Chico's

[Anonymous]

There seems to be alot of hate for it on the boards. Where should an older mom buy clothes?

[Anonymous]

Wherever you want to. Including Chico's, if that's your style.

[Anonymous]

I don't really get the Chico's hate on here although I guess it's just shorthand for "old"? I do agree that, at 32, Chico's feels way too matronly for me or my friends, plus it's not really my style anyway, but my aunts wear Chico's clothing a lot and they always look great. They are in their 60's.

[Anonymous]

A lot of the social x-rays on this board slam Chicos. I am guessing it is because many of their pants have elastic waists. The sizing is essentially XS-XL, but the XS fits like an Ann Taylor 6-8, which these same folks like to remind is really more like a 10-12. Thus the social x-rays deride Chicos and other stores to make themselves feel better.

I just bought some tops at Chicos last week. I found that their tops fit my well-endowed frame (32G) quite well without looking like maternity wear or something from my husband's closet.

I shop from a small number of stores b/c it is easier. I know how their clothes fit me so I can order online. But in reality, style is not about where you shop, but finding what is flattering for your body, coloring and activities.

And if you don't know where the term social x-ray comes from, you aren't an older mom, but a very young one.

[Anonymous]

I don't get the hate. I mean, I've actually shopped at Chico's (on the occasion) since my early 20's and I was very thin and trendy. Some of their items are unique and I like that. Some are grandmotherly and I would pass on those. Maybe I'm just a really good shopper and can find something to buy in almost any store I walk into, but I don't get the hate.

[Anonymous]

I'm 49yo and shop there once in awhile. I think the hate here is coming from 30-something social x-rays, as a PP put it, because the clothing is designed for an older demographic.

I have the same question that you do re: where women my age are supposed to shop. Many of the looks at Ann Taylor and Banana Republic are too young for me; Talbots sometimes works; Nordstrom too but it's very expensive a lot of the time.

I would spend a lot of money if there were a store that offered stylish clothing to women my age. There's gotta be an alternative before I move into Alfred Dunner. LOL

[Anonymous]

No Alfred Dunner at 49!! Also 49 and I love Chico's. Obviously, I don't love everything they sell. But, I bought one of my most favorite dresses I've ever owned there as well as a really great pair of capri cargo pants. I do find them pricey though so I don't go there very often. But, the cut of their clothes works really well for me and is very flattering to my body build.

I also find lots of my things at Macy's and JCPenney's. I am a fan of Joneswear, Trifari, Calvin Klein and a few others for work clothes. For casual, I tend to find better stuff at Macy's - Michael Kors, Inc, Rafella. Very very occasionally, I will find something at Ann Taylor, but not often enough to motivate me to go out of my way to shop there.

[Anonymous]

I do not consider myself a very young mom...I am 31. However, I have no idea where the term "social x-ray" came from or what it really means. A little help?

[Anonymous]

A social x-ray refers to those women who are socially prominent and super skinny. First named by Truman Capote in his book that ripped apart the NYC socialites.

[Anonymous]

Chicos clothing can really flatter most shapes and sizes. However, I think that super skinny people look best in some of their clothes. But isn't that - sadly - the case across the board?

http://www.chicos.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=36&pageId=1&viewAll=&productId=100084131&prd=Ponte+5Pocket+Pant&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=5&catId=cat40003&cat=Pants&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=3&size=
How many women can away with wearing these?

[Anonymous]

If I could get away with these I would have no need for pants of any kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I could get away with these I would have no need for pants of any kind.

funny!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A social x-ray refers to those women who are socially prominent and super skinny. First named by Truman Capote in his book that ripped apart the NYC socialites.

Are you sure it's Truman Capote? I thought it was Tom Wolfe. Bonfire of the Vanities?

[Anonymous]

I am 43 with big ole breasts. This is relevant because there needs to be coverage - I cannot get away with the teeny J Crew spaghetti strap cami thing that only looks good on an A-cup.

I like J Jill and Macys. Lands End for pants that don't showcase my ass crack.

[Anonymous]

"Social X- Ray" is from Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities.