Chico's, Coldwater Creek, White House - Black Market, always have interesting styles & prints, IMO.

I did take a pass through WH-BM yesterday when I was out. They have nice things but a bit too formal for my needs. I also saw a big new Von Maur going up in my nearby mall. There are others in my metro area but not near me so this will be a refreshing alternative to the always-a-mess Macy's. Von Maur must be doing something right if they are opening a new store in this day and age of B&M closings.

Got a $25 off Loft promo code by email after my in store purchase yesterday so proceeded to buy a few more tops online at 30% off. I'm on a roll. Also packed up two bags of clothes and shoes for donation. Sorted through my nicer shoes and found a few pair that are reasonably comfortable. I need a pair of navy flats - navy is always challenging. I have a few on my Nordstrom wishlist.

3katz, same here in MI with the Von Maur. The ladies clothing (not jr's) was upstairs, and they had a section of very artsy tops. If I had my camera I would have taken a photo because they reminded me of the "Artsy" top featured in the MOB outfits cartoon by Roz Chast that was recently discussed here, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/09/10/fashion-statements

I wouldn't rule out looking on and ordering from Asos.com for tops. They have a huge selection on sizing, tall, regular, large breasted, petite and plus. They have tops that could be dressed up or down. I have bought some inexpensive tops (not these) in gorgeous colors that I wear with my Loft colored jeans. Not everything on the site is for youngsters.

Don't know your style so just posted some random's.

Ohhh look at this. Not for everyone but still pretty groovy.

I really want something in a leopard print but haven't found the right thing yet. I saw some sweaters yesterday but there was no black in the print so I passed. I think I'd like a leopard vest.

By the way, I wore one of my new tops today with some pants I already had. It did not go unnoticed and was noted that I was "dressed up" today. I attributed it to the fact I had a couple people in for interviews. Wearing a nice outfit vs. the usual was very uplifting. Can't wait to get the rest of my stuff. It dropped from 90 degrees here to 60 in a day so I might need to expedite my purchase of the layers.

3katz, it's so weird that I'm attracted to leopard prints all of a sudden. I normally don't do small print stuff of any kind.

But, I'm ordering this. These clothing threads are always dangerous lol.

Edited: Grrrr it's only available in size 2. Sold out in other sizes.

Edited again. Bloomingdales has the exact same top for $199. On ASOS it's $126 with free ship. How crazy is that? However, with a little looking I found it on Thehut which included a discount coupon code WOMAN25 so all in $100. Done.

Funny, maybe a bit sad, story about leopard print. I went out of my comfort zone in the 90s and bought a short sleeve top that I thought looked good on me. I wore it once to some occasion and my mom told me I looked sexy, so I made it into a pillow. :D "Sexy" has never been the vibe I wanted to project.

Yesterday I looked through Talbot's website and another one mentioned and saw nothing I would want to try on. :-/

I think either you are a leopard person, or you are not. I'm not, although it can look cute on a pair of shoes.

Lol Allison! One can go very wrong using leopard. I was out for dinner last week and saw a women in her forties (I think) with leopard tights, high black stilettos and a shortish form fitting plunging neckline top. We were at Bricktops restaurant not a disco. Anyway, maybe I'm just being a fuddy-duddy but it didn't help that she could barely walk in those high heels.

My goal will be casual glam.

Yeah, my leopard adventure I limited to a scarf...but even at that, I can't help but feel too too in it, IYKWIM...

I like these looks.

This is my fav (below) and more my style.

I never would have thought to mix green accessories but I like this. Wonder if I could wear my new top open with a white tee underneath and my black Loft jeans...green accessories.

Leopard is cool, but you don't want to stray into Peg Bundy territory

I think I saw Peg Bundy at Bricktops restaurant except she had changed to a platinum blond hair color.

I like the blouse with the white pants and black sweater. That would be my style too.

Completely forgot about Peruvian Connection! Love their clothes-fabrics and workmanship are high quality. Much of their clothing is better for thinner people and some I can't see working for me since I am only 5'4". Still, their colors and patterns are luscious and I have kept everything I have ordered. Thought of them b/c I just got an email and may order a skirt I saw!

ETA:. ...and a sweater.

