Spring Clothes Shopping
 

Has anyone been shopping for clothes lately? I haven't been in the mall since Christmas but it's raining today and I thought I'd check out the sales. And wow, I was so disappointed!

It seemed like the spring colors are predominantly yellow-greens, browns, and corals, which are wonderful if you have the right skin tones. I don't - I've got very pale skin and blue eyes and look terrible in earth tones. So that ruled out about 75% of what I saw. Then what's with the maternity tops?? Big, gauzy tops with empire waists. Not a good look on anyone, IMO (unless you're preggers of course!) And there were a lot of sweaters and tops in very long lengths (like mid-thigh), also not good for a short person.

I found an awesome part of pants that made the trip worthwhile, though. They're black (of course - black is slimming, right? :lol: ) and button up like sailor pants. Instead of a zipper, there's a flap in front with a vertical row of four buttons on each side, if that makes sense. Slightly wide legged. They fit like a glove but if I eat even one cookie, they're not going to fit any longer so they're good incentive not to misbehave. :D

I guess I'll be making do with last summer's clothes if this is what's going to be in fashion this season. Fortunately, I've over bought in previous years and won't be lacking! :o Isn't that the best part of being at your goal weight ... your size doesn't change from year to year?

Have any of you been shopping? What do you think of the current styles and colors?

I was at the mall last weekend. I don't like that thin , gauzy material either. I really won't wear long shirts practically to my knees or any of the shirts that show half the stomach. Yuck. The only things I could find that I really liked were more dressy clothes and I was looking for casual everyday stuff. I already have a lot of dressy stuff now. I will again be looking for some mid-thigh shorts for summer and a new swimsuit. I have a lot of capris and feel so comfortable in them, but wish I could find new tops to wear with them.
Meg, I know which type of pants you are talking about and those are very cute. I want a white pair of pants. It is so nice to know that I can still wear my clothes from last summer. I constantly have to remind myself that just because I can shop in the junior section, doesn't mean I should. LOL. I got 2 new catalogs yesterday from Fashion Bug and Lane Bryant and threw them in the trash. My birthday is the end of this month, so I'm thinking maybe a shopping trip is in order.

LOL Lily, about the juniors department - I watched What Not To Wear yesterday and it was all about a 25 year old who shopped in the junior's department and the stuff was too young for HER. So maybe we old ladies need to steer clear. :rofl:

Well, I definitely don't fit in all of last year's clothes (yay!) and I DO look good in earth tones, but I don't know if I'll be smaller next year, so I'm trying to be careful with my purchases.

I really like Talbots and there's an outlet near me. They are having a big sale starting Friday am and I am going. A lot of it might be winter clothes, but the prices can be great. A few weeks ago I bought a skirt I had been eying last summer. Of course, last summer I was an 18 (and thrilled, having lost a bunch of weight already), but this time I was a 12! :carrot: And full price that skirt was $118! I got it for $12!

OOOh Heather, you've got me beat! I thought I got a great deal last week at Talbots. But there's hardly anything left!

OK, there's another drawback to this style which I discovered back in college the last time this style was in fashion. YOU CAN'T DRINK MUCH!!!!!! If I remember correctly, my wool navy surplus pants had about 22 buttons on that flap. I wish I still had them, they'd probably fit again. But I drink even more now than I did back then (different contents in the bottle :rofl:) and I do remember some near disasters.

BTW, Talbots had these on sale last week for $22, but they didn't have then anywhere in my size :( I've always wanted winter white pants and at $22.00 was willing to face the possibility that the first time I wore them might be the last.

Earth tones and I are not a good combo. Luckily, I don't need to be very stylish working in a gym.

And another beef- tight capris! Ugh, whoever thought that one up must be 5'9 and weigh 113 lbs. I look like a frumpy fire hydrant in capris.

