Getting My Fash On…Or Not
Mar 25th 2007
Julia LondonOn Writing! & When Goddesses Fall To Earth
I had a birthday recently and got the usual gift cards to major department stores. I thought, cool, I’ll go get me some new spring togs. I am tired of wearing flip-flops and Tshirts and old cut-offs everyday—I want to look like someone who has a book coming out (April 17:The Perils of Pursuing a Prince. Just sayin’).
But in one shopping trip I remembered why I wear flip-flops and Tshirts and old cut-offs everyday.There is no fash for women over thirty to get on! I went to a high-end department store (Nordstrom’s) and was dismayed to find that the shorts I had hoped to purchase were way too short for these thighs. No thanks; I might as well walk around the house in my bathing suit.
Spring dresses? Forget it. Love the look on models, but do not love the look of my arms in spaghetti straps. Seriously—who can wear these dresses? And don’t talk to me about cute little sweater tops that hide the arms—I live in Texas. There are approximately two days out of the year we can wear sweaters without risking heat stroke.
But it’s the jeans that are killing me. Pencil leg? Are you kidding me? I have long legs—unlike the rest of you pipsqueaks, I am 5’9”, and there was a time in my life that me in a pair of pencil jeans would have made you all swoon with envy (it’s my fantasy, I can pretend what I want), but that was more years ago than I can count on my fingers and toes.
And the lo-ride jeans! That is the cruelest joke yet the fashion industry has played on women. Britney shouldn’t be wearing them and I definitely won’t wear them for fear of frightening pets and small children. But I don’t want to wear mom jeans! I wanna be hip and fabulous at my sort of indeterminate age!
I finally found a pair of Calvin Klein’s that almost reached the belly button (which interestingly, has seemed to migrate north in the last couple of years). They’re okay—they aren’t Mom jeans, but they aren’t very hip, either. Frankly, I am still miffed about the jeans and have discovered that photoshop is great therapy.
Got your fash on? What spring fashion can you do without? What is a must have? And do you know where a grown woman can get a decent pair of jeans that at least come within the vicinity of the belly button, or a pair of shorts that cover all the offending parts?
35 Comments »
35 Responses to “Getting My Fash On…Or Not”
KMB25 on 26 Mar 2007 at 12:26 am #
hehe…this is the proverbial, “speak of the devil” topic! I was just shopping today (the 25th) as it’s my b-day…and I was in JCPenney’s…I didn’t find anything either…it’s nice to know I’m not alone!! I think the capri pants are the bane of my existence. If they’re too long, I look like a freak who’s wearing pants that are too short, and if they’re not long enough…well, you get the picture. I really don’t like them very much.
Belly-button reaching jeans?….
KMB25 on 26 Mar 2007 at 12:31 am #
I was going to suggest Buckle, but I’m almost positive the jeans won’t reach the belly-button… Have you tried American Eagle Outfitters?? I had some good luck there the last time I got jeans, but it was awhile ago, so try at your own risk.
I felt very depressed leaving the store with absolutely nothing…and with a really big gift card to boot. Ughhh. Maybe next time they’ll have something that will work for me! Good Luck! (And I’m really looking forward to the next book!)
~Kim
Selfish Addict on 26 Mar 2007 at 12:44 am #
Don’t talk about capris to me. My 5′9″ neice can cause she got my Mom’s tall red-neck,central LA genes. I got my Daddy’s short,plump Cajun genes and I can’t speak the language. I would like to find shorts that don’t show my goods or my crack.(I don’t like these on any one else) I assume y’all have noticed that even catalogs who advertise for older & or fluffy ladies,the models aren’t. How can you tell how they’re gonna look on me???
Kay on 26 Mar 2007 at 2:26 am #
Ahhh! I am leaving in the AM for a family trip-not vacation, kids are coming– and am in a panic about puting this pale, midwestern, post menopausel body into a swimsuit. The beach coverup will be my fashion statement
Some designer is missing a goldmine by not making clothes for real women. We need to revolt aganist teenie bopper clothes aimed at us. My card for that was punched decades ago. I’ve given up on jeans.
Ann in IL on 26 Mar 2007 at 3:40 am #
Here’s my solution. Forget fashion. Dress for comfort.
I gave up on jeans about five years ago. My only pair is pictured on the right. The Mom jean. I hate, hate, hate all the low ride/natural waist propaganda jeans that have appeared on the racks. The Fashion Police can’t tell me What Not To Wear. Now that I’m 55, I don’t waste my time on fashion.
Carly Phillips on 26 Mar 2007 at 5:40 am #
Not Your Daughter’s Jeans.
Seriously.
Karen Rose on 26 Mar 2007 at 5:52 am #
You’re 5′9″?! I’m hangin’ up. And pipsqueaks? Sniffle. I’m crushed.
