s/o clothing purge - where to buy new clothes?

[mpm]

Feb 12, 2023 11:40:12 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

Listen, at least ONE of us must work in the fashion industry. Explain yourself. Why is it all so bad?

Can someone get a message to the industry that a few of us are of a certain age, have had a few kids, and need shirts that cover our stomachs? I’m 5’7” which is not exactly giant height, and even the non-cropped shirts these days are too damn short. And sizing up just makes them wider, never longer. 🤨

I don’t even care how much I need to spend. I’d pay a lot for a shirt that fit.

[statgirl]

Feb 12, 2023 11:29:36 GMT -5 heygrey said:

Feb 12, 2023 11:07:14 GMT -5 abs said:

No where. Everything is terrible.

I do have my eye on a few dresses from Anthropology. Otherwise I think everything I own is from Athleta, J crew Factory (tees), or Stitchfix (jeans).

I say this every time I look in stores right now. What is wrong with the clothing right now?? 


I actually bought a few basics from Walmart this weekend. I never shop there, but it was the closest store to grab eggs and they were having an extra 50% off clearance sale (I didn't even know walmart did that). I don't have high hopes for the longevity of these items, but the quality of the more expensive things I've purchased lately has been terrible too. At least these items all cost less than $10 so I won't be as frustrated as I am when $50+ items wear out. 

Most of my casual wardrobe is Walmart. I have things that are 5+ years and still going strong.

[DotAndBuzz]

Feb 12, 2023 17:16:26 GMT -5 mpm said:

Feb 12, 2023 11:40:12 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

Listen, at least ONE of us must work in the fashion industry. Explain yourself. Why is it all so bad?

Can someone get a message to the industry that a few of us are of a certain age, have had a few kids, and need shirts that cover our stomachs? I’m 5’7” which is not exactly giant height, and even the non-cropped shirts these days are too damn short. And sizing up just makes them wider, never longer. 🤨

I don’t even care how much I need to spend. I’d pay a lot for a shirt that fit.

YES

I appreciate that high rise jeans keep things in check there, but I don't need a boxy crop top ending at the top of those jeans.
Went shopping today at Anthropology and it was....disappointing. SO MUCH VOLUME. So little length. the tops were wider than they were long. 
Sigh.

Left with one cute orange sweatshirt, a pair of jeans (that may go back), and ordered a dress online that they didn't have my size in stock, so fingers crossed.

www.anthropologie.com/shop/by-anthropologie-embroidered-sweatshirt

www.anthropologie.com/shop/maeve-essential-mid-rise-kick-flare-crop-jeans

www.anthropologie.com/shop/maeve-collared-sleeveless-shirt-dress

[expectantsteelerfan]

Feb 12, 2023 18:43:04 GMT -5 statgirl said:

Feb 12, 2023 11:29:36 GMT -5 heygrey said:

I say this every time I look in stores right now. What is wrong with the clothing right now?? 


I actually bought a few basics from Walmart this weekend. I never shop there, but it was the closest store to grab eggs and they were having an extra 50% off clearance sale (I didn't even know walmart did that). I don't have high hopes for the longevity of these items, but the quality of the more expensive things I've purchased lately has been terrible too. At least these items all cost less than $10 so I won't be as frustrated as I am when $50+ items wear out. 

Most of my casual wardrobe is Walmart. I have things that are 5+ years and still going strong.

I have this one sleeveless eyelet embroidered shirt that I picked up from Walmart for seriously, I kid you not, $1 that actually fits me well and has held up for 2 summers now.  I wore it to a dr. appointment one time, and my dr. was like, wow, I love your shirt, where did you get it from, and I was embarrassed to tell her Walmart, but oh well.

[eb777888]

Speaking of Anthro, I have this shirt in three colors (purple motif, dark gray, and black motif... none of these names reflect the actual color of the shirt oddly enough, lol). Love it so much! It runs large so definitely size down.

www.anthropologie.com/shop/pilcro-the-romy-relaxed-buttondown4?color=059&type=STANDARD&quantity=1&size=S


Anyway, I'm with you. I spend most of my time in WHBM and Nordstrom but have hit a major shopping slump. I'll run up to something I think I'll love only to find the entire back missing, or huge cutouts on the side, lol.

[mofongo]

I’ve found a few nice things from J.Jill.

[dancingirl21]

Feb 12, 2023 17:16:26 GMT -5 mpm said:

Feb 12, 2023 11:40:12 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

Listen, at least ONE of us must work in the fashion industry. Explain yourself. Why is it all so bad?

