What’s In Your Closet? Part Two
Oct 29th 2009
Claudia DainOn Writing!
I suppose it’s no secret by now that I have a slight addiction to clothes. That means I shop. I’m really good at it. Hey, we all have our skill sets.
During my many shopping adventures over these many years I’ve learned that certain brands work for me and others don’t. I don’t even bother trying them on. I’ll spot something, check the tag, and if it’s on my Yuck List, I don’t even lift the hanger off the rack.
Why is that? Why do some designers work and others don’t? It’s the way it’s cut, I know that, but what’s going on? Is Ann Taylor making some sort of pronouncement at the company picnic to cut shirts narrow through the shoulders? It has to be something like that.
The brands that nearly always work for me are Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. Jones New York is a sometimes, but it depends. Those brands just work on my body. Levis for jeans. Levis always fit me perfectly. No other jean even comes close. Born for shoes, with Naturalizer and Clark as back-up. New Balance for sneakers. And that’s it! That’s my list. I can’t wear Anne Klein or Ann Taylor or Liz Claiborne at all.
What’s your list? Do you have one? Do you want one? I can promise you that having a list makes shopping so much easier!
60 Comments »
60 Responses to “What’s In Your Closet? Part Two”
nancyg on 29 Oct 2009 at 6:18 am #
I *love* my Lucky jeans – they’re the best fit. I like Chico’s & White House/Black Market. Their clothes come in either size 1, 2, & 3. I know it’s shallow, but anytime I can buy a size “2″, I’m in!! Their pants are out though – baggy butts. I like Dockers short length pants. I’m 5′2″ and on a 1st name basis with my tailor – everything has to be hemmed except the Dockers.
Plus, like the name says, everything in White House is neutral colors, which are my fave. I wear a lot of neutrals with colorful accessories. I only get crazy & colorful on the golf course. I’m picky with golf clothes – mostly Izod or Adidas – they fit the best, but I’ve become a convert to Under Armor. Under Armor makes the best workout clothes, too, bar none.
Nike work out sneakers. I’ve tried other brands, but nothing else fits my very wide foot better. Everyday shoes are Coach – they match my purses. When I splurge, Donald J Pliner makes amazing shoes. I wore my daughter’s UGG slip on clogs the other day – now they’re on my Christmas list.
Wow – and I didn’t think I was picky until I wrote this. Now I’m thinking, “I’m not high maintenance, I’m just expensive!” lol
Gwynlyn MacKenzie on 29 Oct 2009 at 6:28 am #
My oldest daughter works for JNY corporate, so she won’t touch the stuff. I, on the other hand, have several items of theirs I like, including a fabulous coat that was worth every penny, even without darling daughter’s discount.
I love Betsy Johnson shoes, but won’t pay the price. (That old middle class mentality)
Ralph Lauren is fabulous across the board.
Kasper–their slacks fit like a dream (although they are another Jones subsidiary, so child and I are, once again, at odds—but I’ll still use her discount!)
Alfred Dunner for some pieces. Not the old lady stuff–even if, in some circles, I do qualify.
Anne Klein usually works.
Talbots
And the list goes on.
I, too, enjoy shopping. Not necessarily buying, but shopping. Quality merchandise at an excellent price (translation: well below retail) is my idea of a good time.
Pesky on 29 Oct 2009 at 6:48 am #
Yep, NIKE is on my list of can’t buy, too narrow. ASICS, same.
I love Van Heusen and Bass clothing. Fashion Bug, nope. Ralph Lauren yes. Calvin Klein, no… There are a lot of stores I know will fit for my casual, funky clothes. Suits I tend to head either to Macy’s or Lord & Taylor. I love Lord & Taylor. I go to the suit department and the sales lady actually helps me. If I’m really crunched for time I call ahead for the personal shopper.
Freshechelle on 29 Oct 2009 at 6:56 am #
Manolo Blahnik shoes – look great and no blisters or rubbing from the first day you wear them. I’ve stopped buying them because I should be wearing my company’s shoes but I miss them.
J. Crew for knit jackets – they are unique, move without restricting and don’t wrinkle. Every season they do a few variations on it. I must have 7 or 8 in my closet from the past 4 years.
SuzyQ on 29 Oct 2009 at 7:16 am #
Anything that has a little spandex in it for that extra give will work for me. I like to be comfortable. My new favorite is INC from Macy’s.
