Where to Shop for Womens' Clothes
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Oct 2010
I need to buy some new clothes, but I never know where to
shop! I am 34 and dress casually (jeans, slacks, tshirt,
nicer shirts for work) and wear a size 14 pants, large
shirts (5'7' tall). I want something not to expensive, but
nice looking and easy to maintain. I don't need anything
fancy or sophisticated and I don't care about the brand name
really, as long as the clothes are good quality and durable.
Where to people show for clothes? I don't have a lot of time
so I want to go somewhere I can find clothes I like and I
can wear and can afford. It seems like small shops tend to
have really small sizes. So where do normal or larger size
people go? need more variety in my wardrobe
I am about your size just a few years older. I go to Macy's.
Some clothes can get pricey but you ARE paying for quality.
I do not recommend Target or Old Navy even though they are
cheap, because the clothes are made of cheap materials, very
thin and have no structure. Nordstom's is nice for a
splurge, but I wear Macy's clothes to work. anon
your description seems to match me almost exactly. I've
found myself almost exclusively shopping at the Gap on
Lakeshore. Cat
Feb 2009
I haven't bought clothes for years but I will be returning to work
and realize that what I have will no longer fit my middle-age,
post-child body. So, I need to find comfortable (loose),
well-made, professional clothes at a reasonable price. I'm just
looking for basics and am not searching for anything trendy or
fashionable...I just want to be well-dressed and appropriate. I
absolutely hate shopping so I'm hoping there might be
recommendations of a store/catalog that would meet my needs.
anon
I recently went back to work after being home for five years and like you had nothing
to wear. I tossed all my old clothes that kept taunting me and replaced them with
practical, comfortable work clothes almost entirely bought at Macy's. I hate shopping
but for some reason I can stomach a couple of hours there, maybe it is the really good
sale prices! To cover my middle aged, post child birth body I have bought a lot of
tunic tops which cover the tummy and have found some higher waisted comfortable work
pants with a little bit of stretch in them. I am not an experienced shopper but Macy's
seems to have a reasonable selection of clothing for women with normal bodies like you
and me. But I do find that a half hour won't do it. You really need an unhurried
chunk of time like a couple of hours. Happy shopping!
anon
Comfortable clothes for work - I would recommend Eileen Fisher (there is an outlet
store in San Leandro) or J. Jill. J. Jill is a catalog order company which has a store
in Corte Madera.
JZ
There are two great places that I've found, where I buy much of my clothes. Both
stores have styles and sizing that are stylish, cute and sophisticated, but also a lot
that will fit and flatter women of many shapes. Both carry slacks, skirts and cute
jackets and sweaters suitable for most jobs, as well as casual clothes.
1) Two Star Dog (also called TSD) specializes in mostly natural fibers. Their outlet
store is behind REI and always has great deals, lots of stuff for $20-30.
Two Star Dog Outlet
1370 Tenth Street, Berkeley
510-525-1100
www.TwoStarDog.com
2) J.Jill
I am quite short, so also like that they carry petite sizes.
They have stores in many shopping areas, including Emery Bay, downtown Walnut Creek,
and the Corte Madera Mall. They also sell on-line and have great sales on line.
Karen
well made + comfortable + loose + professional = Eileen Fisher!
Macy's has them, Eartly Goods in Berkeley has them (nice place to try on
clothes - roomy, unhurried). Once you find your size you can order online.
May 2008
After living in the east bay for more than 5 years, I am
exasperated at the absence of places to buy the kind of
women's clothing I like. Most of what I wear was bought
when I lived on the east coast, but it's starting to look worn.
I
need to replace it, but I can't find decent clothing. I'm a
professor, so I want to look professional but not like a
lawyer or business executive. I prefer wool and cotton and
other natural fibers because they have a nicer texture and
weave, and they hang better on me. I only wear deep earth
tones - deep brown/chestnut, olive,deep, burgundy, grey,
black, will not wear pastels or patterns, yuck. I like solid
colors and especially look for interesting textures or patterns
in the weave, for example herringbone, and I like
nicely-tailored looking styles - not close fitting but rather
elegantly cut. An elegant button-down cardigan that falls at
the lower hip or high thigh in a rich color, a short jacket in a
nice light wool fabric with an autumn color and simple but
elegant style... I can't find what I like anywhere. I have
children so I don't have much money to spend on clothing
so expensive boutique clothing is not for me, but I'm sick of
going to the mall in Walnut Creek or Concord and coming
back empty handed, the stores are full of cheesy looking
loud clothing. Once in a blue moon I'll find something at
Ross. Help! Where the heck can I find professional elegant
looking clothing that looks natural and not synthetic and that
won't break the bank? Are there any boutiques that sound
like me that have sales from time to time?
Missing Filene's Basement
The Eileen Fisher Outlet is in San Leandro right off the Marina
Exit on 880. Her clothing is classic and comfortable and usually
made with beautiful fabrics. She also does ''bold'' colors but
always has black, raisin, blue, grey, etc. The prices there are
50% of list price and often with further reductions. I would
also tell you that the merchandising in SF is often different
than WC, even in the major department stores. You might find
things more to your taste in the SF stores. Good luck.
Elizabeth
If you don't mind driving a bit, you might find something you
like at Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue 'outlet' or Last Call Neiman
Marcus. Both of these stores are located at the Great Mall in
Milpitas and can have good sales and stylish clothing that comes
from their regular department stores.Also located in the same
mall is the Banana Republic Factory Store. If you want a place in
the East Bay, you could also try the Nordstrom Rack in San
Leandro. However, it is rather inconsistent and can be a big mess
to sort through.
Good luck!
