<p>Don’t mean to leave the men out of this…and feel free to chime in if you like…</p>
<p>The “What Not To Wear” thread got me thinking…sometimes I feel like there are very few stores that I feel are “my” kind of clothing and where I can really have success. At home I"m a jeans and tennies person - love my capris and shorts in the summer with flip flops. But need a mix of nicer stuff for work.</p>
<p>I find I do most of my shopping in-person at places like Eddie Bauer, Kohl’s (lots of my shoe shopping there) and on-line I love LLBean for my fleece, and casual wear. Do love TJ Maxx, but of course, that’s a blend of all kinds of brands/store lines. Not much else out there that I’m satisfied with. Going to the mall is kind of a waste for me.</p>
<p>How about you? Where do you like to shop and why???</p>
<p>I never go shopping. For one thing, I live in a rural area. In any case, I shop using catalogues. For clothes for myself, the catalogues I use the most are JJill (the most of them all pretty much), Garnet Hill, Boden, Eddie Bauer, Talbots. I forgot, but also online, I have used Zappos and Shoes.com.</p>
<p>Other than a local boutique I can no longer afford, the best place I have found for pulling an outfit together is Nordstrom. The people who work there actually know what is in the store, how it fits, and what is appropriate for the occasion.</p>
<p>online a lot, but coldwater creek has had some things I like lately, despite my D’s venture there for earings for me, and her comment that I was “Like not yet their demographic…”</p>
<p>I’m a very patient shopper. I zero in on a particular thing and wait until it goes on sale. If it sell out before it reaches my price target, there is always something else. I know which brand fits my body style (e.g., nowadays it is Calvin Klein for skirts and pants).</p>
<p>Classic must-have pieces that last longer than a couple of years (e.g., interview suits): Nordstom’s (or sometimes I luck out at Norstrom Rack).</p>
<p>Work clothes: Macy’s sale racks and TJ Maxx</p>
<p>I should clarify that I don’t work outside the home. My job is in the home and is internet based. I can wear whatever I want :D. So, I don’t need “work clothes.” I also live in a casual environment. I do like clothes a lot. But nobody here wears designers or the latest trends or high heels, etc.</p>
<p>Lucky Brand for jeans. Though last time I went in to buy jeans I was told the style I like was no longer available in their stores but just online. I also like JCrew for jeans and tank tops to wear under sweaters. In summer I like J Jill for linen blouses. I used to love J Jill when we did not have one in our town. Of course once they opened one here I have found that the color selection the last couple of years does not do well with my skin tone.</p>
<p>I love Coldwater Creek and Talbots, but my budget says Filene Basement sakes and Salvation Army half price day. I do occaisionally go to TJMax, Macy’s and a variety of other stores for their sales and when I have coupons.</p>
<p>uggh
I just returned from trying to get D glasses- but the place closes at 6!
so we went to a small mall- to another glasses place- they must have had 50 pairs altogether including mens and not a one under $350.</p>
<p>However… H & M was right next door so guess where they wanted to go.</p>
<p>But- I thought the clothes were boring- classic but I have classic prep stuff already.
I like Lucky Jeans- but I also wear Carhartts & 501s
what I have on right now, pants are Columbia and I got them at Joes Sporting goods- the only thing that is new- although they were 60% off cause they were from last spring
Boots from Nordstroms ( only thing I get at Nordstroms are bras & shoes)
Cashmere sweater from Banana Republic
tshirt from Fred Meyer ( Identical to those at H & M- I bought 4 cause they were on sale and I liked the color but I think D * borrowed* some)
Jacket from REI ( I get alot of stuff from REI- they have good sales, often local brands and I get a dividend)</p>
<p>I get the Boden catalogs and their stuff is really cute, but some things I need petite and the models look so tall!</p>
<p>But I have lost so much weight over the past few years- ( not all of it was on purpose) that the few clothes I have hung onto are in style again & I am gonna shop my closet- cept for stuff like shoes.</p>
<p>oh and target- if you hit it at the right time- I got one of my favorite outfits there at the beginning of the year
including a synthetic jacket my status conscious mother is convinced is lambskin ;)</p>
<p>I buy my work clothes at LL Bean. They have pants that are exactly the right length for me. My idea of work clothes is pants (cords, wools, twill depending on the time of year), with a plain blouse and a jacket, blazer, or twin set. I never know when I’m going to be crawling under a deck or poking around an attic, so while I want to look presentable for clients I also have to be practical. Dressier clothes I get mostly at Annie Sez. I used to get a lot of stuff at TravelSmith, but they tend to reinforce seams with something scratchy, so I’ve given up on them.</p>
