Let's pretend you have reached your goal weight...

[amy g.]

and plan to stay near that weight for the rest of your life, and you want to invest in some quality classic clothes. Where would you shop?

 

My style is very casual, but I need some nice pieces for church and special occasions as well as every day clothes.

 

Price is not an issue as long as they won't look dated in a few years. I still wear clothes that I bought 10 and 20 years ago, so Dh wants to take me shopping.

 

I don't want to spend money for a label, only for quality. I'm also thinking of only buying solid colors, and only using patterns for accessories.

 

Do you have any advice for a person who never shops?

[lynn]

Target has nice updated styles reasonable. Kohls, Ann Taylor loft, Lands End

[TXMomof4]

Ann Taylor

 

Of course, I *know* I can get on ebay and buy Ann Taylor in a certain size and it will fit. Period. Their clothes are good quality and not too trendy - just very nice clothes.

 

For my 'nice' clothes I have a pair of black slacks and tan slacks and several shirts or sweaters that I can wear with them. Yes, I use accessories to change them up a little, but a beautiful sweater will always be a beautiful sweater no matter how long you've had it.

 

For clothes I wear to meetings and such I have some nice blue jean slacks, a denim skirt and a few pairs of khaki pants and capris. I do have some trendy, cute tops to wear with them, but I get them on clearance or at Target so they aren't too expensive.

 

At home I wear junk clothes. Yoga pants and army t-shirts. People know not to knock at my door unexpectedly.

Edited August 5, 2010 by TXMomof4

[kitten18]

Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft.

The clothes are perfect for me, they are fashionable but not too 'young' and trendy.

[NorthwestMom]

I am petite, so the places I can find clothes are somewhat limited. Along with the aforementioned Ann Taylor, I'd be hightailing it to Banana Republic and J Jill.

 

Congratulations for making it to your goal weight!!!!!!

Edited August 5, 2010 by NorthwestMom
congrats!

[phathui5]

http://www.territoryahead.com/

 

I have one of their skirts and it's my favorite thing to wear.

[Rebecca VA]

I second Territory Ahead. Plus, you can almost always get internet coupon codes for free shipping or 20% off.

[LizzyBee]

My favorite is Talbot (Talbot Petities for me). Their clothes last forever and they have mostly classic styles.

[Mrs Mungo]

Ann Taylor, Talbot's, Banana Republic and Boden are my favorites for quality clothing.

[JoyfulMama]

Ann Taylor and Talbot's are my fave stores.

[Mommy to monkeys]

Goal weight? Don't I wish.

 

Kohl's, Banana Republic, The Gap

[jacqui in mo]

Coldwater Creek http://www.coldwatercreek.com/outlet/default.aspx

They have all sorts of beautiful stuff and a lot of good sales online.

[Whereneverever]

Christopher & Banks. It's spendy, but pretty classic stuff.

[sassenach]

Ann Taylor, J.Jill, Lands End, Banana Republic.

[Karis]

Ann Taylor, J.Jill, Talbot's, Coldwater Creek

[AuntieM]

Sorry, I have nothing further to contribute. I just wanted to come in here and pretend I've reached my goal weight.

 

(ditto-ing Ann Taylor & Talbot's)

[gandpsmommy]

I would place a large order to Boden. I might also look at New York & Company. I haven't been in one for a few years, so maybe they have changed, but when I used to shop there about five years ago, I found some classic pieces, such as a perfectly-tailored denim blazer that I have looked fashionable in through all of the style changes of the past five years, wearing it with everything from casual khakis pants, to dressy gauchos, and a cute black skirt.

 

When I shopped there they had nice classic staple pieces as well as pieces with just enough of a flair in the details to make them fun and trend-setting to wear, but not trendy in that they would be out of style the next season. I found an adorable black blouse, for example, with a large decorative silver buckle on the shoulder. I (regrettably) gave it away when I lost a lot of weight and it was hanging on me. If I had it now, I would still be wearing it.

 

You might also check around for local shops and boutiques. There was one local shop in our old hometown where I found really great pieces that I have worn for years and still look stylish.

[jenL]

From a woman eager to reach her goal weight and buy new clothes... I agree with Ann Taylor. I also like things from L.L. Bean, Lands End, and J. Crew.

 

Congratulations! :)

[smrtmama]

J Jill

[teacalm]

Banana Republic. I still have pieces, skirts, trousers and blazers, from year 2002 to 2005, that I would still wear. Back then, I was a solid size 2 - 4, and now, I'm beyond happy to find out that since I started doing Jillian Michaels's tapes since June 7, I found that I can fit into my BR size 4 skirts. I love my pieces, blazers in black, white and khakis, and skirts in black, beige, khakis, and white. I also have the Martin trousers in khakis and grey that I'm just dying to fit it. I also have the twinsets sweaters, but I find that I like the longer and fitter fit style. I also have the merino wool sweater which still really looks good. I have a couple of black and white dress sheaths with matching jackets, and man oh man, they still look very very classy. And I just wore one of my BR jeans size 4 from season fall 2004, and it still fits beautifully.

 

BR is worth the money for me. It has not gone out of style, even the length and the fit.

[BeautifulLife]

As others have mentioned... Ann Taylor LOFT, Banana Republic, Gap, J. Crew.

My favorite store is Anthropologie, but you won't find as many "basic" pieces there. :)

[Alenee]

I saw a couple of voteS for Target and Kohl's but I have to say, don't do it! I am so tired of buying clothing there, washing it in cold, hanging it, and *still* watching it shrink lengthwise or stretch in the width. Go with the other stores, J Jill, Lands End, Talbots, Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, Banana Republic. Oh, and have fun! ;)

[redheadeddaughter]

I second J. Crew and Ann Taylor. Ann Taylor caters more to professional women though. For casual stuff, if you sort through some of the really trendy stuff at J. Crew (not sure who would wear a mongolian lamb vest), their classic clothes can last a LONG time... and the fit has gotten much much better as well.

As for Target and the like, I WISH the quality were better. The styles can sometimes be very cute, but I continue to have issues with quality and shrinking after one or two washes. Not good investment clothes. Now for kids "disposable" type summer clothes when I know they'll be in a different size next year... I'm a target junkie.

Oh, and I like Garnet Hills sometimes as well.