<p>Most of what I buy for work is from Talbots and Ann Taylor. As a very small petite, it’s just not worth it to try on “big girl” clothes; they never fit or need too much $$$$ for alternations to make it worthwhile. So I stick with what I know will fit. There’s a Talbots outlet not too far from me where I’ve gotten some awesome bargains. Got a dressy suit there (like, to wear to a wedding or bar mitzvah) that was originally $250; got it for $40!!).</p>
<p>Unfortunately, shopping in the same two stores over and over again means that all my clothes look the same but in different colors . . . . </p>
<p>I shop at Kohl’s and Costco for their docker pants - there is one style that fits my petite size just right. We have an outdoor mall that has an LLBean, Coldwater Creek, and Chico’s. I’ll shop at any of them, but only buy sale items. I like that I can order anything on-line at the Coldwater Creek store, have it shipped to my home and not pay shipping.</p>
<p>I’m pretty boring with my clothing choices. I tend to wear polo shirts and dockers pants in warm weather and turtlenecks, sweaters and same pants for cold weather. I often decide what stores to shop at just because they are close enough or I’ve figured out the sizing and don’t have to try it on.</p>
<p>I hate spending time shopping. But do enjoy once a year trip to Nordstroms Anniversary sale. Beverly in petites knows what looks good on me. I am inept with mix & match and would spend more, have less to wear if I picked up stuff by myself. If someting special is needed (graduation or wedding) Beverly is called. I Love shoes and have no problem finding shoes at the anniv sale. I do pick up some tops & shorts at Costco.
My sister is a shorter petite and she shops thrift stores with great results. I don’t have patience for thrift or sorting through racks. I used to spend tons at liz claiborne outlet and never have a complete wardrope.</p>
<p>I second the mentions of Ann Taylor, Talbots, and Nordstrom’s. I work from home, but I like to look somewhat pulled together, so I have lots of different pants and tops. I rarely wear skirts, and I own only one suit. Ann Taylor’s ‘Margot’ pants fit me really well, and as others have mentioned, with the coupons you can get some good deals. But I was just in the store the other day and it seemed like they had about half the inventory they usually do. I don’t know if this was a sign of the times or simply because they hadn’t gotten all their spring merchandise in yet, but I hope they don’t go out of business!</p>
<p>I like Marshall’s the best. I love Eddie Bauer sweaters and jackets, too, especially when they are on sale. Eddie Bauer has the coziest sweaters!</p>
<p>If you have the energy, end of the season shopping at Kohls is pretty amazing. You have to dig through the racks like an archaeologist but if you find something that works, they practically pay you to buy it. </p>
<p>Talbots and Coldwater Creek are are my mother in law’s favorite stores, so all of their clothes remind me of her. She always looks very nice but I can’t see myself in most of their clothes, except perhaps for the Talbots businessy stuff to wear for meetings.</p>
<p>I also order basics from the JC Penney catalog fairly often; I know the catalog will have the size and color I am looking for, so it’s easier than going to JC Penney at the mall. I like Lands End for basics, too.</p>
<p>I agree, if I desperately need something important on short notice, Nordstroms. The one time I needed an actual ballgown, Nordstroms was a gem.</p>
<p>I always think of Ann Taylor as “too expensive” so I usually don’t even go in. I’m spoiled by Marshalls prices, maybe.</p>
<p>I only <em>wish</em> I had a favorite place to buy jeans that fit just right. Oh well…</p>
<p>I kind of like to shop but I don’t shop for clothes for myself very often.</p>
<p>Over the decades I’ve gone from high-end sale shopping, to thrift stores, to ebay (since 1996). You have to accept that you won’t be thrilled with absolutely everything you buy (hello Salvation Army!), but particularly with brands whose sizes you are familiar with, it really cannot be beat. Most of my wardrobe is from Neiman’s, and I probably haven’t paid more than $20 for any single item. (Well, except maybe for that <em>gorgeous</em> 8-ply cashmere taupe shawl-collared sweater that I sprang $50 for.) There are of course some things that really need to be tried on (jeans!), and I still hit Neiman’s for their shoe sales, but I can’t fathom why people would spend so much money on clothing.</p>
