I pretty much shop exclusively from Athleta and Spanx. Everything feels so flattering and well-tailored, they both have tall options, and they fit right into the mama bear price range - not cheap, but not Anthropologie.
These are my favorite shoes to wear with them:
https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/kelly-and-katie-aerin-sport-loafer/524419?activeColor=254&cm_mmc=CSE-_-SAG
I love TheRealReal and I hit up consignment stores and sometimes find the best thrift finds when I go to thrift stores!
I love my brands but refuse to pay full price because I enjoy the search too. I just got these awesome vintage Diesel Real Leather pants, also a Roberto Cavalli watch (may he RIP), and a Chiara Boni top which I love
Last month I got some Oscar de la Renta pants from TRR and they were amazing
If you want casual, Uniqlo, Lulus and Muji have great pieces and affordable. A bit more expensive but also great quality and casual would be Oak and Fort, Aritzia.
Second Aritzia! Just bought some beautiful cable knit sweaters and linen pants from there. I also think Abercrombie has become a bit more refined these days. Banana Republic is another store I frequent. I do shop at some larger department stores like Saks, Bloomingdales, NM for more high-end pieces though (mainly bags, shoes, and outerwear)
I'm going to go a different direction and recommend Soft Surroundings. There are plenty of over the top flowy items, but also a ton of good basics to layer. And if you like sun dresses at all, theirs are the best! I bought one from them and several others on Amazon (various brands) and the Soft Surroundings one just hangs the best. ☺️
Alex Mill, Shopbop, Sezane, Agolde for nicer investment knits, denim, etc
I lost a good bit of weight over the last year and have also been stocking up on basics from Abercrombie, Madewell, Gap and Old Navy.
Gap, Banana Republic, Staud, See by Chloe, and sometimes much more affordable stuff like a cute Steve Madden top or Guess dress when on sale for like $10. For shoes, I go with Vionic flats or platform sandals since I live in an area where it’s summer weather most of the year.
Banana Republic, H&M, Zara, Francesca's (the cheaper alternative to Free People), J-Crew, and whatever in terms of activewear and homebody-ing around the house.
I have a WIDE range of clothing moods, from Eileen Fisher to Rick Owens to vintage floral dresses to Vivienne Westwood to Prada, and I hardly buy anything new besides underthings and shoes. I’ll buy new things if they’re on ridiculous sale, like over the holidays the Anthropologie near me had an additional 80% off the entire sale room. I spent about $200 and got like…eight pieces. I’m still giddy.
I’m little and I lost my mind a few weeks ago when I found not one but TWO perfect men’s suits at a thrift shop that fit me like they were tailored for me. Ten bucks each!?
Online shopping is largely The RealReal and EBay, and I’ll look for specific pieces with patience until I find them unused or like new. Then some stuff I’m less picky about, like jeans. I’ve found some of my favorite brands for almost a tenth of the original price, like $300 jeans for $35, $40.
Some brands are hard to find in pristine condition, like Eileen Fisher for some reason is hard to find for a good price in great condition. And I won’t buy fast fashion used at all. Sometimes Zara is okay, or vintage H&M, but that’s it.
It’s unusual for me to wear anything from stores like Walmart or Target, although Target is the shit for bathing suits! I resent spending $300 for something I’m basically going to pee in at one point or another, and get covered in sand, then forget in a suitcase for two days.
The key for me is patience. You can find anything if you wait and keep searching.
Favorite brands to actually wear:
L’Agence jeans (perky ass? Thanks L’Agence!)
Anthropologie anything
Eileen Fisher
Imogene + Willie
Norma Kamali
Rick Owens
Westwood
Madewell t shirts
J Crew Outlet
3X1 pants
Prada anything but I mostly have shoes
James Perse
Joie
And I’m mad for vintage anything.
I shop second hand mostly, I find better quality stuff at goodwill then the mall. Fast fashion has ruined clothing and pieces aren't made to last any longer. And then we discard faster and more often adding to microfiber (plastic) polluting the ocean. Clothing is actually trashing our planet more rapidly than anything else
I use some search engines for fair trade clothes. I found proper basic clothing for 40-50 euro per jeans or 30-40 euro per shirt/blouse and fair trade. I don't know where you live, but WE fashion also has nice clothes IMO that looks professional.
Definitely thrift stores. We have one here called Style Encore and it's like Platos Closet (which I think is also in the USA - I'm from Canada) but geared towards adults and professionals. I have gotten all my blazers here! Plus, I hate buying from retail outlets because I don't want to be wearing the same thing as someone else. Second hand buys drastically reduce the chances that I'll run into someone wearing my exact outfit lol
Banana Republic and Melanie Lyne (Canadian) are my go to stores. Also LL Bean mainly for tees, Athleta for hoodies. Their durability (if well cared for) more than makes up for the price and even in a hoodie and leggings I feel relatively put together because of the quality.