Just came back to say I’ve gone full circle from shopping despair to shopping fool. Picked up a couple layers tonight on sale at Talbots and added one more to my online cart for next week’s sale. Then I stumbled onto what appear to be perfect Born flats and ordered three colors from Zappos - no navy so have a pair in my Talbots cart along with my Nordstrom wishlist. My goal is to get through the entire work week without wearing denim.

justerrilynn, how about a trench? Ann Taylor Trench

3katz, it would be fun if you shared your finds by posting pictures.

That's cute Bluebell. The thing is that I don't get a chance to wear coats that often. When I buy a coat or jacket it has to be more basic to go with every thing. I jazz things up with tops. I bought the coolest pink trench once and never had a chance to wear it. It wasn't a coat I could just wear haphazardly. It needed a whole look. I wasn't inspired enough to invest more for limited use items.

I agree Eld6161. That would be fun.

I usually buy at least a few items from Talbots each season-- as I've said before, not everything in their line ups interest me but their pants pretty consistently fit well... and they last more than a few seasons. I have some items that are more than 10 yr old. I am interested in seeing what you ended up-- even though we are shaped differently-- as I am getting ready to order some fall pieces.

Someone else mentioned Nic + Zoe.. I have been pleased with the few things I have purchased from them (sweaters and pants) but I will give you a tip that they run almost a full size larger for me (but I wear plus sizes so it may not be the same in reg sizes). I think the quality of their knits is very good and I also like that many of the styles have some shape to them. (I haven't been excited about anything this season yet-- but they are just rolling out designs now)

I'm trying to figure out how best to post some photos - may have to take them from the website. I took some photos but not a good representation of the items. I bought the red jacket Annie posted above but in navy and six pairs of Hampshire pants - dressy denim, black, black and white print, gray and a kind of a wine color plus several cardigan sweaters in different styles and a couple v-neck pullover sweaters and another knit jacket. The other pants I got from Loft are a small navy/off white weave. The tops I got at the Loft are more blouse type things vs. sweaters. My color scheme is black, the wine color, navy and gray. I'll work on some photos this weekend.

Holy cow, 3katz. You just bought more clothes than I've purchased in the past ten years, I think. Looking forward to seeing what you picked.

Yes, well consider I haven’t bought much in the way of “real” clothes in over 20 years and I’m in an executive level job. So I work in tech but still. I’ve been in too many situations - personal and business - in the last year where I was scrambling to dig out some decent clothes only to realize they were just too dated or too big (good problem to have) or both. At some point I’ll have to tally up the whole bill. A lot relatively speaking but good value I think considering how many things I purchased, all but a couple items on sale.

It was very enjoyable to wear my nicer things this week. I got a lot of compliments. It was kind of uplifting and energizing. I’m looking forward to not spending the rest of my life in jeans and turtleneck sweaters.

A while back I posted about putting off doing things you’d enjoy and how I’m prone to doing that. Well since then I replaced my carpet with wood floor, had my interior painted (never did that when we moved in), got some new furniture and now a new wardrobe. Been busy.

All positive things. Win/win.

Way to go 3katz!!

Love the color scheme for the wardrobe.

If I may suggest, shop around for a scarf or two with those colors in it to really tie it together and add a bit of color.

Sounds like you've added some lovely things to your wardrobe. I too like the color scheme -- true classics. I hear you on waiting a long time before "collecting" a decent wardrobe. In my previous position, we could wear jeans to the office. Almost a year ago I transferred to a high level corporate position where professional attire is required. I went through my closet and tried to put together a "first day on the new job" outfit, and was surprised to realize that at this age, at this stage of my life, I had nothing that would make me shine. I did a mad dash out to the stores, and ended up buying most of my new things at Talbots and added to it over the next couple of months. That was not an inexpensive endeavor by any means, but I consider it a mandatory investment in my career.

Enjoy your beautiful new things!

Good advice Annie - thank-you. I'm not much of a scarf person but I started wearing a few last year. I did actually buy one when I was out - just happened to see it and I liked the colors and fabric. The ones I have are more blue/gray/pink oriented so I need to find something for black.

Ida - thank you for sharing that. It makes not feel quite so much like I've gone off the shopping deep end.

Not black-- but I saw this as I was shopping and thought of your colors and the fact that you like leopard print. Oxblood and navy from Sole Society (Nordstrom)

Sometimes you just have to do the over haul.

