Is it that I'm getting old and so out of touch with fashion that I'm just out of luck? or are fashions just really bad?

I look horrible in low rise jeans and most tops are weird proportions and this weird gauzy material. I'm shopping for fall/winter and I don't even see sweaters or decent long sleeved tops out on the racks. Ones I do see that I like are REALLY expensive and for a size I'm not sure I'll be sticking to for long, I'm not spending $$$ on.

And I really need to find some clothes as I have NOTHING for fall - at all - not one shirt. I have a couple skirts and one pair of lightweight jeans like pants (that have a pastel trim them - ever so tiny, but it does limit what I can wear with them). ACK!!!

So, is it me? Are the fashions OK, but I'm just getting too old? Honestly, the only clothes I'm seeing that are of passable styling are things like at JJill, The Limited and Coldwater Creek.

Or are fashions at an all time low with the recession? I guess that's what it is to me. The fabrics feel CHEAP and the cuts look cheap. Nothing seems very well made.

Have you tried Blair.com they have fashions that are more consertivative and are not expensive. ?

I actually always found shopping MORE frustrating when I was at a smaller size.

Before it was just "Well... my choice is x store. If they don't have it, I'm S.O.L." The clothes weren't tailored to fit, but they were the only things that did fit at all.

Then when I lost a little weight and was able to go into a couple of stores it's... "OMG TOO MANY CHOICES AND NONE OF THEM LOOK/FIT RIGHT!" Not to mention, years of just wearing "whatever fit" meant that I never got to have a huge say in my style.

...hmm...rambly... I don't think it's just you. Some years have better things than others.

Maybe Landsend.com or LLBean.com - they have good sale prices often.

Old Navy has some nice cable-knit V neck sweaters out now, and their Flirt and Sweetheart denim rises aren't crazy low.

I'm also a huge fan of Lands End Canvas -- nice cardigans and shells.

isn't it wierd? honestly, i find that some pieces you should invest in, but if you're planning to lose a lot more, fast, then it's almost worth it just holding out.

i know i've been holding out for a while, trying to do another 10 lbs before buying clothes (i've lost about 4 inches off EVERYTHING since last winter, and i'm so afraid). all i've been buying is spandex workout clothes- otherwise i'm like the incredible shrinking woman.

clothes buying is harder when you're smaller. SO MANY CHOICES, AND NONE FIT RIGHT.

Treasure the feeling :P

I can't do ordering of clothes because I don't know how things will fit. I'm not a big fan of Lands End clothes for women. Their proportions are off. I like LLBean OK, but pricey which I would do if I were at my end weight, but this is a passing size. I hit TJMaxx yesterday and egad are fashions bad. I found a black pant suit, but that's it.

I plan to hit Marshall's today and Lord and Taylor. Lord and Taylor are having huge sales. Basically, I need a pair of khakis and a few shirts and a sweater to get me by. I don't plan to get a lot, but to keep coming up empty is weird!

I have also bought quite a few basic tops at Target, and some khakis that i really liked. They don't last much more than a season -- but you won't need them next fall anyway!
Although shopping is frustrating, it is great that you have need for smaller clothes!

Have you checked thrift stores/consignment shops? It took me forever to find a good one but I was at least able to pick up a few things there for a much lower price.

I know cold water creak is supposed to have decent sales every now and then. My stepmom really loves that store and is always finding coupons for their clothes.

I just made a similar post about my issues with clothes now at smaller sizes. Why can't it be easier?

What about Kohl's, they have huge sales. I have bought khakis there made by Levis and othrs made by Lee. They also have Dockers.

I do most of my shopping at Ross. It's kind of like a TJ Max/Marshall's but I think the prices are better. Not sure if they're in your area.

I agree about the fashions. I like longer-ish short sleeves and it seems everything is a cap sleeve these days. I don't like showing my flabby arms

I go shopping and come out empty handed a lot! It's very frustrating.

Was a bit luckier today. Got 4 shirts and one pair of pants and an athletic zip jacket. Two things at Goodwill the rest from Lord and Taylor from the clearance rack which was 50% off plus I had an additional 25% off coupon. However, the pants were full price with a 15% off coupon. but they looked good and finding pants that look good is HARD, so I got them for $42. The rest was $60 total.

I think I'm basically done for fall in this size except for a couple sweaters/jackets as it gets cooler, but by then I might be able to find some on sale.

That's what I have been wondering. For a couple years now everything seems sorta crappy. I haven't been able to find much either. It's always been difficult for me due to being so short, so small in the shoulders and having a huge behind...but now it seems almost impossible!

Melissa,
I have a hard time finding suitable clothes, too. I am in Canada, so I shop in different stores but I am just as disappointed as you are.
But, I have to say, I find hip riding jeans a true godsent. I have been comfortable in pans that cinched me in the waist (by the end of the day I would feel bloated like a hot air balloon, and looking somewhat preggers - I don't why I react this way - basically, this is why I never wear belts either).
I now have a few pairs of jeans that all sit below natural waist and I always marvel at how comfortable they are. Surprisingly, they make me feel slimmer than the jeans that sit higher up. Weird, eh? I never thought that at the age of 52 I will be running around in jeans sitting way below my navel and loving it!

I swear to God, I came here to start this thread.

I went shopping today to get a top. I've been getting new jeans as I've gone down, but haven't invested in any new shirts. However, I'm having dinner with some friends from my old work next weekend, and I figured I should wear something other than the too-big t-shirts I've been wearing the past few months. None of my nice tops fit anymore--they're all way too big.

So I decided I'd go to Fashion Bug first. Normally, while they're not my style--I don't like sequins or beads or foil or butterflies or beaded foil butterflies--I can find one or two decent tops that I'll wear in situations like this. Nope. Nada. I tried Burlington Coat Factory down the road. Nada. Finally, I ended up at a Lane Bryant outlet, where I found two things that were passable out of the entire store.

I've noticed that fabrics today seem to be a lot thinner and softer and clingy than before. They feel great on the hanger, but they feel inadequate on me. They highlight every imperfection. Moreover, they're either solid, or they possess really out-there graphics; there's no subtle graphics. How I long for the numbered shirts of the early 2000s. . .