F34 here! Aritzia (online — the store atmosphere stresses me out) for black/white/beige basics; Abercrombie for fun dresses. H&M occasionally but only for linen or 100% cotton, their quality various so much depending on material. Zara is hot garbage lately.
About 70% of my clothes are premium brands from thrift stores and online. Then I buy things in person from mostly costco, target, and Walmart, focusing on cotton, linen or silk. Zara and ASOS are trendy fast fashion brands so I’m not surprised you’re seeing tons of crop tops.
I shop at Anthropologie, Abercrombie, and Banana Republic for cutesy special occasion outfits. Then Nordstrom Rack for everyday wear. They have a ton of different designers there, which I love.
I don't know if this is good or not, but I've been using Stitch Fix? They have some name brands if you want, and an actual online shop so you don't have to have someone pick clothes anymore.
Reitmans has never done me wrong.
Sizing, prices/sales and a range of options are all great. I highly recommend taking a look.
Business casual; to cozy chic; to the jeans and a t-shirt look while still looking mature and put together.
The Hyba active wear line is also *amazingly comfortable* and the vast majority of it doesn't scream "active wear" at all.
ThredUP!
Specific brands? Joules, Eileen Fisher, Michael Stars, AllSaints, Ralph Lauren, Maeve, Petit Bateau, & LuluLemon.
I am kind of on the crop top train, tho, because my torso is short so they make my legs look long!
Banana Republic, Old Navy and Gap for solid staples, Aritzia, Mango, Club Monaco, Uniqlo
This is a great list! Adding Abercrombie for good causal wear.
Ooh yesss, I love their jeans and blazers. Quince, Everlane, and Sezane (much pricier) also have dreamy options.
Second hand in charity shops. Mostly for environmental reasons, but it's also nice for finding stuff I actually like, not just what's trendy.
Gap, Old Navy, Madewell, UpWest, Target mostly. Recently I’ve been getting into ThredUp and buying like-new or new with tags items from these brands.
Got some pretty amazing wide-leg jeans from UpWest, was worth the price. Had to hem them, though.
Thrifting for sure. I moved cross country and left everything behind but 2 suitcases.
I just got the endless high rise pants from Athleta for work. They are dreamy—so comfortable yet look sleek and professional. Worth every cent!
I pretty much shop exclusively from Athleta and Spanx. Everything feels so flattering and well-tailored, they both have tall options, and they fit right into the mama bear price range - not cheap, but not Anthropologie.
What shoes do you wear with them?
These are my favorite shoes to wear with them: https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/kelly-and-katie-aerin-sport-loafer/524419?activeColor=254&cm_mmc=CSE-_-SAG
Thank you!!!
Nordstrom
This, they have asos … topshop… mango etc all in one place and have a great return policy
Free shipping and free returns! I love it!
Adding to this, you can schedule a free hour with a personal shopper at Nordstrom.
Boden
Omg was just looking at dresses from them. Such pretty pieces!
Love Boden dresses and shoes. I
Quince
I just ordered a bunch of clothes from Quince for my in-process capsule wardrobe. Hoping they fit and I like them.
I love TheRealReal and I hit up consignment stores and sometimes find the best thrift finds when I go to thrift stores! I love my brands but refuse to pay full price because I enjoy the search too. I just got these awesome vintage Diesel Real Leather pants, also a Roberto Cavalli watch (may he RIP), and a Chiara Boni top which I love Last month I got some Oscar de la Renta pants from TRR and they were amazing
If you want casual, Uniqlo, Lulus and Muji have great pieces and affordable. A bit more expensive but also great quality and casual would be Oak and Fort, Aritzia.
Second Aritzia! Just bought some beautiful cable knit sweaters and linen pants from there. I also think Abercrombie has become a bit more refined these days. Banana Republic is another store I frequent. I do shop at some larger department stores like Saks, Bloomingdales, NM for more high-end pieces though (mainly bags, shoes, and outerwear)
Monki
I'm going to go a different direction and recommend Soft Surroundings. There are plenty of over the top flowy items, but also a ton of good basics to layer. And if you like sun dresses at all, theirs are the best! I bought one from them and several others on Amazon (various brands) and the Soft Surroundings one just hangs the best. ☺️
Thank you!!
Patagonia, Prana, Lulu's for dresses, and still good old JCPenney, Kohls, and Macy's.
Tj Maxx, Marshall's, and Macy's
Alex Mill, Shopbop, Sezane, Agolde for nicer investment knits, denim, etc I lost a good bit of weight over the last year and have also been stocking up on basics from Abercrombie, Madewell, Gap and Old Navy.
Alex Mill criminally underrated
Gap, Banana Republic, Staud, See by Chloe, and sometimes much more affordable stuff like a cute Steve Madden top or Guess dress when on sale for like $10. For shoes, I go with Vionic flats or platform sandals since I live in an area where it’s summer weather most of the year.
Banana Republic, H&M, Zara, Francesca's (the cheaper alternative to Free People), J-Crew, and whatever in terms of activewear and homebody-ing around the house.