Can someone get a message to the industry that a few of us are of a certain age, have had a few kids, and need shirts that cover our stomachs? I’m 5’7” which is not exactly giant height, and even the non-cropped shirts these days are too damn short. And sizing up just makes them wider, never longer. 🤨

I don’t even care how much I need to spend. I’d pay a lot for a shirt that fit.

YES. I’m a tall 5’8”, nearing 5’9”. And I have a mom stomach. I’m not a huge fan of high waisted pants on me, but anything remotely mid-rise with the lengths of shirts these days is atrocious.

I have a few long sleeved shirts from years ago that I bought in a tall size and are perfect fabric that aren’t made anymore. I’m so gentle with them because they are some of my favorites that actually fit.

If it’s not cropped, it’s boxy. And oh so bad when I’m not a tall, skinny model.

Please bring back normal shirts! Where’s a petition I can sign?!

[lilles]

Garnet Hill Weekender tee

[hbomdiggity]

Nordstrom is really my mainstay and I am always drawn to Rails, Vince, VB.

Everlane
Evereve
Cuyana
Jcrew
Madewell jeans (tops seem mostly boxy and cropped)
Anthro

I did stitch fix for a bit but it seems they can’t put rails and Vince in a fix and I haven’t loved much from there recently.

[sadlebred]

Try the tshirts from LL Bean. They aren't just for duck boots. Seriously.

If not, maybe some designer brands? I wish I could afford some of them; I'm with you-I don't like my tshirts to be see through.

[isabel]

Feb 12, 2023 11:20:21 GMT -5 DotAndBuzz said:

Feb 12, 2023 11:07:14 GMT -5 abs said:

No where. Everything is terrible.

I do have my eye on a few dresses from Anthropology. Otherwise I think everything I own is from Athleta, J crew Factory (tees), or Stitchfix (jeans).

It really is.

I went to Banana Republic the other day, thinking I would get a few new shirts to change up my work wardrobe a bit.

What in the actual fuck? Everything was truly awful.

[stemmie]

It's hard.

It makes me sad that shopping as a pleasurable pastime is harder to make happen. I am very anti-fast fashion and tend to dress more classically. Much of my daily wardrobe comes from LLBean, Lands End and Talbots with an occasional dress from Anthroplogie. I sew, so sometimes I make my clothing if I want something very specific. Sewing is not a way to save money.

[rupertpenny]

I agree with the Everlane suggestion and I recently started shopping at Quince (onequince.com). The washable silk from Quince is great and I really like their ponte pants. Neither brand is particularly size inclusive though, which sucks.

I've been doing A LOT of second hand shopping as well. I have always loved J. Crew and I am on a kick of buying pieces from like 2008-2012. The quality was still good then. And for any second hand shopping I try to search by fabric type, anything made with natural fibers has likely held up better than synthetics.

[cereal K]

Feb 12, 2023 11:40:12 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

Listen, at least ONE of us must work in the fashion industry. Explain yourself. Why is it all so bad?

I actually am, thought not directly in Design or Merchandising. 

But the Brand I work for is small-ish and targets a demo slightly older than this group. Since it is on the small side, I'm not inclined to "out" myself. 

That said, bc of our demo, we have NONE of that midriff nonsense. 

[ssmjlm]

I just found a decent button down at Target. I saw it on someone on IG and they had one in stock at my store to try on. I've also gotten several dresses from them.

I've ordered a couple things from Able. One I guess is backordered, but it's been hit/miss with sizing. Some of their stuff is too big on me, which I usually have the opposite problem.

I actually love wit and wisdom/democracy jeans. Democracy you can get on amazon (they're all the same brand) and do prime wardrobe, so no cost initially.

[thedutchgirl]

In addition to places already mentioned like Nordstrom, Evereve and Aritzia. Aritzia does have some of the cropped stuff, but it also has some really nice pieces that work for work or for not being 21

[DotAndBuzz]

Feb 13, 2023 8:04:38 GMT -5 stemmie said:

It's hard.

It makes me sad that shopping as a pleasurable pastime is harder to make happen. I am very anti-fast fashion and tend to dress more classically. Much of my daily wardrobe comes from LLBean, Lands End and Talbots with an occasional dress from Anthroplogie. I sew, so sometimes I make my clothing if I want something very specific. Sewing is not a way to save money.

I'm starting to lean in this direction. Like, a dress form may be in my amazon cart right now. 

I can sew, and am just about all done with retailers. You won't sell me what I want? Fine, I'll drape my own top. At least then I'd know the jersey wasn't sheer.

