Until June 16, you can get 15% off everything at MAC stores (not makeup counters) nationwide and on 6/16 only, you can get that 15% off from MAC's website! Read more here:
http://www.pursepage.com/sales/mac-friends-family-sale-online-0616.html
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Trends and Older Babes
I'm in my late 30s but I do look a lot younger than my age. This makes it many ways easier for me to find cool stuff to wear although one thing that happens to you when you hit my age is you start to appreciate nicer things and well, you just want to look more refined and sophisticated.
So I read this article on MSN today about which trends women my age and older should avoid. I'll post what they wrote along with my opinions:
Tie-dye
Judging by the amount of tie-dye evident on the runways, the summer 2008 fashion shows seem to have been channeling the summer of love. But even if—or especially if—you have fond memories of Grateful Dead shows and making your own tie-dyed tee shirts, skip the trend this time around. “As a general rule, if you’ve worn it once, you don’t want to wear the trend again in the same way,” says Krupp. Get the groovy feeling in a much more sophisticated fabric, by opting for ombré. Designers are using this color-washed fabric for all sorts of summer styles—including dresses, pants, tunics and tops.
Agreed, to a point. Bad acid trip style tie-dye is fine for that Phish reunion show but otherwise it will make you look like an aging pothead. However, I have seen some designs that don't look too bad at all. I think the key is subtlety. Go for more subtle designs and colors, or, as the article says, opt for ombré. I bought a pretty plum ombré shirt at weirdly enough CVS for ten dollars. Even the dye job is subtle. I really dig it, man.
Short shorts
Yes, Madonna is 49 years old and she’s wearing hot pants, but let’s face it: You’re not Madonna! Besides, the Material Girl is spotted wearing them in music videos and photo shoots—probably not out for a family dinner with her husband and kids. “Showing off your knees gets tricky as you get older,” says Krupp. “They can sag or get wrinkles, and at some point it’s just not a body part you want to flaunt.” Krupp isn’t a fan of shorts in general—at least outside the gym—and suggests opting for a casual short skirt instead.
Agreed 100%. Why in God's name would you want everyone to see your cellulite, veins, knobby knees, and other hazards of aging? I've seen some young starlets in short shorts who REALLY shouldn't be wearing them either. I haven't worn short shorts since 1995 and I probably shouldn't have worn them then either. Opt for bermudas and cropped pants instead.
Ripped jeans
“These absolutely don’t have any place in an over-35-year-old’s wardrobe,” Krupp declares. And with good reason: Ripped jeans are sloppy, and that’s exactly the opposite of the image you want to present. Jeans can still be a chic part of your wardrobe—and can even look professional enough to pass muster in more casual office settings—but you need to choose a pair with sleek, simple, clean lines. A stylish look for summer: wide-legged trouser-style jeans in a dark wash. They should fit perfectly (not too tight), have strategically placed pockets to enhance your butt, and no embellishments (like glitter, embroidery, or ornate stitching).
Agreed again. I think I might have had some minorly torn jeans back in the late '80s and I think those were jeans I distressed myself after buying them at the thrift store. Really, you'll just look stupid in them if you are over 35, like you're trying to relive your NKOTB fangirl years. I don't like them on curvy/plus gals either. I prefer a wee bit of weathering on the pockets and seams instead.
Off-the-shoulder shirts
Remember “Flashdance” and the ripped sweatshirt that kept slipping seductively off Jennifer Beals’s shoulder? Well, if you’re old enough to have not only seen the movie (possibly a dozen times) but also to have run immediately home to take a scissors to all of your sweatshirts, then you’re old enough to bypass the one-shoulder trend this summer. To get in on the shoulder-revealing trend—without the sloppy, I’m-losing-my-shirt look—Krupp suggests trying an asymmetric dress or top. It’s a sexy way to show off your shoulders without getting too risqué.
Well, I think they are wrong on this one. If it's a nice off-the shoulder shirt and it doesn't dip too low on your chest, I think it's fine to wear.
Light or bright-colored leggings
White leggings, or ones in any candy-colored shade, are best left to the teenaged set. Not only will light colors call attention to your lower half (and make even shapely legs look heavy), but it’s just not a very sophisticated style choice. On the other hand, Krupp gives the thumbs-up to dark leggings. “Black leggings worn under a dress that’s just a little too short or too sheer to wear alone looks youthful without looking too young,” she says. And you don’t have to opt only for black—any dark color (black, brown, dark gray or navy) is an all age-appropriate choice.
