Shopping help- general

[mommyatty]

erinshelley21- I think you recommended a place online to buy dresses where the models are actual real people. Can you remind me what it was?

Also, I need shorts and a new bathing suit for vacation. Any recall for places to look? I have a terrible time finding shorts. The Old Navy fit me strangely. So do Gap. I think my hips are too curvy for them. They will be great in the waist and length, but just the tiniest bit too snug in the hips, which makes the pockets gape a little. Like just enough so you see the lining of the pocket. So maybe I need shorts with no pockets?

[twinmomma]

mommyatty, I wear denim shorts. I found my dream jeans by Levi's, and they make the exact same cut as shorts, so that's what I stick with if I'm not in a sundress. I wear the mid rise skinny jeans. JCPenney often has buy one get one half off sales, but coupons can pretty much never be used on Levi's.

I have the same issue with shorts and awkward pockets otherwise.

[k3am]

mommyatty, you want the Riviera short from Loft. I'm not sure if they've made their return yet, but they are the best short on the face of the planet. They have them in print and denim, but they're slightly dressier than a standard jean short, which for some reason seems more age appropriate to me. 3 or 5 inch inseams. Universally flattering.

For swimsuits, I basically just order 928374 on Amazon and return the losers. Which is like all but one. Probably not the most effective. For normal people or when I was nursing, Target suits were actually really flattering, but whoever designs for them doesn't understand what an A cup is.

[2chatter]

k3am - my hips make the Rivieras hang weird unless I size up to bagginess.

BUT these Lou and Grey shorts are THE BEST ever. They don’t seem to have them out yet but I have ordered second hand before as I love them so much. poshmark.com/listing/Lou-and-Grey-Shorts-59acbbc7ea3f36c3a8006571?utm_source=gdm&l_con=PREOWNED%2FUSED&gdm_bottom=false&campaign_id=729062531&utm_campaign=729062531&enable_guest_buy_flow=true&gclid=CjwKCAiAnabTBRA6EiwAemvBdzPk1u8xp1jGgGIRsi_53gC2XlMjG_nRt5lVPIFZOidBoEGlBToZIRoCXGEQAvD_BwE

[k3am]

2chatter, that sucks! You're the first person I've heard of to try them and not love them.

[2chatter]

k3am - I try them every single year. The ones with pockets bulge. The flat ones do something weird at the bottom hem - it pulls weird and sits unevenly. It SO bum me out as they are so cute.

I also keep telling them we need 4 inch shorts - three inch on me looks like i don’t know my age and five inch looks like I have given up.

And petites the waist sits in a different place.

This is obv a rant topic for me!

[k3am]

2chatter , shorts are hard. I don't want to look like a 13-year-old, but I also don't want to look like a school marm. If I had no children, I'd default to sundresses, but the length I like is not suitable for all the bending, squatting, lifting, jumping, etc. that comes with small kids.

[saraml13]

Jumping in! I’m looking for a recommendation for shell tops. So much of what I find is low cut or flimsy (see through) or too fussy. I just want solid colored (particularly white/cream) shells that aren’t low cut and have decent weight/structure. Any leads?

[covergirl82]

For swim suits, I got the "blouson" tankini top from Athleta, with the shirred bikini bottoms, and I love it. (I actually have two because I liked the first one so much.)

[phdmomma]

saraml13, I really like Jcrew for shells. I typically buy them online from the factory crew clearance part and then the price isn't too bad.

For swimsuits, I love Land's End, being a 34DD, they make some suits that hold me in place without looking too grandmotherly.

[2chatter]

@saraml - I like Loft but have great luck at Ann Taylor for shells. Also, JCPenney. When they have them, they have good ones that aren’t too short.

[supertrooper1]

I like Venus for swim suits. They have stylish suites and a lot of tankinis.

Target is my go to for shorts. I also like Tommy Hilfiger shorts too.

[2chatter]

supertrooper1 - I assumed Venus was a scam! They are for real swimsuits? Good quality?

[mommyatty]

Jan 25, 2018 13:00:00 GMT -5 2chatter said:

supertrooper1 - I assumed Venus was a scam! They are for real swimsuits? Good quality?

I have one from there and love it. Also a cover up that’s wonderful. I was about to buy another one from them, but wanted to pick the collective Working Mom Brain first.

[mae0111]

Jan 25, 2018 12:11:37 GMT -5 k3am said:

2chatter , shorts are hard. I don't want to look like a 13-year-old, but I also don't want to look like a school marm. If I had no children, I'd default to sundresses, but the length I like is not suitable for all the bending, squatting, lifting, jumping, etc. that comes with small kids.