Mel

Now this is a subject I can really get into. I love great clothes. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same thing about this year's fashions. I'm not a casual kind of girl -- I prefer classic trousers, tailored shirts, great suits and smart accessories. This year's styles are taking me right back down one of my most unfavorite memory lanes. All those tunic tops are right out of the '60s; Yesterday, I saw ads for geometric-print sleeveless shifts and pale makeups. Can we all say Pucci? And those so-called boot-cut pants? You can't fool me; I'd recognize a bell bottom leg anywhere. And speaking of pants ... what genius came up with all the low- and mid-rise designs? I'd sell my soul for a waistband that hit the waist .... Aaarrrggg ... oh oh .... I seem to be on a rant :rofl:

I'm bowed, but not broken. Tomorrow, DH and I are going to Indy to look around. We're going to Rome in May (!) and I what I need is what our fine British friends call, "casual smart." Not work duds, but city-appropriate wear. Wish me luck.

In the meantime, I too will make do with summer things from years past -- garmets that are red, black and navy blue. Yep, there's nothing more satisfying than pulling out clothing that still fits. Wuv it, wuv it, wuv it.:cheer2:

Meg, I saw that episode of What Not to Wear and thought now that's something I need to pay attention to. LOL.

My skin color isn't very pale and earthtones work OK for me. But, I really like Navy and Red. As for capris, since I'm fairly tall they work good for me. Mid-rise jeans work nicely for me since my waist is not as slender as it should be. Higher waist clothes are always too big in the hips and legs for me. When I put on my trusty little tummy minimizer, I look like I have a decent waistline. LOL. Now if I could fine some of those padded undies, I'd look like I had a booty. LOL.

I love those mid-low rise pants! Like Lilly, if I had to buy what fit my so-called waist, they'd be ballooning out on my hips and thighs.

Robin, if we'd only saved all those clothes from the late 60's! Wait- I think I still have a peasant blouse or two in the attic!

Mel

I made DS go shopping with me last Friday after school because Talbot's had sent me a 10% off coupon. I got a cute pair of casual capris in navy with a pale yellow tee shirt that was dressed up with a little lace design on the collar. I don't usually wear yellow as I don't think I look good in it, but I wore it to work Monday and got two compliments for the color!

I also got a pair of dressier brown cropped slacks and two tops to go with them. i liked them so much I went online and ordered another pair in black. I must own a dozen pair of black pants, but of course, these are NEW! Then on Saturday, I went to Chico's and found another tee to go with the brown crops. I have plenty of cute new things to take to my convention in April!

Oh, and since I didn't have the right color brown shoes, I had to shop for those (Talbots had some nice slings that would have worked, but didn't have my size). I didn't really want a high heel, but that's what I ended up getting. Found them at JC Penney.

Robin and Mel: I was there too. It's so good to hear you saying what I've been thinking! And Meg, weren't those little maternity things in fashion then too - perhaps a bit later, early 70s?

Earth tones and me: :nono:

I don't have very many clothes so I'm not quite sure what's going to be happening here this summer. :?:

Keep talking ... I'm totally enthralled by the idea of having a fabulous wardrobe some day. And my sister and I are touring a mall on Friday.

I'm thinkin' a white jacket ... that you can wear with a zillion coloured tanks and jeans or slacks???

Egads, I have flashbacks when I go to the mall. I wore those clothes in the 60's! :eek: Of course I was about a size 6 or 8 then too! :lol: I will never be more than 5'4" and while I wear capris sometimes (they hide my knees!) I need the tapered ones rather than the wider legs. And yes boot cut = bell bottoms in my book too.

I order a lot of my clothes from places like Lands End, LL Bean and J Jill. I find they have much more classic looks. My Irish coloring doesn't do well with earth tones either, and I find my ordering I can stick with navy, red, black and cream, with the occasional tan pants and lighter pastel tops.

However, I think all of last summer's clothes should fit fine, and maybe some from a couple years back if I continue losing. I was down another 3 lbs last night, for a total of 8 over the last 3 weeks. :D Amazing what just upping my exercise a little will do - though, like others have said, being on track with exercise keeps my eating in line too.