Amy Scott on 29 Oct 2009 at 7:28 am #
I love to shop, but not for myself. My kids are usually the ones I shop for. If I do need something new, I tend to head for the GAP. GAP clothes seem to fit me better, especially the jeans.
I am with Nicole on the sneakers, mine have to be New Balance.
Spanx are a must for me these days. I just had a baby 3 months ago, and they hide the little extra I seem to have picked up around the middle.
ladydawgfan on 29 Oct 2009 at 7:47 am #
I don’t know if I have that much of a list, but I do have a few “choices.” New Balance for my sneakers, absolutely. I have never had to break in a pair of NB’s, EVER!! The best advice I was ever given about shoes: if they hurt in the shoe store, leave them there because they will hurt outside of the store and they aren’t worth the trouble or money. I have short, wide feet (6.5 w), so it is a constant struggle to find shoes that fit comfortably.
As for slacks and such, I like natural fabrics – nothing with lycra or “stretch” unless it is an undergarment. Lycra makes the material feel cold to me. Stretch jeans are the absolute worst!!
I have yet to find a skirt that fits me right. I am petite, but round, and most manufacturers think that women my size are 6′ tall amazons!!! Whew! Sorry about the soapbox moment, but I get frustrated like nobody’s business when the only way I can wear a skirt in my size is to tuck the waistband under my armpits or have half of it cut off!!!
LoriHandeland on 29 Oct 2009 at 7:59 am #
I’m a big Jones fan. Those are the only jeans I can wear. Also like Liz but not the jeans.
But most of my “conference” clothes come from Chicos. I have a serious Chicos obsession. I can’t walk in that place and not come out with something.
And my “work” clothes usually come from Target or the like. Sweats and T-shirts, although I have just discovered the wonder of scrubs and ordered some online. They are SO comfortable to laze around in!
SheridanLA on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:00 am #
*sigh* I am not a shopper. I wish I was, but I get too frustrated, cannot handle rounds and rounds of trying on.. so I just wear things until they absolutely have to be replaced.
I do also make my clothes sometimes, though not often (mostly sundresses and skirts)
I found 3 pair of jeans a couple of years ago at Forth and Towne.. the ladies that worked there were awesome and would bring in things for me to try on – they knew the clothes and the cuts.. then in Gaps infinite lack of business wisdom, they shut the whole chain down to focus on the Gap. So I have 3 pair of jeans I will wear until they cannot be mended or fixed.. then I am screwed.
the only shoes I am loyal to are the New Balance 1224 running shoe. Took many styles to find one that did well for me running.. so i have 3 pair.
Claudia.. if you come to LA and want to take a lost shopping soul out – let me know.
nancyg on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:03 am #
congratulations, Amy!! don’t worry about the weight – remember – it took 9 months to put it on! I love Spanx too – I get them on the cheap at Neiman Marcus Last Call store or online.
Gwynlyn – I’m with you! I won’t pay retail for anything. I shop online coupons, discount & resale stores.
Mr. G was not happy yesterday. I received a hand-written postcard from the store manager at Lucky Jeans saying that they hadn’t seen me in awhile & just discounted some items, LOL. He wants to know how many people are on THAT list!!
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:24 am #
NancyG, you are not picky! You are a shrewd, discerning shopper. *G*
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:27 am #
Gwynlyn, I never, never, EVER pay retail prices for clothing. And I had no idea Kasper was a division of JNY! Wow. I don’t have much luck with Kasper and now I know why.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:28 am #
Pesky, L&T is one of my favorite stores and they left my area to be replaced by Macy’s. I still love L&T (in theory if not practice) but Macy’s has won me over. I love them for their dresses.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:30 am #
Fresh, I totally forgot about JCrew! I haven’t purchased anything from them in years. Wonder why I drifted away?
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:31 am #
SuzyQ, you read my mind! My next blog, part 3, will be all about spandex.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:32 am #
Amy, congrats on the baby! Don’t worry about losing the extra around the middle. My philosophy is that it takes a year (roughly) to make a baby and another year to get rid of all evidence of one.
Oooh, that sounds a bit scary. Oops!
Amy Scott on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:33 am #
Sorry! I put Nicole, but I really ment Claudia… oops!
Thanks Nancyg! She is worth the extra weight!
