Clothes shopping rant!

Ditto on Nancy's suggestions. I'm also a big fan of Lands End - they are great quality & I always find something I like. JJill's pants are always too short for me, though I noticed a longer pair of boot cut jeans in yesterday's catalog:) So crank up the computer & let your fingers do your shopping!
 
I once got a pair of silk Ann Taylor pants with the tag still on them at a consignment store for $10-- it never hurts to look!

I know what you mean about trying to find clothes. I like rather simple shirts (no patterns, basic colors)and pants, classic suits and comfortable shoes that are reasonably priced. I hate to spend tons of money on clothes that will be unwearable next year, but have a time finding what I want! I'll shop all day, get frustrated, and end up spending WAY too much money. . .

L
 
I agree with Nancy and Susan. If you can get by with casual Lands End and LL Bean make good quality, non-trendy clothes. I'll add another to that list: Eddie Bauer. I shop at Eddie Bauer all the time. The quality is great and the clothes fit me. I like JJill for tops, they have some really cute stuff, but the pants are all too short for me. Coldwater Creek is another store I used to get as lot from because I like some of their non-trendy styles, but I think the quality has gone down.

Another thing about these stores I've mentioned... I've found the customer service to be GREAT! I ruined a jacket I bought from Coldwater Creek by washing it and called them to ask if I could use a dye on the fabric to get the color back. They told me to just return it and they would send another. Eddie Bauer is great on returns too. I shrunk my very favorite Seattle Suede jacket ;( about a year after I purchased it and they replaced that too. I was just asking them about washing it again and trying to stretch it. Good customer service makes a big difference.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I generally don't order clothes online because I really have to try everything on to know if it will fit and look decent. For some reason, I can never tell in advance.
 
My J.Jill stuff is here. I bought one top 3 times because it fit so well, but I'm not crazy about the 2 colors that just came. They don't look great with my coloring. And the white linen pants fit great but are see-through! But I just couldn't find this kind of stuff in stores, so I had to buy online. Sigh.
 
I shop online because I have to drive 80 miles to even a moderate sized town with limited shopping even there. Sometimes I wish I had shopping options but if I did I would wish I had the things I live here for.

Some stores like JJill and Eddie Bauer offer free shipping if you use their credit card. JJill used to offer free return shipping as well, but I think they dropped that. I do pay a lot for shipping but I think it's worth it for a few reasons:
1. I can shop when I have the time, I never have time for clothes when I'm in a place with real stores. I sometimes take a few days making a decision when I'm shopping online.
2. Like Nancy said... I just can't find anything I like in stores, and I spend hours I don't have looking. When I do find something I like they don't have my size.
3. A lot of times places have specials and sales online that they don't run in the store.

Just some thoughts:)
 
Ducky,
I think the stores are more fashion-driven than some of the online places. Like J. Jill has it's own look, which I like and which doesn't change drastically from year to year. Simple, easy shapes, so perfect for summer. LL Bean is affected by fashion, but, again, not too drastically. Generally, I have no problem finding work clothes in the stores, but for casual I just don't like what I see in the stores.
 
Do you have a NY&Co. (AKA Lerner's) near you? I buy most of my clothes there. I bought a demin skort last week. Their clothes fit my body the best and my budget.
 
I remember Lerner's! Used to shop there as a kid. I didn't know they had changed their name. Not sure if they're in NYC or not, though the name sounds familiar.
 
Bunbun - I have this problem too, I am 47 and go to the office daily. I have trouble finding things that don't make me feel 15. I stepped in to a little store called Cato's this weekend. I was surprised to find a nice little dress for $20.00 that looks just like an Ann Taylor shift (which I LOVE) it is sleeveless, is fully lined and has sewn in pleats in the skirt. Kind of an Audry Hepburn look, it is VERY classic. Of course, most of the clothes are way too frilly but I saw a couple of other things that were appropriate. But I could not believe the price the sewing on the lining is with real thread and it has a hidden zipper - I just couldn't believe it. I have a hard time finding things that aren't "really Old Lady" or "young chick cruisin for guys" but I definately agree with LL Bean, Land's End. At LL Bean they have a model that you can put your measurements in and try on the clothes, that is how I found what size to buy and I haven't had any problem with the fit. I am 5'2" and a size 4/6 but I am not a petite (too long waisted and broad shouldered) The quality of the clothing at both these online stores is good too.
 
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