Charlotte's thread got me thinking. We've been having this discussion here lately. I have very little clothes right now. A lot of my clothes I've had since way before Dha nd I got married 6 years ago. And then a HUGE chunk of them don't fit anymore. My closet is whittled down to very little. My girls always look great and then there is me...

DH is getting a bonus soon and he's offered to take me shopping (awwwwwwww!). We'll have to go out of town, b/c there isn't much shopping around here. I am wondering what to even look for. I live in a retirement community andnot even sure what people are wearing these days.

I am a jeans and tees kinda gal and definitely modest, no cleavage (yeh right as if I have any LOL), etc. I dress for comfort. I like patterns on shirts, adore sweaters, like comfy shoes (mine are OOOLLLLLDDDD), etc. I am a size 8/10 right now. I also need some nice earrings and a few nice necklaces but again, I don't know what's in style. I don't even own a pair of earrings anymore. It's time for a makeover.

I'd love to post a picture and get hair advice too. My hair is bad right now. I haven't had a hair cut in 6 months... :eyes: Maybe I'll drum up a pic later. yikes.

I really like the clothes at fashion bug. A lot of their stuff looks nice but it's not so trendy that it will go out of style fast either. You can go to just about any dept. store and their clothes are pretty up to date.

Wait! Mamas can have style?!!!!!

out of town for shopping? North maybe? :)

I was gonna say I could help ya but then you'd end up with a closet full of long, homemade skirts and knit tops/tshirts. Only fashionable in my own little imaginary world LOL!

http://americaneagleoutfitters.com/AE_Gender.process?RestartFlow=t&Gender=Womens&Merchant_Id=1&pcount=0&CatalogFlag=FloorSet

if i were a size 8/10, all of my clothes would come from aeo :)

they have some nice jewelry too!

next time you go to the store, pick up some fashion magazines, there are a ton of styles out there. I am like you too, I like to wear comfy things, but you have an advantage being a 8/10 lots more to choose than me :)

I was gonna say I could help ya but then you'd end up with a closet full of long, homemade skirts and knit tops/tshirts. Only fashionable in my own little imaginary world LOL!

Hey! How did you get inside of MY closet?????

I love to shop! My favorite place is Anne Taylors. I also enjoy going to Nordstrom, although I rarely buy there. I window shop and right down the size, style and designer of the outfit I want then I look at *reputable* ebay dealers and buy the clothing.

Thanks guys!

We're probably gonna shop in Branson, so it'll be outlets and we're waiting until good sales. ;)

Dannielle - you dress so classy IMO!

I don't like American Eagle. I LOVE their clothes...but not their sizes. I also take an 8/10 but their clothes are very very SMALL!!! I don't mind the occasional clinging t-shirt...but not to that extreme.

Branson is awesome for shopping! You're sure to find some great stuff at the red roof and blue roof malls.

From what I can gather, tight stuff is in (as usual), polo shirts, crop pants (a bit longer than capris), and, luckily for us who like the hippie look, 'boho' is still a bit popular.

Melanie - I didn't realize you were in LR. I grew up there. :)

Thanks everyone! I like fitted shirts but not clinging ones.

I also want some classic pieces, but not sure what to get.

Im a 10/12 and while my closet isnt very big lol I have classic pieces like black flare leg dress pants, some layered tanks, (which is a tank under another short sleeve shirt),some empire baby doll bell sleeve tops (since I have no boobage either these make me look liek I have some LOL)
of course Im loving wedge shoes :) like the wedge sandals ... Kat

Forgive my lack of knowledge, but do you mean right-now as in what you would wear for the current season (Summer), or right now as in what they are selling now for the upcoming Fall season. I am sorry. I should know, but am rather slow lately.

Thanks

as far as pants go..i would reccommend getting pants with a little flare or bootcut to them. tapered legs are out and they don't flatter anyone.

low waist/just below waist pants/jeans really are more flattering too

i'd get a nice pair of black dress pants, pair of khaki pants, new jeans
i'd get some button up shirts to wear with jeans or to dress up (just got a couple from old navy and they are comfy and cute...but can be dressed up or down)

i think a vneck really is flattering and looks a little nicer imo than a regular round collar on tshirt.

i really like old navy, ann taylor loft and target. i sometimes find things i like at the limited.

don't try to buy it all on sale or clearance. if you buy a $40 pair of pants and wear them 10 times you totally made it worth it.

hth

Melanie - I didn't realize you were in LR. I grew up there. :)

Thanks everyone! I like fitted shirts but not clinging ones.

I also want some classic pieces, but not sure what to get.

If there is a Gap outlet go there! Their favorite T is perfect & comes in lot sof colors both long and short sleeve. Stretchy and well cut but to overly snug and they don't shrink and get all funny after wearing constantly. They also usually have a lot of other basics like white button down shirts, nicely cut pants etc. I'm really picky about the construction of clothes too. So many higher cost places (that I think are geared towards younger people really) just have serged hems etc and end up falling apart if you wear them for more than 1 season.

