Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with clothing and shopping

Where would I find quality, curved, wooden hangers?

decrescendo — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:38:26 -0800

Where would I find quality, curved, wooden hangers? I was just at Nordstrom and I bought some dress shirts that were hanging on some really nice, curved, wooden hangers in the store.

Where would I find something similar?

I see a lot of wooden hangers online but I'm afraid they're probably pretty junky.

Target
Target
Walmart

Please turn me into a yuppie.

canadia — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:38:47 -0800

YuppieFilter: I've recently graduated from university and am about to start my first professional job ever. I'm a 25 year-old woman. What the heck do I wear? I'm going to be teaching this fall, and so far the only thing I know about the dress code is I have to look "professional." No shorts, no jeans, no flip flops, no sleeveless shirts, that sort of thing. Until recently, I was a university student who only worked at jobs that didn't care what I wore as long as I did my work. Right now, I bike to and from my non-professional, wear-what-you-want job, so I typically wear t-shirts and running shorts. In winter, I wear jeans and sweaters with cardigans or hoodies.

This post has a lot of good ideas, but a lot of the suggestions are... well, a little bland to me. I like things that are very girly and classic but not boring, so I think what I'm looking for is more "cute librarian" than "investment banker." So far my top choice is Anthropologie, even though the prices horrify me. Other than that, though, I'm completely stuck.

A little about me: I'm 25, 5'4", and anywhere between a size 6 and a size 10 (US) depending on the brand. I wear plastic cat-eye glasses. My hair is curly and bra-strap length (and no, I won't straighten or cut it; I'm proud of my curls!). I'm shaped like a ruler; there are no curves here. If it matters, I'm white as a ghost with dark blonde/light brown hair, so I look terrible in both white AND black. I have tattoos on both inner arms that need to be covered by sleeves.

Any suggestions? I have no problem shopping online if I have to.

This is my second post, and so far I've only ever asked questions regarding clothes and shoes. I should actually ask something smart next time.

Garment Purge 2009!

EatTheWeak — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:44:02 -0800

How best to go about rebuilding my wardrobe? Hey everyone! I was hoping to get a hand with some matters of fashion. See, I'm a big fella who has lost a significant amount of weight over the last year or so, and all my old clothes look pretty damn goofy on me now. Aside from salvaging a couple beloved t-shirts, I mean to donate the lot of my fat man garments and rebuild my own wardrobe from the ground up.

The trouble is that fashion is one damned esoteric discipline to me. I was hoping some more clothing-conscious MeFites could give me some advice on how best to go about this. What should I be looking for? What's in style nowadays? - I can't seem to get a handle on it. In an ideal world, what is every young man's closet equipped with?

If it matters, I'm about six feet tall and 220 lbs big. My shoulders are fairly broad, my head is always shaved and I tend to sport a beard or a mustache. I'm 30 years old. What shall I wear to accompany all of that?

Thanks, everyone!

Modesty without sweating to death in the heat?

ishotjr — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:35:58 -0800

Where can I find a selection of cotton-blend slips and half-slips in Austin, Texas? I wear a lot of light cotton skirts (mostly knee-length or just above) in the summer that require half-slips underneath. All I can seem to find are slips made of synthetic material that gets sticky and sweaty in the hot summer weather. I tried Petticoat Fair, but all of their cotton slips/half-slips are way too long for me, and seem overpriced. Target and most department stores I've looked in have nothing in cotton. As a bonus challenge, I'm really short, so I need slips that are short.

Chicago clothing consultant?

nat — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 23:47:55 -0800

How can I find a good sartorial consultant for a female lawyer in Chicago? My sister is finishing law school and starting a corporate-lawyer gig this summer. She's the person I always go to for clothing advice, but has expressed interest in learning more about what to wear herself.

My mom thinks it would be a good idea to get her some time with a fashion consultant who can help find clothes that fit her own style and body well. I think so too but have no idea where we'd find such a consultant. My sis has generally classic style, and she's on the taller side (5'10" or so).

It's okay if it's spendy, but of course I'd welcome more reasonably priced suggestions too.

Dress the 28-year-old grad student.

zeek321 — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:25:27 -0800

Where should I be shopping for clothes? 28-year-old straight guy. Long, thin torso; long arms; wide shoulders; ~5'11''; ~165 lbs; USA; East coast/access to NY; athletic and muscled but borderline thin; and a graduate student budget. Clothing has been the bane of my existence for a very long time. I'll spare you the back story. In any case, I spend most of my time slouched in front of a computer, and I can get away with being an unshaven, sweat-shirted mess. That's both because of the culture here and because I'm relatively good looking.

