Fall Clothes Shopping

Meg · 07-12-2009, 05:56 AM

We haven't had a clothes thread for a while, but it's important for all of us to do our part for economic stimulation.

So let's talk clothes!

I was poking around last night and came across the color predictions for Fall/Winter 2009/2010. The first group is "Chic" colors.

These are the "Classic" colors:

and these are the "Casual" colors:

My first reactions were wow! so many earth tones. And none of these are really colors I'm attracted to, especially the Classic palette. Perhaps this means I'll be saving money this fall?

I haven't seen fall clothes in the stores yet but haven't been to the mall or Macy's for a few weeks. They'll be arriving any day, I imagine! I'm not sure what the fashion trends are supposed to be for fall. Last year we had the knee length shorts in all the stores but I didn't see many people wearing them so am not sure if that's a trend that will last. Or whether it's like ponchos and is here and gone.

I read that Sears has already opened Christmas shops in its stores to cash in on the holidays.

I refuse to shop in August and listen to Christmas carols and look at holiday decorations. Seriously, I'll boycott if the stores are all decked out for the holidays already.

I bought a lot of winter work clothes during the holiday/post-holiday sales last year so there's nothing I really need except for a new coat. So my plan is to sit back and watch the sales. Stores are moaning that we consumers are so spoiled by sales now that we won't buy anything at less than 50% off. One of the wonders of losing weight and fitting into normal sizes is the luxury of being able to wait for sales! I used to buy anything that fit at almost any price, just because there was no selection in my size and I needed it.

One last meandering thought -- apparently some stores are eliminating plus sizes. I saw Ann Taylor mentioned and there was another ... maybe Liz Claiborne? The story is that regular size clothes sales are down 2% but plus size is down 8%. That makes no sense to me because the average woman is this country is a 16, I read. I just don't get why plus size isn't expanding instead of being cut. Is it because in vanity sizing the average overweight woman is still considered a regular size?

Has anyone been shopping for fall or winter yet? What are you seeing in the stores? Do you like the colors and styles? If you've bought anything and have a link, please post!

Meg · 07-12-2009, 06:04 AM

I found this fascinating blog post explaining the cutbacks in plus sizes:

The Real Reason That Ann Taylor Hates Plus Sizes

Rosinante · 07-12-2009, 08:20 AM

oh no, I'm really interested in this but the pictures don't show up!

My autumn colour choices are berry reds and blues, with the odd rich purply colour. I guess that'll make me neither casual nor classic but 'unusual'. That'll do!

Meg · 07-12-2009, 09:11 AM

Sorry you can't see the photos! Here's a link to the color charts: Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 The colors may be right up your alley!

megwini · 07-12-2009, 10:19 AM

I wonder if Hawaii has Autumn fashions (that's where I live most of the year).

We don't really have seasons, much.

Meg · 07-12-2009, 10:25 AM

Meg, Hawaii is my dream vacation!

I was so surprised when I went shopping in Naples, FL and they had winter clothes in the stores, like heavy sweaters and even winter coats.

Maybe it's because they think the snowbirds will shop and take winter clothes home??

JayEll · 07-12-2009, 11:16 AM

Hey Meg--OT, but I have a theory (or set of theories) about that (Florida stores). One is that some transplants from the North just will not give up their Northern lifestyles. These folks still have overstuffed furniture in their houses as though living in New England. They keep their houses at 72 degrees in the summer so they can wear their typical clothes.

Another is that people who live in Florida do acclimate, and we do have seasons. It was "cold" here last winter, to those who live here. Gosh, we had on our long pants, long sleeved shirts, jackets, mufflers... thin blooded, we are! And a fire in the fireplace on those morning when it was below 40. Why, we had frost on the grass many mornings! (I know... it's different from real cold...)

And finally, I think stores don't even plan regionally. They figure someone in Fla. in the winter may be buying gifts for the folks up North, and they aren't going to send home a shorts set...

I really think some of those colors are nice, but I hardly pay attention to "casual" vs. "classic" vs. whatever it was...

Jay

megwini · 07-12-2009, 11:50 AM

Yes, you do get acclimated. If it drops below 70 now, I feel "cold." I wear long sleeves everywhere anyway (not heavy sweaters though), because I absolutely refuse to get a tan.