My vacation clothes arrived via FedEx today. I ordered a skort and a white v-neck t-shirt. I love L.L. Beans because their cuts fit my body shape and I've never had a problem with sizing. Plus I HATE shopping and can do it from home, online.

I had to get the skort because none of the shorts I was wearing last summer fit. I was probably a size 10 then and still wearing my 12's & 14's. They were falling down baggy, but I didn't want to spend money since I was still losing weight. The skort lets me get a little more use than if it were just a pair of shorts.

The t-shirt is long enough to tuck into my low rise jeans and pants. I will have to order more in different colors.

Yes, I saw a lot of dark brown dresses and tops at Ann Taylor's Loft petite section last week when I was pants shopping. I guess they're to go along with last years brown skirts. Not a color I'm drawn to, but they would look fine with my dark brown hair.

My wardrobe's filled with clasic styles or styles that go well on my body. I've never been one to follow the latest styles. Mostly, when I see people wearing them like the empire waisted guazy shirts, I think, "What are THEY thinking? Do they think they actually look good in that? Fashion Slave!"

I need a whole new wardrobe this year. I should of got one last year but put it off by the end of the summer my belt wouldn't even keep my shorts up. I may be in trouble if ther isn't much to pick from.

Susan, I think a little white jacket is a great investment. :) I have one that I've gotten a ton of use from ... it's cut like a jeans jacket but is lightweight white cotton jacquard fabric with a front zipper. So it can be casual or a little more dressy depending on what I wear it with - jeans = casual, black and white crinkle skirt = a little dressier. And white goes with everything, of course. :D

This spring is going to be tough for me. Having lost 106 lbs. from last spring the only thing that still fits me are my socks. And I gotta tell you even they're a little loose. And I'm still at the stage where I am hoping, well all right I know that whatever I purchase now will not fit me next spring. Heck I'm hoping it won't even fit me by mid summer. We shall see.

I felt nice and safe in winter clothing. Although I love the spring, I really do love the coverage that you get from a nice ribbed turtle neck. Or any sweater for that matter. I just don't know how I will fare in spring/summer clothing. All light colored and light materials. We hit 71 degrees here today and all I had to put on was a V necked thin sweater. I am going to go shopping on Friday. I'm gonna try to keep it to a minimum. I do look forward to buying some age appropriate yet stylish clothing.

I think I will start at Macy's. I usually have good luck there. It's funny whenever I go shopping now and take clothing into the dressing room in say my current size (at least for today), which is a 10 or 12, I'm always shocked that it fits. I always think the one the I bought previously in that small a size (for me anyway) must have been a fluke. But it's not. They all fit!!! Doesn't necessarily mean I love how each and every one looks on me, but they all do fit. So, I guess it's for real.

I did notice that all the shirts look like maternity shirts too. I certainly don't want to look pregnant since I'm not and that is one good reason for losing my weight. LOL. (I used to have a lot of people ask me when's the baby due when I wasn't pregnant).

Robin, I still think my clothes size is a fluke too. Then I notice I wear the same size at most any store. It sounds like you need to do some shopping to just get by thru the spring and summer. Try for mix and match things and get as few items as you can get by on. I got a lot of my stuff at resale shops while I was still losing, to help save on the cost and I knew I wouldn't be in it for long. You are losing wt. so quickly that your new stuff won't fit for long, that is for sure. Once I got down to a size 12 I thought I was about the hottest darn thing on the planet. LOL. So, I just know how happy and proud you must feel. I am so proud of you and think you have done absolutely wonderful at the wt. loss . Plus you have an awesome attitude.

