Boden does have fitted tops -- you have to sort of poke around the selections, and I size down for their tops (but sometimes order the tall as I have a long torso).

I think the Brooks Brothers quality has really slipped. I was looking for stuff there last year and was shocked how much was unlined and cheap artificial blend fabrics. My favorite work pants are a pair of black BB lined flat front pants from about 10 years ago that still look great. I also got some good stuff from J Crew last year, but you have to pick around to avoid the overly trendy fashion victim stuff.

I've gotten a bunch of Vince stuff from BB in the last year or so.

Anonymous wrote:I like Boden because they also sell petite sizes.

I like Boden a lot. They also sell a lot of things in tall. Love their girls' clothing. I also like Talbots. I'm 35, don't know what that says about me!

I like Boden because they also sell petite sizes.

Anonymous wrote:Boden always feels so boxy to me.

It is, yeah. And their dresses run long. But the quality is good enough to make it worth a little upfront spending on alterations, IMHO.

For work I've been buying a lot of Hobbs. You can get it at Bloomingdales. You can also get it on their website from the UK but you have to pay to return and it's around $20.

For casual, I've been buying Madewell, Anthropologie and Boden lately. Also like Muji tshirts and socks a lot, but they don't have a DC store--I pick up some whenever I"m in NYC.

Land's End

Talbots

Nordstrom

Cos is a recent discovery of mine and I love it. The secret is going in and trying the stuff on bc there are incredible winners you can’t see from the models or the rack. There’s one in gtown. It can look v modern (which I like) but a lot is also classic but v hip.

I recently ordered several pieces from Amaryllis Apparel and really liked what I got!

You could try Nordstrom's house brands- specifically 1901. They tend to run preppy and classic.

I love Brass Clothing, specifically their All day dress, essential dress, and A-line dress. And a bonus to me is they are a woman owned company based in the US!

Eileen Fisher has high quality clothing that lasts a long time. There are frequent sales - I wouldn't buy anything that is not on sale. It's good for basics like pants and tops that you can dress up with accessories. Some items are boxy and dowdy - just avoid those.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a few years older than you, around size 6, and have been liking Talbots. I know it has a reputation as an old-lady store, but they have good basics and what I really like is a lot of their stuff is all-cotton (polyester doesn't work for my skin which is one reason I no longer go to a former staple, Ann Taylor/Loft). There's no doubt some of their stuff is super frumpy but there are also good classic, fitted pieces.

Talbots has a really good assortment this season. I also like the all cotton or at least cotton/poly. I can't stand polyester alone in the summer.

Boden. Good quality.

Talbots for staples. I really like their no iron oxford shirts (think fall).

I still get certain items at JCrew. Jeans. I do like Boden. Found Everlane too boxy. Agree that Talbots is worth taking a look for basics.

Boden always feels so boxy to me.