How about this? NOBODY should wear bright-colored leggings. Not young chicks, not mature ladies, not thin women, not fat women. They are tack-y and I can't understand why the young fashion victims are going ape you-know-what for them.
Chunky platform shoes
The description of what you want to look for in a shoe sounds a lot like what you’d want your body to look like too—sleek, slim and sexy. So while you can still wear moderate platforms, reasonable wedges and slightly chunky shoes, you want to avoid any exaggerated versions. “After a certain age, a too-chunky shoe just starts to look orthopedic,” says Krupp. Not to mention that some of those sky-high platforms and wedges can be downright dangerous. Twist an ankle in a chunky shoe and you might find yourself in a decidedly unstylish cast or brace!
There was a time when I loved BIG chunky platform shoes. Now my neck, back, knees, and ankles start hurting even when I just see a picture of them. You're tempting fate wearing those damn things.
Ruffles
This ultra-feminine trend is a good example of the “less is more” fashion adage. A skirt or dress with a wedding cake-like tier of multiple ruffles has the ability to make you look ridiculous. But a single, well-placed frill—at the hem of a skirt or embellishing a simple blouse, for example—can be a very pretty, very feminine detail.
There are good ruffles and there are bad ruffles. Good ruffles look good on everyone in spite of age. Bad ruffles look bad on everyone in spite of age.
Bare midriffs
If you’ve got the body for it, there’s nothing wrong with wearing a tummy-baring bikini or tankini to the beach or pool this summer. But as far as midriff-revealing fashions anywhere else, Krupp says just forget it. “I don’t care if you have six-pack abs or if you’ve just had a tummy tuck, don’t show it off,” she says. What might look cute and sexy on someone much younger just looks trashy on an older woman.
Absolutely. I don't want to see your flab or wrinkly tum-tum hanging out.
Sheer over sheer
Clothes always have a tendency to get lighter, airier and less substantial when summer weather hits. And this season, with a trend toward transparent tops, tunics and dresses, is no exception. Instead of wearing sexy underpinnings with a gauzy top, Krupp suggests trying the trend in a more minor way. “You don’t want to expose too much, so consider a top that reveals just your upper chest beneath a sheer chiffon, but wear an opaque camisole underneath it that completely covers your breasts,” she says. “You can still look sexy, but you can do it without revealing too much.”
I have sheer tops and tank tops or camis or something always go underneath. It's just common sense.
Gladiator sandals
Every few years, the sandals made famous by ancient Roman gladiators—with their multitude of straps, including ones that wrap around and up the ankle—make a fashion comeback. But according to Krupp, they should remain ancient history. “Why would you want to draw all that attention to your calves and ankles?” she wonders. “Shoes like that hit your leg at the worst possible spot, making them very unflattering to older legs.” Skip the ankle-wrapping straps (same rule applies to those ballerina-style espadrilles that wrap the leg and tie around the calf), and opt for a sexy, strappy sandal instead. It can be a flat or have a mild platform or wedge, but what’s going to flatter your leg and foot is one that fits well, is comfortable enough to walk in (at least a short distance) and doesn’t draw all eyes to your ankles.
Wrong, wrong, wrong. Come on, most 30-something and 40-something women will look perfectly fine wearing gladiator sandals. I have two pairs, goshdurn it, and I think I rock 'em pretty well! Not all of us have cankles and even if we did, the sandals would look just fine with slim-fitting pants that cover/camouflage the ankles. However, I would avoid the gladiators that strap around the legs.
Too much tan
Nothing ages you faster than too much sun (or too much time in a tanning bed). All that ultraviolet radiation literally adds years to your skin—zapping its youthful glow and leaving it dry, wrinkled and sagging. But even going overboard with self-tanner or bronzer can make you appear old beyond your years. Go for a subtle, natural-looking hint of color instead.
Who wants to look like a carrot? Again, too much bronzer/tan cream doesn't look good on women of any age.
Sparkly makeup
There’s a fine line between shimmer and glitter, and it’s a line you definitely don’t want to cross! A subtle shimmer can act like a diffuser—think of it as a soft-focus lens for your skin—that makes fine lines and imperfections less noticeable. But outright glitter and sparkle has no place on your face. Rather than providing camouflage, glittery makeup is likely to settle into any lines you may have, calling attention to the very issues you don’t want people to notice.