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:34 am #
LadyDawg, you are I have the same problems. I have to get most everything shortened. When I shop, I always add in the cost of tailoring to the price of the item. It’s annoying, but a fact of life I can’t avoid.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:37 am #
Lori, I think you’re in good company on the Chico’s obsession. I always like what I see, but can’t make myself pay the price they ask. I went shopping with a friend for conference and she tried on this beautiful blouse. It looked really great. And cost $78. For a simple blouse!!! We walked out without it. That’s my Chico’s experience in a nutshell.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:39 am #
Sheridan, I was just in LA last week! LOL We missed our moment!
You really need to get your list going. Once you know which brands work for you, shopping becomes much easier. It only takes one or two days of trying everything on before you can winnow it down to what works…and then you’re set!
LoriHandeland on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:50 am #
There are certain things in Chicos I absolutely won’t buy because I look at the price and say “$60 for a T-shirt. I don’t think so!”
But I go in there so often that I usually find stuff on the sale racks. I’ve also spent enough to be a Passport member and that means I get monthly coupons. So the big ticket items I can sometimes get for 50% off.
I LOVE it when I find something that I refused to buy because it was so expensive on the sale rack for $10.
VICTORY!!
Julia London on 29 Oct 2009 at 9:06 am #
I love Christopher Blue jeans. They fit so well. I do most of my shopping at Nordstroms, just because everything is there in one place. Shoes, clothes, makeup, bras…
Rachel Gibson on 29 Oct 2009 at 9:20 am #
I shop a lot and I shop a lot at diffenent stores. But my go to stores, the ones where I know the clothes are going to fit right, are Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft. I wear ugg boots in the winter and flip flops in the summer, although I do have an huge assortment of heels. My new fav jeans are Hudson. Very comfy.
rachel
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 9:28 am #
Lori, that’s wonderful! I had no idea that Chico’s sent coupons. That would help a lot.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 9:30 am #
Julia and Rachel, I’ve never heard of Christopher Blue jeans or Hudson jeans. I guess since I realized Levis were my jeans of record, all other jeans are invisible to me. I think finding the right jeans is the most essential part of any wardrobe, but that might be because I live in jeans, summer and winter.
elsiehogarth on 29 Oct 2009 at 9:31 am #
For me, Loheman’s Back Room is like a treasure chest. That is my favorite store. Great designer clothes at super discounts. Ralph Lauren clothes are perfect fits. Love his boots too. For everyday colothes, I like Old Navy, Lands End and JCrew. Shoes, that’s a whole other world: Cole Haan(favorite), Joan & David, Calvin Klein, Nike, Michael Kors-all comfortable.
nancyg on 29 Oct 2009 at 9:35 am #
Claudia – yuppers! They can sign you up for the club right at the checkout & you can use your discount right away. If you forget your coupon, they can look it up by phone number or e-mail for you & apply it.
White House Black Market that I was talking about is owned by Chico’s. A few friends have told me their lingerie store, Soma, is also really good, but I haven’t checked it out for myself yet.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:06 am #
Elsie, they don’t have a Loheman’s around here. I would love it! I’m mostly a Marshall’s, TJMaxx, Ross shopper—all the brands in one place, though it does take some serious shopping to find anything. I don’t mind. The price makes it worth my while.
Land’s End is an old favorite, but the prices…ouch. I have a serious cashmere addiction and Land’s End cashmere sweaters beat them all, hands down. I bought some cashmere on sale at Macy’s two years ago and each sweater pilled after one season. That’s not right. I have a Land’s End cashmere sweater that is 15 years old that still looks brand new!
Kathleen O on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:07 am #
I have never been a “Label” shopper. If it looks good and fits good and I like it, I buy it and it fits the budget….. I love to shop for shoes and purses. Can’t pass up a store that sells these items. I have a closet full of purses and man pairs of shoes.. I love to make sure everything matches when I walk out the door.. My closet is mostly black pants and lots of colourful tops to dress them up for winter and lots of white and colour for summer.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:08 am #
Nancy, I had no idea that White House Black Market was owned by Chico’s. That surprises me since the looks are so different for each store. Only Girl loves shopping White House, but I’ve never found anything there that works for me. Ditto Chicos, though that’s mostly because of price. When you shop at Ross and pay those low, low prices, everything else seems very expensive.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:12 am #
Kathleen, I wonder if you’re buying certain brands more than others without realizing it? I’ve gotten to the point where, since I know which brands work for me, I don’t even have to try things on before buying. I know that Levis in my size will fit like a dream. I buy off the rack, no dressing room pit stop.