Ten years ago, I worked in an office with women, most 10 years younger. Because I take such good care of my clothing, things last. But, when you are in close proximity to fashionable people, you take notice.

I noticed how two of them alway upgraded their wardrobes each year. Although my choices were not out of fashion, they certainly were not current. Seeing them, encouraged me to bump it up a notch.

I now work with a group of nine woman. Most like to dress nicely. It's fun seeing the different choices and styles. Eventually you find what shops work for you and go from there.

Okay that scarf is calling my name! I was distracted thinking about going to Nordstroms to get it when I looked down at eid's post and thought she said she was bumping it up a crotch! Slow down girlfriend! But I did get a good laugh when I reread it. :-D

I love the scarves from the metropolitan museum gift store...they are all so beautiful..and I mean who can go wrong with Wm Morris or Monet!

You’ve been busy 3katz and I can’t wait to see more of what you bought. Loft has a 40% off sale in case you still have items on your wish list.

Okay here’s my attempt to show the stuff I have so far which is the blue/wine theme which also goes with the gray pants I don’t have yet. I also have a black/gray sweater but I’ll take a photo of that with the black things when I get them. Note:. Everything hanging behind here is denim......

All so pretty! Polka dots and paisley.. my favorite patterns. Looks like a great professional wardrobe.

Very nice!

As you can tell, I don’t have any bohemian taste...

Great picks 3Katz!

Do you have your new accessories yet? This company has nice reasonably priced everyday layering pieces. They come in silver and gold tone.

Disregard this if you have "real" stuff. I own some of their simple long pendant necklaces and am happy with them.

https://www.stelladot.com/p/silver-celestial-choker

I’m probably accessory lame. As mentioned I just tried a scarf for the first time last year though I did have some back in the day when I wore nice business attire. As far as jewelry I just wear a diamond pendant, pearls, a Brighton pandora type necklace or a very old choker type necklace from back in the day (that I get a lot of compliments on). I could use another choker type substantial necklace vs something more delicate. Not at the top of my priority list though.

Well, you are already far ahead of me with your stash. I only started wearing necklaces a few short years ago. I do long pendants I can slip over my head because I can't be bothered with those little lobster clasps. Before that I always wore vintage brooches.

justterrilyn, I discovered Stelladot through one of yours posts. I ordered the Rebel in both silver and gold. plus one for a friend. I get more compliments on them than I do my "real stuff".

3katz you really hit the jackpot. It gives me hope. My wardrobe really needs some big time additons.

One of my favorite scarf tying videos:

Whenever I do the one they call the magic knot, I always get compliments or people asking me how I did it.

kswl used to always point out maitai's blog for scarf ideas too.

Annie - thanks very much for the scarf video - just what I need! I was admiring your scarf when I met you at mtn's lunch - maybe it was a magic knot!!

3Katz, you've mentioned a Talbot's sale next week-- did you get an alert via mail? I ask because I have an order to place but 2/3 of it is NOT on sale. I kind of have a rule for talbots, loft and jjill--never pay full price because they have frequent sales. Unfortunately, I really need a few of the basics I am ordering (that are not on sale, of course). I'll wait a few days if there is a new sale next week!

Congrats on your haul, 3katz!

PS sorry for hijack but this was one of my new fave finds. I thought you might like it Funky.

Funky - I picked up a card on the counter in the store for their seven decades Anniversary Event Sept 24 through Oct 3. It says 25% off entire purchase. Then it also refers to Party Time on 9/29 with 3x points for awards members. Not sure if that part is only applicable on 9/29. I imagine an email will come out on 9/24 as all the current promotions end 9/23.

Awesome-- thank so much! It's worth waiting a few days!

Mtn-- almost missed your post. Thanks for thinking of me-- and you are right on the mark! I have been looking at that shirt off and on for a few months! I have hesitated only because I fear it will bring too much attention to my middle-- but that style CAN work well for me depending on how it falls. I should give it a try!

I also like Pendleton for a more finished, business look.

MaiTai's website is a great resource - especially if you happen to have square scarves. She sells and shows you how to use scarf rings. I have three Hermes scarves which are 35" by 35" and I never quite mastered the art arranging them. But the scarf rings make it much simpler.

https://maitaicollection.com/collections/classique-scarf-rings-1

I prefer the type of scarf show in Annie's video. They are more versatile and easier to tie.