Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 16:46     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Talbots


Maybe at 55, but not for a 34 year old.


55? Please. Nothing looks worse on a middle age woman than Talbots.


I disagree. My sisters are that age and look great in Talbots. They are both totally different body types too. I agree that they have some super frumpy stuff there, and feel like it generally adds about 10 years to my age, but they have some good tailored basics, which typically look really good on women in their 50s and 60s. I think nothing looks worse on a middle-aged woman than stuff cut for a teenager. (There should also be a term for those of us in our late 30s and 40s, who are not yet middle-aged, but no longer "young women." Or is that just "moms"?).
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 16:43     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
try stitchfix.com if you haven't heard of it already. you pay $20 fee that goes towards your items, you get a personal shopper to pick everything out and return whatever you don't want with a pre-paid label. sounds like this will be perfect for you
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 16:33     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
Anonymous wrote:So, i'm going to suggest you don't shop online, and that you hire a baby sitter/have DH take over, and schedule an appt with a Nordstrom personal shopper. Have someone help you figure out a handful of pieces that fit, and that you will wear. Go to the makeup counter and have someone help you figure out a 5-min makeup routine.

I understand you don't want to spend a lot of money. But I think just shopping online for some pieces that might be on sale that don't fit into an overall 'wardrobe upgrade' plan might end up being wasted dollars. Once someone else helps you figure out what fits/looks good/etc, it will be easier to buy pieces online that work.


Just be aware that this little day outing will cost you several hundred dollars, at minimum.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 16:32     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Talbots


Maybe at 55, but not for a 34 year old.


55? Please. Nothing looks worse on a middle age woman than Talbots.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 15:27     Subject: Re:I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
I'm a teacher and I shop at BR and J.Crew outlets. I get a few pair of pants in different colors and then a bunch of different colored/patterned tops. I have short sleeved tops from all over- Lands End, Eddie Bauer. Sign up for coupons online too. I teach little kids so I don't buy anything too expensive (the most I would spend on a pair of pants is $40 or so). I do wear scarves to help my wardrobe not look so boring. I don't wear skirts or dresses. Too much getting up and down from the floor, tiny people chairs, etc.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 14:55     Subject: Re:I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
Try thredup.com. Seriously. I am getting nonstop compliments on my cheap used clothes. I just choose wisely!
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 14:42     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
Anonymous wrote:So, i'm going to suggest you don't shop online, and that you hire a baby sitter/have DH take over, and schedule an appt with a Nordstrom personal shopper. Have someone help you figure out a handful of pieces that fit, and that you will wear. Go to the makeup counter and have someone help you figure out a 5-min makeup routine.

I understand you don't want to spend a lot of money. But I think just shopping online for some pieces that might be on sale that don't fit into an overall 'wardrobe upgrade' plan might end up being wasted dollars. Once someone else helps you figure out what fits/looks good/etc, it will be easier to buy pieces online that work.



This was genius advice. I literally just went online and booked the appt. Normally I would have consulted with my DH about it, blah blah blah, but this time I thought WHY? I need to get better about making decisions for myself, and just DOING IT. And, I totally agree about the hodge podge of clearance pieces that I would have purchased. So, thank you, PP. Next week I'll be spending an evening at Nordstrom.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 14:35     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Talbots


Really?


This was my reaction but I took a quick look online and was surprised at how much of their stuff I would wear.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 14:27     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
MarleySkye840 wrote:Also it may not be that you aren't stylish but you just don't accessorize? Accessories are great to jazz up any casual outfit. You should have scarves and statement jewelry. Sterling silver stud ball earrings, dangles, pearls, pearl necklace, chain necklace and rhinestone studs.


Not OP but as a teacher myself, that stuff just gets in the way!
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 14:20     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
So, i'm going to suggest you don't shop online, and that you hire a baby sitter/have DH take over, and schedule an appt with a Nordstrom personal shopper. Have someone help you figure out a handful of pieces that fit, and that you will wear. Go to the makeup counter and have someone help you figure out a 5-min makeup routine.

I understand you don't want to spend a lot of money. But I think just shopping online for some pieces that might be on sale that don't fit into an overall 'wardrobe upgrade' plan might end up being wasted dollars. Once someone else helps you figure out what fits/looks good/etc, it will be easier to buy pieces online that work.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 14:14     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Talbots



Really?


NP, I can always find something I like at Talbots and I am in my thirties. There's a clearance center in Springfield, lots of good deals there.

Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 14:13     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
Anonymous wrote:nordstrom (point of view section)
talbots -- they've gotten better. i love their t-shirts.
boden

do not shop at express or limited unless you're in your 20s.



Thanks everyone. OP here. Just got back from the Potomac Mills outlet. I"m not sure why I was thinking that I could successfully shop with both children. Came home with nothing for me, but adorable stuff for them from Osh Kosh. I'm just going to shop online. I also need to wear more makeup. When I got reeled in by the flat iron lady at the mall, I caught a glimpse of myself and again, was somewhat horrified. I should really never leave the house without mascara.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 13:21     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
nordstrom (point of view section)
talbots -- they've gotten better. i love their t-shirts.
boden

do not shop at express or limited unless you're in your 20s.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 13:14     Subject: I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
Anonymous wrote:I like the Land's End "canvas" line. Also second the recs for Limited and JCrew Factory.

Boden is hit or miss for me. They have some cute things but also some frump. Express may skew a bit young for you. I occasionally find things at Old Navy but have found their quality to be pretty poor.


Boden looks cute online or in the catalogue, but is totally frump on.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2014 10:30     Subject: Re:I seriously don't know where to shop and I need new clothes. Help!
How about going to some upscale consignment shops?