Tired of cheap clothes need advice

[Anonymous]

I was in old navy and target and Ann tayor loft the other day and it all looked so cheap to me as did much of my own closet. I am forty, average weight, and tall. I am currently a sahm. I have a lot of clothes I am getting rid of as either not well made or not age appropriate or previous now out of fashion work clothes. I need to invest in some sophisticated items and need some ideas of what and where. As my children are still fairly small I need a look that works for my age and being with a five and seven year old. Thanks for all ideas!

[Anonymous]

Check out discount shopping, like Filene's basement, TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack

[Anonymous]

Nordstrom saves me every time!

[Anonymous]

I'm 38 and 5'8" and Banana Republic and J Crew still really work for me, and the quality is good. If you're taller than 5'8", go for the "tall" pants tailoring. You might also check Macy's for INC, Ellen Tracy, Jones New York, etc. because sometimes I find things there. Ann Taylor has better quality than Loft and the sizing is a bit more consistent, though still on the large side. It's too bad that I think Martin + Osa at Tysons is closed because they had some really nice stuff for women our age. I've actually found some decent tops at Eddie Bauer this year -not the most fashion-forward, but nice classic stuff, and J Jill occasionally has cute pieces that fall somewhere between Chico's and Anthropologie on the "cool" scale.

[Anonymous]

Get down to Anthropologie and buy yourself some cute/different tops/sweaters, a great pair of jeans and a jacket. I bought a jacket there a few weeks ago and almost haven't taken it off since! It really makes an outfit come together without trying. Once you've got a few things you love, you can look on-line for the little extras you need.

[Anonymous]

But ... in my experience, a lot of the stuff on the racks at some of the recommended stores is **also** cheap looking. Especially J. Crew (unless the item is actually made by a nationally-distributed company like Red Wing boots). Have you looked closely at the seams of their pants? And for this you get the honor of paying $168 for poorly sewn trousers. Ditto for the whimsical, yet crappily made shirts at Anthropologie.

[Anonymous]

I'm 35 and my friend just turned me on to White House Black Market. I picked up a bunch of sweaters on there with a coupon - which they send out tons of. Makes things (relatively) affordable.

[Anonymous]

I really like Boden.

[Anonymous]

If your style is more classic, I think Pendleton has some really pretty clothes this year. They've brought back some more "retro" sort of Katherine Hepburn-looking styles.

[Anonymous]

I'm 38 and until recently had been buying way too much crap at ATL and Old Navy too. Lately I've been ordering stuff from Garnet Hill. I think the quality is pretty good, although I still think it's not as great as it could be for the price. But I love the clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get down to Anthropologie and buy yourself some cute/different tops/sweaters, a great pair of jeans and a jacket. I bought a jacket there a few weeks ago and almost haven't taken it off since! It really makes an outfit come together without trying. Once you've got a few things you love, you can look on-line for the little extras you need.

Which jacket did you get? They have several I want, so I'd love to know which one you're using this much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 38 and until recently had been buying way too much crap at ATL and Old Navy too. Lately I've been ordering stuff from Garnet Hill. I think the quality is pretty good, although I still think it's not as great as it could be for the price. But I love the clothes.

I like Garnet Hill too and some Boden, a bit of Anthroplogie for fun and good jeans from Denim Bar or similar. Also cashmere sweaters you can't go wrong with and a pair of good boots.