Shimmer looks chic, glitter makes you look like a kid. 'Nuf said.
Dark red lipstick
Fire-engine red lips made their mark on the runways this season, but that doesn’t mean the trend is right for everyone (or every age). “Red lips are dramatic and attention grabbing,” says Krupp, “but who wants to draw all that attention to her lips?” Lips tend to get a bit thinner with age, and by wearing a dark lip color you make your mouth visually recede that much more. In contrast, a glossy pink shade will help make lips look more lush, plump and youthful.
Oh, bee-ess! The women MSN pictured in this article sporting red lipstick (and looking good) were 39-year-old Gwen Stefani and 40-something Salma Hayek. Look, my 91-year-old grandmother still wears red lipstick. I like two new shades of Painted Love lipstick from Kat Von D's limited edition line for Sephora: Underage Red and Misfit. Check 'em out here!
So I read this article on MSN today about which trends women my age and older should avoid. I'll post what they wrote along with my opinions:
Tie-dye
Judging by the amount of tie-dye evident on the runways, the summer 2008 fashion shows seem to have been channeling the summer of love. But even if—or especially if—you have fond memories of Grateful Dead shows and making your own tie-dyed tee shirts, skip the trend this time around. “As a general rule, if you’ve worn it once, you don’t want to wear the trend again in the same way,” says Krupp. Get the groovy feeling in a much more sophisticated fabric, by opting for ombré. Designers are using this color-washed fabric for all sorts of summer styles—including dresses, pants, tunics and tops.
Agreed, to a point. Bad acid trip style tie-dye is fine for that Phish reunion show but otherwise it will make you look like an aging pothead. However, I have seen some designs that don't look too bad at all. I think the key is subtlety. Go for more subtle designs and colors, or, as the article says, opt for ombré. I bought a pretty plum ombré shirt at weirdly enough CVS for ten dollars. Even the dye job is subtle. I really dig it, man.
Short shorts
Yes, Madonna is 49 years old and she’s wearing hot pants, but let’s face it: You’re not Madonna! Besides, the Material Girl is spotted wearing them in music videos and photo shoots—probably not out for a family dinner with her husband and kids. “Showing off your knees gets tricky as you get older,” says Krupp. “They can sag or get wrinkles, and at some point it’s just not a body part you want to flaunt.” Krupp isn’t a fan of shorts in general—at least outside the gym—and suggests opting for a casual short skirt instead.
Agreed 100%. Why in God's name would you want everyone to see your cellulite, veins, knobby knees, and other hazards of aging? I've seen some young starlets in short shorts who REALLY shouldn't be wearing them either. I haven't worn short shorts since 1995 and I probably shouldn't have worn them then either. Opt for bermudas and cropped pants instead.
Ripped jeans
“These absolutely don’t have any place in an over-35-year-old’s wardrobe,” Krupp declares. And with good reason: Ripped jeans are sloppy, and that’s exactly the opposite of the image you want to present. Jeans can still be a chic part of your wardrobe—and can even look professional enough to pass muster in more casual office settings—but you need to choose a pair with sleek, simple, clean lines. A stylish look for summer: wide-legged trouser-style jeans in a dark wash. They should fit perfectly (not too tight), have strategically placed pockets to enhance your butt, and no embellishments (like glitter, embroidery, or ornate stitching).
Agreed again. I think I might have had some minorly torn jeans back in the late '80s and I think those were jeans I distressed myself after buying them at the thrift store. Really, you'll just look stupid in them if you are over 35, like you're trying to relive your NKOTB fangirl years. I don't like them on curvy/plus gals either. I prefer a wee bit of weathering on the pockets and seams instead.
Off-the-shoulder shirts
Remember “Flashdance” and the ripped sweatshirt that kept slipping seductively off Jennifer Beals’s shoulder? Well, if you’re old enough to have not only seen the movie (possibly a dozen times) but also to have run immediately home to take a scissors to all of your sweatshirts, then you’re old enough to bypass the one-shoulder trend this summer. To get in on the shoulder-revealing trend—without the sloppy, I’m-losing-my-shirt look—Krupp suggests trying an asymmetric dress or top. It’s a sexy way to show off your shoulders without getting too risqué.
Well, I think they are wrong on this one. If it's a nice off-the shoulder shirt and it doesn't dip too low on your chest, I think it's fine to wear.