Lilybelle, it's funny how you said you thought you were so hot at a size 12. I gotta tell you I am feeling quite - GOOD. I know I should be shopping at resale shops in order to save much needed money, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I'm no snob, believe me. It's just that after years and years of settling for clothing, between lack of choice and lack of what would get around my body, I just want to go to the stores and pick out what I want. New and in style and with plenty of choices. Luckily I work out of my home, so I can get away with a lot less then if I worked elsewhere. I just have to do the laundry often and in the evenings, when I'm in PJ's.

I too noticed those maternity looking shirts. I don't care for them much. Not so flattering a look, I like my clothes (now) FITTED. My waist is my smallest part of me and quite frankly, the more fitted the better.

I will just have to suffer through with a small wardrobe until I hit goal. But come next spring - lookout, cause here I come. There will be no stopping me.

My wardrobe is currently nonexistent. I have a few things but they never fit for more than a few weeks. Then I keep wearing those jeans with a belt (and I had to have more belt holes added) and you can tell the jeans are baggy but I just dont feel like buying a bunch of clothes when I'm losing at least 1 pound a week and I'm just 3 months or so from my goal. So, stores watch out in June and July! I'll be getting new lingerie and a bunch of new summer clothes. My summer clothes from 2 summers back might fit then (pre baby) but they've been in the basement of our building for so long now I'm kinda grossed out about even looking in the bags.

Its funny because I've been dressing so frumpy for so long now (during the pregnancy and since June 2006 when I delivered) that people were stunned yesterday when I actually had a nice outfit on (the pants from Banana Republic are already becoming too loose and I just bought them last week). I got mad compliments and I guess I'll keep getting them into this summer when I really shock people. Yes Claudia is back! Ah, life is tough!

As for dressing for one's age, I must admit to shopping in the juniors department at times. In the summer I mostly wear tight fitting T-shirts with say a rhinestone logo on it or something cute like that with some tight jeans. Not into looking slutty or anything, but I do like to show "things" off a bit when I'm looking good. LOL

The "new" style (which comes from the 80's) that I like is the skinny jeans that go tight all the way to the bottom. Cannot wait to get my butt into a pair of those come June!

Robin, at a size 12, I thought my curves were more in the right places. If that makes any sense. (I still had a butt then). I don't blame you at all for wanting to go ahead and buy nice clothes now. I bought some new stuff as I was losing, because it made me feel good. I bought some resale stuff that I liked because it was cheap and I knew I wouldn't be wearing it for long. Besides, DH never minded me buying a lot of bargain stuff. Really, he's been great about my clothes shopping. He says "if you want it or need it then go buy it".

Claudia, I saw those skinny jeans while shopping. I didn't try them on because I knew I'd want them and I have plenty of jeans already. I've also put more holes in some of my belts to help keep my jeans up. I do wear snugger jeans now since losing the weight. Before, mine were always just too uncomfortably tight in the waist. (I admit I used to unbutton my jeans after meals or when riding in the car).

Lillybelle, I think you have the perfect shape for those skinny jeans..tall with thin legs. You should get them! They look so stylish and new. I am totally tired of that same old boot cut look, and the peg leg type jeans are not very nice looking IMHO. So I can't wait to try this look..but it probably helps to be a bit slimmer.

I'm going shopping and I'm really excited! Yup, it's been a long winter ....

Be sure and tell us what you get, Susan!!! Have fun shopping!

I went shopping a couple weeks ago at Ann Taylor Loft and saw nothing but nautical-inspired clothes! I swear, the entire store was red, navy blue, and striped. I found an adorable red skirt but resisted buying it -- I'm waiting until it's on sale!

Ann Taylor Loft is currently my favorite store. They have a lot of cute sophisticated but still "young" styles, plus the petites section is a bonus since I'm kind of short. And it's a great place for basics like solid-color tees and slacks.

I'm planning on checking out Kohl's this weekend if I have a chance -- their commercial on TV shows lots of cute stuff!

Also, you all are so right-on with the pregnant-looking shirts. I actually own one (got it as a gift maybe five years ago) and even though I have worn it on occasion, I always felt like I looked pregnant in it (especially when I was fat! :lol: ). The only people who can really pull of that flowy empire waist look are pregnant women and stick figures.

