Where should we buy clothes?

May 28, 2015 10:33 AM

My mom (60) and I (30) are looking to do some clothes shopping this weekend. Neither of us knows where to go to find what we want in person: mostly knitwear in women's 16/18. Do you know where we should go?

We're both looking for a leggings/tunic/cardigan kind of look; her in a more age-appropriate and causal-work-appropriate rendition, and me in a younger, urban SAH mom way. We're about the same size -- XL/16/18. I know where to buy some of this stuff online, but we'd both really like to try stuff on. We both strongly prefer natural fibers; I find the polyester and rayon that are popular right now completely offputting. We're in Portland, OR, so we have access to the usual range of US shops. My mom would prefer not to go to thrift shops. We're both budget-conscious, but we are willing to spend well on nice clothes.

posted by linettasky to Shopping (12 answers total)

I'd probably start with Nordstrom Rack, Chico's, J. Jill, Eddie Bauer, and Ann Taylor LOFT. I'm about the same size, and I absolutely loathe synthetic fiber stuff, and have gotten really good-quality stuff that fits well and suits me in each place. If you only wanna go to ONE place, I'd say Chico's - they're the surest bet.
posted by julthumbscrew at 10:44 AM on May 28, 2015

My mom is about your mom's age and has been making a lot of much more stylish clothing decisions since she discovered Coldwater Creek and Chico's a few years ago.
posted by phunniemee at 10:46 AM on May 28, 2015

Coldwater Creek closed all their shops. Chicos sells mostly polyester.
posted by Squeak Attack at 10:52 AM on May 28, 2015

I don't blame your mom for not wanting to do thrift shops. They can be a bit daunting. If you are interested in hitting one it might be helpful to remind her that most stores have a limited number of styles. Hitting a thift store means if they have 100 tops in your size they are 100 different tops. Plus I see so many Coldwater Creek, J Jill, and Chico's stuff when I go!
It such a great way to stretch your wardrobe budget you could get one or two things there for about 10 bucks and then splurge on a couple real favorites somewhere else.
posted by ReluctantViking at 10:56 AM on May 28, 2015

Look for Eileen Fisher stuff at Nordstrom Rack.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 11:03 AM on May 28, 2015 [2 favorites]

For those that didn't know that Coldwater Creek closed their stores, they are still selling online.
posted by harrietthespy at 12:01 PM on May 28, 2015

I think you both would really like J. Jill.
posted by jgirl at 12:38 PM on May 28, 2015 [1 favorite]

Was just going to say J Jill.
posted by drlith at 1:07 PM on May 28, 2015

You might want to check out Gazelle on Fremont.
posted by kbuxton at 1:37 PM on May 28, 2015

Response by poster: These are awesome suggestions for my mom. My style is more blacks and miniskirts and leggings with Doc Martens and less linen and earth tones. "Natural fibers" for me does encompass stuff with some stretch; I just find the 100% poly knit stuff doesn't breathe.

And I don't expect to get everything in one place; mostly trying to figure out which stores to hit and which to avoid at the upper end of the "normal" women's size range, and lower end of the "plus" size range. (I guess that's upper end of "misses" and lower end of "women's"? I don't understand this stuff.)
posted by linettasky at 2:38 PM on May 28, 2015

Bridgeport Village in Tigard has a lot of the aforementioned: J. Jill, Eileen Fisher, Loft, and Saks Off 5th (which is hit or miss in plus sizes, but trends a little younger). Don't knock Eileen Fisher yet, a lot of their stuff is adaptable to Urban SAHM without making you look like a Creative Director nearing retirement age.
posted by katya.lysander at 5:11 PM on May 28, 2015

Don't neglect TJ Maxx and Marshalls.
posted by slateyness at 6:29 PM on May 28, 2015