Fashion For Over 40.....

Lotsawaves · 03-15-2006, 09:36 AM

Where do you over 40 ladies shop? IMO, fashion is geared for ladies in their 20's and 30's. I don't want to dress for someone that young, but I don't want to dress like an old lady either. I've been doing some of my shopping at Stein Mart and have had pretty good luck with the styles. I need some suggestions and fashion ideas.

spiderlashes5000 · 03-15-2006, 10:00 AM

What about Chico's?
I'm not 40, but I do see a lot of 40-somethings shopping there when I make my monthly jaunt there.

You can also shop online at www.chicos.com.

Turn speakers down if you're opening the link at work!

ShrekLover · 03-15-2006, 11:48 AM

I just shop wherever, but I do try not to dress too old or young. Personally, the Chico's catalogues I get look old ladyish to me, but the link provided doesn't look bad.

I agree that fashion is geared towards younger women, but we can dress well from ALMOST any store as long as we don't follow the fads, i.e., no peasant skirts, no bra straps showing, and no tummies hanging out of our jeans, that kind of thing.

jeepcurlygurl · 03-15-2006, 12:01 PM

The whole world is geared toward the young. Always has been, always will be, I'm pretty sure.
I still shop in the juniors department because they fit me the best. I don't buy the super low jeans or itty-bitty skirts, but I do buy low-rise slim fit jeans and cropped sweaters and shirts that end right at the top of my jeans. That's what I wear most every day.

cara4curls · 03-15-2006, 02:03 PM

Agree with jeepcurlygirl on this - I kind of do the same, esp. with jeans. But I am still trim at the age of 58. Yes, there is kind of a dichotomy with fashion out there - either it's for teens and 20's folks, or dumpy, neutral "overweight baby-boomer clothes"(you know, the stuff that looks like expensive pup tents). As far as my shopping, first of all I'm a VERY sporadic shopper, and when I do, it tends to be in oddball places like thrift shops, yard/garage sales, or if the clothes are new, it has to be like a 75% markdown for me to pop for anything. I tend to put things together my own way, long shirts with short vests over below-the-waist bootcut jeans, etc. Actually, Old Navy's "Below the Waist Boot Cut" jeans fit me very well, and tons less expensive than the "premium denim" jeans out there that are selling for $250.
Last but not least, I really don't go along with the traditional advice to dress more conservatively/matronly as one gets older - that so-o doesn't work for me. When I hear the words "age-appropriate", I cringe! A lot of it has to do with one's physical shape too - if one has gone to pot, then the puptent might be a good idea, but if one is fit and healthy, there's wa-ay more leeway in what one can wear. We shouldn't all just disappear because we are "mature women"!

SuZen · 03-15-2006, 02:11 PM

I have to look fairly pulled-together and not trendy for work, so I tend to go for classics with maybe some updated accessories. I shop at Macy's Petites, Casual Corner, Petite Sophisticate, Ann Taylor Loft mostly. Sometimes I get a few of the less trendy things from Express or New York & Co. Target for exercise clothes, Kohl's for shoes. And I always take a look in TJ Maxx. I'm a sale shopper and keep things for years.

Chico's stuff is all too big for me, a petite size 6, and seems to look better on taller, bigger women. Same with J. Jill and Coldwater Creek for the most part.

jeepcurlygurl · 03-15-2006, 02:16 PM

I forgot to say 'where' I shop. I won't spend alot on clothes so I shop mostly at Goodwill stores and Value City Department Store (where I can actually find clothes Made in USA). And when I go to Pittsburgh I always stop at the Deb Shop, my favorite juniors store.
No disappearing for me either!!

stubbornirishhair · 03-15-2006, 02:38 PM

For the past couple of years I've been trying to buy better quality clothes, but fewer of them. I used to buy cheap clothes and have a bit too much. I've also been more aware of avoiding silly trends meant for teenagers. I like Ann Taylor Loft and similar places where you can find more classic styles.
When I was younger I didn't know what looked good on me, and I always bought things too large. Now I know how to get a good fit. I also didn't realize that certain colors were washing me out and making me look sick. I think when you are young you can get away with bad fit and color, but eventually you have to get a clue, or you are just wasting money. Just my opinion!

stubbornirishhair · 03-15-2006, 02:40 PM

Sorry, forgot to add --- I refuse to disappear! I think I look better now than I did in my twenties and early thirties!

Lotsawaves · 03-15-2006, 04:43 PM

I think being older and still in good shape makes it difficult, becuz you can wear the younger fashions and they look good on you, but they aren't age appropriate (sorry). I also still wear my hair long, past my shoulders. Most women my age, don't. They go by the rule "After 40, you go shorter." I'm also tiny with large boobs, so just about anything I wear tends to be a little revealing. My daughters kid me about being a Hootchie Mama.