But, for work, campus, and nightlife, I'd like to look a little bit nicer, even a lot nicer (because I think I could pull it off if I tried), but without looking too stiff, and without looking like I'm trying too hard. I feel like it would make me more comfortable and the people around me more comfortable. I think everything hangs funny on me because of my body shape, but that's probably my problem. (Many people have commented that I look like a sculpture when I'm naked, and that it's totally unapparent with my clothing on. See top again for body description.) Also, most of the people around me are a few years younger, and I don't want to dress too old in order to keep up the rapport. (That being said, I try to date people my age or a little older.)

I hate hipsters, cynicism, sarcasm, angst, and drinking the kool-aid. But irony, post-postmodern [sic] and "meta" anything is welcome in small doses. I want to project a friendly, approachable, effortless, laid-back competence, with a bit of an edgy edge, and I really, really don't want to look like I'm trying too hard or trying to be stylish.

I shave once or twice a week, and I'm hoping I can put stuff together that can handle that look. Can any of the above work a little bit rumpled? When I don't shave, I look edgy or gross, depending on unknown factors. When I do shave I look super-clean-cut and even baby-faced, though with a strong jaw.

(I tend to shop at express men's and banana republic, just to give a sense of where I'm going right now. I pretty much own only t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans. I'm on a budget, but I'm willing to spend good money on durable clothing that won't go out of style.)

What should I wear? Where should I look for ideas? (What are some good first steps because, clearly, I'm trying too hard and I have an unapproachable ideal in my head--and that's why I default to t-shirts and jeans.)

How would a 23 year-old male become more fashionable?

decrescendo — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:57:57 -0800

How would a 23 year-old male become more fashionable? The only time I feel dressed well is when I wear a suit. How can I fix this? It's difficult for me to find clothes that I feel fit me well because of my 6'3" 185 lb frame. I'm 6'3" and slim. The only time I really feel comfortable with what I'm wearing is at work: I wear a suit. With suits, I believe that I look better because I know that I have a complete outfit that fits me fairly well (it's tailored after all). I know what suits are supposed to look like and I'm able to pull it off. I have a few different colors of suits, shirts, and ties.

However, after work hours, i feel that I do not dress well enough for my age. I'm 23 and I live in one of the nicer areas of DC. The only thing I seem to be good at is putting on one of my 3 sweaters, 6 t-shirts, or 3 dress shirts with blue jeans. There are 8 million more ways to dress well out there and it seems that I just can't cook them up in my head. The only way I seem to be able to figure something out is to look at a mannequin or look on the Express website or something.

Even then, I feel that nothing fits me well because of my body type. Clothes aren't made for guys who are 6'3" and 185 lbs. Everything is too baggy or too short. It's very frustrating and I think that realizing how difficult it is to find clothes that fit me well has turned me off to fashion. I tend to find a few simple things every now and again that fit me fairly well and I wear them all the time. I need to expand my wardrobe. I have enough money to do it, but it's so hard for me to do.

How can I change this? Should I be reading men's magazines, fashion magazines, or fashion blogs/websites?

Anyone have any ideas? I feel that I'm a classy guy but my wardrobe does not reflect that, I'm afraid. Feeling that I'm dressed well is a big confidence booster that I desperately need sometimes.

Shirts like that?

springbound — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:44:27 -0800

[FindThatShirtFilter/DressMeFilter] I know I'm supposed to be eyeing off this seller's Etsy products, but I'm sorta more interested in the shirt her model's wearing! Anyone know where I can find it? Or recognise what brand it is so I can check out their other gear? And/or (while I'm at it!), different stuff entirely but with a similar feel? My wardrobe needs some revisioning and I'm looking for stuff that's a bit more grown-up than tshirts (my current wardrobe, including for work, which is in a very casual office) whilst not being all stiff-plain-business-shirt corporate-ish either.

The shirt the model's wearing here (third pic down) is totally rockin' the (or "a") vibe I'm after: subtle pattern, soft-looking fabric (too rare in women's button-down shirts!), slightly dorky, not stiff or staid-looking (probably that pocket helps to keep it casual, here), not hyper femme but not masculine, capable of being worn to work or with jeans.... Know where I can find it?

Or stuff like it? I'm colour-open, at least in theory... whatever... I need some change. Dress me, MetaFilter!

Where can I find this dress?

scazza — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:00:18 -0800

Where can I find this dress? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rusalka.jpg

Please help! Thank you.

When I grow up, I wanna be a David Lynch girl

HolyWood — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:03:42 -0800

Can anyone identify the dress from Blue Velvet and Inland Empire - or at least direct me to the designers that David Lynch used? Hey guys, I'm looking for something similar to this dress.

