current fashion is so ugly

[Anonymous]

Personally, I liked the minimalist '90s, but I do think one should move with the times. I've lived in several other major cities in the US and Europe and have never seen such dedication to severe, unflattering clothing in any other place. I would *expect* a Talbots customer to wear "mom jeans" and anyone buying casual clothes at Brooks Brothers to be in her 60s or older. Also, I'm under the impression that GAP's target demographic is younger than the PP's likely age, even if she's in her late 20s. She shouldn't be surprised by cheap fabrics there.

[Anonymous]

I'm one of the Talbot's & Brooks Brothers shoppers, and I have to admit that in the past I have worn "mom jeans" but I have been to the Denim Bar and have picked up decidedly non-mom jeans. I came to the realization about the mom jeans when I was with some old college friends (BTW- I'm in my forties) and one of my girlfriends who is a non-trendy shopper was wearing some "mom jeans" and I thought, oh god, that makes her look so old and they are not flattering and she's got a great shape. That made me switch to low rise jeans to pair with plain long sleeve or short sleeve tees for weekend wear. I am a FT WOHM and like that I can update my 6 year old navy blue linen blouse from Brooks Brothers with a pair of Ann Taylor low rise chinos and wear my 5 year old Talbot's sandals and receive many compliments from my co-workers (of course, since I work in a fairly "geeky" field perhaps perspective is all in the eye of the beholder). I think I have fairly standard clothes for the most part and was never a fashionista, though I do enjoy shopping, but like so many others, have a hard time finding things I would like to wear.

[Anonymous]

00:22 here. In the cold light of morning, I'm realizing that what I wrote when I was feeling punchy late last night was too harsh. Sorry. I guess the only points worth restating are that we've all known women who looked stuck in previous decades, and also that I think a lot of DC women dress in ways that make them look older than their actual ages. Of course, Talbots and Brooks Brothers are unlikely to make anyone cringe, and it's reasonable to be less adventurous with one's professional wardrobe.

[Anonymous]

Goodness, no it's not! There are so many great things out there...you don't have to wear the far out stuff but if you like more classic things, take a look at Michael Kors or Calvin Klein or Twelfth Street. There really are a lot of pretty things right now. Unfortunately, the current economy is so ugly that I can't afford any of it!

[Anonymous]

I am 42 and shop mostly at JCrew. I find that they have nice basics that are neither too fashion forward nor too boring.

[Anonymous]

11:01 here - I also love Theory for tailored classics.

[Anonymous]

Where to get Theory at a reasonable price?

[Anonymous]

Filene's! Also there's a Theory outlet at Leesburg premium outlets. Or at least there used to be.

[Anonymous]

Theory stuff seems to fall to pieces and they don't line the wool slacks. I don't see why it is so expensive and popular.

[Anonymous]

Brooks Brothers and Talbots?? How old are you? My mother-in-law shops there. The only thing I've ever gotten from Talbot's is a pantsuit - it was nice and classic, but the rest of their stuff is so matronly and prim! And Brooks Brothers? The quality is good, but geez, we're not dead yet! And don't get me started on Chico's!

[Anonymous]

The problem is that stores market either to younger 20 somethings or over 45. For anyone in the middle you have to pick and choose from the most appropriate things in those stores -- i.e., the more mature stuff at J.Crew, the fresher stuff or classic pieces from Talbot's or other stores that skew older. The company that owns Old Navy and the Gap opened a store aimed at the "in-betweens", gave it about a year at one location and then bailed on the idea. It is a pain because when you have the least amount of time to shop in life, you have to spend twice as much time just to find a few things.

[Anonymous]

Very true about the age marketing issue: this has become a problem in my life. My husband's, too, since he's starting to feel like his old standby, Banana Republic, is getting too young for him. Another problem, for me, is that burgeoning "Women's" size sections are edging "Petites" out of department store floor space!

I'm going to put Anthropologie out there for those moms who can't bear the thought of blandy-bland J-Crew and matronly Talbots. Everything in the store looks great on 20-somethings who can somehow afford to shop there, of course, but 30- and 40-somethings in cities where women don't intentionally make themselves look matronly would wear many of these clothes, too. I like previously mentioned Theory, Michael Kors and Calvin Klein, also.

[Anonymous]

Try Loehman's in Friendship Heights for Theory et al at better prices! I TiVo all of Oprah's fashion shows b/c I think her show does a good job at showing how women in their 30's, 40's, and 50's can be stylish and au currant without going over the top.

Personally, at 8 months pregnant, I'm just looking forward to getting out of all this tacky maternity stuff

[Anonymous]

If you wade through a lot of garish stuff, Chico's can have some nice things.... maybe I'm revealing my age!!

[Anonymous]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Ann Taylor and AT Loft. I get about 80% of my clothes from AT Loft...I will admit, I am getting a little bored. But they have good basics. I try to work in pieces from other stores like Nordstrom, Banana, Anthropologie, and some boutiques that carry brands I never see anywhere else. For the record, I am 32 and wear an 8 or 10.