Sue, like you I've found that what's in stores will not suit those of us "seniors". I've had great luck in thrift stores finding the style's we like. Some don't like "secondhand" clothing, but I find really stylish clothing of the sort you're talking about. Give it a try! Best, Vee

I agree with you, Sue. It has become so hard to find anything I like, both on-line and in the stores. And quality and sizing are real problems, too.

Try Lands End. I've bought my tops there for the past few years, and a few dresses, too.

I know what you mean about shirts - I don't want 3/4 length sleeves and some wonky neckline. Where oh where are the days when you could walk into any store and find Oxford button down shirts!! I did find some in a discount type store called Shopko - not Oxfords, but they met every other requirement.

Someday jeans makers will once again put out a line with a waist where it's supposed to be, too. What's with this "fits slightly below the waist" stuff? Kohls is the biggest offender now. Too bad, on the rare occasions I shop for clothes, I used to be able to count on Kohls.

I complained to Penney's about their ads just for the reason you stated. All I got back was they have hired Ellen DeGeneres to help design their website and ads. And yes it was confirmed in our paper yesterday.
Another thing, things like Alfred Dunner pants are shrinking in length and many of the blouses I have bought in the past year and not only shrinking, but really getting wierd each time they get washed. It is the quality of material the other countries are using.

SIGH! I need some new clothes and it doesn't look promising for yet another year.

Oh yes, I so agree! I really don't want to wear the hip hugger pants, skin-tight see-through shirts or shirts with plunging necklines full of big sparkly rhinestones. I usually have good luck at Kohl's, but you really do have to spend some time looking even there. There's a Belk store near me, and they usually have something I like too.

Another thing is that so many are very poorly made. DD and I were looking at tops one day and were amazed at the crud out there.....facings just slopped on, or non-existant. And the sizing now, also. Tried on a large, corduroy shirt...could not get it buttoned, but the sleeves came down over my hands!

Have any of you tried the MEN'S section for T's and sweaters? I find they generally have exactly what I want, at FAR better prices. Obviously that doesn't work for dressier items, but for simple tops, sweatshirts, plain sweaters, I like the choices there better than the women's stuff. I also buy men's sneakers from time to time--they fit my wide feet better than women's sizes do.

DD is pregnant and even maternity wear is cut skin tight and sheer. It's all fashion that's messed up, not just for the older people. Everything is supposed to be layered sheer over sheer.

Give me plain cotton blend tee shirts and please ditch the cap sleeve or worse yet the armpit ruffle thing they have going on. Waist pants never fit me right. I light the lower rise in jeans. Just wish they had deep pockets.

It's why all my tees are mens.

I always have better luck with catalogs. I usually buy from Blair or the Tog Shop for casual wear (as well as L.L Bean and Land's End.) For more dressy clothes, I love Drapers and Damons.

Oh ...

... you mean four layers of sheer ...

... at four times the price!

That'd strike sheer terror into my heart!

o j

I have finally found some decent, quality clothes at Talbots and at Chicos. They aren't bargains by any stretch of the imagination but I like them. But even so, I buy them in person, some of the fabric is too thin for me. I also found some at Macy's and Nordstroms. But for hang around the house t-shirts, I too shop in the men's department.

I've never gone in, but the Coldwater Creek website has a few normal looking shirts. Maybe I should actually go in our store. Not cheap.

My old place of work used to pass out the nice heavy guage sweat shirts and T-shirts to the entire staff to commemorate events, etc. I do have a nice collection of those for casual. A pile of them never worn yet.

Someone on KT was wondering about shoes that didn't hurt her feet after walking a bit. Wonder if she's ever seen the traditional Minnetonka Moccassin line? Great soft shoes usually in genuine moose hide - they look good for casual wear and mold themselves to your feet without getting icky looking. When I see them, I always buy a pair and a spare. Again, not particularly cheap, but nothing is worse than feet that hurt.

I shop at primarily Drapers and Damons, Coldwater Creek, Appleseeds and QVC on their websites - I always check for clearance first and do pretty well.

Misery loves company, and I feel it here. ;>) Why have the companies not understood the problem?

I don't really like to order online because I want to check out the fabric, and I will know by the feel of it whether I want to consider buying it. And of course there is the matter of size.

I can't imagine how Ellen DeGeneres is going to help with designing clothes for a variety of women. I think she is cute, I don't follow her on TV, but seems like she always pretty much dresses the same.

I do check out the thrift shops from time to time. Seldom ever find what I'm looking for. I think my preferences are so old, women are either wearing them to threads, like I'm doing, or they have all ready been tossed out.

I'll keep looking though.

Sue

with exception of dressy clothes, i go for wal mart...some tees are pretty thin these days but you can find plain although bright colors..but with grey hair i like bright...easy pull on pants...if i need heavier tees it's the men's dept. now if i could be so lucky with shoes, sigh. i need easy spirits and the size has gone crazy...havn't checked, but wonder if they're made in china along with everything else?

You've got it, OJ. As I've harped before, it's all about the profits. If we try not to buy and better yet, send letters/email, maybe they'll get the message. But the younger among us and their huge demographic just buy whatever is out there without much thought, most of the time.

I hear ya!! I have some of these same problems! I wear a Jr size 3, everything in my size is so childish looking. Then if I opt for better stores, I still can't find anything, because I wear Jr sizes! I hate shopping!!! Grrrrrr

Thee days, you have to go to stores that serve the farm and mechnaics crowd. Their clothing is far from stylish, but they do have jeans, sweaters, tops and shirts in durable materials. Also, winter caps. They have sizes to fit the larger crowd, and people who bend over when working. These clothes as so un-stylish that some people would not be caught dead in those, but the stuff works.