<p>Don’t laugh, best jeans is NYDJ - Not Your Daughter’s Jeans. They are tummy tuck, stretchy, but very stylish (skinny jeans, boot legs, and dark blue). You could actually feel semi skinny in them. They also come in petits. The only thing is they are not cheap, but you could find them at Lohemann’s sometimes.</p>
<p>I’ve accommodated myself to the fact that if I find a pair of jeans that make me look awesome, I will pay whatever I need to to own them. So far my top price is $69, which I guess in the overall scheme of things isn’t too bad.</p>
<p>Yes, I do also frequent the Gap Outlet store…one of our favorite find-a-bargain store! Great for summer tshirts and shorts, sweaters, etc. I also love that they have color - I’m go basic on the bottom (khaki, black mostly) but I love color on top!</p>
<p>Chico’s is a great place to piece outfits together and develop them through different years and seasons. There are varying lengths of pants, jackets, etc. Colors match in the lines from year to year. Sales are very good, coupons abound, etc.</p>
<p>Son’s girlfriend just discovered our Nordstrom off rack store. Says the deals are tremendous on designer clothes that she covets. I didn’t find anything that was my style there, however.</p>
<p>I’ve had great luck on the sale racks at Chicos. Most recent acquisition a long red shiny, fully lined jacket regular $129 for $13.20 (no kidding). </p>
<p>I also do a LOT of shopping at our local Goodwill which has unbelievable donations of current clothes often with the tags still on them. My Eddie Bauer leather jacket…brand new…came from there…$28.</p>
<p>Wow, thumper, I don’t think that I have ever seen anything in Chicos for 13.20! That said I have found evening wear there. I love it because so much of it is mix an match.</p>
<p>I also like Macys for everyday, Lord and Taylor for special occasions, and TJMaxx (esp. for a handbag).</p>
<p>Well…the $129 jacket was marked down to $59.99. AND there was a 60% off sale that day for that rack. AND I had my $10 birthday coupon AND I had my 5% off Passport card.</p>
<p>I love Nordstom and have been shopping there since the first one came to San Diego in 1982. One of my good friends moved to San Diego from Seattle to open the first Nordstom’s here. Now I probably shop more at Nordstrom Rack as I am trying to save $$. I also really like Marshall’s and have two large ones with good selections not far from my house.</p>
<p>We have a new DSW close by and both my girls and I are loving it! My Ds have been crazy about H&M for awhile now and also Forever 21. They have learned to be very good bargain shoppers now that I make them spend some of their earnings on clothes. I am happy that they now longer want to go to Abercrombie as that place was so expensive to buy kids clothes!</p>
<p>I second oldfort on NYDJ: very stylish and do not look like “mommy jeans” at all! They are high waist, but if you do not tuck the top in, who can tell? I also had good luck with David Khan jeans (although had to go all the way down to size 6 - who are they kidding?) and jeans from Express. NYDJ and David Khan can be found at Nordstrom Rack for $30-40.</p>
<p>H gets a lot of clothes from Costco (that’s the only store with clothes he’d go with me). Occasionally I can find a few things there for myself, too.</p>
<p>Not a mom but I usually get clothes from a combination of:
department stores on sale (I’m waiting for Belk to mark their winter stuff down to 75% off :))
TJMaxx/Marshalls
a couple pieces from eBay
I also LOVE thrift stores, though of course you can’t go in with any specific goal of what you’re trying to find. I usually just hit up the ones in town about every three weeks to see what’s new. In our town, Target sends their “salvage” stuff that has been marked way down and hasn’t sold or is in damaged boxes to Goodwill, so sometimes there’s some good house type stuff there too. On Friday, I got a DeLonghi pump-driven espresso maker that was new but in a damaged box at Goodwill for $20 when it retails for $140. I also picked up a Cynthia Steffe skirt that I think would retail for around $200 for $3.95. My best purchase EVER at Goodwill was a practically new Dooney and Bourke medium Annalisa lock sac for $3…it retails for like $275. :)</p>
<p>I am the cheapest person ever so I love a good bargain.</p>