Another shot of the full dress here at 4:54

Laura Dern wears it in David Lynch's Inland Empire and at the beginning of Blue Velvet.

And I couldn't find a complete picture of it but there's a green top or green dress she wears here around 3:26 and she wears it when she's in the alley after shopping.

Any idea who the designers are or where I can find something similar?
Much appreciated and yes, I've checked Anthropologie. Alas.

Help me Internet Kenobis, you're my only hope...

How to find out about clothing sales?

Durin's Bane — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:07:29 -0800

How do I find out about sales at clothing stores? How do you find about about clothing sales if you rarely go to the mall? I need to buy (inexpensive) casual clothes but I don't have the time or patience to go to the mall every few weeks and look for sales. Except for major events like Labor Day, they don't seem to publicize sales. Is there somewhere I should be looking (preferably online) that will tell me what kind of deals I can get and when?

As an alternative, what stores carry cheap men's clothing similar in price/style to Old Navy?

What are popular stores to buy jeans and sweaters as a gift for a 14 year old boy?

Caz721 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:45:41 -0800

What are popular stores to buy jeans and sweaters as a gift for a 14 year old boy I've never met? I am participating in a charitable "Secret Santa" program at my office, through a local charity we work with. My letter is from a 14 year old boy, who asks for, among other things, jeans and sweaters. The organizer in our office doesn't have any further information from the charity as to preferences, and the kids I'm related to are all a bit younger than 14 and still more interested in toys than clothing.

I'm in Manhattan and happy to go into a store or order online, though I'd like to include a gift receipt in case he needs to change the size or absolutely hates what I buy so I guess places that have a NYC store would be best.

All I know about him is his age (14), that he's living in the Bronx, and that his size is 18 (which appears to be the upper edges of boys' sizing, though if I'm reading sizing charts wrong, please let me know). I'd like to get him clothing he'd actually like, so if anyone has recommendations for where 14 year olds boys would like to shop, I'd appreciate it. Thanks for your help.

PDXShoppingFilter: Help me find a new favorite shirt in two days?

herichon — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:33:37 -0800

PDXShoppingFilter: Help me find a new favorite shirt in two days? So I have a shirt that, sadly, needs to be retired. I've had it for more than ten years now, and it's had a pretty nasty rip in the sleeve for at least four of those years, but you know how it is with your favorite shirt. Still, it's on its last legs (arms) and I think it's time to replace it.

Speaking of timing - I leave for vacation on Thursday morning and I would dearly love to pack my new favorite shirt. It's too late to shop on the internet, unfortunately, so it's got to be somewhere in Portland, Oregon and public-transport-accessible environs. I've really just got Tuesday and Wednesday nights left to find this. (Plus possibly lunch hours downtown.)

So here's what I'm looking for: a long-sleeve button-down oxford shirt, black or dark gray, preferably with a button-down collar though that bit's negotiable. Some folks call these "button-up" or "button-front" as well - the idea is, buttons down the front of it, buttons on the cuffs, possibly buttons on the collar. Heavier-weight cotton or a cotton blend is preferred, as opposed to those very thin dress shirt weaves; I need something that's going to take a lot of wear and not so thin that it's going to wrinkle if you look at it cross-eyed. I prefer the kind of shirt that's really intended to be casual but which in a pinch you could match with a blazer and maybe even a tie. I'd be looking for this shirt in a men's large or extra-large, depending on the cut. (I'm built wide in the shoulders, which makes it hard to find a comfortable fit sometimes.)

I'm afraid I don't know the specific make of the old shirt, but I want to say it was Lands End or something comparable. I'd link to an image but really, if you Google "long-sleeve button-down oxford", you'll see plenty. Wikipedia calls them dress shirts, and if you picture a casual shirt in that style, you'll be on the right track.

What do you think, AskMe? Where can I get such a thing in Portland in the next couple of days? Help!

Finding proper fit in catalog/online shopping

frobozz — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:37:21 -0800

Is there any way to come close to guaranteeing a proper fit when shopping for clothes online/in a catalog? I would like to be able to buy more clothes online - more bargains, more styles, more choice in general than local retailers, etc. Buying pants without first trying them on is usually ok. But nearly every shirt or sweater I've ordered online has been a dismal failure - one retailer's XS seems to be another's M, things blouse out in ways not shown in the photographs, etc. Since finding things that fit me in stores is time-consuming enough (I guess I don't have a very typical body-type), I guess I was optimistic to think sight-unseen shopping could work at all, but I'm wondering if there's any sort of trick or insider knowledge I should know before giving up on online shopping entirely.

