For those considering the personal shopper service, I wanted to add a couple of tips which I think helped: First, when I booked the appointment and also when I talked to the shopper on Saturday, I stressed that I wanted age-appropriate. And second, when you go in, take along whatever shoes/jewelry/other accessories you might want to go with your new look. Since I find it impossible to visualize a whole outfit, it helped a lot to be able to actually see it.
@mom60 I REALLY like that first one especially. In fact, I just ordered it! 
It’s right in line with my work look, and of course, is going to look great with the black jeans too.
Yes, I’m still doing Stitch Fix; my first box is arriving on Friday. I’m eager to see what it contains, and I feel like I can give them meaningful feedback, which I gather is what makes the program a success as you go along.
LasMa, FWIW, I have seen Calvin Klein and other brand tops very similar to the ones mom60 posted at TJMaxx and/or Ross, (as well as Macy’s of course).
Something to keep an eye out for.
LM, thanks for bravely starting this thread. It’s inspired me a bit, too. I have something starting this fall that needs me to polish up a bit. Was waiting to lose some weight, but realize now that I can move forward. If I lose as much as I want to, I can have a tailor make changes to most anything.
One thing I’m curious about is others’positive experiences with different online companies. I get ads from some, with low prices, and never have an idea whether the quality and service are there.
Lookingforward, which online cos are you interested in? I estimate that I do almost 75-80% of my clothes shopping online, including ordering form European sites, so I can probably offer some insight.
I have avoided European sites, where clothes are shipped from Europe. We buy art from overseas and have to be careful to pay state sales taxes after getting an unexpected bill with a huge penalty.
Do you declare any tax on your returns or is this not an issue in your state? Do you have any issues with garments coming through customs? Thank you!
The sites I buy from are the bigger players who usually add applicable sales taxes and then credit them upon return (I rarely return anything though). I have never got a bill for additional tax… Yoox, Outnet, Mytheresa, Farfetch, UK Tights, Matchesfashion, Selfridges, Stylebop… Interesting that Selfridges lists their prices in £, and when I enter my address, the price goes down, because the sales tax here is less than the VAT charged in the UK. I do occasionally have to pay for shipping, but everything comes to my doorstep in fine condition and super fast! The coat I got on sale at Selfridges was $450 including tax and shipping; said coat could be had in the US for $1400 (9.5% sales tax and free shipping), and it never went on sale here.
I’m so glad that you have a new wardrobe, LasMa! I love everything you bought - some of the blouses are too “wild” for me (really, any print is) but I think they’re beautiful. (Which teal sweater did you buy? There are 3 teals!)
I’m in a similar position. Mid-60’s, never have known anything about fashion. Grades 1-12 spent in Catholic schools wearing uniforms, and I’ve basically worn uniforms every since. When I was younger, I remember having beautiful cashmere sweaters in 5 colors (my MIL bought them for me in Europe) and 3 pairs of wool pants (black, charcoal, gray). These days, I mostly work at home. I wear LLBean canvas loose pants (have 4 pair, all same color) and cotton 3/4-length boatneck t-shirts (mostly black) in the summer and turtlenecks in the winter. When I have to go into the office, I wear either a great black knit dress (very simple) that I bought some years ago at Hanna Andersson (still looks brand new) or a simple knit a-line black skirt (still looks new) that I bought years ago at Lands End/one of the black t-shirts or turtlenecks, and a black cardigan with either. (I machine wash the dress and skirt, so it’s really amazing that they still look new). When I have to give a talk I wear one of two Eileen Fisher outfits (not rumpled, silk blouse/lightweight wool skirt and loose jacket), that I bought years ago. I remember wearing one of them when I was in the early stages of pregnancy with S2, who is about to turn 17. So when I say years ago, I really do mean years. I replace clothes when they (literally) wear out. Only the canvas pants and the t-shirts wear out.
I don’t mean to hijack the thread, but I’m going to comb through it for ideas. I’m tired of looking so dowdy. Not sure I will ever wear a print, though.
