I would also pick Athleta and Talbots as my top brands! And I get some Old Navy stuff as well.
For work I like Eileen Fisher. I like Lululemon and Zelle, a Nordstrom brand, for workout and casual wear. I also like Rag & Bone, COS and Alice and Olivia. I have several sweaters from Lingua Franca that I love, theyāre fun. I like clothes quite a bit more than I used to I guess!
I love Express. For work clothes they are one of the few brands that invariably fit me perfectly. Same applies to their jeans and casual wear (although I usually wonāt buy unless a special occasion).
Iāve hoped thru the years that something (for work) from Banana Rep., Ann Taylor, etc. would fit. They never do. lol. I have longer legs and shorter torso and Express just works almost every time.
Back when I was working in an office, I loved Banana Republic. Sadly, theyāve closed all Oahu stores. I did like their things, though they had fewer and fewer washables (I rarely ever dry clean).
Iāve been living in athletic clothes for yearsā¦worked from home. I have a lot of lululemon but lately Iām finding Vuori fits me a lot better. In addition, Iāve tried Talbots and Ann Taylor before. Iām petite as well. For outerwear, 80% is Patagonia, besides women XS, I also fit into their girls L or XL.
You must be so tiny! I find Patagonia outerwear especially to run small.
I used to be an Athleta girl (I have quite a few OG Athleta from back in the day when they were just a catalog). I buy less from them now because IMO, their fabric quality has gone down. I love the lululemon Align bottoms - they are soft, lightweight, and Iām no longer looking to be sucked in to within an inch of my life, I just want to be comfy. The Lululemon tops, however, are too boxy. I do like their athletic jackets but they sell out quickly. I also like Vuori and Varley for athletic wear. I used to like Prana but havenāt liked their color pallet in a while.
I buy a lot of Anthropologie but lately they are going through their āeverything croppedā era, so itās been tough to find things. Iām no longer a Mall person, so everything I buy is online. I tried a new brand called AYR and have liked their tops. I also just bought some t-shirts from a company called Buck Mason and am happy with the high quality (I was looking for something other than the super thin stuff that sold at the Mall stores). I also buy online from Nordstrom - mostly jeans - I like Paige and Mother. I try to catch a markdown. Other online retailers I frequent are Everlane and Quince and Iāll occasionally get something from Evereve.
Oh, I forget Anthropologie! Iāve recently become a big fan.
I continue my search for the perfect tee. Didnāt think of Buck Mason, I know Iāve bought some things for DH and S21 from there so will give them a whirl for me. Any tips on style or whether true to size?
My favorite (but still not perfect!) tshirts are Madewell (I like a few styles but the whisper tees ultimately do fall apart) and Everlane. Didnāt like Quince tees but love the linen short sleeve camp-style shirt (and cashmere scarf and beanies).
Also a big Anthropologie fan.
They have different fits available (easy, boxy, slim, etc.) I sized up because Iām always worried about my arms but I think they probably run TTS.
I didnāt like Quince tees either but do like their cashmere sweaters and also a pull-on, washable silk skirt that I wore to a Mardi Gras party. Used to be a big Madewell fan but their fabric quality has gone down (IMO) as well. I have a bunch of their tissue tees but I mostly wear them as swim coverups, with shorts.
I also used to be a big Garnet Hill fan but I recently ordered two of their long sleeve tees for my upcoming trip to Europe and the quality was very cheap. They were that shiny, thin material. Iāve bought similar tees from GH that were a nice quality cotton. These were not it - I returned them.
J Jill and Cabi
White House Black Market
Iād say a solid 80% of my closet is J. McLaughlin. Their line really fits my lifestyle and I just love our local store. The same 5 ladies have worked there for years so I know Iām always going to have a good experience. And they put effort into showing appreciation to their loyal customers. They send hand written thank you notes, small gifts and even sent me gorgeous flowers for my birthday.
For denim and other types of outfits, I have a smattering of brands I check out first.
Denim - Mother, Paige, Frame
Blazers/Jackets - I just love Veronica Beard
Really nice blouses and shirts - Sarah Alexandra and Anne Fontaine
Other favorites - Cinq a Sept, Lilly Pulitzer, Etcetera (sold in home shows), Frank and Eileen
This describes me. DH and I have been retired since our 40s. I also donāt wear the same clothes all day, but thatās kinda how I grew up. I would wear āschool clothesā (not a uniform) and then change into āplay clothesā after school.
I find I have categories of clothes now and select something based on what Iām doing and the weather.
- Workout clothes which I wear daily are my most used clothing items.
- Casual (run an errand, have lunch/hang out with friends) clothes.
- āOccasionā clothing for yesš, infrequent special events like a wedding or dressy party or concert.
- Travel clothes, where I emphasize function.
- Resort-type wear because we often travel to nice, warm weather locations.
That said if Iām being honest the brand I wear the most and have the most in my closet is Eddie Bauer. Iāve purchased A LOT of wicking workout shirts (sleeveless, short sleeve and long sleeves) and capris and leggings that have washed well and held up over many (and I mean many) years. I also own a bunch of other EB clothing that fits in the ācasualā category.
Now would I say EB is my favorite? Iām not sure, but maybe based on my closet. My DD likes Vuori so at Christmas I considered it BUT my gosh(!), the prices seemed crazy. I can afford it but it made me pause. Perhaps if my EB workout clothes need to be replaced I may try it, but I see no pressing need right now.
Brands I like besides EB are Athleta, The Loft, Tasc Performance, Uniqlo and Coolibar.
I mostly shop in our local thrift store, and usually buy $$$ brands (need I say, for a lot less than prices at The Gap).
I also get a lot of stuff at local consignment/thrift stores! Why pay $200 for a blazer when I can get a perfectly lovely one thatās in perfect condition for $12?
(thatās just me tho - not judging those who pay more for what they like!!)
I also shop most of my clothes online but my newly found favorite shop to visit is Uniqlo. The closest Uniqlo is 30miles away so although Iāve known the brand well I just rarely visited and the long lines were discouraging. However, I went to the store in NY with a friend and loved it. I recently bought 2 T shirts there and this is the first time I am happy with my T shirt purchase as most T shirts are too long for me.
Donāt be put off by the long lines since their self-checkout is fast and a joy to use.
I love UniqloāI was happy when they opened a while ago in the Atlantic Terminal mall in downtown Brooklyn opposite the first Target in Brooklyn. I have also bought plenty of clothes at that Target. A splurge for me is Lands End.
Iām a fan of Uniqlo too and bought several items in Japan. I believe they originated in Japan and build for thinner people like me and my family. (Of course they have customers of all sizes as well.)
If you like Veronica Beard and mother jeans, both high end, you might really like the influencer SO Heather. She does push the more expensive brand and Iām not sure Iāve seen her modeling her clothes with a bags other than YSL, Chanel, or LV, but she puts less expensive options also. I love her style.