All clothing is ugly these days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Went to Banana Republic this weekend and everything was immaculate styling, minimalist, Carolyn Bessette in the 90s type stuff. All gorgeous, expensive!

I remember BR in the 90s. A nice pair of pants for work - good quality wool, full lined - was about $70-80 on sale, so the original price was somewhere in the $100-120 range. And it was a real price, people paid it since the sales usually happened only at the end of the season, and if your size is gone, it’s gone.

Anyway, given the inflation, today’s equivalent of those pants would be something around $300. But people have been trained by the fast fashion to expect $20 pants and wear them a few times before discarding. Places like Shein can probably even offer something for $10. You get what you pay for.

I'm willing to accept that I would have to pay $300 for fully lined wool pants but are they even available? Even expensive clothes are usually made of synthetics now. Where can I go to try stuff on? I don't like online shopping.

https://bananarepublic.gap.com/shop/fully-lined-wool-pants-0zaz01a

[Anonymous]

I shop exclusively on the Real Real for tops and blouses and sweaters. Highly recommend. Wish I could do this for bottoms but too tricky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Went to Banana Republic this weekend and everything was immaculate styling, minimalist, Carolyn Bessette in the 90s type stuff. All gorgeous, expensive!

I remember BR in the 90s. A nice pair of pants for work - good quality wool, full lined - was about $70-80 on sale, so the original price was somewhere in the $100-120 range. And it was a real price, people paid it since the sales usually happened only at the end of the season, and if your size is gone, it’s gone.

Anyway, given the inflation, today’s equivalent of those pants would be something around $300. But people have been trained by the fast fashion to expect $20 pants and wear them a few times before discarding. Places like Shein can probably even offer something for $10. You get what you pay for.

I'm willing to accept that I would have to pay $300 for fully lined wool pants but are they even available? Even expensive clothes are usually made of synthetics now. Where can I go to try stuff on? I don't like online shopping.

https://bananarepublic.gap.com/shop/fully-lined-wool-pants-0zaz01a

DP. I checked out that link, and look at the fabric content of for example these: https://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=6038950024006#pdp-page-content

55% recycled wool, 18% recycled nylon, 15% polyester, 10% silk, 2% others.

I really don't think that's what PP meant by fully lined wool pants. It's certainly not what I would mean by fully lined wool pants. Also as a petite with relatively short legs I would be swallowed alive by every single style on that site, though I'm willing to accept that I am not BR's target shape.

Brooks appears to have actual wool pants (a few mix in some spandex, but not all) for women for about $200, full price $300 (so the stated price): https://www.brooksbrothers.com/l/wool-pants-women.html?srsltid=AfmBOopyPDi6mFjwSVRL3DTffBw7MYu8EEbKX9poklxEjPRqMT_c8rwp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Went to Banana Republic this weekend and everything was immaculate styling, minimalist, Carolyn Bessette in the 90s type stuff. All gorgeous, expensive!

I remember BR in the 90s. A nice pair of pants for work - good quality wool, full lined - was about $70-80 on sale, so the original price was somewhere in the $100-120 range. And it was a real price, people paid it since the sales usually happened only at the end of the season, and if your size is gone, it’s gone.

Anyway, given the inflation, today’s equivalent of those pants would be something around $300. But people have been trained by the fast fashion to expect $20 pants and wear them a few times before discarding. Places like Shein can probably even offer something for $10. You get what you pay for.

I'm willing to accept that I would have to pay $300 for fully lined wool pants but are they even available? Even expensive clothes are usually made of synthetics now. Where can I go to try stuff on? I don't like online shopping.

https://bananarepublic.gap.com/shop/fully-lined-wool-pants-0zaz01a

DP. I checked out that link, and look at the fabric content of for example these: https://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=6038950024006#pdp-page-content

55% recycled wool, 18% recycled nylon, 15% polyester, 10% silk, 2% others.

I really don't think that's what PP meant by fully lined wool pants. It's certainly not what I would mean by fully lined wool pants. Also as a petite with relatively short legs I would be swallowed alive by every single style on that site, though I'm willing to accept that I am not BR's target shape.

Brooks appears to have actual wool pants (a few mix in some spandex, but not all) for women for about $200, full price $300 (so the stated price): https://www.brooksbrothers.com/l/wool-pants-women.html?srsltid=AfmBOopyPDi6mFjwSVRL3DTffBw7MYu8EEbKX9poklxEjPRqMT_c8rwp

Thank you, these look better. I saw that those other ones were a blend. Also Banana Republic has possibly the worst vanity sizing of any retailer. I am a zero there and I'm certainly not that small anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Went to Banana Republic this weekend and everything was immaculate styling, minimalist, Carolyn Bessette in the 90s type stuff. All gorgeous, expensive!

I remember BR in the 90s. A nice pair of pants for work - good quality wool, full lined - was about $70-80 on sale, so the original price was somewhere in the $100-120 range. And it was a real price, people paid it since the sales usually happened only at the end of the season, and if your size is gone, it’s gone.