I’ve had such a purse addiction that I’ve cut myself off. NO MORE PURSES! I figure that I have to wear a few out before I buy any more.
Is that self-discipline or what?
Lisa H on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:36 am #
Claudia – our bodies must be opposites…I love Anne Klein and Liz Claiborne…Levi’s are too tight for me in the thigh…I can’t wear any pants that come from Old Navy, they are all too small in the leg.
One of my luckiest places to shop for clothing believe it or not is Sam’s Club. I have purchased very nice slacks, sweaters, blouses and dresses there for very reasonable prices.
Ladies I have now lost 21 lbs!!!!!!!!!!! WOOT! I’m in a size 10, but they are tight…my goal is a size 8 by Christmas, when I started I was a size 14.
Lisa H on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:36 am #
Claudia – our bodies must be opposites…I love Anne Klein and Liz Claiborne…Levi’s are too tight for me in the thigh…I can’t wear any pants that come from Old Navy, they are all too small in the leg.
One of my luckiest places to shop for clothing believe it or not is Sam’s Club. I have purchased very nice slacks, sweaters, blouses and dresses there for very reasonable prices.
Ladies I have now lost 21 lbs!!!!!!!!!!! WOOT! I’m in a size 10, but they are tight…my goal is a size 8 by Christmas, when I started I was a size 14.
Michelle B on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:50 am #
I love to shop and bargains make it the most fun ever. I don’t as a rule shop by label, but certain pieces like Jones New York’s polo shirts fit me better than others. I’m a plus size girl and love CJ Banks. Their clearance racks are great. My closet is full of $9.99 or less bargains.
I have a harder time with shoes. One foot is really a size 10 1/2 and some 11’s work, but slip ons slip off the heel. Now add that I have a couple of foot problems and I am a label shopper with shoes. I love my Birkenstocks and Borns. For athletic shoes, Reebok running shoes are the best fit for me. Just bought a pair of Mizunos running shoes, and they aren’t bad, but my Reeboks are more comfy.
Claudia I love Marshalls and the like. They are not only great for clothing but table clothes, bath linens, rugs and curtins are priced great too.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:53 am #
LisaH, CONGRATS ON LOSING SO MUCH WEIGHT!!! That’s such an accomplishment.
I think you’re right, Lisa, our bodies are opposites, which just goes to show how brands are cut with different body templates in mind. It makes shopping so much easier when you find the brand that’s cut with you in mind.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 10:57 am #
MichelleB, I think athletic shoes are the most…precise? I mean, they have a certain foot shape in mind and are rigid about it. Number Two Son has narrow feet and Adidas are the ONLY sports shoe that fits him. They run very narrow. Go figure. Only girl has a narrow heel so finding shoes that fit in the ball of her foot but don’t slip off the heel is a real challenge.
Amy Scott on 29 Oct 2009 at 11:26 am #
Claudia- I am with you on the purse addiction! I have a closet full of purses of all sizes and colours. I am not much of a clothes shopper, but I love to get a new purse!
Janae on 29 Oct 2009 at 12:07 pm #
I love J Jill. They have great sales, but occasionally I pay full price because it’s worth it. I do have an in store credit card, which gets me 5% every time, plus I get coupons, and during my birthday month I get 10% off. Also, during the year they have clothing drives, where if you bring in gently used J Jill clothing, you’ll get so many dollars off of a new item. But I’ve some Target shirts that I love. I love shopping at TJMaxx and Marshalls. I’ve been known to buy from Sundance, too, but only when it’s on sale.
As for jeans I’m not sold on any brand really. It’s all about the cut and knowing what cut is going to work with your body type. For a long time I was a HUGE fan of Eddie Bauer’s curvy jeans, but then I tried some Lucky and Buffalo jeans – love them, too.
Shoes – I love shoes. My favorites are still my vintage 1940s peeps that I, now, have in purple, olive green, brown, and black. Athletic shoes that fit are hard to find because I’ve a narrow heel with a super high arch.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 12:07 pm #
The big attraction for purses, for me at least, is that 1) you don’t have to try them on, 2) your weight doesn’t matter, and 3) they make an old outfit –jeans and a sweater– feel fresh and new and trendy. No wonder we love buying purses!
