Why do people HATE Chicos so much?

[Anonymous]

So loud cheap & polyester.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because their clothes all seemed to be designed primarily to hide figure flaws. If you had an hourglass shape, particularly with a defined waist, would you buy Chico's?

+1 I don't want to hide my flaws, I want to eliminate them. I feel like once I start dressing that way there's no turning back.

[Anonymous]

If you’re looking for excellent quality with a forgiving fit that isn’t for old ladies, try Fig & Lily. They have what they call “The World’s Most Lovable Tee”. It never pills or shrinks and it’s fitted everywhere except the mid-section so it’s super forgiving and still flattering. www.figandlily.com.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are all depressing me. I am a 63 years old professional woman who worked very hard over the past year to go from a stress-induced size 2x to size 12 (dumped 70 lbs) and am now a perfect Chico's size 2. I work like 100 hours a week and have no time to shop anywhere, but I have to dress professionally. I don't make a 6 figure salary so I am thrilled that I can order stuff online for reasonable prices and it always fits, is well made and I feel good in it. Stop making fun of old ladies, We are all your mothers and you will be one of us one day. "Forever 21" is a myth made up by 21 year old people. Get over yourselves. Someday your kids will laugh at you for shopping at the Gap. So there!

I like you so much, I wish you were my mom (but you're way too young to be!).

[Anonymous]

I used to live in New England where you dress for the weather--warm, comfy clothing reigns. I wore LL Bean, and Talbots for dress up. Then I moved to the Southwest, and Chico's is just right for cute casual, everyday because the lighter fabrics and colors really suit a hot climate.

[Anonymous]

Chicos has it's place in the market. I get my mother, who is 88, tall and solidly built, nice outfits at Chicos. They look great on her- and they always coordinate big necklaces with thier outfits. My mom looks fabulous in their clothes. I'm 5'3", slim and 55 and I look horrible in Chico's clothing & a huge necklace looks silly on me. I do like their white denim jeans that come in a short legnth- they look nice on and wear well.

Chicos is perfect for many people, but not all. No reason to hate if you aren't one of the one's that wear their clothes well.

[Anonymous]

This is something I can wait for until say, 75 years of age. Maybe 85. Good for that set to have easy and figure flattering things - if I put it on now at 50 it screams "gated-community-where-there-is-no-winter-person" I'm not ready for that. I might never be. I can see where the PP who works long weeks finds it a plus bc its easy to get. Fair. But too unimaginative to me. I would feel like I was trying to entice a viagra-riddled old man in those clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to live in New England where you dress for the weather--warm, comfy clothing reigns. I wore LL Bean, and Talbots for dress up. Then I moved to the Southwest, and Chico's is just right for cute casual, everyday because the lighter fabrics and colors really suit a hot climate.

Nobody gives a $h!t about what you wear, and where you wear it. Why would you resurrect an ancient thread just for that??

[Anonymous]

Wow ! I thought I was alone. I'm 58 years old 5 feet 7 inches tall 165 pounds. always been a little thick around the middle with large chest. Agreed. Chico's is boxy and for old ladies- I 'm not there yet. Boston Proper is too sexy at times. Talbot's too preppy , land's end too boring. I still work fulltime outside for the most part and have more Duluth Trading tanks and flannel shirts than I care to admit. Shopping as we get older is challenging.

[Anonymous]

Chicos actually has some great stuff, you just have to sift through the frumpy and bright stuff. If you are talk and lean there is some great stuff. Lots of tips that are long and go well with a tall figure. I even found an amazing silver linen suit years ago that I still wear professionally. I love their no iron stuff too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People on this forum seem to HATE Chicos. Why?

Reminds me of my mother who I despise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 51, tall and slim. Too old for Banana Republic, hate Coldwater Creek, Chicos, and find J Jill VERY boring. So, I hate to shop.

Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. And I would add that I find J. Crew cheaply made and overpriced.

+ a million. Who buys that stuff?

I'm 45 and I do. I buy their merino sweaters. They're one of the few places that offers fine Italain merino, and they hold up year after year.

