Only read if you are a female in your 40s

[Bella the Ball 360]

I love Talbots, Ann Taylor, and J Jill. More conservative, but stylish and not old looking.

I second Anne Taylor and Anne Taylor Loft. If you are lucky enough to live near an outlet they are giving 30% off this weekend. I have gotten some fantastic buys. Some of their stuff is kind of dumb but lots of it is very nice and a little more youthful in a mature way than Talbots. Talbots has some nice things but I find many of them look like Sister Mary Alice clothes.

By the way sometimes you can find some nice things in the Van Huesen Outlets. I got some really nice wrap blouses, they were taylored and they came in long sleeves in the winter and then they had the same style in short sleeves for the summer. The material is not clingy so I bought 6 white 3 black, 2 red and 1 print. They go with EVERYTHING and this is an updated style that looks good onjust about eveyone. If you notice on all the what to wear shows they put people in some form of this style. I actually liked them better than the Anne Taylor ones b/c they did not have the big showy tie on the side.

 

[Green Tea]

Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT.

 

[Christine]

I actually liked them better than the Anne Taylor ones b/c they did not have the big showy tie on the side.

Hey now!!! I bought TWO of those blouses with the big, showy tie!!! I love them, and I agree that this wrap-style blouse is great for this age group. Has a nice short sleeve (or 3/4 sleeve), the wrap waist accentuates the waist, and the blouse covers the lower abs nicely. The tie *does* get a bit annoying though.

We no longer have a Van Heusan outlet in our mall. They used to have one about 7 years ago (back when I was in my 30s) and I used to get great work clothes there back then.

 

[sk8ingmom]

I have a few years to go before 40, but I am small-ish & really only Junior clothes fit me from places like Penneys, Kohl's. Most Jr. clothes look silly on a 35yo, so I feel your pain!

I love Ann Taylor! It is a good mix of classy and trendy & they have great sales. Markdown day is Thursday. There is an AT a few blocks from my office, so I walk over every Thursday during lunch. I rarely spend more than $30 for pants and $20 for a shirt or skirt. I also have a few cute $30-$40 dresses. And this is in the middle of downtown DC, which is probably more expensive than the 'burbs. I would never pay full price for AT.

My problem is finding a formal for my cruise - can't find anything between "skank goes to prom" and "grandmother of the bride".

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Fashion Bug and Dress Barn (which, BTW, doesn't just sell dresses like I thought they did!).

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

I like Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft too. Since I stopped working though, I rarely have use for "dressy" clothes. The way I see it, no matter how old I am, I'll always be a jeans and t-shirt kinda girl.

 

[kaseyC]

I really like JCrew for my bottoms. I love their City Fit and Favorite Fit capris and shorts. I also love that you they offer many of thier shorts in a variety of lengths. We have JCrew Factory store near us in Kenosha and I have had great luck finding basic Ts, tanks, shorts, pants and skirts there. I love their flip flops as well.

I also find nice items at JJill, BodenUSA and Lucky Jeans store.

 

[doxdogy]

Do what I do, what for their twice yearly 50% off everything on their website sale.

Where the heck DO we shop????!!!! It does seem like every store is geared towards teenagers or "older" ladies (I'm quickly approaching "older" ladies I guess ) I kinda like the Coldwater Creek stuff, but GEEZ! it is pricey!
It drove my teenage son crazy that I used to buy jeans at Pac Sun (his favorite store) but then they discontinued the "Tilt" jeans. I should mention that I'm a GIANT at 5'11 and need a 36" inseam.

 

[MichelleVW]

ugh I hate shopping. Trying to find a bathing suit is a freaking nightmare. I can either find something that looks like my Grandma would wear, so something that would look adorable on my teenagers, but AWFUL on me!

I usually buy my jeans at Old Navy because they have so many different waist levels I can find some that aren't big Mom jeans but not so low either. I've been having good luck with capri's and shorts at JC Penney's. It's hard to step out of the JR. department but I've found that if I got to the regulard department I can find some shorts that don't look like I've stole my Grandma's shorts.

I take my teenagers shopping with me and always ask their opinions, "Do I look dumb in this?" and thankfully I get honest answers because what teenage girl wants their mom looking stupid in public!!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I've been doing a lot of Talbots and Ann Taylor shopping this year. The Ann Taylor stuff is cute, yet sophisticated but not old looking.


I do like some of the younger styles but I have found that they are very clingy. I have not gained weight but things are, ahem, settling more around my waist. Unfortunately, I was raised during a time where you were taught never to flaunt your bad features. So I just CANNOT wear a T-shirt or polo that clings to my flab.

Amen!!!!! You were raised right. Just because you can fit into it doesn't mean you should wear it.

I forgot to mention Bloomingdale's in my earlier post....great online shopping and the sales in the store itself can be wonderful!

 

[chyam]

I'm no help.

If it's cute, I'll buy it. Tank tops, camis, capris, skirts, dresses, jeans, shorts, cute shoes and boots.


I love trendy clothes. Just because I turned 40 in January, doesn't mean I have to dress like my mother or grandmother.