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 12:10 pm #
Janae, your foot shape sounds exactly like Only Girl’s. It’s a very tough shape to fit.
I think it’s BRILLIANT of J Jill to give you 10% off during your birthday month. What a genius marketing strategy! I’d be there once a week during that month. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a J Jill, though I think there is one around here. Now I’m going to check them out.
aliles81 on 29 Oct 2009 at 12:22 pm #
Oh man! I’m reading all of these posts and feeling like such a COUNTRY BUMPKIN!!! You know what store we have here where I live? Wal-Mart…..really! I have to drive an hour away to buy clothes and that is still no Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, etc. (I do shop online, but like you guys say, different brands fit differently, so it is a risk for me) I get more excited about purses and shoes! I LOVE Naught Monkey shoes. They are cheaper, ranging from 30 to 70 bucks, and they are fun and funky.
aliles81 on 29 Oct 2009 at 12:25 pm #
Sorry, that’s Naughty Monkey….oops!
Cail on 29 Oct 2009 at 12:38 pm #
well, my favorite pair of jeans is by GAP, and i recently went to the store to buy another pair and was HORRIFIED to discover that they had JUST redone their entire jean collection. I tried on all the styles and determined that it was a lost cause. My other favorite pair is by Lucky, but they’re currently a bit too snug. Sigh, I need to lose weight, and pronto.
I’m a fan of Ann Taylor- most of my ‘office’ clothes are from them. They’re one of the few stores that makes clothes for people with an hourglass figure.
I’m also a huge fan of sample sales. I almost always find something I like at them.
Kathleen O on 29 Oct 2009 at 12:48 pm #
Claudia I do on occasion buy the same brand because it fits.. I don’t like trying on clothes. So it fits I usually buy two or three colours, espeically in tops.. And I know about the wearing out an item before buying new.. Especially with my budget being what it is these days..
I have put my self on a only if it a neccessity item…
Like Michelle I am a plus size gal and I have shops that I love to shop in for clothes… We have two stores here in Canada that are two of my staples to shop…
Kathy on 29 Oct 2009 at 1:17 pm #
I get all my clothes at Penningtons, and I don’t look at labels.
bunches of T in a huge range of colours and the same stretchy jeans in blue or black.
I bought a great long striped sweater 4 yrs ago that co-ordinates with all my Ts so I wear that through fall until it’s time for a coat.
my shoes on the other hand….
I’ve got a pr of naturalizers on right now with more in my shoe bucket.
I usually wear sneakers by Brooks, Columbia & New Balance
my sandals are always Keens.
Winter boots by Soft Moc
Kathy on 29 Oct 2009 at 1:24 pm #
I just realised how casual my clothes have all become.
even my shoes are just in a bucket; a beautiful ice blue bin type bucket; but still a bucket.
I do occasionally have to “dress” so I have standby formal slacks but I still only pair them with cotton jersey tops.
Sabrina Jeffries on 29 Oct 2009 at 1:30 pm #
Lisa H, congratulations on the weight loss! It seems to get harder the smaller you get.
My brands are changing, since my size changed. I bought my last anything at Catherine’s the other day. They were pajamas in the smallest size and they’re a little big. So I guess I’m going to have to go to the non-large-woman stores.
Talbot’s are always small on me. I did buy a pair of Talbot’s size 16 jeans that are really snug AND a pair of Liz Claibourne size 14 jeans that are loose. Go figure.
I seem to end up wearing a lot of Liz Claibourne. I like those clothes a lot. That’s the only brand I’ve really noticed in my new sizes. I’ll have to pay more attention! I did recently buy 2 jogging suits from Chico’s (used), and I LOVE those. I didn’t realize Chico’s clothes were so expensive, though. Here I was, looking forward to being able to shop at Chico’s!
For walking shoes, I agree that New Balance is king. I love my New Balance!
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 1:56 pm #
Allies, I feel for you! I’d say shop online but that would make me so nervous. How do you *know* it will fit?? Once you figure out your brands, then you could. Do it all online and rest easily, the beautiful clothes coming to you by mail. That’s what I call living the good life!
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 1:57 pm #
Cail, ah, that explains why Ann Taylor and I will never be friends. I don’t have an hour glass figure. Not even close!
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 2:01 pm #
Kathy, Pennington’s makes beautiful clothes! My mom had a gorgeous bright red Pennington jacket that she wore for 20 years or more and it always looked just right. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Pennington’s anything!
