<p>I have known a middle school teacher who was coming to my pottery class after work. She might be even younger than 50, not sure, maybe early 50s. She used to wear HS style clothes. I do not remember specifically leggings though, maybe, maybe not. This very attractive lady made herself looking totally ridiculous in this type of clothes, despite of having heavenly face that many would envy, no any kind of plastics, just naturally beautiful. No matter what, I believe that clothes need to be age appropriate style wise even if it is bought in Juniors.</p>
<p>Jambaby – I have often wondered about sizing in J. Crew: “Was in J.Crew over the weekend and noticed many tops in the “xxs” size. Seriously? I have seen 00 before but xxs just seems ridiculous.”</p>
<p>Ok – they’re happy doing the “XXS” thing so why can’t they rename Large “X-Medium”? Sounds so much better…</p>
<p>D took over my wardrobe a few years ago. She tells me to wear pointy shoes with my dressy work pants, and she won’t let me shop at Ann Taylor anymore (I have to sneak the bags in). She said I should only buy things from J. Crew. Then I realized why – we are one size away from each other. Yes – my brand new J. Crew sweater went to high school one day. But she wore it well, and gave me tips on what it looked good with.</p>
<p>BunsenBurner, maybe I was buying too much at macy’s and that’s why my clothes weren’t washing very well. They at least have a petite department that has some things that aren’t too old for my mother. I think petite buyers think everyone is over 70 and heavy. Ugh! Very frustrating. </p>
<p>Just bought some underwear from Soma. I’ve been happy, we will see how they last. I was so tired of the quality of Victoria’s Secret stuff.</p>
<p>Maybe I’ll revisit the leggings idea. I hate to buy things my D looks so cute in. I just don’t look the same lol!</p>
<p>I bought a pair of leggings last year, but I have still not been bold enough to wear them. The top seems to be the key. It has to be long enough to cover your butt without hugging it to point out that flaw, but if you’re short, you have to be careful not to look like a pumpkin, or a middle aged pregnant person. I think being petite is just a different ball game and this new middle aged spread just ratchets up the problems.</p>
<p>I buy quite a lot of my clothes at NM Last Call…there’s an Off Fifth (Saks) in the same mall that many of my friends have great success with but I find more at Last Call. I have found great pants at Banana Republic (during that period when they had 40% off coupons) but I bought a sweater there over the holidays and it pilled right away. I also am a big Nordstrom Rack fan…I really like nice quality clothing but don’t want to pay the retail prices…I also enjoy shopping and get something out of the thrill of the hunt for a good deal.</p>
<p>In terms of brands, I have found Paige jeans to be a favorite–they ride high enough to cover one’s muffin top and enough stretch to be comfy. They can be pricey but Nordstom Rack (and, sometimes, Last Call) have them at a reasonable discount. J Brand also have nice stretch and I have a couple pair with a sufficiently high rise (one of my pet peeves–jeans that ride too low).</p>
<p>I have a tougher time finding shoes I find attractive that meet the variety of requirements that I have (attractive, not too high of a heel, not too rounded of a toe, nothing between the toes, etc.)…I’m also not willing to pay a small fortune so that’s the area that I struggle with most.</p>
<p>Classof2015 - LOL about the sweater going to high school! I didn’t look, but I’m assuming if there is XXS then J.Crew probably has XXL as well… X-Medium does sound much better! ; -)</p>
<p>I am always jealous of women who can wear their hair totally short (like a pixie cut) and look amazing. I didn’t get those genes… I definitely need some hair!</p>
<p>Shoes is one area where I splurge big. Uncomfy shoes can do a lot of damage to the feet and beyond (see the Exercise thread for the athletic shoe discussion). A pair of comfortable, well made expensive shoes is still cheaper than a visit to a podiatrist. Clothes - meh… I’m usually a season or two behind the current trend curve because I shop sales and discounters, so I stick to classic pieces that endure time and changes in fashion trends. I also splurge on bras. The right undies make a huge difference; a designer dress can easily look disastrous if worn over poorly fitted foundations.</p>
<p>I noticed that one of our Nordstroms mixed petite sizes with regular ones. My petite friend was not amused…</p>
<p>BB - yes, I did find that out, as I was making my purchase. I was really surprised, because I, too, don’t typically like Chico’s all that much. But I liked the stuff at Soma!</p>
<p>This is the dress I picked:
[Cool</a> Days Beaded Yoke Dress - Soma Intimates](<a href=“http://www.soma.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=84&pageId=1&viewAll=&productId=570016994&prd=Cool+Days+Beaded+Yoke+Dress&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=16&catId=cat5039300&cat=Clothing&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=6&size=]Cool”>http://www.soma.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=84&pageId=1&viewAll=&productId=570016994&prd=Cool+Days+Beaded+Yoke+Dress&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=16&catId=cat5039300&cat=Clothing&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=6&size=)</p>