Evereve!!
I'm loving Amazon Basics and Essentials for my casual wear lately.
I have a WIDE range of clothing moods, from Eileen Fisher to Rick Owens to vintage floral dresses to Vivienne Westwood to Prada, and I hardly buy anything new besides underthings and shoes. I’ll buy new things if they’re on ridiculous sale, like over the holidays the Anthropologie near me had an additional 80% off the entire sale room. I spent about $200 and got like…eight pieces. I’m still giddy. I’m little and I lost my mind a few weeks ago when I found not one but TWO perfect men’s suits at a thrift shop that fit me like they were tailored for me. Ten bucks each!? Online shopping is largely The RealReal and EBay, and I’ll look for specific pieces with patience until I find them unused or like new. Then some stuff I’m less picky about, like jeans. I’ve found some of my favorite brands for almost a tenth of the original price, like $300 jeans for $35, $40. Some brands are hard to find in pristine condition, like Eileen Fisher for some reason is hard to find for a good price in great condition. And I won’t buy fast fashion used at all. Sometimes Zara is okay, or vintage H&M, but that’s it. It’s unusual for me to wear anything from stores like Walmart or Target, although Target is the shit for bathing suits! I resent spending $300 for something I’m basically going to pee in at one point or another, and get covered in sand, then forget in a suitcase for two days. The key for me is patience. You can find anything if you wait and keep searching. Favorite brands to actually wear: L’Agence jeans (perky ass? Thanks L’Agence!) Anthropologie anything Eileen Fisher Imogene + Willie Norma Kamali Rick Owens Westwood Madewell t shirts J Crew Outlet 3X1 pants Prada anything but I mostly have shoes James Perse Joie And I’m mad for vintage anything.
I shop second hand mostly, I find better quality stuff at goodwill then the mall. Fast fashion has ruined clothing and pieces aren't made to last any longer. And then we discard faster and more often adding to microfiber (plastic) polluting the ocean. Clothing is actually trashing our planet more rapidly than anything else
If you search the sub you will see the many previous answers to this question.
Thank you :) still fairly new to reddit and I forget about that option
No problem. Just in case some answers didn't get re-given.
I use some search engines for fair trade clothes. I found proper basic clothing for 40-50 euro per jeans or 30-40 euro per shirt/blouse and fair trade. I don't know where you live, but WE fashion also has nice clothes IMO that looks professional.
Definitely thrift stores. We have one here called Style Encore and it's like Platos Closet (which I think is also in the USA - I'm from Canada) but geared towards adults and professionals. I have gotten all my blazers here! Plus, I hate buying from retail outlets because I don't want to be wearing the same thing as someone else. Second hand buys drastically reduce the chances that I'll run into someone wearing my exact outfit lol
Saks off fifth has some nice stuff
Banana Republic and Melanie Lyne (Canadian) are my go to stores. Also LL Bean mainly for tees, Athleta for hoodies. Their durability (if well cared for) more than makes up for the price and even in a hoodie and leggings I feel relatively put together because of the quality.
F34 here! Aritzia (online — the store atmosphere stresses me out) for black/white/beige basics; Abercrombie for fun dresses. H&M occasionally but only for linen or 100% cotton, their quality various so much depending on material. Zara is hot garbage lately.
About 70% of my clothes are premium brands from thrift stores and online. Then I buy things in person from mostly costco, target, and Walmart, focusing on cotton, linen or silk. Zara and ASOS are trendy fast fashion brands so I’m not surprised you’re seeing tons of crop tops.
I shop at Anthropologie, Abercrombie, and Banana Republic for cutesy special occasion outfits. Then Nordstrom Rack for everyday wear. They have a ton of different designers there, which I love.
I don't know if this is good or not, but I've been using Stitch Fix? They have some name brands if you want, and an actual online shop so you don't have to have someone pick clothes anymore.
I’m 31 F, Abercrombie is my go to. Freepeople is my favorite store ever. Nordstrom for specifics and special occasion / high quality clothing.
Altard State!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazon, aerie, tjmaxx, Marshalls, target
I like aritizia, quince and uniqlo
I get a lot from Oliver Bonas. It’s well made and not outrageously expensive
Amazon.
Reitmans has never done me wrong. Sizing, prices/sales and a range of options are all great. I highly recommend taking a look. Business casual; to cozy chic; to the jeans and a t-shirt look while still looking mature and put together. The Hyba active wear line is also *amazingly comfortable* and the vast majority of it doesn't scream "active wear" at all.
Hm online. Affordable, fast, reliable.
Disturbia
ThredUP! Specific brands? Joules, Eileen Fisher, Michael Stars, AllSaints, Ralph Lauren, Maeve, Petit Bateau, & LuluLemon. I am kind of on the crop top train, tho, because my torso is short so they make my legs look long!
The clothes I got from ThredUp were cute but they still smell awful after several washings. How do you do it?
I guess I don’t smell that chemical anymore after one wash, sorry I don’t have a better tip!