I know what you mean about casual clothes ruling the day. I get more casual by the year. I live in jeans now and either cotton shirts or sweaters (though they *are* cashmere sweaters because, I have, you know, an ADDICTION to cashmere that I am not giving up, no way, no how) and casual and super comfy shoes. The whole WORLD has gone casual. You gotta go with the flow.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 2:04 pm #
Sabrina, yes, it’s so true. Chico’s…ouch. But then, I’m famously cheap. It’s why I love to hear you say it. Misery loves company…and so do misers.
I’m not surprised that Liz Claiborne fits you well since our figure types are exact opposites. I find them so small through the shoulders and upper back! Like I’m in a straight-jacket. Not a good feeling. Even if I got a free Liz Claiborne shirt I’d give it away. To you.
aliles81 on 29 Oct 2009 at 2:08 pm #
Oh Claudia, this town is so PODUNK! You would have thought I had reached heaven when we went to the Galleria in Dallas and I actually got to walk *into* a Pottery Barn instead of just look at the catalogs! As for brands, I’ve been making a list of the ones all of you have been mentioning (that I haven’t already heard of or tried out) and looking them up….so THANKS EVERYONE!!
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 2:18 pm #
Glad to be of help. Aliles!
Judy F on 29 Oct 2009 at 3:07 pm #
I sure do have lists. LOl
My jeans are Lee they are the only ones that fit me right. Levi’s are way to big in the waist on me.
I like Apt 9 and Croft and Barrow that I get at kohls. I do shop Kohls a lot, the prices are great esp on light weight t-shirt type shirts. They look nice w/o looking too casual.
I love Mudd shoes, I know they are geared more towards teens but I like their looks.
Gym shoes don’t really have a style I like. Just what ever fits best.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 3:17 pm #
Judy, I think Kohl’s has the best prices. I never shop there, about once every 5 years, and I can’t think why that is. Probably because it’s not on my normal route of errands.
Lynn W on 29 Oct 2009 at 5:31 pm #
My favorite is Coldwater Creek – both catalog and in-store. Love their stuff. I love to browse at Kohl’s but usually can’t find anything to fit. I have to buy all my pants online – apparently if you want to shop in stores you can either be tall or large but not both! I need a 34″ inseam (at least), so a lot of “talls” still aren’t tall enough!
Sabrina Jeffries on 29 Oct 2009 at 5:41 pm #
Claudia, we really are opposite body types, aren’t we? I would take that free Liz Claibourne shirt, too …. except that it would be several sizes too small.
It’s funny–I’ve been admiring Chico’s clothes for years, ever since they started sending me catalogs with big coupons (that I could only use for purses and jewelry). Lo and behold, I finally can wear their clothes … and no catalogs! Sheesh!
Did I tell you that one of my purchases at the consignment store was a cashmere sweater? It’s gorgeous! I’ve worn it only once (not cold enough yet), but I can’t wait to wear it again.
Claudia Dain on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:15 pm #
Lynn, Coldwater Creek is another store that I like the look of, but not the price of. I’m just a Marshall’s girl at heart!
Sabrina, once you cross to the cashmere side of the street you will never go back! You can’t. Cashmere is the most amazing fabric in the whole world. I’m so glad I’m not allergic to wool.
Madeline Hunter on 30 Oct 2009 at 8:12 am #
Coming in very late now that I am alive again.
Claudia, Coldwater Creek is a case of a brand that was NOT cut and designed for my bod. I have never tried on something from them that fit right. They are perfect for some of my friends, though.
Talbots usually fits me. I have an outlet near me (the old-fashioned kind of outlet, a hole in the wall packed with stuff that they just keep discounting. I have about 4 Italian wool jackets made of men’s wear suit quality wool, fabric to die for, that I got there for like $12 each—orig $275-$350)
Jones NY also is cut for me. I shop the sales. Hilfinger is on my bad list recently, though. I bought three pairs of slacks that fit great, I washed them per directions, and each one shrunk like 4 inches. Hey, what is with that? I haven’t had shrinkage issues in years. If a brand does not take care of quality control, I’m out of there fast.
Claudia Dain on 30 Oct 2009 at 9:05 am #
Madeline, I would DIE if I had a Talbots outlet near me. Italian wool jackets for $12??? I’d be in heaven.
Shrinkage is not allowed. Old Navy is famous in my house for shrinkage.