I don't want to come off as that, but I'm not conservative either. Winter time is easier for me because I wear the fitted blazers with skirts/jeans/pants. It's summertime that I have a problem finding the right outfits.

cara4curls · 03-16-2006, 02:14 PM

"I think being older and still in good shape makes it difficult, becuz you can wear the younger fashions and they look good on you, but they aren't age appropriate (sorry)."

Have to disagree - if the clothes fit and truly look great on you(not silly), who's to say whether they are "age-appropriate"? What other people think is "age-appropriate" locks more mature women into needless conservative boxes about their appearance than almost anything else. Granted, one doesn't want to look silly either, but live a little! If your natural style IS conservative, go with that, but if you're craving a little fun in your life and don't want to "disappear" wear that pretty red top! If enough of us do that, then maybe people will get used to the idea of "mature women" being more colorful, unique, outrageous if you will, etc.!
I have to agree with another poster about fit and color being crucial too. You can't cheat with either of those now, and you will look the better for it. The wrong colors(that goes for haircolor too!) can really ruin your whole look, making you look tired, pale, emphasizing skin imperfections, etc. The wrong fit can add the appearance of pounds to your shape where you don't want them, as well as being uncomfortable, etc.

Mar · 03-16-2006, 04:28 PM

Ha-wish I'd seen this before I posted on the non-hair board about shopping the trendy young stores!

I want fun,kinda funky clothes that are NOT teen clothes-I want to look my age,but like ME!
I like vintage-y type things,too.

I tried looking at Chicos but thier clothes were not my style.
(I LOVE the model inthier tv ads with the short white hair,though-she is gorgeous!)

st. louis blue · 03-17-2006, 08:26 AM

J. Jill has a lot of beautiful, classy clothing that can look good on women within a HUGE age-range. Their prices are not very cheap, but the clothes are pretty well made and, more importantly, their clearance is outstanding.

SuZen · 03-17-2006, 08:36 AM

The only thing about J. Jill is their clothing fits loosely and is mostly too big for a petite person, even their petite sizes. I'm a size 6, which is not really tiny, and I seldom find anything that fits me. I did find a really nice square-neck cotton sweater on sale for $15 that I loved, and bought three colors, so sometimes you luck out.

st. louis blue · 03-17-2006, 08:40 AM

Their clothes definitely do run large. I forgot about that. Buy a size or two down, for sure.

stubbornirishhair · 03-17-2006, 01:09 PM

That's good to know about J.Jill sizing, it will save me time in the dressing room, because I'm also a size 6. Was thinking of getting some basic t-shirts there for summer. Does anyone know if their t-shirts are paper thin or not? Don't want paper thin. If they are well made I don't mind them costing a little more than the Gap.

st. louis blue · 03-17-2006, 02:05 PM

I don't like paper-thin, either, unless I'm layering.

I don't remember whether the shirts at J.Jill are paper-thin, but I do distinctly remember that their customer service reps are very, very competent. Call 'em and ask!

Lotsawaves · 03-17-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mar

Ha-wish I'd seen this before I posted on the non-hair board about shopping the trendy young stores!

I want fun,kinda funky clothes that are NOT teen clothes-I want to look my age,but like ME!
I like vintage-y type things,too.

I tried looking at Chicos but thier clothes were not my style.
(I LOVE the model inthier tv ads with the short white hair,though-she is gorgeous!)

I agree. Sounds like we could share a closet together.

banjocurl · 03-17-2006, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubbornirishhair

That's good to know about J.Jill sizing, it will save me time in the dressing room, because I'm also a size 6. .

size 6?? yeesh. I am rather chunky considering my activity level--more like a 14. at a size 18 or XL I used to dress in the pup tents for sure. I used to wear a lot of bluefish type stuff, long flowy skirts and stephanie schuster big sweaters, but I lost about 30 lbs and am now wearing more pants. I don't go real form fitting except in my tankini tops that I wear under my hiking clothes. for work i usually wear a pair of stretchy black yoga pants and a colorful top. I also wear macabi skirts and sundresses, lots of batik and tiedye in the summer. I love JJill things too, and of course everything from campmor and the outdoor stores. When I get dressed up I wear a dress like this

sort of but I ignore stuff like "age appropriate" both with my hair and clothes and lifestyle.

is me playing the banjo. slave to fashion for sure![/url]

gekko422 · 03-18-2006, 11:01 AM

Since I don't have to get dressed for work, all of my clothes are casual. I wear mostly fitted t's and Old Navy jeans. I also have a *nice rack* so I wear alot of v-neck shirts.

I might have to check out J. Jill, try expanding my horizons from Old Navy and Target.