Not really. When I think of fashions, I just get mad. What I want to see is reasonable petite fashions for those of us pipsqueaks who are **curvy**. Jeans that are cute that I don’t have to have hemmed or roll up so that now they look dorky and no longer cute. Tailored slacks and jackets ’cause curvy pipsqueaks need to look professional, too. And evening wear? OH, just don’t get me started…
Karen Hawkins on 26 Mar 2007 at 8:00 am #
Julia, I feel your pain and it is mine. I HATE Mom jeans. But oh, I looove capris. I can handle natural waist jeans, but not the low riders. Whew, those were not made for women who’ve had children. So few things are …
Julia London on 26 Mar 2007 at 8:19 am #
Carly, I tried Not your mom jeans, and they were not kind to my butt. A little too much stretch there, if you know what I mean ;-).
And for scouters out there — The jeans don’t have to reach the belly button — but just be closer to the waist than the pelvis.
terrio on 26 Mar 2007 at 8:21 am #
I found natural waiste or mid-rise jeans a couple years ago and I love them. I’ve always had trouble finding pants that fit and now I know I can walk into Wal-Mart (yes I’m cheap) and pick up a pair of Levi’s Stretch Boot Cut Mid-Rise jeans size 12 and they fit perfectly everytime.
My 7 year old daughter is my barometer for what I can and cannot buy. She’ll look at me and tell me “Mom, those are for teenagers. You can’t buy those!” and then I know to just keep looking.
Kelly Ann on 26 Mar 2007 at 8:34 am #
KMB23 I’m sorry but I loooove JCPenny’s. I never have trouble finding pants there. I’m 5′5″ so I wear either petite size and regular size. I almost always buy petites because I trip over regular pants legs, but @ Penny’s I can usually do both. They have dockers, Saint Johns Bay, Liz & Worthingston (for tall women) that are not for my kids and not for my mother!
I make sure I stay out of the JR. Dept. too, because that just depresses me!
Karen Hawkins on 26 Mar 2007 at 8:47 am #
Hey Julia, try TINT jeans at J.C. Penneys. A model friend of mine swears by them. They’re stretchy, which is a plus in getting jeans that look like they fit right. She says they’re ‘right below the waist’ and have a ‘modern look but a traditional cut.’
Might be just the thing …
Karen Hawkins on 26 Mar 2007 at 9:06 am #
Kelly Ann, we were posting at the same time! Great minds, m’dear.
Claudia Dain on 26 Mar 2007 at 9:22 am #
Yes! Follow Terrio’s advice on the jeans. Levi’s Stretch boot cut mid-rise. I love those jeans!!
You might also try Ralph Lauren, pricey, but they fit me beautifully more often than not. And I don’t think Ralph has crumbled under skinny jean pressure!
Evening wear? When showing the arms is not on the agenda? Any advice, fellow goddesses? My togas are being sold in a temple sale on Saturday.
Julia London on 26 Mar 2007 at 10:08 am #
TINT jeans–I can’t wait to try them!!
terrio on 26 Mar 2007 at 10:08 am #
It’s almost impossible to find an evening dress that doesn’t show arms. I ended up buying a strapless dress for my company Christmas party this past holiday but it came with a sort of wrap that I wore over my arms all night long. So if you can’t find a dress with arms, I’d search for one with a seperate piece to wrap around.
And the halter top style neck is wonderful. It looks good on everyone and it’s very big right now.
KMB25 on 26 Mar 2007 at 11:22 am #
Kelly Ann—I actually really like JC Penney’s–in fact, I used to work there during my college summers. With me, however, it’s either feast or famine in the stores. Sometimes I find things that are awesome and fit great, and sometimes, like last night, I try on a dozen or so things and nothing seems to fit right or look right on me. Ah well…my real problem is not jeans…it’s finding professional clothes that look right on me. My problem is that I’m in between…..
KMB25 on 26 Mar 2007 at 11:26 am #
I can still shop in juniors and wear the clothes, but I’m a little too old for some of the fashions…although when I go over to the women’s section, it seems that the cut of clothing and styles are just a bit too old for me. *sigh*….and I absolutely love Banana Republic, but my budget is way too tight to shop there most of the time!
I wish JCPenney had a line of clothing for us “in-betweeners!” although I suppose that’s what Ross and TJMaxx are for…hehe
~Kim
Suzanne Enoch on 26 Mar 2007 at 11:47 am #
Ack, shopping. That’s all I’m saying. Ack.
Julia London on 26 Mar 2007 at 12:10 pm #
Don’t get me started on evening wear. Altho I think I am just going to say to hell with it and let the arms swing. The dresses with sleeves look like mother of the bride gowns, and the really cute stuff is sleeveless. That’s my choice — matronly, or a matron stuffed into a cute dress.
There really is a huge market for the inbetween stuff, isnt’ there? I think Chicos has only scratched the surface.
ericaleigh on 26 Mar 2007 at 12:43 pm #
Skip the jeans and shorts and just stick to skirts. Its the only way to go. My wardrobe consists of mainly skirts and my black uniform pants for work. Also, I think once you find something that you like (and works for you) you have to buy every bit of it up, all the right sizes, colors and slight variations. Who cares if you dress the same way everyday? As long as the clothes are clean. I too have the “wobbly” issue, I decided to screw it and wear sleevless no matter what.
ericaleigh on 26 Mar 2007 at 12:44 pm #
Some stores to try…Land’s End, Jessica London & Lane Bryant (plus size) online, Old Navy also has a lot of different styles and size range is huge.