Light or bright-colored leggings
White leggings, or ones in any candy-colored shade, are best left to the teenaged set. Not only will light colors call attention to your lower half (and make even shapely legs look heavy), but it’s just not a very sophisticated style choice. On the other hand, Krupp gives the thumbs-up to dark leggings. “Black leggings worn under a dress that’s just a little too short or too sheer to wear alone looks youthful without looking too young,” she says. And you don’t have to opt only for black—any dark color (black, brown, dark gray or navy) is an all age-appropriate choice.
How about this? NOBODY should wear bright-colored leggings. Not young chicks, not mature ladies, not thin women, not fat women. They are tack-y and I can't understand why the young fashion victims are going ape you-know-what for them.
Chunky platform shoes
The description of what you want to look for in a shoe sounds a lot like what you’d want your body to look like too—sleek, slim and sexy. So while you can still wear moderate platforms, reasonable wedges and slightly chunky shoes, you want to avoid any exaggerated versions. “After a certain age, a too-chunky shoe just starts to look orthopedic,” says Krupp. Not to mention that some of those sky-high platforms and wedges can be downright dangerous. Twist an ankle in a chunky shoe and you might find yourself in a decidedly unstylish cast or brace!
There was a time when I loved BIG chunky platform shoes. Now my neck, back, knees, and ankles start hurting even when I just see a picture of them. You're tempting fate wearing those damn things.
Ruffles
This ultra-feminine trend is a good example of the “less is more” fashion adage. A skirt or dress with a wedding cake-like tier of multiple ruffles has the ability to make you look ridiculous. But a single, well-placed frill—at the hem of a skirt or embellishing a simple blouse, for example—can be a very pretty, very feminine detail.
There are good ruffles and there are bad ruffles. Good ruffles look good on everyone in spite of age. Bad ruffles look bad on everyone in spite of age.
Bare midriffs
If you’ve got the body for it, there’s nothing wrong with wearing a tummy-baring bikini or tankini to the beach or pool this summer. But as far as midriff-revealing fashions anywhere else, Krupp says just forget it. “I don’t care if you have six-pack abs or if you’ve just had a tummy tuck, don’t show it off,” she says. What might look cute and sexy on someone much younger just looks trashy on an older woman.
Absolutely. I don't want to see your flab or wrinkly tum-tum hanging out.
Sheer over sheer
Clothes always have a tendency to get lighter, airier and less substantial when summer weather hits. And this season, with a trend toward transparent tops, tunics and dresses, is no exception. Instead of wearing sexy underpinnings with a gauzy top, Krupp suggests trying the trend in a more minor way. “You don’t want to expose too much, so consider a top that reveals just your upper chest beneath a sheer chiffon, but wear an opaque camisole underneath it that completely covers your breasts,” she says. “You can still look sexy, but you can do it without revealing too much.”
I have sheer tops and tank tops or camis or something always go underneath. It's just common sense.
Gladiator sandals
Every few years, the sandals made famous by ancient Roman gladiators—with their multitude of straps, including ones that wrap around and up the ankle—make a fashion comeback. But according to Krupp, they should remain ancient history. “Why would you want to draw all that attention to your calves and ankles?” she wonders. “Shoes like that hit your leg at the worst possible spot, making them very unflattering to older legs.” Skip the ankle-wrapping straps (same rule applies to those ballerina-style espadrilles that wrap the leg and tie around the calf), and opt for a sexy, strappy sandal instead. It can be a flat or have a mild platform or wedge, but what’s going to flatter your leg and foot is one that fits well, is comfortable enough to walk in (at least a short distance) and doesn’t draw all eyes to your ankles.
Wrong, wrong, wrong. Come on, most 30-something and 40-something women will look perfectly fine wearing gladiator sandals. I have two pairs, goshdurn it, and I think I rock 'em pretty well! Not all of us have cankles and even if we did, the sandals would look just fine with slim-fitting pants that cover/camouflage the ankles. However, I would avoid the gladiators that strap around the legs.
Too much tan
Nothing ages you faster than too much sun (or too much time in a tanning bed). All that ultraviolet radiation literally adds years to your skin—zapping its youthful glow and leaving it dry, wrinkled and sagging. But even going overboard with self-tanner or bronzer can make you appear old beyond your years. Go for a subtle, natural-looking hint of color instead.
Who wants to look like a carrot? Again, too much bronzer/tan cream doesn't look good on women of any age.