Honestly, this is why I go with skorts.  I hate shorts.  HATE.  I have never found a pair that looks great.  I'm 5'6" with a crazy long inseam and almost no torso, so I feel like I'm constantly tugging at them.  I have a couple pairs that look OK, and they're so uncomfortable.  I know that they're not really stylish, but i wear athletic-y looking skorts, so they're not awful.

I have one like this, but a bit longer.

shop.lululemon.com/p/skirts-and-dresses-skirts/Final-Lap-Skirt-MD/_/prod8760036?color=0001

[librarychica]

I have a couple pairs of Old Navy shorts I like but I don’t have much in the way of hips.

I ditto to the Ann Taylor shell rec. we have an outlet and I’ve bought BOGO shells there many times.

[librarychica]

I need work slacks — straight leg, conservatively cut — and jeans. I have fairly narrow hips, a short waist and not much butt so I can’t wear anything that hits lower on the hips or I swear my pants fall down. This was less of a problem before the baby-related pooch that refuses to disappear and sometimes pushes said pants down if I don’t find the right cut.

[librarychica]

For swimsuits that I am active in, I like the Speedo tanks that I buy at Costco or Marshall’s. They read as a little momish but I can swim laps and chase kids in them. I am attempting to buy my first lounging suit in years using the many-amazon method. I’ll report back any good brands.

[186momx]

librarychica, Try JCP Worthington brand for pants. They have 4 or 5 different cuts (curvy, modern, straight, etc.) in dress slacks and decent priced and go on sale all the time. I can go usually 2 years before replacing and I wear them all year. Just a warning they seem to run really long. I'm 5'5" have on a 4 short and they still drag on the ground with my 1 inch booties.

I have the same problem no hips or bootie so pants tend to fall down. I go with the modern fit as I can't stand the high rise that goes over the tummy pouch.

[2chatter]

librarychica - American Eagle for jeans. Love. Just bought two new pairs - extra high waisted jeggings and regular jeggings. Vanity sizing doesn’t hurt.

[erinshelley21]

Kiki LaRue
Mostly online but they do have a store in Roanoake, TX so not sure where you are in relation to that since Texas is so big. And I think you're in Texas lol.

[k3am]

Anyone have recommendations for a black heel that looks good on someone with fat feet? Nothing too tall or too pointy.

[2chatter]

erinshelley21 - that cracks me up as Roanoke is a kind of country town in a non-City/suburban location. It’s probably less than 50 miles from me but there’s nothing toward it so ....IDK how big the store is?

[phdmomma]

Anyone have ideas on where to buy a black toddler sized dress? Dh's grandparents aren't doing well, in the sense that hospice has given his grandfather just a few days. There will be a fairly formal Catholic funeral, and I am trying to work out clothing for the kids. DS has pants and blazer to wear, but all of DD's stuff is brightly colored (she's 3), and I'm looking for something appropriate for her to wear. She's tiny and wears a 3T. I got her and DS some dress shoes as they didn't have any, and now am just down to clothing for her. I have a ton of work stuff I can wear.

[k3am]

phdmomma, Carters usually has some navy girls dresses. I wouldn't bother trying to find a black dress for a toddler, just something that's not super bright and hugely covered in patterns.

No one cares if she's wearing black. I promise.

[phdmomma]

k3am, I will take a look there. Essentially all of her dresses are either brightly colored or covered with cartoon characters, so even if its not black, just not what she has would be good.

[saraml13]

Jan 25, 2018 16:07:29 GMT -5 phdmomma said:

Anyone have ideas on where to buy a black toddler sized dress? Dh's grandparents aren't doing well, in the sense that hospice has given his grandfather just a few days. There will be a fairly formal Catholic funeral, and I am trying to work out clothing for the kids. DS has pants and blazer to wear, but all of DD's stuff is brightly colored (she's 3), and I'm looking for something appropriate for her to wear. She's tiny and wears a 3T. I got her and DS some dress shoes as they didn't have any, and now am just down to clothing for her. I have a ton of work stuff I can wear.

Primary.com. They have lots of basic dress options in solid colors, including black (and navy)

[k3am]

phdmomma, how dressy do you need to be?

We had this in the pink version, and we had to bribe DD to give it to another kid when it got small. www.amazon.com/Nautica-Little-Toddler-Neckline-Grosgrain/dp/B01H0M4JW0/ref=sr_1_65?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1516915272&sr=8-65&keywords=3t+navy+dress&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011%2Cp_85%3A2470955011

[phdmomma]

k3am, Something like that would work. And no crinolines, she was given a Christmas dress with one for this year from family and flat out refused to wear it.

[librarychica]

k3am, I have a pair very similar to these that I wear all the time.

www.dsw.com/en/us/product/anne-klein-rheina-pump/412736?activeColor=960