clink: this is good: "Never buy anything -- unless you can wear it with 3 other things in your wardrobe -- RIGHT NOW! Not later when you buy that pink shirt or the lime capris. "And learn your personality style for clothing." A few other things that have helped me: 1. Know what colors look best on you and don't even bother looking at clothes that aren't in those colors (the "Color Me Beautiful" philosophy). It saves me a lot of time when I'm shopping. This also makes it more likely that new clothes will go with clothes I already have. It's really true that if you wear colors that flatter, you don't need a lot of makeup or other enhancements, so that saves time and hassle as well. 2. If you find a basic item that fits well, if possible buy at least two of the same style. Especially pants, because they are so hard to find. 3. Don't bother shopping in stores that never seem to have what you want or need. I wear a size 18, so I've come to realize I'm happier going to stores that always carry the newest things in my size and where I don't have to search through every rack to find anything. So plus-size stores and places like Target get most of my business. Department stores are usually horrible. If I have a few hours available to shop and I go to one or two of the places where I have had success in the past and use the coupons they send me, I can usually come home with a few new outfits for less than $150. I probably do this 4 or 5 times a year. I'm also very good at returning things if, after I get them home, I realize I don't like them. I don't bother with thrift stores because they rarely have large sizes, and it's just not worth the effort. What really trips me up (ha) is finding shoes. I wear a size 12 now and tend to have problems unless I wear comfort-type shoes when I have to walk more than a little bit. I'm in a bit of a panic right now because I haven't found any good walking sandals for this summer yet. I have to spend at least $100 for a pair of shoes if they aren't on sale. I organize my closet by type from left to right: sleeveless tops, short-sleeved tops, long-sleeved tops, pants, skirts, and evening wear (I need this last category because I play in concerts regularly). Sweaters that need to be folded go on a shelf over the hanging rack. Shorts, T-shirts, nightwear, and such go in dresser drawers. DH and I share a pretty small walk-in closet that has a simple organizing system (left by the POs), and we seem to have room for all our clothes.

If you really want to be "green", don't use those poly bags. They're made of non-woven polypropylene - same base poly that's used to make the plastic bag shopping bags. Yes - they're re-usable, but when they have to be replaced, the old one goes into the garbage. It's not recyclable. Best bet is to make/purchase bags made of natural fabrics. Burlap is one of the best. It's strong, durable and REALLY green. When the bag can't be used anymore - just toss it in your compost, or use it as mulch in your garden. It will break down & go back into the earth where it came from.

Outside..the salesperson I started with is 5"11 !! She buys all her clothes there as well as the other sales women who were my height and then mid height so it is a clothing line it seems for all. They carry 1X 2X etc as well as Misses and Petites. cyn ...I was surprised that the blue print shirt I got is Viscose. I was sure it was real silk. The skirts are heavy and lined. Very luxurious fabric and heft to the weave. I was a little concerned at the cost of the items....admittedly if it had been running gear I would have not batted an eye LOL...and I know they are not what some on the forum think of as expensive clothes at all ....but to me they are pricey, but boy the fabric feels so rich. The colors are also so intense. They also are easy care . I am going to baby them but the salespersons said you don't need to. Good Luck and enjoy ! c

If I may suggest, when searching often one or 2 words are important. A button down shirt is a shirt with button holes on the points of the collar and little buttons to hold that there collar down. A button up shirt has buttons up the front of the shirt for closing or leaving open. The collar may or may not be button down on a button up shirt.