Do you have this tunic...but 3x larger?

July 25, 2009 8:01 AM

Another mom and I were flipping through this catalog and wondering who sells the mom-sized versions of these styles?

We kind of fell in love with a few outfits in here, not for our daughters but for ourselves. Outfits like this, and this, and this. Both of us agree that we are attracted to this tunic-look, tailored dress-look, or empire waist thing.

Yeah, it's weird, I know. But some of these clothes look incredible and not "kid-like" at all.

Any clue as to where to track down these styles for adults? Why should our kids be better dressed than we are?

posted by jeanmari to clothing, beauty, & fashion (17 comments total)

- Boden
- Free People
- Neesh
- Burning Torch
More later if those seem about right...
posted by cocoagirl at 8:15 AM on July 25

Garnet Hill, Hanna Andersson, Blue Fish Clothing, Bryn Walker, and pretty much anywhere that advertises itself as an "art to wear" or "wearable art" boutique.

Some other names that occur to me are Blanque, Bryan Emerson, and Monika Turtle.
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:34 AM on July 25

Maybe check out Hanna Andersson -- for example
posted by kmennie at 8:34 AM on July 25

Tulle might also be up your alley though the summer line isn't quite as tunic-y.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:26 AM on July 25

I love the stuff in the Chasing Fireflies catalog (the prices, though, not so much). In fact, I have it on my kitchen counter. :)

Have you looked at Eileen Fisher? Depending on where you live, she has a few outlets. I've scored some wicked good deals there.
posted by dancinglamb at 10:10 AM on July 25

Oh, and I totally agree that my kids have WAY cooler wardrobes than I do.
posted by dancinglamb at 10:12 AM on July 25

Just remembered J Jill
posted by kmennie at 10:32 AM on July 25

Oilily is another. Their website isn't working. I've gotten incredible deals when I've gone in. And I *always* get compliments when I wear anything of theirs.
posted by 6:1 at 10:43 AM on July 25

toast (UK):

zissou tunic dress
ophelia tunic
matisse dress
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:59 AM on July 25 [1 favorite]

Anthropologie is a good choice too. Expensive, but I just got a sweater-dress there on sale, similar to the sweatshirt dress in the first link.
posted by myelin sheath at 2:19 PM on July 25

These are terrific so far! I just placed my first Boden order ever. Since other people marked this question as a favorite, let me put some links here that some other friends of ours have sent to us today:

Sundance Catalog

Pine Cone Hill (they list this as sleepwear but I'm shocked at how daywear this looks)

Some Athleta choices like this.

I have some Max Studio, Soda Blu, and Amanda Gray pieces that I can't bear to part with even though they are over a decade old now because the color, pattern, cut and fit are just too perfect. Can't get Amanda Gray online, Soda Blu hasn't come out with anything recently and their style has changed somewhat, Max Studio is changed over to a foofy/less tailored/drop waist thing which makes me shudder. I think my need for washable, semi-tailored, subdued print, well constructed fashions has been conquered by the trendy and disposable, the dryclean-able, sized for women without hips or boobs, and garish patterns/prints. Urgh.
posted by jeanmari at 8:17 PM on July 25

More links sent from non-Mefi pals:

Susana Monaco

A boatload of empire waist fashions from Shop Style
posted by jeanmari at 9:29 PM on July 25

A mix of links culled from past threads and friends' suggestions today:

Nice item from Fenn Wright Manson (Dear EU, please ship to US more often. Love, US)

Patagonia has some surprisingly nice stuff in this category!

Martin + Osa's mini-dress that could be a tunic.

Title Nine dress as tunic.

Empire waists from PlasticLand.

Swing tops on Etsy

Empire waist fashions from Isabella Bird (oh my, I love this site!)
posted by jeanmari at 6:34 PM on July 26

The Garnet Hill catalog is another option.
posted by apricot at 9:32 PM on July 26

ISDA styles seem to fit the bill. If you're lucky enough to be in San Fran, ISDA has an outlet there.

(And, apricot, LOVE Garnet Hill.)
posted by jeanmari at 6:56 AM on July 27

Oooh. Just got a couple of ISDA items from Zappos today (this and this) and they are LOVELY. I'm usually a medium/10 on top and large/12 on bottom. I ordered both in large and probably could have gotten away with a medium in both unless they shrink a little. Nicely made, nice lines, very happy!
posted by jeanmari at 11:03 AM on July 28

One more source that I'd never heard of...Wrap London.
posted by jeanmari at 2:17 PM on November 9