<p>I have to plug Nordstroms, too. When I have an occasion that I absolutely do not have anything in my closet that’s appropriate, I know I can go to Nordstroms and walk out with something. The pieces that I’ve gotten there last and last and last. I can also always find shoes there. And I agree with ek4 on the bras. I can’t believe I spent so much of my life wearing cheap ones that were not comfortable. </p>
<p>I also like Banana Republic for jeans… they fit me better than any other brand.</p>
<p>However, my favorite clothing line that is my indulgence (since it’s casual wear), is from a company called Fresh Produce: [Fresh</a> Produce Sportswear](<a href=“http://www.freshproduceclothes.com/]Fresh”>http://www.freshproduceclothes.com/)
When I find a store that carries it (some Nordstroms do), or am traveling into an area that has a Fresh Produce store, I stock up. It holds up incredibly well, and is so comfortable. Mostly everything is 100% cotton… kind of like resort wear (not that I spend much time in resorts). </p>
<p>Ten years ago, I would have never spent the amount of money I do now on clothes, but what I am finding now is that when I do find pieces I like (at Nordstroms, or Fresh Produce), that are a little more money, they last forever. It’s nice to look in my closet and see I have clothes that barely look worn, but I bought five years ago. Spending more up front saves me down the line as I don’t have to replace pieces as quickly. Same goes with shoes. I’ve finally gotten to the point where, if I find good shoes that I like, I will pay good money for them because I know they will hold up forever; it’s also becoming more important that my shoes are comfortable now, too, so I’m willing to spend the money for comfort. I’ve also bought a number of things at J. Jill.</p>
<p>teriwtt, I have to agree - most of the time, the things that go under the clothes are more important than the clothes. I wear $10 tops and $34 sweaters (;)), but pay a small fortune for my bras. Good shoes can be found on the clearance rack at DSW, but I’ve never seen the good bras on sale!</p>
<p>I’m not a Mom, but I’m bored so I’m going to offer some suggestions. My Mom recently lost a ton of weight (her diet secret was divorce, sadly) and she had to go buy some new clothes. I would highly reccommend that you go and find a GAP outlet store. She manages to find some really nice GAP sweaters for 10 bucks! Jeans, shorts, t-shirts, dress pants you name it… for at least 40-50% off the original price.</p>
<p>I would also suggest H&M, although I’ve noticed that some H&M stores are much better than others…</p>
<p>I have found some amazing bargains at Ann Taylor and also Banana Republic (have never purchased anything full price at either for me–once a dress for D for a wedding). The clothes look and feel good and last a very long time. Sometimes I am able to find nice things at Macy’s, but again, I’m very picky and only shop sales. I also have gotten a lot of clothes from Costco–sometimes even on discount when I am able to find my size. I have even found some dresses at Sears, which surprised me because I had exhausted all the other stores in the mall & just about given up. They’re nice, soft jersey knit and were even on sale & are classics (& not “frumpy”). I have also purchased selected items from Walmart, including bras for my D–one of the few places that sell her petite size. Oh yea, sometimes I find things at Ross–D enjoys finding bargains there too.</p>
<p>For warm/outdoor gear, I love REI & LLBean, but usually only purchase on sale (actually for most things, I guess usually wait for sales unless their prices are very low ($20 or lower) to begin with and they don’t have many in my size.</p>
<p>Every once in a blue moon, I have also purchased a few things at trade shows. I especially enjoy shopping when I travel & am with others who like to shop selectively for clothes.</p>
<p>We live in NJ/NY. I have to wear suits to work. I will hit Loehmann’s first, then Bloomie, Nordstrom, Saks, then Neiman (when I get desperate). I will also go to Max Mara twice a year to get a few classic suits. My clothing expense used to be huge, but in the last few years it has come down quite a bit (how many variation of black or pin stripes could one get?) My vice is still handbag.</p>
<p>My girls will go to Daffy, Loehmann’s, H&M, Bloomie, Betsey Johnson(when they were younger), Neiman, and more recent favorite is Henri Bendel. D1 wants to get a summer job at Henri Bendel because they give 40% discount to its associates. The problem is I would have to pay into it because her paycheck wouldn’t be able to cover all of her purchases. If anyone should come to NYC, it is a great store to visit. I have never seen as many beautiful, useless accessories and clothing as this store.</p>
<p>fun fun thread!
where I shop: small owner operated boutiques, directly from small designers on-line or by phone, antique/vintage clothing fairs/sales, goodwill, ebay</p>
<p>what I buy: eileen fisher (on sale) when I need something “presentable” – otherwise art-to-wear from American designers with very small lines – and a very few pieces of antique/vintage clothing</p>