Soft Surroundings?
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Anonymous
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I am 40. I am a stay at home mom to older children (so I don't need "office wear," but I also don't need my clothes to be super comfy/"active wear, ready to chase after a toddler" either.)
My mother has always tried to steer me towards clothes that I feel are too old for me--when I was in my late teens/early 20s she would criticize my clothes as too young and the things she suggested I felt were more appropriate for a 40 year old business executive. In my late 30's, she would buy me things from Talbots as Christmas gifts, and asked if I would wear clothes from Chicos. So I was talking to her last night and she was telling me about a clothing company called "soft surroundings." https://www.softsurroundings.com/Clothing/ She told me she thinks it's targeted towards women in their 30s and 40s because that's how old the models look. So I looked at the website. I think the models look like they are in their 40s and that the clothes are actually targeted more towards the same demographic as Chicos and Talbots--60s? Or maybe slightly younger, like women in their 50s? The focus seems to really be on how SOFT the clothes are...and for me, that's not really an issue. I'm not much of a "sensory" person and don't need my clothes to be super soft, I never really have issues with feeling like my clothes are itchy or stiff---I'm just not sensitive to those types of things, at all. Anyway, I was mostly wondering if I'm off base--do those clothes seem to skew more to the late 50s/60s crowd, in your opinion? Or do you agree with my mom and think 30s/40s is the target? |
Anonymous
The clothes at that site all seem very long and drape-y. Many of the models are mature.  If you don't have sensory issues, I'm not sure why you'd need a website for soft clothes.
Are you in good shape? Do you prefer long/baggy clothes to hide any specific body parts? I'm 45 and work at home. I typically wear jeans (American Eagle Outfitters and Lucky Brand) and comfortable but moderately form-fitting tops. I like T-shirts from Lucky Brand. TL;DR - I think your mom is wrong and 30s/40s isn't the targeted demographic for that company. |
Anonymous
| I just glanced at the website and I think those clothes look too "old" for a 40 year old woman. I'm not a fan of flounces and asymmetrical hemlines. None of them look especially "soft" and/or comfortable. I'm 62 and wear JJill almost exclusively, mostly linen and cashmere, and I stay away from the asymmetrical. If you can afford it, I'd go to Nordstoms and hire a personal shopper/stylist. If that is too pricey, just find a knowledgeable salesperson and get some advice. The most important thing you can do to look good is make sure your clothes fit properly, and that almost always means hiring a tailor. Good luck. |
Anonymous
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If you're 40, I suggest you grow a backbone and tell your mom you can dress yourself.
I hope against hope you're not perpetuating this cycle of being suffocatingly, overly involved with your own children's lives. |
Anonymous
| OP, your mom is probably just trying to help. But soft surroundings is for the older (55+), goddess size woman. The emphasis on "soft" is for older women 60+ because as you age your skin is much more delicate, so it is more comfortable when soft. Unless you are goddess size, this is too old for you. But if you like it ... |
Anonymous
| Soft surroundings is definitely old lady clothes. Why don't you just say thanks, mom and toss the catalog? You are 40 years old. |
Anonymous
| Its like JJill but more middle class. And huge. Like a blanket. |
Anonymous
Thanks! Yes, I am in good shape. I am petite (5 foot 3) and wear a size 2 in most clothes. I am very active (currently training for a half Iron man) and don't really need to hide any body parts. I think the long drape-yness (no idea how to spell that, if it's even a word?  ) would look wrong on my body since I am so short too.
Maybe this is more of a "family relationships" question than a fashion one? "Why does my mother want me to dress like a 70 year old?" |
Anonymous
Thanks! I was just beginning to wonder if maybe *I* was wrong--maybe i am dressing way too young for my age, and this is really how women in their early 40s dress? |
Anonymous
Great description. I'm chunky and wear jjill summer linen stuff, but their winter stuff is pretty blankety. The soft surroundings stuff looks like a cheaper version. |
Anonymous
| I'm 40 too, and I tend to dress young. I think you could cherry-pick some nice pieces from that catalogue - there are a few cute items and the rest is more for my mother's generation. |
Anonymous
| This is the PP who asked if you were in good shape...if you're a size 2 and athletic, hell no to those clothes! Rock your hot body, toss the catalog, and let the issue go with your mom unless she's forcibly arguing with you about the topic (in that case, feel free to explain that you are the best arbiter of how to dress your body). |
Anonymous
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Oh yeah, PP again...I *love* White House Black Market. Check it out if you haven't already done so.
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Anonymous
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Laughing at this page--why are all of the skirts to the ankles??
https://www.softsurroundings.com/Clothing/Skirts/ |
Anonymous
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No bikini panties here:
https://www.softsurroundings.com/Clothing/Intimates/ |