<p>D is turning 24, just returned from a year in China and could use a little wardrobe rehab (Chinese washers are really hard on clothes!). Dallas born & bred, so she has a strain of Big D polish, but she is also an artist who likes interesting clothes and has an unusual haircut that gets her stopped on the street and asked about her stylist. (Can you tell I think she is darling? ) She is often mistaken for French when abroad, and I think that’s the closest I can get to describing her look.</p>
<p>She is moving to LA to try her hand at sequential art, after training as a painter in a very conceptual art program. I add that detail, because I have no idea what kind of job she will be able to land or with whom she might interview. She is working her network and has made some applications, but no job yet.</p>
<p>I’d love to add a few awesome pieces to her interview wardrobe–things that would work when interviewing for creative jobs or creative support type jobs (e.g. production assistant). I’m thinking “The Devil Wears Prada,” LA style. </p>
<p>It will be her Christmas, and so my budget is fairly generous. But I’m stumped. Any ideas?</p>
<p>For D, we just have some nice mom and D shopping trips, as she has a better feel for what she might like than I do. I have had some success at Macy’s (but you really have to search) and Banana Republic. D chooses eclectic things that work well for her. She lives in LA, where she’s been since she started college 1/2009. Her wardrobe is not too trendy but not as classical as mine. The younger things at Banana Republic work well for her, but the quality varies. SHe’s also found one piece at Nordsrom’s clearance (jeans). Ross sometimes has amazing items, but it takes patience as well.</p>
<p>I used to try to purchase for her, but it’s always been hit & miss and I got tired of returning things that were misses due to size or taste. I have bought two purses and a neckalace that she really likes, but clothing is best modeled by the person who will be wearing it, IMHO.</p>
<p>You could give her an IOU to take her shopping in a nice box with photos of some outfits you’re hoping to buy with her.</p>
<p>Check out Piperlime, see the “style feed” - it shows complete outfits. Fashionable and some a little bit edgier which I get is where you might be headed. Choose a few entire outfits (if you want to buy the clothes rather than shop together), it’s easier to have someone else put the look together. Also Boden online has some really cute stuff. </p>
<p>I find Theory is an excellent line for the young professional starting out. Works best on a slim figure as it is a very tailored look. Lots of pencil skirts and “cigarette” leg pants. Monochromatic, no patterns. Fabric has a slight stretch which I like. Many department stores carry the line.</p>
<p>My artsy youngest D likes clothes from Anthropologie and Free People. Both online if not in your area. Another one is Asos–UK based online retailer with clothes geared to 20-somethings. Very artsy.</p>
<p>My D is also a free-thinking, free-styling artist - marches to her own drummer with clothing, hairstyles and the like. She is chic and sophisticated in an eclectic way when putting her outfits together. I have stopped even asking if she likes something that catches my eye, because inevitably the answer is “no” (the one exception was an antique pair of earrings that are tiny scissors that look like a bird, she wears one, I have no idea where the other landed!). My suggestion is you take her shopping instead (if you can) and when she picks something, say “my treat” - I went with my D to Beacon’s Closet in NYC last year and did just that, she wasn’t expecting it and it made the experience that much more fun. If you’re unable to join her on a shopping trip, maybe you could just send her some money and tell her it was earmarked for just this purpose. LA shopping and styles are unlike anywhere else. Seriously. My chic, forward-out-of-the-box-thinking artist of a D looks “luxe” when she comes home to visit. EVERYONE thinks she’s European and is often stopped on the street. She’s tiny (around 5’3") and is asked frequently by strangers if she is a model in Europe. Trust me, you will never be able to pick something for your D that works FOR HER! Just let her do her thing, marvel at her sense of style and reward her after the fact! </p>
<p>DD will try on several things she likes and send me selfies from the fitting room and links to online versions if available. Then we consult and agree on the one I will buy. Shopping together long distance! It helps that she still has one of my credit cards :)</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for the great ideas! Shopbop, Piperlime, and Asos were all new to me–makes me realize I’m in a rut with my shopping standbys. </p>
<p>I’ve looked at all of the sites and lines everyone suggested. I actually bookmarked at least one thing I really liked on each one. But I just haven’t had that “aha” moment. I’ve worked with clients in so many industries & places, but never entertainment and very little in Southern California; I guess I don’t feel confident that I have quite nailed my D’s look in the LA-entertainment/art-business context.</p>
<p>I think the votes for a mother-daughter shopping trip or (short) stack of benjamins for her to shop with when she’s in LA may be winning out. </p>
<p>I’m bummed that I haven’t found the perfect thing. I love to surprise D with clothes that she really likes, and I get a kick when I see Facebook photos of her (and sometimes her friends!) wearing things I’ve sent her. I think it reassures me that I “get” her–and that I still have a little clothes savvy, even in my 60s. At the same time, I sure don’t want to end up on the “expensive and ugly” thread!</p>
<p>FYI - Nordstrom carries Topshop in almost every bigger store and sells it online, too.</p>
<p>Additionally, for complete looks ideas I recommend checking out Matchesfashion, Stylebop, and Net-A-Porter (and its clearance site, Outnet). I’ve bought some deeply discounted stuff off these sites, so I can comment on their dependability and service (great!) but mostly they are for the folks with bigger clothing budget$$$ than mine.</p>
<p>If you want to get her something that will definitely be popular in LA… this is the coveted item du jour (a la Devil Wears Prada). Warning - the price tag can make some folks faint.</p>
) She is often mistaken for French when abroad, and I think that’s the closest I can get to describing her look.</p>