Anonymous wrote:One reason I don't shop at JCrew as much anymore is because they don't allow reviews on their website. Someone mentioned how Anthro's clothes can feel cheap - yes, some do, but that usually comes out in the online reviews and I avoid those items. Also, I'm tall, long-waisted with long arms, so I need to know how something fits before I buy. When I shop online at JCrew I feel like I'm blind.

(And to add a couple of other places to shop - Athleta & Title Nine)

I totally agree that reviews would be helpful. Right now I go to J Crew Aficionada, Gigi Gone Shopping, or My Closet my baby, and I for reviews.

http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/
http://www.gigisgoneshopping.com/
http://ema-shoppingmycloset.blogspot.com/

There are other good ones too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anthropologie, Zappos, Nordstrom, Boden (sometimes), Gap & Old Navy for basics

Anthropologie is really expensive for the fabrics they use. Just my opinion.

I think there you're paying for uniqueness. BR and Gap items are everywhere. I don't usually see someone in the same Anthropolgie top as me.

with all due respect, I don't know how "unique" a mass market retailer can really be.

One reason I don't shop at JCrew as much anymore is because they don't allow reviews on their website. Someone mentioned how Anthro's clothes can feel cheap - yes, some do, but that usually comes out in the online reviews and I avoid those items. Also, I'm tall, long-waisted with long arms, so I need to know how something fits before I buy. When I shop online at JCrew I feel like I'm blind.

(And to add a couple of other places to shop - Athleta & Title Nine)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ann Taylor is my go to store.

Speaking of brands that have gone downhill...

+ 1. They can get all the models they want for the ads, their clothes still look like something I wouldn't wear even if I were 50. Cheaply made, uninspired, and just plain frumpy. I used to love AT, 10+ years ago.

Anonymous wrote:Ann Taylor is my go to store.

Speaking of brands that have gone downhill...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anthropologie, Zappos, Nordstrom, Boden (sometimes), Gap & Old Navy for basics

Anthropologie is really expensive for the fabrics they use. Just my opinion.

I think there you're paying for uniqueness. BR and Gap items are everywhere. I don't usually see someone in the same Anthropolgie top as me.

Ann Taylor is my go to store.

I am in my early 30s and I don't feel too young wearing JCrew! At 5ft4in the 5" shorts are perfect.

I do a lot of my shopping at JCrew, Calypso, Piperlime, Gap, and Bloomingdales. For the nicer items I've always had great luck at Barney's, Muleh and Intermix.

Anonymous wrote:Anthropologie, Zappos, Nordstrom, Boden (sometimes), Gap & Old Navy for basics

Anthropologie is really expensive for the fabrics they use. Just my opinion.

Anthropologie, Zappos, Nordstrom, Boden (sometimes), Gap & Old Navy for basics

This thread really speaks to me as I have been deeply in love with j crew for years, but havent lately.

The quality of their sweaters, shirts, and general fabric has been going steadily downhill while the prices have risen. Check the labels- a lot of what they offer is blended with polyester. I am still pretty shocked when I see a poly dress being sold for over $100 at full price.

I have since stopped shopping there, although I still think they have wonderful belts. I look elsewhere for costume jewelry (now almost as expensive as the real thing with cheaper materials). The same goes for their poly blend sweaters, shoes (rubber soles on everything when it used to be leather), coats (lots of poly), cashmere sweaters (thin and pill after one wear), and thin thin thin t shirts. Their dresses are cut way too short for me, and tend to be for flatter chested women.

I shop occasionally at h&m, very very carefully at forever 21 (like plain t shirts), outlet malls, sample sales (gilt etc are NOT usually good deals in my opinion), and Marshall's. Target has good stuff occasionally, and it's definitely true that some designer pieces last longer. DVF makes beautiful dresses that last forever. Calypso makes exquisite underpinnings (camis, etc). I dropped a fortune on a purse that looks as amazing as it did the day i bought it.

I think boden is sort of matronly and expensive. Zara has good stuff but I can never find anything I like enough to buy. Banana republic has never fit me properly. Gap has some nice stuff, but again never anything I like enough to buy for the price. The great thing about all this is that I'm definitely spending less money and getting more use out of my closet.

I'd love to hear anyone else's ideas.

Anonymous wrote:I spent years in the 3" chinos (and loved them so) but this year I've moved on to the 5" chinos. Turns out they're not so bad and I don't feel like I'm trying to look 22.

Agree, when I out my arms down flat against my sides, the 5-inch shorts barely come to my fingertips and are still several inches above my knees. short enough to not look old, but long enough to cover that dreaded inner upper thigh area and to sit comfortably.

I was pleasantly surprised at The Limited recently. Pretty dresses, well cut pants and cute tops.

I'm 38, and I still love JCrew. I don't buy their t-shirts, so I can't speak to their quality, but their pants (Minnie and Pixie), sweaters, dresses, and shoes hold up very well.

I have looked for other options (if for no other reason than not wanting all of my clothes to come from one place), but I haven't found anything I like as much. I find Boden to be matronly (and at least as expensive as JCrew). Occasionally I find a dress I like at Banana Republic, but not much else. With some hunting, I sometimes find casual dresses and t-shirts at Anthropologie; same with Gap.

I'm a big Boden fan. Also do garnet hill and have started looking in at Talbots too!