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My mom has a wedding to attend, and she has agreed that this can be the start of a a new wardrobe, YAY! This has been a loong time coming. So - we are going to go shopping, and I'm thinking we should hit up Nordies, Chico's, Eddie Bauer, Coldwater Creek . . . what other stores are appropriate/ good choices for a woman in her fifties? Or brands?
Thanks so much! SO excited.
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The only other one I can think of is Talbot's, though I like the clothes at Chico's, EB, and CC much better, personally.
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Ahh, but then I would have to know how to tie a sari . . . and I do not. Also the invitation said beach casual, and is in Virginia Beach, and while I feel that saris are actaully quite traditional beach-wear, I'm not sure the bride would agree.
Talbot's - we will check that out too. I was thinking that maybe there's some stuff at Banana and Ann Taylor? Even though they're typically aimed at a younger group? My mom is about 5'4" and has recently lost weight, but she's well endowed, so it's going to be all about fit. I think the Petite department at Nordie's may turn out to be a Godsend. And we're going bra shopping first, that's crucial.
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We're going in two hours - what are the staple pieces of any well-dressed woman's wardrobe? A woman in the West going into the Fall season?
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Definitely go to Nord's for bras! I am also well endowed and found I had been wearing the wrong size for years. I watched Oprah's bra special and I actually ended up with the same bra she buys. Now my back doesn't hurt and my girls look great!
It's too bad Petite Sophisticate and Casual Corner went out of business! That was my favorite store and they had lovely clothes for all body types. If you have Dillards where you are, I would try them too.
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Well, I have no idea what your budget it but if I were buying a whole wardrobe from scratch, I would find a pair of pants that fit me well and buy it in 2-3 colors (brown and black for sure). I would get a skirt or two, and maybe 10 shirts, both dressy and casual to mix and match with those bottoms. I would definitely get a blazer for fall and a fancy dress. Since you are getting bras, get some good undies and some new pajamas too. You also have to get new shoes if you get new clothes!
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Everyone here seems to love Steinmart for quality and prices. But I've never really been in the store.
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Thanks guys! We went to Coldwater Creek - nothing. The main problem there was that the shirts were VERY boxy and the pants had either no pockets or pockets that were very low, so it made her backside look not cute.
Then Eddie Bauer. Again, nada. It's really hard to find shirts that fit her in the shoulders AND through the bust. I can tell this is going to be an ongoing endeavor.
Finally Nordies, that oasis of calm, and class, and overpriced clothes . . . but we found jeans and corduroys that actually fit. A small miracle.
We're going to wash them and then take them back to get them hemmed - and then continue our search!
Mandy - we will definitely check out Dillard's. Our Foley's just became a Macy's, so I think we might check that out. We have a DSW show warehouse here too, and I'd like to take her there to start the great Shoe Hunt. Sometimes you have to suck it up and pay full price, but DSW is pretty awesome.
Theca - Thanks for the Steinmart suggestion! I've seen their ads on TV, so I'm sure there's one somewhere around here, though I'm not sure where. I'll look it up for next time.
breyerchic04 - My mom hit the wall before we go to Ann Taylor, but I definitely want to try it out. The fabrics are just so nice, and the cuts are very classic.
kq - I'm not familiar with Robinson's-May, but I'll look it up. My mom's chest may qualify as a small plus size, but the rest of her is petite! And I thought I was hard to shop for . . . we have to get a fit through the chest and shoulders, but then we can take the torso in a bit. I think that's what we'll just have to do.
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And reason number 5,712 to become independently wealthy is - custom Land's End clothes for my mom! Thanks kq, I'm clue her in to it in case she'd like to try it. Pretty cool service, actually.
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I just turned 50 - I didn't know that there are only certain stores that are "appropriate" for me to shop in now.
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Well, I think anyone of any age can shop wherever they like, but there's a higher likelihood of finding clothing that you like, feel comfortable in, and look good in in certain stores. For example, as a 23 year old, I do not find myself overly interested in the clothing in the Narrative department of Nordie's, but I love Savvy. That doesn't mean I can't shop in Narrative; it just means I usually don't even look, because historically Savvy has worked out much better. And my mom's NOT a shopper, I would have murdered for taking her into every store.
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Oh God, I hope I'm not limited to certain "appropriate" stores when I'm 50!
Take your mom to a place you could enjoy yourself, like TJ Maxx. They're inexpensive and they have everything.
Also, I don't think there are any stores which specialize in women of "a certain age" that use advertisements with models also of that age. Ann Taylor -- that's middle-age clothing. Ignore the models; they're all one side of thirty. Just look at the clothing -- or rather, have your mom look at it. She's 50; she should know what works by now.
That said, if she is trying to find a new look, I'd recommend preppy. Try Banana Republic, the Gap, Ralph Lauren, and Izod. A cinched light cotton jacket with a matching long A-line skirt would flatter any woman!
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Myrddin, me too! I go in there but I just feel weird and I am usually the youngest one there and I'm 33!
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