<p>kathiep - regarding their sleepwear, they have some designed that is specifically for women who are having hot flashes and need something cooler to sleep in (not a problem I’m having yet). I also bought some of their vanishing edge panties and really like them.</p>
<p>I am using their camis as sleep tops (they do show them as being used under sleepwear, too):
[Seamfree</a> Fabulous Cami - Soma Intimates](<a href=“http://www.soma.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=16&pageId=1&viewAll=&productId=100066455&prd=Seamfree+Fabulous+Cami&subCatId=cat5079277&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=5&catId=cat5039300&cat=Clothing+Tops+and+Tunics&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=]Seamfree”>http://www.soma.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=16&pageId=1&viewAll=&productId=100066455&prd=Seamfree+Fabulous+Cami&subCatId=cat5079277&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=5&catId=cat5039300&cat=Clothing+Tops+and+Tunics&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=)
and matched it with sleep bottoms like this:
[Sea</a> Shell Short - Soma Intimates](<a href=“http://www.soma.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=524&pageId=3&productId=570015520&viewAll=true&prd=Sea+Shell+Short&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=true&inSeam=&posId=27&catId=cat4809276&cat=&onSale=true&colorFamily=&maxPg=3&size=]Sea”>http://www.soma.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=524&pageId=3&productId=570015520&viewAll=true&prd=Sea+Shell+Short&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=true&inSeam=&posId=27&catId=cat4809276&cat=&onSale=true&colorFamily=&maxPg=3&size=)</p>
<p>^^Teri, those are the camis that I bought, just in darker colors. They are amazingly comfortable as layering pieces under cardigans and knit jackets (Classiques from Nordstrom).</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for all the replies! I was afraid I was duplicating a thread and thought about deleting, but you all are great!</p>
<p>“Just bought some underwear from Soma. I’ve been happy, we will see how they last. I was so tired of the quality of Victoria’s Secret stuff.”</p>
<p>Victoria’s quality has gone to the dogs… Their old stuff was made of quality cotton and LASTED! All they sell nowadays are teeny weeny “wedgies” and boyshorts in flashy colors with ridiculous print on the butt, which, in my opinion, does not qualify as “dressing young”, because it is “dressing trashy”. So far, my Soma camis still look brand new after many months of heavy wear and washing. I’m going to give their undies a try.</p>
<p>I’m intrigued by the Soma underwear. Will have to give it a try. </p>
<p>Agree the Nordstrom Classique cami is wonderful. I have them in many colors and wear them constantly. </p>
<p>Does anyone know of a cheap place to buy Hanky Panky underwear? It’s very nice stuff but expensive, at least for me.</p>
<p>I have trouble with camis riding up when I wear them. Does anyone else have this issue? I am very petite so you would think they would be longer on me but no, I spend my day pulling at my clothes like a five year old.</p>
<p>My Soma camis generally say put. Another brand of camis that I like is Mod Bod, sometimes sold at our local Costco. They have higher, less plunging necklines and are perfect for people with longer torsos.</p>
<p>Hanky Panky camis are expensive but fabulous for staying in place. Unfortunate brand name, though . . .</p>
<p>One way I have dealt with the cami riding up is to cut it so it only comes to my belly button. I seem to get the ‘roll’ when I sit down, so keeping them shorter helps. </p>
<p>I had a link to a company that sells short camis made specifically so you don’t have the ride up problem but now I can’t find it. :(</p>
<p>Thanks for starting this thread, OP. </p>
<p>I had been bemoaning to a friend that I couldn’t find an age-appropriate but not dowdy dress for DS’ recent college graduation. She touted Dress Barn, a place in which I had never set foot. Sure 'nuf, I walked out with a retro style like the “shifts” my mother used to wear. I felt confident and classic at graduation.</p>
<p>This thread is so timely! I need a dress for my 30 year high school reunion deemed “dressy casual”. Most of my clothes come from Kohl’s or JCPenney’s. I’m petite (short legs), normal weight and would rather not have sleeveless.</p>
<p>Any ideas where I should start looking?</p>
<p>I forgot to add that I also shop at White House/Black Market. They might have something for you.</p>
<p>AllThis, you can try Zara as well (I see that there is one in the big mall in Houston). The beauty of being average to shorter than avarage height is that the dresses that look “mini” on models are actually knee length on us (an average model is 5’ 10"). </p>
<p>Oh, I see that your mall has Banana Petites - awesome:</p>
<p>[Banana</a> Petites - Houston, TX 77056 | Houston Galleria®](<a href=“http://www.simon.com/mall/tenantdetail.aspx?id=805&tid=62580&cid=4854]Banana”>http://www.simon.com/mall/tenantdetail.aspx?id=805&tid=62580&cid=4854)</p>