Big girls want cute clothes too.

santojulieta — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:26:17 -0800

Help me find some new British plus size clothes. I'm heading over to England and Scotland for a bit next week, and I'd like to pick up some new clothes.

Here are the irritating catches:

1. I'm a bit on the big side. I wear a US size 18 pants and usually an XL t-shirt and I'm 5'10".

2. I'm hoping to pick up clothes that I couldn't easily find in the states. H & M is too easy to find in Chicago, and I can't really wear any of their clothes anyway.

3. I don't have to totally restock my wardrobe, but I wouldn't mind finding a quality winter coat, some great boots, and some other basics, like jeans, a skirt, and a few tops.

Where can I shop?

Great Ascot!

Viola — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:29:33 -0800

Lady mefites, what are your favorite online shopping sites for girly vintage wear? I hate shopping in stores, so I've gotten the trick of eyeballing dresses online down to a science. I click through Ebay, but I find it overwheming and time-consuming.

I love a lot of Etsy's vintage selections, and I'm looking for clothing in that retro vein: secretary dresses, ascots, cinched waists, A-line skirts. I'm not into graphic tees or the like.

My upper range for a dress (I exist almost exclusively in dresses) is $80 for a knee-bucklingly awesome piece, but I generaly stay more in the $10-40 range.

H&M LAD from NYC to H-Town

raygan — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:48:32 -0800

Is there any way for me to buy H&M LAD fit jeans in the South? I recently took a trip to New York and took the opportunity to shop at H&M. There are NO H&Ms in Texas, where I live, and the closest one is many hundreds of miles away, so it was a neat thing for me. The jeans there, the LAD fit, fit PERFECTLY. They are the first pair of jeans I have liked that much since a very expensive pair of couture jeans I bought once used at a resale shop, but at half the price.

I've been watching eBay, but there don't seem to be any pairs in my size showing up. H&M also has no catalog or internet sales. Is there some way, aside from making a friend in NYC and sending a check, that I can get more of these pants?

Alternately, does anyone know a pair of jeans that fit JUST LIKE the LAD jeans that I could find in Houston, that would sell in the sub-$40 range?

Please help me find a black floor length formal/evening skirt.

scazza — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:39:22 -0800

Please help me find a black floor length formal/evening skirt. I am in a performance where I am required to wear black, and I need a black floor length skirt, preferably a full skirt, size 6 or 8. It needs to be long, even extra long since I'm tall. I haven't been able to find anything that would fit me and looks appropriate for a formal, concert occasion. Really the only things that have at least the same idea are on goth sites or are for ballroom dancing.

I'm in NYC and am female.

Anyone have any ideas for formal wear sites that would have something like this (I've looked at Saks, Barrie Pace, Nordstroms, Macy's)?
Are there any performance related sites that sell clothing like this?

Please help me find what I'm looking for. Thank you!

I live in NYC, and I want to hire a personal shopper. What should I know going into the situation?

Sloop John B — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:40:07 -0800

I live in NYC, and I want to hire a personal shopper. What should I know going into the situation? All my live, I have feared and loathed shopping - even more so than your average straight white guy. I know nothing about style, fashion, or trends. I always feel uncomfortable and out-of-place in clothing stores. However, I'm finally at a point where I'm ready to invest some money in my wardrobe. I've heard that you can hire people to go shopping with you, but I don't know how to go about it.

Here are some questions in my mind :

1) How do you find a personal shopper?
2) How much do they usually charge?
3) How much should I be willing to spend in order to make the whole venture worthwhile?
4) How can I get a feel for a personal shopper's style? How do I know if I'm going to like the same stuff that they like?

Please let me know if you can help with these questions, or if you have any other advice on the subject.

And yes, I have considered asking a friend to go shopping with me. I'm too embarrassed to do this, so I'm not going to go that route. Also, I'd like to find somebody who specializes in fashion and shopping - it's something that I'm willing to pay an expert for.

You know what they say about people with big feet....

msbrauer — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:43:42 -0800

Where can I buy large men's sneakers (size 13/48) in China? I'm living in China and am about to run out of shoes. There are shoe stores everywhere, but I cannot find a pair of shoes big enough for me. My usual drill is to walk into any shoe store and ask what the biggest size is; they usually say 45; I say I need 48. Seller's eyes get really big and then I'm usually followed out of the store with a bunch of clerks staring at my monstrous sneakers. None of the shoe sellers seem to know where I could find a pair in size 48, either. I've also asked plenty of foreigners where they get their shoes, and the answer is always that they fill their suitcases with shoes when they return from a trip back to their home country.

