I have almost entirely given up on trends and shop from very few stores for this reason. I have business formal clothes, workout clothes, and business casual/weekend clothes. Business formal = Talbots, The Fold, Brooks Brothers. Workout = Lululemon and athleta. Business casual = jcrew, lily pulitzer, madewell, Anthropologie, Kate spade. I've decided my style is New England prep which is so much easier - is it cliche? Yup! But it's also largely trend proof, almost always appropriate to just about any environment and mixes and matches so well! Will I ever be a fashion girlie? Nope, but I'm over 40 working in corporate America so this means I can go into my closet and find something that works for open school night, date night, or work meetings without having to panic shop last minute.
It's weirdly almost harder because I work from home?? Like I think if I knew I needed to have business formal and business casual clothes it would make things more straightforward. Instead I'm like, oh cool I can wear ANYTHING but also NOTHING.
I work at home but at a camera always on place so I still wear business casual on top but with jeans/leggings on the bottom. I totally get that's a big difference since I'd have a hard time spending on business casual as a category otherwise!
I feel like listening to Aja Barber's thoughts and reading her book (Consumed) on textile waste, consumerism, the outsize impact on poor global women, etc. has really helped with the impulse to "update" my wardrobe at any time of year. The reality is that most of us have enough clothes that work for us, even if they're not perfect, and I really try to wait until I can shop in person for this exact reason, that practically NOTHING fits the right way or feels good on my eczema-prone skin. This is truly not a holier-than-thou moment, I just remember a conversation on F35 about how (especially women) we spend SO much energy and time and money on trying to create the perfect wardrobe.
I wish this had worked out for you, because I desperately want something like this to work out for me! I want to stop feeling middle aged and blah. But howwwwwww??
So sorry so much didn’t work. It is very frustrating. But, ooh, thank you for BR sweater tip. Love a merino and an interesting sleeve. And LOVE an unexpected gap-card-members-get-30%-off moment.
I feel ya , Dor ! I have a work "uniform " that has really helped me. Found the perfect ( for me) v neck T from Universal Standard and bought on sale in multiple colors . Overalls/ jumpsuits too . I do wear dresses at work sometimes but mostly one piece garments that lend themselves to moving on the floor with babies / toddlers & their grownups. Not having to think about what to wear for work is THE BEST.
After spending 20 years travelling between the US and UK I spend increasingly less on clothes in the States than I ever used to. Everything aimed at over 40s seems to be so expensive and formal and cheaper is too young. In comparison, and I appreciate it doesn’t help, I just bought an electric blue trouser suit and some cargo pants for less thank £100 from a UK supermarket and that’s plus size and petite. Sainsbury’s for those interested.
I love everything you bought. Too bad most was a miss. I feel so out of touch with what’s in style anymore. The young teachers I work with look so adorable and effortless in their y2k styles. If I tried to replicate, I’d look like I was a middle aged lady stuck in my high school glory days (90s) or like I was trying too hard. Plus, I haven’t figured out how to style this post baby (of 10+ years ago) and perimenopause body. I guess it’s a good thing I don’t care too much (but clearly I do).
I’ve been obsessed with Sezane but just can’t place the order yet! Love that blazer. My weight has been fluctuating a lot lately so finding clothes just feels like work. I miss trunk club
Same - I am obsessed with everything I see on Sezane’s site and their Instagram. But I just had my 3rd baby nine weeks ago so I don’t want to shell out cash bc my weight isn’t stable and will be prone to getting spat up on! 😂
I can never find anything that I like (mostly because I hate how it looks on me because I don’t look the same as I did at 20) so my wardrobe is basically nothing but simple dresses from Amazon..,I hate it! I want a change!
I tried to order some shirts from target and my red card had expired 🙃 I can't pay 5% more so I applied for a new one. The questions were bizarre! Asking where my father in law owned property (he's in a nursing home and just sold his condo that day!) It wanted to know if I was "associated" with any list of businesses including my DMV. I'm pretty sure I over thought them all and my application was denied because I haven't heard back lol
I have almost entirely given up on trends and shop from very few stores for this reason. I have business formal clothes, workout clothes, and business casual/weekend clothes. Business formal = Talbots, The Fold, Brooks Brothers. Workout = Lululemon and athleta. Business casual = jcrew, lily pulitzer, madewell, Anthropologie, Kate spade. I've decided my style is New England prep which is so much easier - is it cliche? Yup! But it's also largely trend proof, almost always appropriate to just about any environment and mixes and matches so well! Will I ever be a fashion girlie? Nope, but I'm over 40 working in corporate America so this means I can go into my closet and find something that works for open school night, date night, or work meetings without having to panic shop last minute.
