It was so nice to get a few new quality pieces of clothing for my birthday!  I must have bought and returned six other pieces of clothes before keeping the three that I showed in the birthday post.  I buy most things online so I just make sure there is free shipping and free returns.  I have found the quality to be lacking in Target’s clothes (Marshalls. TJ Maxx, Old Navy and Gap I no longer have any luck with either) over the last year or two so I have decided to slowly invest in fewer, better quality items.  But that is easier said than done.  A couple of people have asked me about shopping lately so I thought I would share some thoughts on how and where I find clothes these days.  Afterall,  where are people my age supposed to shop for clothes?  I am finding that a bit tricky…

My favorite everyday panty is currently from Aerie.  Seven pretty, floral, cotton panties for $26.50.  Every season the color palette changes but they always have some pretty prints.  The ones that fit me the best have the lace band around the top.  I don’t have a source for fancy panties right now, but I always have my eye out.

My favorite bras are Elle Macpherson (my favorite of all time, hot pink one that I posted about before), Felina and Cosabella has a pretty, lace, no underwire bralette. I do almost all shopping on line which is hard with bras.   Nordstrom has a decent selection of quality bras.  I want a good fit and support and it has to be lovely too.  I’d rather have even just one (or two) beautiful bras at a time then 5 that I don’t think are pretty.

I am on the hunt for some pretty shape-wear and a long-line bra.  Wow.  This is hard.  Everything is so ugly unless you pay a fortune for something French.  We have made beautiful corsets (like this) and girdles (like this) forever…why is anything with support so ugly these days?  Am I missing something or is this a fabulous business idea?

Bathing suits:  The Calvin Klein swimdress is my old standby.  My new favorite brand is called Seafolly.  They have a lot of vintage inspried one pieces.  LOVE that.  Watch ebay for new with tags/or new without tag sales to get one for a decent price.  I always wanted to design vintage bathing suits with modern material since before Miles was born.  It seems that finally there were some good vintage inspired options out there this year.

Jeans:  I like JCrew.  I try to buy one pair of  jeans each fall so I have something each year that is newer in style (yes, I wait for a sale and/or special promotion or last year I bought jeans at the JCrew outlet on promo for less than $50).  Try on a lot and only buy what you feel good in and fits really well.  I would rather have one pair of fabulous jeans then 3 or 4 pairs of just so/so jeans.

Pants:  Loft has decently made pants that fit well.  I usually buy cotton with a hint of stretch and I have been happy with the quality there.  Sometimes the jeans are ok too.  Their sizes are fairly consistent so I don’t even have to try on anymore.  Wait for a 40% off sale.  They have them regularly, even on brand new merchandise.

T’s:  I like American Eagle for cute graphic t’s (no, I won’t wear anything that has their name on it).  Their clothes go on sale constantly so just wait for a promotion.  I just bought a white t-shirt with big black bow printed on it for $17.  I love it.  Loft has nicely fitting/feminine, plain t-shirts that are every bit as cheap as Target ($10 on promo) but the fit is much better at Loft.

Coats, dresses, skirts, sweaters, blouses (any nicer clothing) try JCrew or Boden (I think finding the right fit from Boden is a little tricky so wait for free shipping/returns).  I have been so happy with the quality of the clothing I have purchased from both JCrew and Boden.  They last forever.   Maybe check Anthropologie (I say maybe because often it looks better on the hanger than on me and the quality isn’t always great, make sure you check fiber content, but they are unusual and pretty to look at).  I am a fabric snob.  I don’t like synthetics.  I look for 100% wool, cotton or silk.  I find that synthetics just don’t wear as well.

Shoes are still a mystery to me.  I have a hard time finding shoes I like so I usually wear $30 or less sparkle shoes that I need to throw away after a season.  I can sometimes find cheapie-sparkle shoes at Marshalls/TJ Maxx.  I don’t have much better luck  with DSW or Off Broadway (those mega shoe warehouses).  Maybe I need to start ebaying some better quality shoes?   Any ideas?  I love crazy shoes (like this) but not crazy prices  Right now I am looking for a nice pair of leopard print flats that are cheap but not cheap-ie.

I do thrift for clothes but mostly I look for vintage (I don’t usually have much luck finding vintage though).  I honestly need the ability to return clothes…I need to take them home and try them on with stuff and returning is not an option with thrifting.  I think I return more than I keep.  No joke.  Plus, you constantly need to mend vintage clothing and that can be tiresome with three kids.   So as much as I love vintage in theory, my practical side usually wins over and I mostly buy new.

I hang all my clothes to dry.  Not outside in the sun but on a wooden laundry rack or on a hanger inside.  They last sooooooo much longer and they don’t pill.  I dry clean only if I have to (like if something is lined).

I find endless inspiration for clothing and shoes on Pinterest.  I love looking at historical clothing.

I think I would really just like to wear formal, Marie Antoinette inspired clothes…or Joan (Mad Men) dresses all the time.  Think I could I pull it off?