And what is with these shirts that come down past your hips? Maybe they look good on tall people or something, because when I've tried them on I always feel like I'm suddenly six inches shorter.

Claudia, thanks, I did think those jeans would probably look good on my body type. I may try them next time I'm shopping.

Jessica, I have found quite a few clothes that I like at Kohl's in past seasons but havent' been there lately. We don't have an Ann Taylor's nearby. I didn't see anything this time at Old Navy that I wanted.

Our local resale shop had a rack of brand new Gap shirts with tags still on them. I bought 2 of them size large for me. They ended up being WAY too big for me and I gave them to my Aunt. I should have tried them on first.

One thing I was NOT looking forward to for getting back to my 'normal' weight was how difficult it is to find clothes that fit my small body. Sometimes I buy girls size 14, but the arms are usually too short.

I'm in mourning over all of the small clothes I got rid of during my fat years. There's a navy blue 'tulip' skirt I gave away a year and a half ago that I would pay double to have back.

Paperclippy ~ I tried that red skirt on and it was too big in a size 2 petite because I wanted it to be at my waist and not sitting on my hips. I loved the cut out detailing. Perhaps when DH gets a job AND Ann Taylor puts it on sale, I'll go back and see if there are any size 0's left. I don't think I want to mess with altering it.

Well my shopping plans got derailed today. I was all psyched. I was going to even walk into Ann Taylor Loft today after reading about it here. I went to the mall and it was surrounded by police everywhere. On every single side. On foot, in vans, cars, motorcycles, scooters. Just everywhere. I have no idea what was going on. I sure hope everybody is all right. But I am GREATLY disappointed.

Carolyn, your pictures are amazing.

Thanks RockinRobin DH took the after photo a week ago. I was very happily suprised to see how much weight I've lost in my upper arms.

I still need to figure out how to load photos up to the Goal Photo Album because I have another great before and after set to show off.

Today, I'm weariing the pair of dark navy pants I bought off the sale rack at Ann Taylor's a week ago. They're so comfortable.

RockinRobin ~ maybe I can send you some of my old pants while you lose wait? You won't have to shorten them!

Morning! morning! Let me see ... I got a pinstriped suit with two camisoles to match, a pink tank, jeans long enough for my high clogs and two fabulous bra's! I now know that I can walk into a La Senza and just grab one that's wonderful!
Oh the bargains! And everything is size 4!

Congratulations SusanB! What a treasure trove. And good luck to everyone else who hits the stores!!

I had luck of another kind when I ventured out. DH and I went to Nordstrom in Indianapolis earlier this week. I was not able to find casual clothes to my taste, but I did find a sensational suit that I didn't buy but am strongly leaning toward. It comes in several colors, and I'm considering "toast," a brown/taupe that will look sensational with black, navy blue, cream (of course), pink, lavendar and white. Full disclosure: I don't buy anything that I can't wear with a whole host of blouses and tops. Must be by Scottish heritage :)

But more important is a lesson I learned from the particuarly helpful sales associate. I'd pull out a Size 12, and she'd say no no no ... try this 10. I'd pull out another 12 and she'd say ... well, you get the picture. Finally, she got exasperated and asked me why I insisted on buying baggy clothing; that the things I was trying on only made me look sloppy and -- bigger :fr: She even steered me to 8's a couple of times and, you know what .... she was right. :yes:

In this day and age of ever-declining sales service, it's darn hard to find this kind of help, but when you do, ain't it great. Not only did she help me find a suit I really like, she taught me several lessons about fitting clothes to my particular frame.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks :lol:

I went shopping yesterday and it was such fun!

I went back to that Talbot's outlet -- they were having a big sale. Basically, after the stores put all their clothes on deep discount, it comes to the outlet, and they discount it another 40-75%.

