The quality of their Black Label section is pretty good. They seem to carry less inventory of this group so if you love it, order early.
LOL @eyemamom - I feel the same way about J Jill. How many “tunics” can a girl have?
@SouthFloridaMom9 - Is your Boca Boca Grande? If so, I need advice for dinner clothing at the Gasparilla Inn in January (not an event, just with friends)
I used to like Chicos also. But I don’t shop there anymore because everything is boxy and I need more tailoring and waistline. Never did like the sequin stuff
I have grown disappointed with Chico’s and I am mid 60’s. Bling and odd shapes. I very much miss their basic tees.
I find the odd simple top on their clearance rack–usually pay about 20% of original–but only 2-3 a year.
I have never shopped at Chico’s partly because my kids make fun of it. I’m not kidding.
Ha! I agree! At 50, I’m too young to shop at Chico’s. Though I confess I’ve bought stuff at Talbots, which is at least more neutral for basics.
I have a few jeans from there from a few years back.I recently lost weight, and went in to get a smaller size. They have changed the cut of the jeans so the waistband is now above my waist, so no luck there. The leggings work out for slacks, but are too loose to tuck into knee high boots. I recently bought a jacket there that my 20 something covets, but it didn’t look like it was meant to be in that store…
I’m in my mid 50s.
I’m clearly not the demographic; I opened this thread thinking it was going to be about hispanic students. Hola chicos! 
^Me neither. I thought, it’s a fast food chain, maybe?
I’ve bought quite a bit of stuff there, mostly because my mother gives me gifts certificates–another person who strictly avoids the bling!–but I’ve had two gift certificates for a year now, and haven’t found anything to buy. A couple of years ago a got three great knit tops–some kind of wool/cotton mix–that I am wearing out. I have to swing by the store and see whether they have anything like that this year. I am never tempted by their costume jewelry. It’s not my kind of thing.
I think Chicos has clothes that will serve a broad range of ages, if you pick and choose carefully. I don’t think that it is a shameful thing to be older, and I don’t think a woman should be embarrassed about not wanting to dress like a teenager in crap from Forever21.
@Kajon - sorry, Boca Raton (other side of state).
There’s a lot of ground in between Forever 21 and Chico’s. I don’t think it’s shameful to be older, either; I don’t think going unstructured and flowy always flatters the middle age body as much as it’s believed.
I occasionally pick up a jacket or a necklace there but Chico’s isn’t really my style. Just wondering…where DO you shop?
Consolation, I wonder if you can use your gift certificates at Soma.
I go everywhere for a basic…looking more for fit and price. But since Chicos doesn’t seem able to provide me the “wow”, or fun pieces I like anymore, I first try I.N.C. at Macy’s.
I’m telling you all one more time…the Karina long sleeve top is the best basic top ever. I order a size 1 and am 5’9 and a typically wear a size 10. This particular shirt is not boxy and it packs extremely well.
I would love a store for women in their 40’s. I like classic, tailored clothing with the occasional flow-y tunic thrown in the mix. Talbot’s used to be OK but for some reason their stuff fits me weird.
I have bought some stuff from Soft Surroundings (ordered) but their quality has gone down.
It is so hard to dress right at my age. Too old for young stuff, too young for old stuff. And shoes befuddle me too.
I miss Chico’s t’s as well. They used to be awesome; now, not so much~ I shop at Talbot’s, Ann Taylor and Black & White…TJ Maxx, too. I get Soft Surroundings’ catalog and have been in their store a couple of times, but haven’t bought anything there. It’s an interesting store.
I shop at J Crew, Banana Republic and Nordstrom. I am 58 yo.
Some J Crew, Nordstrom. I get a lot of clothes from an upscale resale shop in a neighboring town where the ladies-who-lunch wear things one time and sell them I get a lot of Kate Spade and Tory Burch clothing that way. I also like the brands Theory and Nic & Zoe. Now that I’m retiring (!!), I am moving to a lot more casual / athletic wear, so Prana and things like that. I’ve yet to try Athleta. I just have to watch that I don’t get so casual in yoga pants that I eat my way to larger sizes!
Banana Republic seems to be cut for taller women than I (I’m 5’4"). Used to like Ann Taylor but I think their quality seems to have gone down.
That’s what I’ve noticed! Gave up on them a while ago (5’3 here). Probably should check them out again.
Nordstrom’s is nice. Can find stuff there sometimes.