Sparkly makeup
There’s a fine line between shimmer and glitter, and it’s a line you definitely don’t want to cross! A subtle shimmer can act like a diffuser—think of it as a soft-focus lens for your skin—that makes fine lines and imperfections less noticeable. But outright glitter and sparkle has no place on your face. Rather than providing camouflage, glittery makeup is likely to settle into any lines you may have, calling attention to the very issues you don’t want people to notice.
Shimmer looks chic, glitter makes you look like a kid. 'Nuf said.
Dark red lipstick
Fire-engine red lips made their mark on the runways this season, but that doesn’t mean the trend is right for everyone (or every age). “Red lips are dramatic and attention grabbing,” says Krupp, “but who wants to draw all that attention to her lips?” Lips tend to get a bit thinner with age, and by wearing a dark lip color you make your mouth visually recede that much more. In contrast, a glossy pink shade will help make lips look more lush, plump and youthful.
Oh, bee-ess! The women MSN pictured in this article sporting red lipstick (and looking good) were 39-year-old Gwen Stefani and 40-something Salma Hayek. Look, my 91-year-old grandmother still wears red lipstick. I like two new shades of Painted Love lipstick from Kat Von D's limited edition line for Sephora: Underage Red and Misfit. Check 'em out here!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Where To Find Career Wear (Final Part)
Last but not least is territory where tweeners, particularly those on a budget, fear to tread: department stores.
About two years ago, things were not so good for those falling in between 14 and 18, with fashion being aimed more at the skinny and the stuff in bigger sizes looking old and matronly. That's if they even had it in stock.
Things are a little better now and most of your favorite department stores have decent workwear from their private labels or from nationally-known designers. For the sake of this post, I'm going to cover the national chains, not regional ones like Dillard's.
Macy's--Macy's probably has more variety for tweeners than any other national chain. Its INC label is available in misses and plus sizes. INC is not dirt cheap but it is not terribly expensive up-to-date wear appropriate for the office. There are also national brands like Dana Buchman, Liz Claiborne, Lauren for Ralph Lauren and DKNY available.
Bloomingdale's--Bloomies has really stepped it up with careerwear for tweeners. Solid well-made stuff from Ellen Tracy, Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, and Tory Burch among other big ticket labels are there for the taking, with plenty of 12s, 14s, and even some 16s available. Sure a lot of it, even the diffusion lines, is expensive. But I have found some deals when they've had sales. For example, I found a great AK by Anne Klein shirtdress last year on clearance for $30.
About two years ago, things were not so good for those falling in between 14 and 18, with fashion being aimed more at the skinny and the stuff in bigger sizes looking old and matronly. That's if they even had it in stock.
Things are a little better now and most of your favorite department stores have decent workwear from their private labels or from nationally-known designers. For the sake of this post, I'm going to cover the national chains, not regional ones like Dillard's.
Macy's--Macy's probably has more variety for tweeners than any other national chain. Its INC label is available in misses and plus sizes. INC is not dirt cheap but it is not terribly expensive up-to-date wear appropriate for the office. There are also national brands like Dana Buchman, Liz Claiborne, Lauren for Ralph Lauren and DKNY available.
Bloomingdale's--Bloomies has really stepped it up with careerwear for tweeners. Solid well-made stuff from Ellen Tracy, Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, and Tory Burch among other big ticket labels are there for the taking, with plenty of 12s, 14s, and even some 16s available. Sure a lot of it, even the diffusion lines, is expensive. But I have found some deals when they've had sales. For example, I found a great AK by Anne Klein shirtdress last year on clearance for $30.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Where To Find Career Wear (Part Four)
In this installment, I'm going to discuss mail order/home shopping.
Certainly, you can order over the internet anything from brick and mortar chains like Banana Republic.com, AnnTaylor.com, Nordstrom.com, Bloomingdales.com, etc. But I'm going to focus on retailers that offer things through the mail/home delivery exclusively.
QVC--QVC has for years had a great selection of reasonably-priced, well-made clothes for work in every size from 0 to 3X. Its best deals come from its own labels like the casual Denim & Co. or the career-y Dialogue line. Occasionally a "big name" comes along to promote a line and the nice thing about is that 1) it's often your only opportunity to find something in your size from that brand and 2) during the showcase is when you often get the best deals. QVC also offers FlexPay plans from time to time so you don't have to pay more than $30 a month on the item. QVC is also very easy to deal with concerning returns and exchanges.
