compliments.</p>

<p>Forever 21 clothes do tend to be pretty cheaply put together though. BUT, they have great jeans, believe it or not! It just takes a bit of hunting which may not be worth it with the crowds and loud thumpy music. I bought a pair for $9 there this summer–stretch, slim fitting capris. The only problem is that many of their jeans barely cover my pubic bone, ugh (the ones I bought did, not to worry). NOT a good look for a 50 year old.</p>

<p>And speaking of Seven jeans, I found a pair at TJ Maxx (my other favorite) for $30 that are kind of trouser cut-- high waisted and loose. Really flattering. I guess those didn’t sell too well! </p>

<p>I actually think that there are more and more clothes for the “stylish older woman” in many of these previously trendy youth oriented stores like the ones I mentioned. We are the ones with the money after all. I see plenty of women like me shopping there. So, if you haven’t been in one in a while, check it out, you might be surprised.</p>

<p>Between H&M and TJ, I’m covered (literally). Well, and the occasional splurge boutique item. But you only need a few of those, mixed in with “basics” like jeans or black skirts.</p>