[bunnies]

My fave find in the last year and a half is this company. www.onequince.com/  

[marvine]

I have gotten 3 boxes from Stitch Fix and liked almost everything. Loved the jeans I received - they are comfy and after years of mostly working at home, jeans became kind of uncomfortable.

[mrsukyankee]

For longer t-shirts I tend to go with Lands End (also not see-through and last a long while).

[Doggy Mommy]

I recently lost weight and am having to start over with my wardrobe. I haven't bought a lot yet because I still want to lose a little more. These are the things I love and would buy again:

-Anthropologie Colette cropped wide leg pants
-Madewell perfect vintage straight leg jeans in black and blue
-Vuori Clean Elevation Legging, LOVE these more than Lululemon
-Madewell Haskel Cropped Cardigan in heather jade and Textural Knit Pullover Sweater in pressed grape. They're both cropped. I'm 45, but love these. Guess I've joined the dark side. I have tops to wear under both that make them work appropriate.
-Free People Found My Friend cardi

[Deleted]

Feb 12, 2023 15:18:18 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Like 95% of the non-athleisure stuff I’m wearing lately comes from Stitch Fix. Some boxes have been complete misses, but some have been amazing.

I've been trying Trendsend boxes but I think I'm tired of them. If you want to send me a referral I was thinking of trying SF. 

[goldengirlz]

I’ve had the best luck buying from local designers/boutiques as well as indie brands. And the best part is that I‘ve been getting so many compliments on my clothes because they’re different.

I just search online for things like “best indie clothing stores in [city]” or “size-inclusive indie brands” or “sustainable clothing brands.” Whatever your values are. It’s easy to find lists from reputable fashion magazines and websites. It can take some trial and error, but I discover a lot of emerging fashion brands that way.

[VillainV]

Feb 15, 2023 20:00:10 GMT -5 @rebeccawelton said:

Feb 12, 2023 15:18:18 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Like 95% of the non-athleisure stuff I’m wearing lately comes from Stitch Fix. Some boxes have been complete misses, but some have been amazing.

I've been trying Trendsend boxes but I think I'm tired of them. If you want to send me a referral I was thinking of trying SF. 

PM’d you!

[eb777888]

Bumping this. If any of you have bought from Quince, how fast do they ship and have you returned? What's the quality like? I just got sucked in by a Facebook ad and their stuff is sooo cute! I just put in a pretty big order, hoping everything works, but of course it probably won't. :-)

[starburst604]

goldengirlz I came back in this thread to say that yesterday I shopped at a boutique owned by a similarly aged mom in our town. I found some really nice things and could have bought more! I’d say it was in line with Nordstrom pricing. The nice thing about shopping somewhere like that is it’s all geared toward my age and there isn’t a ton of merchandise to look thought, just nice quality cute stuff.

[rupertpenny]

Feb 19, 2023 19:18:00 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Bumping this. If any of you have bought from Quince, how fast do they ship and have you returned? What's the quality like? I just got sucked in by a Facebook ad and their stuff is sooo cute! I just put in a pretty big order, hoping everything works, but of course it probably won't. :-)

I’ve ordered several times and done returns/exchanges. I’m picky about this stuff and I think the fabric quality is great. I have a few silk pieces that I’ve machine washed and they look great. Shipping isn’t quick, but it’s very reasonable (< a week to NYC).

I bought a leather jacked and one of the snaps didn’t work properly so I initiated a return. They would have done an exchange for me, but said I could just keep the jacket and get a refund so I did that. The jacket is still 100% wearable and the customer service was excellent.

[morecoffeeplease]

I keep getting ads for chic soul and I want to order some of their sweaters but the return policy is for store credit only and I don’t want to do that. It bums me out because I can’t find anything else comparable.

My usual go to is loft. I know that’s kinda boring. My old go to was old navy but now I feel like their shirts are so short or boxy.

[bunnies]

Feb 19, 2023 19:18:00 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Bumping this. If any of you have bought from Quince, how fast do they ship and have you returned? What's the quality like? I just got sucked in by a Facebook ad and their stuff is sooo cute! I just put in a pretty big order, hoping everything works, but of course it probably won't. :-)

I love this company. Shipping isn't the fastest or slowest - some items come quicker than other. I've returned many things because of the fit. The quality is excellent! I have a lot of their cashmere, silk, linen, cotton, and tencel. I'd guess at least 25% of my wardrobe is from them, at this point.

[eb777888]

bunnies, rupertpenny,

Thank you for your feedback. I got a silk shirtdress and several cashmere items. I'm hoping they get here before a trip we're taking in a couple weeks, so fingers crossed! I'll have to get more things for my summer wardrobe.