HSN--Home Shopping Network doesn't have as many career-oriented wear as QVC, but if you work someplace casual, it does have some interesting clothes that are often exclusive to the network. For example, HSN just started carrying an exclusive line by a former designer from True Religion and unlike TR, tweener sizes are available. Like QVC, HSN is pretty good about returns and exchanges. Installment pay plans are also available on some products.
Spiegel--This old warhorse of misses' wear has long been one of the friendliest retailers to tweeners around. The clothes are womanly, not girly. They're with the times without being outrageously trendy. They're not too edgy but they're not stodgy either. The quality is excellent, the prices are reasonable, and the sales are pretty good. Of course, once you order something from Spiegel, you're on their mailing list for life.
Newport News--"Younger" than Spiegel's main catalogue and a little bit cheaper, Newport News is another option for the tweener set. Newport News can overdose on the animal prints, appliques, and weird cutouts, but the quality is high and the sales can offer great deals.
Certainly, you can order over the internet anything from brick and mortar chains like Banana Republic.com, AnnTaylor.com, Nordstrom.com, Bloomingdales.com, etc. But I'm going to focus on retailers that offer things through the mail/home delivery exclusively.
QVC--QVC has for years had a great selection of reasonably-priced, well-made clothes for work in every size from 0 to 3X. Its best deals come from its own labels like the casual Denim & Co. or the career-y Dialogue line. Occasionally a "big name" comes along to promote a line and the nice thing about is that 1) it's often your only opportunity to find something in your size from that brand and 2) during the showcase is when you often get the best deals. QVC also offers FlexPay plans from time to time so you don't have to pay more than $30 a month on the item. QVC is also very easy to deal with concerning returns and exchanges.
HSN--Home Shopping Network doesn't have as many career-oriented wear as QVC, but if you work someplace casual, it does have some interesting clothes that are often exclusive to the network. For example, HSN just started carrying an exclusive line by a former designer from True Religion and unlike TR, tweener sizes are available. Like QVC, HSN is pretty good about returns and exchanges. Installment pay plans are also available on some products.
Spiegel--This old warhorse of misses' wear has long been one of the friendliest retailers to tweeners around. The clothes are womanly, not girly. They're with the times without being outrageously trendy. They're not too edgy but they're not stodgy either. The quality is excellent, the prices are reasonable, and the sales are pretty good. Of course, once you order something from Spiegel, you're on their mailing list for life.
Newport News--"Younger" than Spiegel's main catalogue and a little bit cheaper, Newport News is another option for the tweener set. Newport News can overdose on the animal prints, appliques, and weird cutouts, but the quality is high and the sales can offer great deals.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Where To Find Career-Wear (Part Three)
For those of you who are willing to pay more for a little more style in your workwear but don't want to take out a second mortgage, there are still a lot of options for the tweener set. Here are my favorite mid-priced sources for workwear, though of course you can find great deals on the sales racks.
Zara--The Spanish international chain is famous for bringing runway knockoffs to its stores within weeks and its sizes run up to XL, which fits 14-16. I love looking here for jackets, skirts, and blouses. Pants are a little tricky for me and armholes can be small, but do give it a try.
Banana Republic--This store used to be a lot better for those up in the 14-16 range, but XL shirts, sweaters, and jackets are still relatively easy-to-find.
Talbot's--There was a time when I wouldn't be caught dead in Talbot's. To me, it was dull WASP-wear for middle-aged ladies. But in recent years, their stuff has gotten a lot better. Size 16 misses/XL is no problem to find. If you need to go a little bigger, there's Talbot's Woman, its plus sister store.
Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft--I used to swear by Ann Taylor, although in recent years I haven't liked its stuff as much. Still, I can find some very nice things for work...Ann Taylor carries up to 16, while some Lofts carry up to 18.
Anthropologie--Want to give your work wardrobe something a little different? Is your workplace boho-friendly? Anthro can be overpriced IMO but aside from finding deals in its sales racks, you can find stuff that's not terribly expensive and nice enough for casual work environments.
Zara--The Spanish international chain is famous for bringing runway knockoffs to its stores within weeks and its sizes run up to XL, which fits 14-16. I love looking here for jackets, skirts, and blouses. Pants are a little tricky for me and armholes can be small, but do give it a try.
Banana Republic--This store used to be a lot better for those up in the 14-16 range, but XL shirts, sweaters, and jackets are still relatively easy-to-find.