Anyway, given the inflation, today’s equivalent of those pants would be something around $300. But people have been trained by the fast fashion to expect $20 pants and wear them a few times before discarding. Places like Shein can probably even offer something for $10. You get what you pay for.

I'm willing to accept that I would have to pay $300 for fully lined wool pants but are they even available? Even expensive clothes are usually made of synthetics now. Where can I go to try stuff on? I don't like online shopping.

https://bananarepublic.gap.com/shop/fully-lined-wool-pants-0zaz01a

DP. I checked out that link, and look at the fabric content of for example these: https://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=6038950024006#pdp-page-content

55% recycled wool, 18% recycled nylon, 15% polyester, 10% silk, 2% others.

I really don't think that's what PP meant by fully lined wool pants. It's certainly not what I would mean by fully lined wool pants. Also as a petite with relatively short legs I would be swallowed alive by every single style on that site, though I'm willing to accept that I am not BR's target shape.

Brooks appears to have actual wool pants (a few mix in some spandex, but not all) for women for about $200, full price $300 (so the stated price): https://www.brooksbrothers.com/l/wool-pants-women.html?srsltid=AfmBOopyPDi6mFjwSVRL3DTffBw7MYu8EEbKX9poklxEjPRqMT_c8rwp

Brooks seems to have abandoned lined pants, but I agree their materials tend to be high quality.

Talbots seems to be one of the only places that has any lined pants. Here is one in 99% wool:

https://www.talbots.com/luxe-italian-flannel-straight-leg-pants/P243079610.html?cgid=apparel-pants&dwvar_P243079610_color=BROWN%20SUGAR&dwvar_P243079610_sizeType=MS#start=1&sz=54

[Anonymous]

I just want to be told the length of shirts when shopping online. I have a long torso, so I can't buy anything cropped.

[Anonymous]

I once wore unlined wool pants to the theater, and to this day I have no earthly idea what that play was about, because the only thing I could pay attention to the whole night was the godawful itching of my legs. I have never been so happy to take off and never again wear a pair of pants. Those suckers were expensive, too.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I had no idea this thread had been revived several times! At first I was reading it and I was like wow, this is hilarious and true and then I was like…it’s me! Ha! And I still hate most clothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I had no idea this thread had been revived several times! At first I was reading it and I was like wow, this is hilarious and true and then I was like…it’s me! Ha! And I still hate most clothing.

OP, I love this post. It's DCUM classic. I bought a Georgia O'Keefe worthy blouse before I read this post for the first time in 2023 and I think I've only worn it once because it's so extra. I just wanted to buy something that fit me at Anm Taylor...is that so wrong?

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain the tucking in of the sweater & those hideous poorly cut camel coats I saw in New York last weekend?

[Anonymous]

Please, please, please can something be done about the hideous clothes!!! It’s infuriating and ridiculous the crap that is being peddled. Those that have commented have nailed it, thank you! I’ll rant—Even so called quality merchants and brands are noxious. I’ve been frustrated for years and won’t go into the beginnings of decline as I see it, mid 70’s and the slow painful death of our clothing industry. With recent trip to Italy, I realized for certain, Americans are getting gypped in a big way! Not to say that Italians don’t sell plastics but at least they are made with structure and sensible design! It wasn’t beyond my means to dress nice in the 80’s and 90’s, but now I’m happy just to have a pair of Nike wide leg sweatpants! Really, sweats as everyday pant?! If Elon Musk can get to Mars surely, he or someone with the influence can improve the garment 🌎 Is anyone listening out there?!!

[Anonymous]

Agreed. I’ve given up and buy trend-agnostic vintage silk/quality staples etc. secondhand online. Usually for less than Target prices. I measure carefully beforehand as returns to single sellers is a pain. If something needs to be repaired, I pay to repair it rather than brave depressing stores. The only window shopping I want to do is at the Dior *museum* in Paris.

[Anonymous]

It is ugly because it is cheap!

[Anonymous]

I didn’t read everything but recommend:the following, obviously you have to be careful… bc as you said most stuff is polyester crap … Massimo Dutti, brooks brothers, Ralph Lauren, Eileen fisher, Garrett hill, Jill something, I want to try italic and quince. Talbots already had been mentioned. Oh Lafayette.
In Europe you see a ton of polyester crap too. A ton. Including at higher end brands. There are some stores that are a bit better, even United colors of bemneton (I know!) and some brands rat sew clothes for very skinny people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t read everything but recommend:the following, obviously you have to be careful… bc as you said most stuff is polyester crap … Massimo Dutti, brooks brothers, Ralph Lauren, Eileen fisher, Garrett hill, Jill something, I want to try italic and quince. Talbots already had been mentioned. Oh Lafayette.
In Europe you see a ton of polyester crap too. A ton. Including at higher end brands. There are some stores that are a bit better, even United colors of bemneton (I know!) and some brands rat sew clothes for very skinny people

Yeah Europeans have embraced overconsumption and fast fashion too. Zara, H and M, and other poly crap are European and are huge in Europe. Each time I go to Europe, there are more and more people wearing and buying poly crap. To some extent you can’t fault them—salaries in Europe are lower for white collar jobs and nicer clothing is very expensive there.