That is precisely why I shop online and more often than not I purchase many clothing items from QVC.. Love the quality of some of the clothing lines there.
It would be a waste of time for me to go to a mall. You just walk and walk and get so disgusted because there is very little out there for us senior women. Try the Q.

I'm a senior with double the aggravation shopping. I am short (five foot one) and I have a small waist/big butt. (won't post my measurements, use your imagination). All pants swim on me-I literally cut 8 to 12 inches off the pants legs. Luckily I can sew (a little). And most current styles are not flattering-I refuse to wear a T shirt with "Juicy" written across the bust. I don't sew well enough, nor do I enjoy sewing, so don't suggest I make my own clothes. If I were a businessperson, I'd start a line of clothing for us "older gals" who want to look good, not trashy. I'd start with separates (tops,pants, jackets,etc) that can be worn interchangeably. Just grab a few pieces and you're ready for anthing...

I wear a lot of Land's End, when I see something I like on-line, I just stop in Sears and try it on....then go home and get the cheaper price on-line. I just bought a simple dress from them - no fussiness, and I have 3 of their summer knit shirtwaist dresses - the ones that look line a knee length golf shirt.
There are many additional companies that sell simple clothing without spending a lot of money.
Talbots
Nordstrom
Eddie Bauer
Champion - great tees that have many neckline styles and sleeve lengths - with no printing, embroidery or ruffles.
I buy Rider jeans at Walmart - great fit and fabric.

I like Land's End and Old Pueblo Traders for clothing for those of us who are "older". I can get Petite or Short pants in larger sizes, plus OPT carries a large variety of clothing, also wide width shoes which actually fit.

But even clothes from those stores are generally thin and clingy, and don't drape nicely to hide my bulges. I'm not huge, but not slim either. It's very frustrating. I mostly buy blouses these days as the t-shirts are just too thin. At least they're not short anymore!

I get my tees from Lands End. If they don't fit properly or shrink or just don't wear well, you can return them for a refund.

I can occasionally find new things (on sale) that I like in stores like Kohl's, Penney's, Goody's, which now has a different name, but have much better luck at thrift stores or Goodwill, for either new, or like new items.

At a thrift store this week I got a brand new Bonworth long sleeved cotton shirt for $1.25and also got a heavier soft cotton floral knit top for $1.25 and a pretty long sleeved gold polyester stitched pleated front blouse for just $2.50.

It takes time to browse through all the mixed up sizes and styles, but I can usually find something that is nice, fits good, and is certainly the right price.

A couple of weeks ago I got a nice long sleeved tan blouse for a dollar, Dress Barn brand. In going to their site, I see now they only sell things that you described in your post. The conservative blouse I bought must be vintage, or at least 'older' though it is in near new condition and I like the style.

Here is a link that might be useful: What you were talking about...Dress Barn Women's 'blouses'

I have a thrift shop and sell lots of clothing. My DD's MIL is a regional manager for Bonworth and she changes out her closet a couple times a year and gives the 'outcasts' to my DD to bring to me to sell and DD gets the money. They are really nice and sometimes she sends things that are new with tag. It's mostly pants and blouses and some sweaters. They are really nice.

I have several women that look forward to her closet cleaning and always buy an armload. One woman goes on cruises frequently and comes in for her 'new to her' clothing for the trip.

One thing I have found with the Bonworth clothing is that they are cut very generously, ie not in the least bit skimpy. The blouse I just bought was a small, and in 'other brands' I usually wear a 12 or large, though a lot of them are either scimpy, or too fitted. Love Bonworth!

I haven't been in a department store in years like Macy's, Penneys,...I buy all my new clothes at TJ MAXX and Marshalls, but find many things at the thrift store. It's in a well to do neighborhood and the stuff looks just like it's a regular store. They give more worn donated stuff to homeless shelters. I only wear a few brands. Ralph Lauren, LLBean, Lands End, J Jill, J. Crew, Gap, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein,Eddie Bauer and every week I find something. This week GAP linen Capris for $1.99, 1/2 price for senior day. These clothes are brand new looking. I'm guessing people buy wrong sizes or only wear things a few times. Last winter I bought brand new LL Bean boots for $2.99. I have small feet so I'm guessing a kid outgrew them. I dress classic , preppy or what ever you call it ..not prints, flowers, ruffles so I know what you mean about today's fashions. Even though I can buy junior size 4-6, I don't want them.

Hi Jannie,

We wouldn't dream ... of making you the butt of our jokes ... and certainly not a big butt!

Sure glad you're feeling better.

o j

We have a store in Florida called Beall's. They have lots of tops appropriate for our age group. Nita had on the cutest outfit yesterday and she got it at Beall's. You can order on line, for those of you not averse to doing so.

I love Beall's.

I know how you feel.

Since retiring and being at home most of the time, I've turned to catalogs and their websites. Favorites are Silhouettes, Travelsmith, Coldwater Creek, and Woman Within. If I find a blouse (I don't wear tees or anything else knit) that I like, I often order it in several flattering colors. Afdter combing the Net and regular stores, have found that Woman Within has the best jeans for me. They usually have a natural waistline and they come in petite sizes (I am 5'3"). They don't ride up or down - they stay in place, whether I'm working out, cleaning the bathtub, or lying on the sofa with cats on my chest. And they hold their shape and wear like iron.

Travelsmith, believe it or not, has wonderful clothes that are well-sized, simply cut, easy to clean, and suitable for any occasion. They're not cheap, though, but they also last.

J. Jill has pretty things, but often the tops are cut a bit short. They do have nice accessories - just got a beautiful copper metallic tote from them.