Meg · 07-12-2009, 12:02 PM

My dad always marvels at the golfers in Naples who wear stocking caps and gloves when the temperature falls into the 50s.

And Jay, it just kills me when people move to FL and buy the same furniture as they had up north. I've walked into condos of my parents' friends that are typical Florida on the outside and typical Indiana on the inside. Very bizarre indeed.

Meg, do you buy seasonal clothes at all for Hawaii? Or is pretty much the same things all year round?

Stella · 07-12-2009, 01:22 PM

Interesting article about the plus sizes, thank you. I have just been shopping yesterday and when I tried things in a shop called Mango noticed that all the L sizes are French/Italian/Spanish L`s and equal US/UK S`s. When I asked what`s the largest size they offer they said LX, so that`s an M. Yet, I saw no XL on the hangers (probably all taken).

Other European companies (Kookai, Zara) have added more generous sizes for the British market (not a compliment, of course, but much appreciated!) and it was a nice surprise to find that I now fit in a Zara M (while Mango L is still too small!)

Stella

CountingDown · 07-12-2009, 01:34 PM

I haven't picked up any clothes for fall yet (except from Kohl's, Ann Taylor, and J. Jill's clearance racks -LAST year's fall/winter clothes). Only a year into maintenance, I am still filling out some holes in my wardrobe, so I will be checking the sales with an eagle eye.

I have a few pieces in the "chic" colors, but most of my wardrobe tends to fit into "classic". Not much from the casual palette.

At this point - ANY color except black is wonderful (all those years of wearing black), but I'm having a hard time actually BUYING other colors. Somehow the black items jump into my cart/hands and scream "buy me".

EDIT:
I just ordered a few more fall pieces from Kohl's (stackable promo codes and clearance racks are definitely a weakness for me). Colors purchased: white, Mazarne Blue, Fuchsia Rose, Aqua Silver, and black.

Mudpie · 07-12-2009, 04:37 PM

at the "classic" colours - they are the paint pallette we use for whatever house we're renting. We have various rooms in the yellows, greens, and browns

.

I can't wear anything pink or red (I am really pink-faced) so the chic colours are out for me too

.

Not that I really pay attention to all this. I tend to wear green and purple, orange, some black (getting kinda old for that) but now leaning toward grey as a neutral, and whatever patterns appeal to me.

I really don't need any more fall/winter clothes

except for a dressier coat. I'm getting that "gently used" at the designer store if I can find one I like.

And some green and/or purple cords if I can find them.

Don't get me started on the shoes

though - that's my weakness. I keep finding pairs in the back of the closet that I bought a couple of years ago

and haven't worn yet!

And if there's Christmas music playing while I'm wearing shorts there is something badly wrong with that scenario.

Dagmar (to the mansion born)

traveling michele · 07-12-2009, 07:14 PM

FALL clothes?!?!

I'm still waiting for summer here. It has been a COLD summer so far. I had a week in Houston and I'm going to Southern California next week and want to wear my new summer clothes!!

Windchime · 07-12-2009, 07:46 PM

It's been in the high 90's here the past week or so, so it's hard for me to think of fall clothes but I know it's right around the corner. I really, really want a pair of corduroy pants this year, but I refuse to get them until my gut gets a little flatter. Maybe I should make that my next goal? I don't really follow the "trends" for colors; I tend to buy the colors that flatter my complexion, which are the cooler colors. I saw a lot of pretty oranges and yellows out there in the summer clothes, but alas, I can't wear those at all or people ask me if I'm not feeling well LOL.

I was trying things on the other day and was very relieved that I can once again fit into my cute winter wool coat. I was too chunky for it last year and I can easily zip it up this year! Yay!

Meg · 07-13-2009, 08:41 AM

I can't wear yellow either, though it's so sunny and cheerful.

I found this Virginia Woolf quote from her diary that made me think:

Quote:

I must remember to write about my clothes next time I have an impulse to write. My love of clothes interests me profoundly; only it is not love; and what it is I must discover.

So what is my infatuation with clothes?

I think my love of clothes is because they're a big part of my motivation to keep the weight off. It seems like a trite reason but one of the biggest things I missed during the obese decades was being able to wear cute little clothes. As a result, I barely bought anything (not that there was much of a selection in my size) and didn't care how I looked since I only wanted to be invisible. Now I'm willing to be put myself out there and be noticed. So I'm making up for lost time!