I was there for over 3 hours and bought a dozen items (and spent about $150 total). What a change from previous experiences!

I also bought a couple of size 10s!!!!!!!

LOL! Are you kidding us??

What ended up being wrong over there? What bad luck..LOL

Wyllen, I'm with you, I just love end of the season sales; I usually do most of my winter shopping in January and my summer shopping in July; I'll get a few things at the beginning of the season and the majority during the sales. I just LOVE a bargain!

WTG ladies, on all the new clothes and new smaller sizes. Everyone is making me want to shop too. I'll wait til after we get home from camping. I figured out that this trip is gonna cost us quite a bit. With totally stocking the new camper. I've already spent about $1000.00 this week. Plus sense I'm using my expedition to pull the boat and DH is driving the camper, I expect to spend $150.00 or more in gas alone. It is strange how the expenses have added up, I could have taken a cruise for what I have spent.

My BD is next Sunday and may tell DH not to buy me gifts, just let me go pick myself some summer clothes out. (I've seen what he buys and don't want to chance that). Last night I saw some really cute solid red and solid navy colored capris that I like. Now that everything fits, I could easily go wild with shopping. I did buy a bunch of nice, new undies and threw all my bigger undies away. I need new sandals for this summer. I bought some that I loved last summer, but alas my puppy chewed them up. (I never hardly even wore them because that is when my ankle was all messed up). I bought some nice summer dresses at the end of last summer that haven't been wore yet. It is fantastic to know that my size hasn't changed and I can wear them this summer.

Not knowing whether my size will change more makes it difficult, but I'm not going to complain. 2 years ago I had NO options at the mall as I was > size 24! I can't complain for having so many choices now!

Mami I never found out what happened at the mall. SO FRUSTRATING. I was practically in tears. I am going to attempt to go shopping again this Monday morning. I hope Macy's sale will still be going on. It says that its through Monday, but if you get there early enough sometimes they still honor the prices. The bad thing about going on Monday is I must be at work by 1:00, so I won't have much time. We shall see what happens.

Wyllen I couldn't agree more. I don't know if I will remain this size for the next 6 months or the next 6 weeks. Very difficult indeed to shop. Although, like you I AM NOT complaining. Last year at this time I was barely fitting into a size 26/28. So, ummm yeah, I can deal with not knowing for now and somehow, just somehow I will have to learn to live with all those choices. Yay!!!! Choices are good. Very good in fact.

Lily, isn't that great? I am still amazed that I don't need to buy an entirely new wardrobe each year. At first I would go up a size each year and need new clothes, then I started going down sizes, but now I am comfortably fitting in clothes from over a year ago. WOOHOO!

Jessica, it is great that I can wear what I bought last year. I got my dresses at end of summer clearance, knowing full well that I wouldn't have a chance to wear them. It is really much less expensive to buy out of season and that is something I couldn't ever do before.

Wyllen and Robin, I used to wear a very snug size 20, so I love the choices that I have now. Before almost all my clothes came from Lane Bryant.

You know, I was a Lane Bryant chick since college. I remember the first time I walked in there and could finally find clothes that FIT -- rather than looking for 14/16s in the regular stores (seems they were much less frequently found in regular stores back then).

Despite not really loving LB, it was a life-saver in many ways.

I got really depressed when I got too big to fit into the clothes at the (physical) LB stores (and all the other physical stores!). I wonder sometimes if I would have been so motivated to lose weight if I had more clothing options...

Another Lane Bryant girl here. There clothing was pretty decent looking, sometimes. But their choices were sparse and their prices well - weren'tsparse.

Wyllenn, one of the real eye openers for me before starting my journey was that I was barely fitting into Lane Bryant's largest size. And that terrified me - beyond belief. It was a major factor in starting my lifestyle change. After that it really became one thing after the other. Had their clothing sizes been even smaller, perhaps I would have started earlier. If there clothing sizes went larger .......... you know what? I don't even wanna go there.