I'm in Nanjing and have exhausted the possibilities here; I've also tried looking in every city I've visited, which include some that are frequented by hordes of foreigners. Are there any stores in Beijing or Shanghai with large size sneakers? Do any of the Chinese internet mailorder places have sizes large enough for me? I met one shoemaker (though she was on an extended leave of absence from her factory) who suggested having shoes made; has anybody had shoes made to order in China?

Suggestions for snappy "ethical" office attire

ajp — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:10:28 -0800

Where can I find "ethical" work clothes, suitable for an office job in London, UK? My Howies jeans and t-shirt, and my No Sweat trainers are great for the weekend, but what can I wear during the week? My workplace enforces the typical "smart" look: suit with or without tie; long-sleeved buttoned shirt; yadda yadda. I've got the shoes sorted: Vegetarian Shoes are perfect. But what about the rest? I don't need a full suit (although that would be good), I really need trousers, shirts, a good summer raincoat, and a nice smart jumper or two.

Everyone's definition of "ethical" varies, so I guess I'm looking for any combination of:

# vegetarian
# organic
# Fairtrade

...but feel free to throw anything similar into the mix.

Everything I've found on the web has been either casual-wear, or disappointingly bland. So perhaps I should add "snappy" to the list of criteria above.

If there really isn't a specialist provider of this sort of clothing, can anyone recommend a high-street outfitter in the UK (preferably with a branch in London) that has a half-decent ethical policy? Most of them are transparent gloss-over efforts.

(To pre-empt a little: I'm not really looking for a debate about the whys-and-wherefores of my purchasing decisions :-) just sound options.)

Thanks in advance!

Seeking women's clothing online

kmel — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:21:38 -0800

Seeking women's clothing online. Please help me get out of my Target / Old Navy rut. My stats - new mom (meaning I don't have time to thrift, go on leisurely mall trips, or read fashion magazines), in my 30s, size 12.

I wish H&M sold online in the U.S. I guess that's the kind of style I'm looking for. More colorful/interesting than your Gap diaspora, but not too much more expensive. Excellent return policy a plus.

I know of: Tulle (but their sizes run way small and I had a terrible customer service experience with them), Max Studio, the Skirt Spot.

Find me a hat like Ricky's argyle cap

matildaben — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:50:41 -0800

Where can I get a hat like the argyle cap that Ricky Lizalde wears on Project Runway? It's a kangol-style cap with a black/white/gray argyle pattern. I tried to find a picture of him online, but the one on the Bravo site has him wearing a different hat, and I don't have the technology to take a screencap from my TiVo.

Help me be a warm, fashionable vegan in NYC.

Ash3000 — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:32:43 -0800

I need help getting dressed - but it's a little more complicated than that. If you're a vegetarian/vegan in NYC, especially with one with fashion sense, please read on. For the vast majority of my life, I've had no interest in dressing myself well. At all. The reasons for this is a whole story in and of itself. But I'm trying to change that now.

I live in New York City as a full-time resident now, in my first year out of college. I'm trying to find winterwear in particular. And I'm an vegan for ethical/health reasons.

I'm having a particularly hard time with vegan winterwear. MooShoes is great for shirts/belts/shoes, not so much on coats/jackets - and I have NO idea where to start, what is nice winter clothing, etc.

So, to review - if you are a vegan in NYC, or know any vegans in NYC, or know what you would do if you were a vegan in NYC - what the heck should I wear? ESPECIALLY for the winter, now that it's getting cold as anything.

If it makes any difference, I'm 5'11, male, 23 years old, 225 pounds, black hair, blue eyes, big frame, broad-shouldered, really need to lose 30 pounds. I currently wear lots of hoodies, early 80's punk t-shirts, and old jeans. I'm happy to answer/explain anything in further detail below.

I need to find the best pair of matte black tights

otherwordlyglow — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:52:16 -0800

Please recommend durable non-shiny black tights. Cold weather approaches. Soon I will be wearing lots of black tights with skirts. Every year I spend too much time trying to find the ultimate black tights. I hate them if they have any shininess. Is it the lycra that does that? Whatever it is, I don't want it. Matte black, please. Online is good, any sort of texture is fine, they don't need to be plain smooth but that's fine too. I'm 5'3" but have longish legs in proportion to my body so sometimes that's a problem but not always. What's the best pair you've ever bought? The one that you carefully wash out and live in fear of the day when they get a run? And as an aside, I really wish manufacturers would do a better job of labeling their tights so that a year later after I've worn them and loved them, I'll know where I got them.