Where to shop for nice professional clothes for short, fat, middle-aged woman?

[Anonymous]

As you note, you don't need suits, and unless you actually like the boring preppy look of Talbots, you can do better at Eileen Fisher. Yes, Eileen Fisher has petites. Go to the Friendship Heights store and ask one of the sales associates to help you pull some things together. Their clothes are price-y, but much better quality than you'll find at Talbots and other stores mentioned above.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the other Talbots recommendations. They have Plus Petite sizes and the clothes aren't all preppy- they have some nice basics with good accessories.
For instance, this dress:
https://www.talbots.com/fringe-trim-ponte-dress/P231036200.html?cgid=plus-size-petite&dwvar_P231036200_color=BLACK&dwvar_P231036200_sizeType=WP#start=1&sz=54
Would look nice in any setting

And this cardigan/jacket would look nice in the spring: https://www.talbots.com/tweed-coatigan/P231019503.html?cgid=plus-size-petite-work-shop&dwvar_P231019503_color=BLUE/IVORY&dwvar_P231019503_sizeType=WP#start=1&sz=54

Buy a few basics- navy and black outfits and then some nice scarfs (very in again) so you can mix and match them up- a couple of cardigan/jackets (JCrew has nice ones) are another good add on.

An crisp untucked striped shirt over slacks always looks nice too.
Good shoes and bags help pull an outfit together as well.

[Anonymous]

PP here- one more...
look at the 3 outfits below the blazer posted here-all nice professional looking and mix and match- good on any size
https://www.talbots.com/brushed-wool-blend-blazer/P224019522.html?cmp=bac-TLB-Revenue-Criteo-WebsiteConversions-CustomAud-LFActiveUsers-Dynamic--1x1-DPA---012923&utm_source=Criteo&utm_medium=bac&utm_campaign=Dynamic&utm_content=DPA&utm_term=012923

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a 12 works for you, I really like the Fold, which someone on DCUM recommended. I also wear MM LaFleur, but the Fold is more structured, so I feel like ot hides more. It‘s pricey, so I’m adding pieces slowly. (Also I’m a government lawyer so lots of folks wear and recognize MML but seems to be less true of the Fold.)

I just checked out the Fold. Gorgeous clothes but alas so expensive!

[Anonymous]

I have almost identical numbers. I like things made from ponte fabric for a smoothing but not boxy look. Fit and flare can be flattering. I would go with dresses.

For pants, I like the pull-on professional enough looking ones from LOFT. I've also had luck witih JCrew.

Other brands - Boden, Ann Taylor and places off Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a 12 works for you, I really like the Fold, which someone on DCUM recommended. I also wear MM LaFleur, but the Fold is more structured, so I feel like ot hides more. It‘s pricey, so I’m adding pieces slowly. (Also I’m a government lawyer so lots of folks wear and recognize MML but seems to be less true of the Fold.)

I checked this out and it’s beautiful. Shame they aren’t size inclusive. I’m 30 lbs overweight, and I guess that’s just too fat for that brand.

Op is a size 12 so she can shop there. Why don’t you start your own thread for more tailored recommendations?

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm not your size, but short, and I got a couple of really comfy, work appropriate pants from these guys. And they don't cost an arm and a leg (most of the clothes are casual, however).

https://www.softsurroundings.com/s/petites/clothing/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have almost identical numbers. I like things made from ponte fabric for a smoothing but not boxy look. Fit and flare can be flattering. I would go with dresses.

For pants, I like the pull-on professional enough looking ones from LOFT. I've also had luck witih JCrew.

Other brands - Boden, Ann Taylor and places off Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack, etc.

Are you all wearing pantyhose/tights with your dresses? That's where I get hung up - they are so tight around my waist and I hate that feeling. Is there a magical secret kind that are comfy? I hate my legs and don't want to go bare.

[Anonymous]

OP, in your mid-50s, with a leadership role and a lot of public speaking, you need to spend money on your clothes. Some of the brands mentioned here scream entry-level to me. (Talbots?? Banana Republic?)

Go to Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks or another high-end store and get a personal shopper. Make an appointment and plan to spend some time there. They will have you try on clothes from multiple top designers to get a feel for what you like and whose clothes look best on you. You do need to buy something there, but agree with another poster to start looking at the high end brands on resale.

Think quality, not quantity. Invest in top-line suits, shoes and mix/ match skirts, jackets, dresses, blazers etc. Then you can start filling in seasonally with new tops, sweaters, blouses and other things that are less expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have almost identical numbers. I like things made from ponte fabric for a smoothing but not boxy look. Fit and flare can be flattering. I would go with dresses.

For pants, I like the pull-on professional enough looking ones from LOFT. I've also had luck witih JCrew.

Other brands - Boden, Ann Taylor and places off Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack, etc.

Are you all wearing pantyhose/tights with your dresses? That's where I get hung up - they are so tight around my waist and I hate that feeling. Is there a magical secret kind that are comfy? I hate my legs and don't want to go bare.

No. I have terrible legs (short and bow legged), and I prefer to be comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, in your mid-50s, with a leadership role and a lot of public speaking, you need to spend money on your clothes. Some of the brands mentioned here scream entry-level to me. (Talbots?? Banana Republic?)

Go to Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks or another high-end store and get a personal shopper. Make an appointment and plan to spend some time there. They will have you try on clothes from multiple top designers to get a feel for what you like and whose clothes look best on you. You do need to buy something there, but agree with another poster to start looking at the high end brands on resale.

Think quality, not quantity. Invest in top-line suits, shoes and mix/ match skirts, jackets, dresses, blazers etc. Then you can start filling in seasonally with new tops, sweaters, blouses and other things that are less expensive.

You are obviously not short. All of those stores you mentioned have basically gotten rid of their petite lines and will try to steer you into standard sizes which won’t fit well. I’m in the same shoes as OP except hourglass not pear, and it’s impossible.

Online, unfortunately, is the way to go and you really have to be open to all stores, because even ones you don’t like may have a piece or two that will work. Eileen Fischer, Nic + Zoe, Lafayette 148, Hobbes (may have to order from the UK), Boden, Me + Em (also UK), White House Black Market, those are some to try. For mall stores, your options are Macys (Ralph Lauren specifically), Chicos, Talbots, J Jill, Ann Taylor. Even Banana doesn’t carry petites in person anymore and they used to have a whole freaking petite store at Tyson’s.

[Anonymous]

OP, you and I must be twins. I have the same struggle. I do best with dresses, as pants are hopeless. I find that Boden often fits very well (and they have petites). Other than that I do a lot of Zappos, since it's easy to return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, in your mid-50s, with a leadership role and a lot of public speaking, you need to spend money on your clothes. Some of the brands mentioned here scream entry-level to me. (Talbots?? Banana Republic?)

Go to Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks or another high-end store and get a personal shopper. Make an appointment and plan to spend some time there. They will have you try on clothes from multiple top designers to get a feel for what you like and whose clothes look best on you. You do need to buy something there, but agree with another poster to start looking at the high end brands on resale.

Think quality, not quantity. Invest in top-line suits, shoes and mix/ match skirts, jackets, dresses, blazers etc. Then you can start filling in seasonally with new tops, sweaters, blouses and other things that are less expensive.

OP would do better with a subscription service than a department store. Have you actually been to these places recently? They are barren, and they certainly don't have any petite styles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talbots is made for this life stage.

No, it isn't. I'm almost 60 and wouldn't shop there. Talbots is more like 80+.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talbots is made for this life stage.

Talbots clothes for work are often really thick and super hot. Just a warning, in case OP has reached the hot flash stage.