Cail on 26 Mar 2007 at 1:29 pm #
Karen Rose: Try the Gap Curvey jeans and slacks. If you’re short go for the short ones. They have different ones that fall at different points below and around the belly button. Good Luck!
Julia London on 26 Mar 2007 at 3:16 pm #
I do like skirts Erica. They just have to hit at the very right spot. No mid-calf stuff. Just below the knee is perfect.
Hmmm….skirts instead of shorts.
Banana Republic used to have great shorts. Bermuda style, which is perfect. Saw them all over SoCal. Did not see them in the stores here.
colinfirthfan on 26 Mar 2007 at 4:06 pm #
Nautica had an awesome pair that I loved. Unfortunately I can’t find it anymore (I bought it at Costco). Now I wear Levi’s 515s or 525s.
Nicole Jordan on 26 Mar 2007 at 4:28 pm #
>>>Ack, shopping. That’s all I’m saying. Ack.
Yeah, what Suzanne said!!! I truly hate to shop for clothes. It’s such a frustrating waste of time for me, since I rarely rarely can find anything that both fits and looks good.
And if I buy jeans, I HAVE to have stretch fabric for the comfort. That’s why if I ever find jeans that fit, I buy out their entire stock in my size. Which means they’ll last me several years, so I wait out the fashion cycles. Missed the low hip jeans en
NicoleJ
Ann in IL on 26 Mar 2007 at 5:54 pm #
I work for JC Penney, and will pass the compliments and suggestions along.
For those of you looking for something not so teeny-bopper or embroidered Alfred Dunner Old lady stuff, try the new Liz and Company by Liz Claiborne that has been added to our merchandise mix.
Brandy on 26 Mar 2007 at 6:40 pm #
I buy my jeans at Coldwater Creek. Bit of stretch, still fashionable and reaches the belly button. However, I hate shopping. With a passion. Everything is either too young (or skinny) or too old (do I LOOK like my grandmother?). I’m 32. Not young, but not the the geriatric age either. Oh, and as for jeans, Lands End will custom make them.
DebMarlowe on 26 Mar 2007 at 6:56 pm #
Shopping stinks! But maybe when I get my old body back (re: Nicole’s post) I’ll like it better. Maybe. I have to say, Claudia is a blast to shop with, though! She’s like having your own cheerleader. I think she’d love to have her own What Not to Wear show–and she’d rock!
Deb
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Mar 2007 at 9:52 pm #
Capri pants–hate ‘em. Have hated them all my life, even when I WASN’T fluffy. I have unusually large calves (inherited from my mother’s side), and I can’t wear boots or Capris. They do look cute . . . just not on me.
Judy F on 27 Mar 2007 at 2:10 am #
I just went shopping sunday. You wouldn’t think shoes would be that big of a problem. I wear an 8 1/2 which I swear most of the country wears. I did find a couple of pair of flat summerish shoes. I love Kohls I can usually find something there. I did get a couple of tops. I just hate the sizing anymore. I am not that big of a person but I find myself getting larges. Even then you hold them up and think who am I kidding.
I swear by Lee Jeans for me. I like the natural waist ones.
Kelly Ann on 27 Mar 2007 at 7:41 am #
Karen Hawkins and KMB25 I agree with both of you ~ great minds do think alike and it’s either feast or famine in the stores! The truth is sometimes I leave the store crying from those darn mirrors! I think they do something to the glass and couldn’t they cut down on the lighting, just a bit?
Julia London on 27 Mar 2007 at 8:41 am #
Oh, that florescent lighting is the WORST. Want to see every facial flaw? See how much gray you have? Go to a dressing room, LOL.
Maybe I ought to take this opportunity to finally clean out the closet and find some old but serviceable jewels. Then I can avoid this spring fashion problem altogether!
pam on 27 Mar 2007 at 8:41 pm #
Stay out of Saks, ladies! It will REALLY make you depressed. Aside from the obscene prices, the sizes are nuts. I have been told that fancy designers practice vanity sizing, but it’s not always true. Some of them seem to go in the other direction. And a lot of the styles look cheesy, too.
I’m reminded of one of my favorite Simpsons when Lisa was being teased about her “big butt” and went to that well-known fashion emporium, SAKS FIFTH GRADE, which featured racks full of “size zero and under.
TheNightPoet on 01 Apr 2007 at 11:04 pm #
I can do without all these weird “funky” squiggly, swirly patterns that are so “in” right now. The other day I was shopping with a friend and the entire department we were in was all about the patterns I just described! It was enough to make me not want to look around in there at all! I told my friend, “This must be the ugly fashion year!” And I could do without the combination of the colors pink and brown in shirts, pants, sweaters, etc. Those two colors don’t look good together.
Andrea