I analyzed our expenses for last year. I spent a total of $350 on clothes (mostly shoes, underwear, sleepwear, tights). This is typical.
I just bought a new purse yesterday. I bought the toffee version on Ebay (new with tags), but this is the bag in red:
I carry a lot of stuff so need a big bag with compartments. I have a Lodis wallet that I bought 6 years ago, in the same smooth leather, very complicated with lots of compartments and slots, holds a checkbook, different color leather inside. It still looks almost new, the leather is unmarked and not scratched, and the stitching is perfect. So I think this bag will last.
Sorry to go on and on. Should I delete this?
I love your bag!
Please don’t delete. I am enjoying this thread so very much.
eta: I love the wardrobe you are describing as well.
Nooo… Keep the post. Quite relevant to the spirit of the thread.
NYMom, what is your coloring?
This thread is helpful to many of us.
My best bet is that LasMa won’t mind, now she is so successfully outfitted, that the thread helps some others?
Plus, I just like to think about clothes.
A company sent me a huge box yesterday, my own private trunk show. This was unsolicited on my part. They realized I hadn’t bought anything in almost a year. I’m probably not ordering a thing. I may have reached almost the perfect wardrobe for my needs. I don’t want to buy just for entertainment so this thread allows me to live vicariously.
Thanks, guys, for being so accepting of my very long post. I’m suddenly interested in clothes - I’ve filed for divorce and the cloud of depression has lifted.
alh, I’m glad you like the bag! Did you mean that you like my wardrobe of uniforms, or that you like LasMa’s new stylish wardrobe?
bookworm, I have dark brown hair (now colored to cover gray), blue eyes, fair skin. Years ago I was diagnosed as a “winter,” which made sense because I always got compliments when I wore certain colors, like dark pink or teal. I think that LasMa must be a winter, also, as she looks best in saturated colors. I only wish that I were as thin as she is. I suspect that everything looks great on her.
By “saturated colors” I mean jewel tones. I look terrible in oranges and muddy colors. Judging from the items LasMa bought, I think she might have similar coloring.
NYMom: I like your wardrobe of uniforms (I like LasMa’s new wardrobe, too) A few beautiful pieces, perfect for my lifestyle is the goal I’m working toward. It sounds like you are already there. I do understand at a certain point, we want something new to wear. Recently I passed on several beautiful Eileen Fisher outfits to one of my sisters. They were at least as old as yours. It would be difficult for me to find something made of comparable fabric today, at least in my budget. After Sis wears them a couple of decades, maybe I’ll take them back again.
eta: frequently a new life requires a new wardrobe. No matter how great the current wardrobe. I believe that wholeheartedly. Good luck to you.
I know our local upscale consignment store has tons of EF.
LF, that’s exactly what my shopper told me: Buy for the size you are now, and have it altered as you lose weight. About tops including blazers, she said that’s more based on frame size, which isn’t going to change as I get to my goal weight of another 8-10 lbs.
So this morning I wore the black and white stripe with the blue sweater. AND I wore a necklace! It’s actually a legacy piece, my dad’s gold “key” that he got with his B.S. back in 1949, which my mom nabbed and put on a chain. It was passed on to me a few years back. It’s unusual and personal, and just big enough to be a bit of a statement piece. So I look totally put together!
I was right, the women here pounced on me the moment I walked in lol. They wanted to know every detail, and they’re very excited.
fyi - I dislike clothes shopping too - usually takes multiple tries
Absolutely! I fervently hope that it does help others as much as it’s helped me.
@NYMomof2 Ah, you’re a multi-compartment purse girl too! This is my favorite purse of all time; I have it in 2 colors, black and the terra cotta. It holds a ton, it’s well made and the leather is beautiful, and it has ten, count 'em, TEN compartments and pockets.
NYmomof2 - start small…maybe for a first new purchase begin with a search for a pair of great fitting black jeans to compliment your new purse! These are perfect for lunches with your girlfriends, travel, etc. You can wear them with a t-shirt, t-shirt with long necklace and light cardigan, t-neck sweater, blazer with fun blouse, untucked shirt…