I also think Nordstrom on the top floor is good. Not sure what mix of brands -- Halogen, Vince Camuto etc. but that whole corner has come OK stuff.

Garnet Hill can be good and can Boden for basics -- for example they have this jersey shirt they come out with in different prints every year that is very forgiving:

Jcrew has some nice things. Their swimwear and cotton sun dresses for example. You can get some great shoes for a steal.on sale. Im 48 and loyal to brands that have nice fabrics, are fairly consistent, and suit my body type - or have certain repeat designs that do. I shop a lot on sale or with discount codes, but in more recent years have been a bit more Kondo about buying what I love now vs. Waiting for a sale where I might b8ot get the best pick. And buying less and sticking to what looks good. I shop a lot at Boden, VV, Madewell, Athleta, a little JCREW and COS and more specialty places like boutiques- amour vert, intentionally blank. I used to do more Garnet Hill, but what looked soft and muted in the catalog often looked drab on me and didnt "spark joy". A lot comes down to looking unfussed and footwear I find. Footwear doesnt have to be uncomfortable, but can freshen up an outfit - an ankle boot with rolled pants, a sneaker with a summer dress. I used to wear a lot if ballet flats but a podiatrist told me they pretty much destroy your feet when one of mine was cramping- and there are so many other options. I have never shopped at Chicos or JJill. I would suggest Marks + Spencers if you want cheap, on trend, mature, disposable fashion that looks more $ than it is. They iften have offers as well, and I buy a ton of kids stuff there. Zara has some good stuff tucked away. For sure, quality issues. Im always intrigued by the White Company stuff, but have never ended up buying many clothes there. At the end of the day , maybe too basic stylewise (though i do like simplicity) and I dont bite on a purchase with other more exciting stuff out there. The few things I've bought have been great quality though. Chicos windows do always look nice when I walk by. Honestly perfer to Eileen Fisher. I live EF in theory, but the clothing is kind if sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow ! I thought I was alone. I'm 58 years old 5 feet 7 inches tall 165 pounds. always been a little thick around the middle with large chest. Agreed. Chico's is boxy and for old ladies- I 'm not there yet. Boston Proper is too sexy at times. Talbot's too preppy , land's end too boring. I still work fulltime outside for the most part and have more Duluth Trading tanks and flannel shirts than I care to admit. Shopping as we get older is challenging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 52yo and wear a 12P. I color my hair and can't see anything without my reading glasses. I can't wear uncomfortable shoes anymore, and I need clothing for a professional work environment. I'm the targeted demographic for Chico's.

I try to stay away from Chico's because I think their clothes are cheaply made and overpriced for what they are. I don't mind their basics (plain-color shells, pants) but their prints scream "And Then There's Maude" to me. (I'm dating myself but you 50+ DCUMers will know what I mean.)

Unfortunately I don't know what the alternatives to Chico's are, without spending boatloads of money. Talbots is cut too slim for me; Lands' End works but is a bit dowdy; regular department stores, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic all seem focused on younger women (unless you look at their "missy" elastic-waisted stuff in department stores, and I'm not going there). I've tried Travelsmith and Norm Thompson for certain things but the overall look there is dowdy. Coldwater Creek stuff is matronly and the clothing is cheap-looking.

So, while I don't love Chico's, I understand the niche it fills.

Oh my God. This is me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are all depressing me. I am a 63 years old professional woman who worked very hard over the past year to go from a stress-induced size 2x to size 12 (dumped 70 lbs) and am now a perfect Chico's size 2. I work like 100 hours a week and have no time to shop anywhere, but I have to dress professionally. I don't make a 6 figure salary so I am thrilled that I can order stuff online for reasonable prices and it always fits, is well made and I feel good in it. Stop making fun of old ladies, We are all your mothers and you will be one of us one day. "Forever 21" is a myth made up by 21 year old people. Get over yourselves. Someday your kids will laugh at you for shopping at the Gap. So there!

What do you do to be working 100 hours/week at 63???