It's weirdly almost harder because I work from home?? Like I think if I knew I needed to have business formal and business casual clothes it would make things more straightforward. Instead I'm like, oh cool I can wear ANYTHING but also NOTHING.
I work at home but at a camera always on place so I still wear business casual on top but with jeans/leggings on the bottom. I totally get that's a big difference since I'd have a hard time spending on business casual as a category otherwise!
I feel like listening to Aja Barber's thoughts and reading her book (Consumed) on textile waste, consumerism, the outsize impact on poor global women, etc. has really helped with the impulse to "update" my wardrobe at any time of year. The reality is that most of us have enough clothes that work for us, even if they're not perfect, and I really try to wait until I can shop in person for this exact reason, that practically NOTHING fits the right way or feels good on my eczema-prone skin. This is truly not a holier-than-thou moment, I just remember a conversation on F35 about how (especially women) we spend SO much energy and time and money on trying to create the perfect wardrobe.
Oh my gosh, I’m obsessed with that blazer!
But yes, so much of current fashion in general I cannot get behind. Why must the youths refuse to learn from our mistakes!?!
It's hard to just watch the car crash happen.
🤣😂
You need a stylist/personal shopper to do the hard graft for you! ♥️
I really do.
I’ll style you - from London - for free. Let’s find you some clothes ♥️
I wish this had worked out for you, because I desperately want something like this to work out for me! I want to stop feeling middle aged and blah. But howwwwwww??
So sorry so much didn’t work. It is very frustrating. But, ooh, thank you for BR sweater tip. Love a merino and an interesting sleeve. And LOVE an unexpected gap-card-members-get-30%-off moment.
Oh we love that! I would say it runs TTS, maybe a tad big?
Thank you! It’s also RARE that sweaters come in petite, and that could be good. So we’ll see!
I feel ya , Dor ! I have a work "uniform " that has really helped me. Found the perfect ( for me) v neck T from Universal Standard and bought on sale in multiple colors . Overalls/ jumpsuits too . I do wear dresses at work sometimes but mostly one piece garments that lend themselves to moving on the floor with babies / toddlers & their grownups. Not having to think about what to wear for work is THE BEST.
After spending 20 years travelling between the US and UK I spend increasingly less on clothes in the States than I ever used to. Everything aimed at over 40s seems to be so expensive and formal and cheaper is too young. In comparison, and I appreciate it doesn’t help, I just bought an electric blue trouser suit and some cargo pants for less thank £100 from a UK supermarket and that’s plus size and petite. Sainsbury’s for those interested.
I love everything you bought. Too bad most was a miss. I feel so out of touch with what’s in style anymore. The young teachers I work with look so adorable and effortless in their y2k styles. If I tried to replicate, I’d look like I was a middle aged lady stuck in my high school glory days (90s) or like I was trying too hard. Plus, I haven’t figured out how to style this post baby (of 10+ years ago) and perimenopause body. I guess it’s a good thing I don’t care too much (but clearly I do).
I’ve been obsessed with Sezane but just can’t place the order yet! Love that blazer. My weight has been fluctuating a lot lately so finding clothes just feels like work. I miss trunk club
Same - I am obsessed with everything I see on Sezane’s site and their Instagram. But I just had my 3rd baby nine weeks ago so I don’t want to shell out cash bc my weight isn’t stable and will be prone to getting spat up on! 😂
I can never find anything that I like (mostly because I hate how it looks on me because I don’t look the same as I did at 20) so my wardrobe is basically nothing but simple dresses from Amazon..,I hate it! I want a change!
I too have narrow heels and shoes can be so tricky! And you are correct, those heel liners never ever work.
I tried to order some shirts from target and my red card had expired 🙃 I can't pay 5% more so I applied for a new one. The questions were bizarre! Asking where my father in law owned property (he's in a nursing home and just sold his condo that day!) It wanted to know if I was "associated" with any list of businesses including my DMV. I'm pretty sure I over thought them all and my application was denied because I haven't heard back lol