Anonymous wrote:I'm 52yo and wear a 12P. I color my hair and can't see anything without my reading glasses. I can't wear uncomfortable shoes anymore, and I need clothing for a professional work environment. I'm the targeted demographic for Chico's.

I try to stay away from Chico's because I think their clothes are cheaply made and overpriced for what they are. I don't mind their basics (plain-color shells, pants) but their prints scream "And Then There's Maude" to me. (I'm dating myself but you 50+ DCUMers will know what I mean.)

Unfortunately I don't know what the alternatives to Chico's are, without spending boatloads of money. Talbots is cut too slim for me; Lands' End works but is a bit dowdy; regular department stores, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic all seem focused on younger women (unless you look at their "missy" elastic-waisted stuff in department stores, and I'm not going there). I've tried Travelsmith and Norm Thompson for certain things but the overall look there is dowdy. Coldwater Creek stuff is matronly and the clothing is cheap-looking.

So, while I don't love Chico's, I understand the niche it fills.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I buy their sundresses every season. Beautiful shades is what they have going for them.

This stuff is hideous, shapeless and makes those models look much bigger than what they are.

The colors are nice, the cuts are awful. I would love an actual high quality preppy brand that would mix in a little color without being loud Lilly Pulitzer prints. I think there are a lot of older women looking for attractive oxford type liberty print style blouses that are cut well with a little stretch and don’t gap in the bust- Boden used to have these with some fun whimsical prints but now the quality is gone. i wish Marimekko would collaborate with Frank and Eileen and somehow make it affordable.

This is true. J Crew used to also have that stuff. If you ever watched Frankie and Grace on Netflix, Jane Fonda's character dressed in a lot of classic structured button down tops and jeans that looked great on her. I didn't love all her stuff, but some of it was really great. In general, that was a great show for fashion -- each character had a signature look that was totally different, but great in its own way. Grace's oldest daughter also had great fashion choices. Here's an article talking a little bit about the shirts, and it turns out that the ones for the show were mostly custom made for the show, although I think she got some from places like THeory as well:

https://www.thethreetomatoes.com/how-to-get-grace-and-frankies-season-5-style#:~:text=Grace's%20Style&text=In%20a%20recent%20interview%20with,for%20the%20best%20beach%20cashmere.

Very interesting, thank you. A sad indictment on the fashion industry when simple, lovely blouses have to be custom made- for a thin, petite woman, no less. As a size 12/14 it’s disheartening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I buy their sundresses every season. Beautiful shades is what they have going for them.

This stuff is hideous, shapeless and makes those models look much bigger than what they are.

The first two look like they could also be from J Crew. The last two are sold alllll over the place by dozens of different stores.

Chicos has just became a punching bag for the ageist judgey a holes who want to feel superior. Buy what you like. Fashion is personal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I buy their sundresses every season. Beautiful shades is what they have going for them.

This stuff is hideous, shapeless and makes those models look much bigger than what they are.

The colors are nice, the cuts are awful. I would love an actual high quality preppy brand that would mix in a little color without being loud Lilly Pulitzer prints. I think there are a lot of older women looking for attractive oxford type liberty print style blouses that are cut well with a little stretch and don’t gap in the bust- Boden used to have these with some fun whimsical prints but now the quality is gone. i wish Marimekko would collaborate with Frank and Eileen and somehow make it affordable.

This is true. J Crew used to also have that stuff. If you ever watched Frankie and Grace on Netflix, Jane Fonda's character dressed in a lot of classic structured button down tops and jeans that looked great on her. I didn't love all her stuff, but some of it was really great. In general, that was a great show for fashion -- each character had a signature look that was totally different, but great in its own way. Grace's oldest daughter also had great fashion choices. Here's an article talking a little bit about the shirts, and it turns out that the ones for the show were mostly custom made for the show, although I think she got some from places like THeory as well:

https://www.thethreetomatoes.com/how-to-get-grace-and-frankies-season-5-style#:~:text=Grace's%20Style&text=In%20a%20recent%20interview%20with,for%20the%20best%20beach%20cashmere.

Very interesting, thank you. A sad indictment on the fashion industry when simple, lovely blouses have to be custom made- for a thin, petite woman, no less. As a size 12/14 it’s disheartening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I buy their sundresses every season. Beautiful shades is what they have going for them.

This stuff is hideous, shapeless and makes those models look much bigger than what they are.

The colors are nice, the cuts are awful. I would love an actual high quality preppy brand that would mix in a little color without being loud Lilly Pulitzer prints. I think there are a lot of older women looking for attractive oxford type liberty print style blouses that are cut well with a little stretch and don’t gap in the bust- Boden used to have these with some fun whimsical prints but now the quality is gone. i wish Marimekko would collaborate with Frank and Eileen and somehow make it affordable.

This is true. J Crew used to also have that stuff. If you ever watched Frankie and Grace on Netflix, Jane Fonda's character dressed in a lot of classic structured button down tops and jeans that looked great on her. I didn't love all her stuff, but some of it was really great. In general, that was a great show for fashion -- each character had a signature look that was totally different, but great in its own way. Grace's oldest daughter also had great fashion choices. Here's an article talking a little bit about the shirts, and it turns out that the ones for the show were mostly custom made for the show, although I think she got some from places like THeory as well:

https://www.thethreetomatoes.com/how-to-get-grace-and-frankies-season-5-style#:~:text=Grace's%20Style&text=In%20a%20recent%20interview%20with,for%20the%20best%20beach%20cashmere.

Anonymous wrote:I do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I buy their sundresses every season. Beautiful shades is what they have going for them.

This stuff is hideous, shapeless and makes those models look much bigger than what they are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve gotten a few cute things there. I like some of their prints. I hate their sizing. I’m a Size 0 or 00.

It’s for older, larger size women with money who want flashy.

Where do the older, larger women with money who DON'T want to be flashy shop? Inquiring minds want options.

Eileen Fisher

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve gotten a few cute things there. I like some of their prints. I hate their sizing. I’m a Size 0 or 00.

It’s for older, larger size women with money who want flashy.

Where do the older, larger women with money who DON'T want to be flashy shop? Inquiring minds want options.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I buy their sundresses every season. Beautiful shades is what they have going for them.

This stuff is hideous, shapeless and makes those models look much bigger than what they are.

The colors are nice, the cuts are awful. I would love an actual high quality preppy brand that would mix in a little color without being loud Lilly Pulitzer prints. I think there are a lot of older women looking for attractive oxford type liberty print style blouses that are cut well with a little stretch and don’t gap in the bust- Boden used to have these with some fun whimsical prints but now the quality is gone. i wish Marimekko would collaborate with Frank and Eileen and somehow make it affordable.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve gotten a few cute things there. I like some of their prints. I hate their sizing. I’m a Size 0 or 00.

It’s for older, larger size women with money who want flashy.

Anonymous wrote:I shopped at Chico's 20 years ago through two pregnancies--it was great for stretchy pants and tops I could wear to work. (Solid colors, not the crazy prints.) When I got my figure back I stopped shopping there.