I agree with you 100%........I don't and never have lived in the state of mind of "age appropriate" I say if you have the figure, the looks, and the attitude to wear it then WEAR IT! Who tells us what we have to wear and what we shouldn't wear anyways! I have seen many 50+ women in bikinis that are still looking good! In this day in age it is so hard to tell peoples ages anyways. If you like it and you feel good in it then wear it. Quite honestly you will not find me in Coldwater Creek or Talbots with the dresses down to my ankles and the elastic waist band pants, and if others look down on me the heck with them.....I am my own person and if it fits I will wear it. It's kinda like when you turn 40 your supposed to cut your hair and suddenly wear polyester pants....for peets sake this is not the 1940's anymore. You will also not be seeing me with "blue hair" when I turn 60 either!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Glad to see this posted. No, don't want to dress like grandma, but at the same time, just because something fits does not mean you should be wearing it! IE, "young" clothes. There must be a middle somewhere.

I still stick with jeans and crew tees.

P.S. Whomever posted that you got your jeans at Pacsun and your son was less than enthused...I just mentioned that to my 15 year old who loves that store. He told me I'm not shopping there for myself.

 

[Pin Wizard]

And what's with the "stretch" in all the shirts? Uncomfortable as anything and looks terrible on even the skinniest young kids. Give me 100% cotton...without stretch...any day!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

What am I supposed to wear if not tee shirts and jeans???

I think once we hit 40 we are supposed to wear "grown up" clothes.

But I am never, never, ever, never wearing one of those house dresses my Grammy used to wear - everyday.

I never really did care about fashion and what's exactly popular and proper.
I'm still wearing my tee shirts and jeans too.

 

[lil mermaid]

I just turned 40 in April - I agree, it is really hard to know what to wear sometimes. Although I agree that I don't want to look frumpy, I do believe that there is such thing as "age appropriateness."

I like to shop at Banana Republic, J Crew (for shorts and tees), Ann Taylor, and sometimes I find things at MAcy's and Dillards.

Although I agree that I don't want to look frumpy, I do believe that there is such thing as "age appropriateness."

Oh, and I LOVE my David Kahn jeans! http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2977275...d+kahn+in+All+Categories&origin=searchresults They have a slightly higher rise - so no muffin top, but they are FAR from Mom jeans. Try them!

 

[KarenB]

I agree with you 100%........I don't and never have lived in the state of mind of "age appropriate" I say if you have the figure, the looks, and the attitude to wear it then WEAR IT! Who tells us what we have to wear and what we shouldn't wear anyways! I have seen many 50+ women in bikinis that are still looking good! In this day in age it is so hard to tell peoples ages anyways. If you like it and you feel good in it then wear it. Quite honestly you will not find me in Coldwater Creek or Talbots with the dresses down to my ankles and the elastic waist band pants, and if others look down on me the heck with them.....I am my own person and if it fits I will wear it. It's kinda like when you turn 40 your supposed to cut your hair and suddenly wear polyester pants....for peets sake this is not the 1940's anymore. You will also not be seeing me with "blue hair" when I turn 60 either!

I like your attitude but at the same time, I do want to look appropriate. I am lucky that I think I can wear some of the younger styles, but when I look in the mirror, I think "Who am I fooling?" No, I don't want the elastic waist and the dresses to my ankles and I don't want what I see my students or DSs friends wear either. I need to find that in between style that I am having trouble with. I never thought I really looked in my late 40s until this year. As some of us mentioned, there is an extra few pounds that dropped and settled, probably due to the onset of menopause in my case.

 

[kimmar067]

Are you having trouble finding clothing that fits your age? I really like the newest styles, those cute little tops and camis (saw some really cute ones in American Eagle today), but I feel I am getting a bit too old to wear them. I don't want to look like my college age, DSs' friends when they are home. Then on the other hand, I go into stores like Christopher and Banks and everything looks so frumpy and old.

Where do you shop that meets this stage of our lives? I am a teacher with a pretty "anything goes but use common sense" dress code. In the summer, although I don't live near the beach , I like the clothing I wear when we are visiting there and I am always outside walking or bike riding.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Karen

....in case you were wondering, it doesn't get much better in the 50's.... - take a look-see:

[...c'mon now, a Fantasmic shirt ??!?! I look like a candidate for What Not to Wear!! ]

 

[kimmar067]

ugh I hate shopping. Trying to find a bathing suit is a freaking nightmare. I can either find something that looks like my Grandma would wear, so something that would look adorable on my teenagers, but AWFUL on me!!!

....a-MEN to DAT.....

 

[KarenB]

I just turned 40 in April - I agree, it is really hard to know what to wear sometimes. Although I agree that I don't want to look frumpy, I do believe that there is such thing as "age appropriateness."

I like to shop at Banana Republic, J Crew (for shorts and tees), Ann Taylor, and sometimes I find things at MAcy's and Dillards.

Although I agree that I don't want to look frumpy, I do believe that there is such thing as "age appropriateness."

Oh, and I LOVE my David Kahn jeans! http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2977275...d+kahn+in+All+Categories&origin=searchresults They have a slightly higher rise - so no muffin top, but they are FAR from Mom jeans. Try them!

Oh I LOVE those jeans. How about this shirt and sandels to go with it?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2981264...79941&SourceID=1&SlotID=1&origin=coordinating
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2967645...79941&SourceID=1&SlotID=2&origin=coordinating

 

[KarenB]

....in case you were wondering, it doesn't get much better in the 50's.... - take a look-see:

[...c'mon now, a Fantasmic shirt ??!?! I look like a candidate for What Not to Wear!! ]

Yeah, you are allowed to wear that when at WDW! I do like you hair style though!!