Have fun.

Chole

Gap sounds right up your alley. Try landsend for some more classic, timeless basics.

So funny about the size comment about AE, my cousin was just telling me how HUGE their sizes run! LOL I was thinking AE would have some trendier stuff you were looking for.

Maybe Eddie Bauer as well for basics.

I know there's an Eddie Bauer there...I think at the red roof (?). Whichever one is shaped like a 'U' rather than a large complex. I think there might be a Gap at that one too.

Yup, we were in Kansas City for a while, now in Little Rock...I grew up here too and it's faboo to be back :)

UMMMMM So sorry to break it to you ladies....Slim pants, peg legs and yes! gasp even high rise jeans are on the way back in! Gasp-
I have a joint subscription with my fashion crazed 16 yo dd to Lucky magazine- THe magazine for those who love to shop....Yes the whole thing is devoted ot fashion. I say within the year all "cool" jeans will be slim and much higher wasted UGH! SOOOO uncomfy! This is all that they are starting to show. At the very least I would get teh straight legs as boot cuts will soon be out.
NOW - take this for all it is worth...I am still wearing bootcut low waisters..But the OP asked what is "in" right now.!

Thanks everyone! Great ideas! Back when I was single I used to shop a lot and a lot of those stores you mentioned were my faves then. Don't know why I haven't thought of them. I usually don't even look at clothes for me, just the kids. I am sooooo excited! (except about the high waist pants ick lol)

You know, if you want affordable, but trendy stuff - try Target! They usually have some really cute stuff (especially in your size) and it's a great way to try out some of the things that may not be uber-hip in the next year. Old navy is also a good place to find a few trendy pieces.

here are some things in my wardrobe and things I want to add to it:

Seven7 Jeans:
http://lanebryant.charmingshoppes.com/Shopping/product.asp?product_id=L1007728

Women's Boy Cut Cuffed Jeans:
http://secure.www.oldnavy.com/asp/Product.asp?wdid=200102&wpid=3250492

Camisoles and shrugs (or dresses and shrugs)
http://secure.www.oldnavy.com/asp/Product.asp?wdid=200392&wpid=298103

Tunics! (man - do I love my tunics...sequin trims around the neck, lace-up, some are just gorgeous!)
http://secure.www.oldnavy.com/asp/Product.asp?wdid=300&wpid=2968802

I have also found some great bohemian-style ruffle tanks lately at TJMaxx.

Tiered/prairie skirts are also hot - I wear mine all the time...total staple
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_16/601-3823880-6807307?%5Fencoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0007XHM2O

I also like the ankle length ones with a boho feel.

And, my personal favorite accessory for this year is a "sash". I wear them in my hair as a headband, with the tails hanging down my back (like a hairscarf of hairsilk) and a really fun way to wear them that is all over the place is through your belt loops. In fact, I just bought a dozen of them to dye - I have them curing upstairs right now :)

Mine aren't sequined...but to give you an idea of how to wear them:
http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/ref=nav_t_spc_1_2/601-3823880-6807307?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=3692501

I agree with the idea that you should not just try to find "deals" on sale and clearance. If they are 75% off but don't match other things in your wardrobe or fit well, it was a waste of money.

Pants:
I hate boot leg pants. They are only cute (and even then I'm not sure) if you are wearing heels or boots or something. I like in loafers in the winter and Birks in the summer. I like straight leg pants. But never ever ever get tapered!
Flat front is so much more flattering than pleats. Pleats accent any natural "poof" - not what we want to do.
A nice belt can really help. I wear a belt even though I never tuck in a shirt. It helps to define your waist.

Shirts:
Are you nursing? If so, access is super important. Stretchy solid color tshirts with v-necks make up the bulk of my wardrobe. I have them in sleeveless, short sleeve, three-quarters, and long sleeve and wear them every day. I can throw a sweater or blazer over it or even a button down shirt.

Shoes:
SUPER important! Invest in GOOD QUALITY shoes. Nothing ruins a look like crappy shoes. Nine West and Bandolino are probably my favorite brands.
Oh, if you are going to wear open toes - paint your toenails and do not let the polish chip. That drives me bonkers!!!

Undergarments:
Get stuff that fits. No one wants to see your bra straps or panty lines. (OK, that was not directed at you, of course. I was picturing my mother!)

Jewelry:
I wear pearl earrings every day of my life, basically. Not at all trendy, but it works. To get dressy, I put on a pair of drop dangle earrings, but not too big. I wear the same watch every day. That's about it for jewlery. John rips the rest off if I try it.

I could go on and on. I really think that looking nice takes no more effort than looking like a slob. Again, I am not directing this at you! I have no idea what you dress like! But, I am so sick of seeing moms walk around in faded sweatpants and Tweety Bird shirts with dirty tennis shoes. What is that look?