Talbot's--There was a time when I wouldn't be caught dead in Talbot's. To me, it was dull WASP-wear for middle-aged ladies. But in recent years, their stuff has gotten a lot better. Size 16 misses/XL is no problem to find. If you need to go a little bigger, there's Talbot's Woman, its plus sister store.
Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft--I used to swear by Ann Taylor, although in recent years I haven't liked its stuff as much. Still, I can find some very nice things for work...Ann Taylor carries up to 16, while some Lofts carry up to 18.
Anthropologie--Want to give your work wardrobe something a little different? Is your workplace boho-friendly? Anthro can be overpriced IMO but aside from finding deals in its sales racks, you can find stuff that's not terribly expensive and nice enough for casual work environments.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Where To Find Career Wear (Part Two)
Today, I'm going to discuss discount chains.
You can find a range of brands at these chains, from big names like Ralph Lauren to labels made for the discount chain circuit, such as Willi Wear. Dresses are usually quite dreadful at these places, but you can always find nice-looking, up-to-date-styled complete suits for as low as under $100, plus all of the separates you could want for a low price. Casual or conservative, you can find pretty much anything at these stores to fit your office culture.
TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Ross--TJ Maxx and Marshalls have more or less the same merchandise since they are owned by the same company. How good the stuff is often depends on where you live/shop. I think the stores in SoCal have all of the best stuff, while TJ Maxx isn't nearly as good on the East Coast. My advice is to hit the stores in upscale neighborhoods...that's where you'll find the top notch stuff.
Loehmann's--You can find complete suits for less than $150. Search out the clearance racks and reduced price racks for the best bargains. A couple of years ago I got a complete Tahari suit for $99 on the reduced rack.
Saks Off 5th outlet--Here's where you can find Stella McCartney jacket on "sale" for $450 or luck out and find a Marc By Marc Jacobs blouse in a size 10-14 for under $150. But if you're budget is tighter than that or you need bigger sizes, there's plenty of stuff from Saks' in-store labels and other big names like Dana Buchman or Ellen Tracy to peruse. Again, head for the clearance racks for incredible bargains.
Nordstrom Rack--My local store always looks like someone tossed a hand grenade inside and ran, but if you haunt the racks near the front of the store, you'll find the best stuff culled from Nordstrom stores or from its catalog/website.
You can find a range of brands at these chains, from big names like Ralph Lauren to labels made for the discount chain circuit, such as Willi Wear. Dresses are usually quite dreadful at these places, but you can always find nice-looking, up-to-date-styled complete suits for as low as under $100, plus all of the separates you could want for a low price. Casual or conservative, you can find pretty much anything at these stores to fit your office culture.
TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Ross--TJ Maxx and Marshalls have more or less the same merchandise since they are owned by the same company. How good the stuff is often depends on where you live/shop. I think the stores in SoCal have all of the best stuff, while TJ Maxx isn't nearly as good on the East Coast. My advice is to hit the stores in upscale neighborhoods...that's where you'll find the top notch stuff.
Loehmann's--You can find complete suits for less than $150. Search out the clearance racks and reduced price racks for the best bargains. A couple of years ago I got a complete Tahari suit for $99 on the reduced rack.
Saks Off 5th outlet--Here's where you can find Stella McCartney jacket on "sale" for $450 or luck out and find a Marc By Marc Jacobs blouse in a size 10-14 for under $150. But if you're budget is tighter than that or you need bigger sizes, there's plenty of stuff from Saks' in-store labels and other big names like Dana Buchman or Ellen Tracy to peruse. Again, head for the clearance racks for incredible bargains.
Nordstrom Rack--My local store always looks like someone tossed a hand grenade inside and ran, but if you haunt the racks near the front of the store, you'll find the best stuff culled from Nordstrom stores or from its catalog/website.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Where To Find Career Wear (Part One)
If you ask me, finding clothes for work is far easier for "tweeners" than finding trendy or fashion-forward wear. Here's where we have LOTS of options at every price point.
Today, I'm going to start off with the el-cheapo end of the scale (up to $50-ish). Having a limited budget is no longer any excuse to not find a decent suit or dress for work. Bargain hunters will also find some great pieces at great prices. These are all places where I often shop for work clothes.