Judy
Hi, I'm in the same boat as you (in fact, I think you're
describing me!). I haven't looked much, but the only store I've
found is Earthly Goods on Vine near Shattuck in Berkeley. And, I
can only afford to shop on their sales rack. I've adjusted my
taste somewhat and now enjoy wearing Weston Wear, which I can
find there, at Macy's, or at a boutique shop in SF 569 Valencia
St(between 16th St & 17th St) www.westonwear.com. Again, I can
only shop on their sales racks. I also shop at J Jill online. But
I do go back to Filene's or Daffy's when I'm on the East Coast! I
look forward to other responses. Thanks for the question!
miss Filene's, too
I think you would like Eileen Fisher clothes. I recommend
visiting Earthly Goods in North Berkeley to try them on and find
your size, and then go to Ebay to buy last year's styles for a
fraction of the cost. I have an email alert system on eBay that
sends me email about Eileen Fisher clothes in my size NWT (new
with tags). You can also get Eileen Fisher on garnethill.com but
you'll pay full price so you might as well shop locally!
Earthly Goods has other clothing that you might like too, and
they often have good sales. Also check out Molly B's next door
which has less conservative more interesting clothing that you
probably won't be able to find on eBay!
cheapskate with high end taste
If Earthly Goods on Vine is out of your budget, then I would
suggest finding consignment stores. There is one on Solano Ave.
where I've gotten some pretty nice pieces. There is Rockridge
Rags on College Ave. I also shop at thrift stores, where you can
find nice clothes that are gently worn for very inexpensive. Or
what about Ann Taylor at the Mall? You might find a few things at
H & M if you are a small size. Yea, it's slim pickin's here. I
have an on-going annual clothing swap with friends who wear ABOUT
the same size. We all bring what we haven't been wearing in a
while and trade. You might think about starting your own. Don't
forget the snacks and wine!
not going to work nude yet!
Loehman's, in San Francisco (union square/financial district).
It's similar to Filene's Basement - nice, quality clothing at a
huge discount.
-anon
May 2005
Here's my dilema. I am 39 yo, have 2 little girls and am a stay-at-home Mom that
will be looking for work soon. All my life I have been an ''edgy'' dresser. Nothing
shocking (unless you count the phase in the early 80s when I wore 1950s bullet bras
as outerwear but that's another story) but mostly mixed vintage looks. Anyway, I am
having so much trouble finding some fun, funky clothes that I can feel comfortable
in. Any suggestions for shops? Here's my three criteria:
1. I don't want to look like one of those 40 year-olds who are trying to look 20.
2. Must carry clothes for real women - I'm not an itty bitty size (probably an 8 or
10).
3. Not too expensive - I can't spend $200 for a pair of jeans or anything.
Please share any cool stores - I can't look like an OLD NAVY clone it's ruining my
self-esteem.
Thanks!
lynn
Why don't you try Crossroads on Shattuck or College Ave.? I always find great
funky stuff there, the clothes are good quality, and you can find a great outfit
for less than $35. Seriously. They carry a lot of different sizes, too. I'm in my
20's, but I often find things for my somewhat-funky 50ish mom there.
Funky shopper
I asked my teen daughter who shops mainly vintage and she says:
My main suggestion would be Stop the Clock (on Addison near
Shattuck). Others that are slightly more 20-s geared are:
Wasteland (the Haight), Mars (on Telegraph), Step Back (I think
this is what it's called)(the Haight). Also, Buffalo Exchange is
always good, though not quite as excitingly vintage.
I second the ''Stop the Clock'' suggestion.
R.K.
Try The Outback in Emeryville on 66th Street between San Pablo
and Hollis Avenue. They have great prices on Citron, Cutloose,
and Natori. Berkeley rather than S.F. edgy but definitely NOT
Old Navy. They also carry local designers, GREAT shawls and
interesting jewelry.
Karen H.
As much as I wish I knew all about fun and funky clothes, I don't. What I
do know is that there is a website: http://www.punkymoms.com that is all
about fun and funky moms like you. I bet they'd be a great source of
cool shopping ideas.
Hello, I am a 40 year old mother of 2 babies. I have finally
started shopping back for myself. I have always dressed nice, so
here's my recomendations. First of all, there is nothing wrong
with Old Navy. You can mix & match with their items for such a
good price. Here's the places I love to shop, clothes are
comfortable & cute & most of the time I find great items on
sale. New York Company, Target (yes Target), Banana Republic,
Lauren's Closet, AND Old Navy.
Shelly
Try some of the nicer used clothing stores for nice,
sometimes sophisticated, sometimes fun clothes. My
favorite is Sol y Lucy up above 4th street shops (directly up
from Peets, above 5th st). I always find something very nice
or unique and it's never too expensive because it's used.
There are others in San Rafael 4th st area as well.
Anonymous
March 2004
Hi. My parents are visting at the end of the month and my Mom is
looking to do some clothes shopping. She is a larger sized lady
and I was wondering if there was a good spot for shopping for
clothes. Nothing too expensive, but not cheapy stuff either.
Thanks!
Lisa
In Full Swing, in Oakland, I think on College Ave.
margo
Try ''Avenue'' either in El Cerrito Plaza or in Pinole.
And then there's ''Lane Bryant'' in Hilltop Mall, Richmond. Good
quality stuff, moderately priced (some things a bit pricier) but
definitely not cheapy.
anon
Really nice expensive clothing at Harper Greer in San Francisco, Says Who? on Piedmont has cool
hip clothing, also a bit expensive. Consignment at Seams to Fit on Telegraph, which may have
some of the above. In Full Swing has some nice things, on College.
Good Luck.
All the More to Love is a plus-size consignment store on Park
Street in Alameda -- they have great clothes.
anon
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