Burlington Coat Factory--Billed as a discount chain, it does have some recognizable labels from elsewhere like BCBG and Tahari. In fact I saw on a couple of occasions gorgeous Calvin Klein suits...alas, the biggest they had was size 10. But many are obviously made to sell at the chain. Frankly, it's one of the best places to find complete suits cheap (average $49.99), as well as separates like blouses and trousers. The quality varies but you can find some awesome deals, like a pair of brown trousers for $12.99. Plenty of stuff up to size 18 misses.
Target--Grab Isaac Mizrahi's wonderful line (up to 18/XXL misses) while you can, because he's splitting for Liz Claiborne soon. Generally, his line is a little on-trend and a little classic at the same time, making it just conservative enough for the office. And the pieces are easy to mix and match. Aside from that, Merona has put out a lot of great pieces for work too, including skirts and dresses (up to 18/XXL misses). I've written a bit about the ongoing Go International line, which can fit up to 16 misses even though it officially goes up to XL/13 juniors. For example, I just bought a very nice Jovovich-Hawk For Target skirt in size 13 that fit me just fine.
Wal-Mart--The careerwear-oriented George line has put out some great blouses, suits, and skirts. A few months ago, I got a complete nice-looking suit for under $40. It doesn't look cheap at all and it fits great. The line is also easy to mix and match. I'm not crazy about the dresses--they're usually made of that horrid stretchy-jersey stuff that sticks to your every hump and bump--but everything else is worth checking out.
Steve & Barry's--Specifically, the Bitten line. Jackets, trousers, and dresses sell for $19.95, while shirts run for $9.95. (Plain tees for summer run for $7.95). Fit can be erratic, so try before you buy, but for what you get, the price is unbeatable.
H&M--H&M is tricky for anyone over size 14, since the clothes tend to run a little small. But I've found skirts that run true-to-size and have had little trouble with large or extra large shirts or jackets. Euro style on a budget.
Old Navy--For years, ON was known as a store to shop for casual stuff but lately it has put out more work-appropriate wear ranging from chinos for the business casual set to lovely pencil skirts. It's also a great place to find summer dresses. ON has carried up to size 20 misses for several years, so it's always been a "tweener" friendly stop.
Today, I'm going to start off with the el-cheapo end of the scale (up to $50-ish). Having a limited budget is no longer any excuse to not find a decent suit or dress for work. Bargain hunters will also find some great pieces at great prices. These are all places where I often shop for work clothes.
Burlington Coat Factory--Billed as a discount chain, it does have some recognizable labels from elsewhere like BCBG and Tahari. In fact I saw on a couple of occasions gorgeous Calvin Klein suits...alas, the biggest they had was size 10. But many are obviously made to sell at the chain. Frankly, it's one of the best places to find complete suits cheap (average $49.99), as well as separates like blouses and trousers. The quality varies but you can find some awesome deals, like a pair of brown trousers for $12.99. Plenty of stuff up to size 18 misses.
Target--Grab Isaac Mizrahi's wonderful line (up to 18/XXL misses) while you can, because he's splitting for Liz Claiborne soon. Generally, his line is a little on-trend and a little classic at the same time, making it just conservative enough for the office. And the pieces are easy to mix and match. Aside from that, Merona has put out a lot of great pieces for work too, including skirts and dresses (up to 18/XXL misses). I've written a bit about the ongoing Go International line, which can fit up to 16 misses even though it officially goes up to XL/13 juniors. For example, I just bought a very nice Jovovich-Hawk For Target skirt in size 13 that fit me just fine.
Wal-Mart--The careerwear-oriented George line has put out some great blouses, suits, and skirts. A few months ago, I got a complete nice-looking suit for under $40. It doesn't look cheap at all and it fits great. The line is also easy to mix and match. I'm not crazy about the dresses--they're usually made of that horrid stretchy-jersey stuff that sticks to your every hump and bump--but everything else is worth checking out.
Steve & Barry's--Specifically, the Bitten line. Jackets, trousers, and dresses sell for $19.95, while shirts run for $9.95. (Plain tees for summer run for $7.95). Fit can be erratic, so try before you buy, but for what you get, the price is unbeatable.
H&M--H&M is tricky for anyone over size 14, since the clothes tend to run a little small. But I've found skirts that run true-to-size and have had little trouble with large or extra large shirts or jackets. Euro style on a budget.
Old Navy--For years, ON was known as a store to shop for casual stuff but lately it has put out more work-appropriate wear ranging from chinos for the business casual set to lovely pencil skirts. It's also a great place to find summer dresses. ON has carried up to size 20 misses for several years, so it's always been a "tweener" friendly stop.
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