I'm in my late 30's and seem to have a difficut time shopping for clothes. Jeans and T'shirts easy, but other than that which section do we belong in. It's either clothing suited for teens, or clothing suited for more mature women. There seems to be better selection in the States than here? I don't know if selection is it or what. Does anyone have trouble finding suitable casual clothing that is in my age group? Just seems that department stores, malls are very limited in clothing for this age group.

By Tink on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 07:54 pm:

I'm not in my 30's yet, but with three kids I have the body of one and I have found a similar problem. I have found better luck in boutique type shops than I have in department stores. I wear a lot of khakis and button down type shirts, so these are pretty easy to find. Good luck! (have you tried catalogs? Not the easiest way to find out fit but maybe...)

By Laurazee on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 07:56 pm:

Mid-thirties here and from BC as well. Yes, I always thought that there is a better selection in the States, too. Winners can be pretty good, though (and cheap!).

By Feona on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 07:43 am:

One thing that seems to be helping is me sticking with brands that look "good" on me.

Currently I like Glima, xcit and eileen fisher. I actually collect glima nwt tees on ebay.

By Texannie on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 08:16 am:

Mid 40's here. Not sure if this means I dress too old or too young (LOL), but I haven't found that problem. I don't tend to shop at big department stores. I have had great luck at stores like Ann Taylor, Gap, Banana Republic.

By Conni on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 08:42 am:

30's here. I shop at the stores Texannie listed occassionally (ok with the exception of Banana Republic, for some reason that store makes me mad lol too expensive). Also shop at Eddie Bauer, Talbots, Dillards, Lands End, Coldwater Creek, Belk, Target, TJ Maxx, Kohl's, and even Wal-Mart. Thats all I can think of right now. (all these places have great sale racks) I dont shop in the juniors dept, I stick with misses and dont feel I have trouble finding things that look too old or too young)

Oh and I find things at Sam's Club all the time. I just bought some Olive green cargo capri's from there a couple of weeks ago that I love! All of my capri overall's came from Sam's as well. ;)

By Happynerdmom on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 09:05 am:

I'm 37, but I think I'll call myself *MID* 30's!! Not ready for *late* 30's yet... (lol) I don't seem to have too much of a problem. I find stores like Dillard's and Lazarus have a pretty good selection. I also shop a lot at TJMaxx and Kohl's. I love Liz Claiborne, but won't usually pay full price for it. I've never shopped catalogues for clothes for myself. I'm large busted, and have a hard time with things fitting the way I want them to. I especially hate shopping for the dreaded SWIMSUIT. It's hard to find D cup suits that don't look like something my grandma would wear.

By Texannie on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 09:09 am:

I find alot of clothes at Sams too!!!! I also love Target and Kohls.

By Babysitbarb on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 09:54 am:

Late 30's here also and I to get frustrated when I try to find clothes. It seems like every thing is smaller now days which works jut fine for my girls but, not for me and if I go to the bigger clothes they are to old fashion as my girls put it. I really don't care for a lot of the styles that are out right now.

By Momaroze on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 09:57 am:

Mid 30's, late 30's, 40's? Everyone welcome!

Yes, I do think you ladies have more selection. Liz Claibourne has some really nice clothes. I don't bother looking anymore, too expensive. Most of these stores you mentioned except for Wallmart, I don't recognize. Oh yes I have been to Target a couple of times when we lived closer to the border, pre-3 kds. I remember those shopping days were fun! We do have a Winners and the Gap too. Texannie are you one of those skinny people that can wear anything . Isn't the Gap only for the slim LOL. I'm like a size 12/13 since having my baby 5 months ago. I should be a 10/11. I'm more pair shaped and tall. Size and shape are probably one of the largest contributing factors when it comes to choosing decent clothing. Pants, are usually one of my most difficult buys.

By Melanie on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 10:19 am:

How about plain old 30? LOL. I have a terrible time finding clothes. I am also short and short waisted, so I think that is a huge part of my problem. I went to a huge mall a couple of weeks ago. I walked around the entire place without trying on one thing! It was frustrating. I have okay luck at Talbots, but even there I often struggle.

By Texannie on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 11:29 am:

ROFL!! no, I am short, about a size 8. Thank god for CAPRI's cause I can finally find pants that are the right length! LOL I have more of a problem with tops cause I carry my weight in the middle.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 12:19 pm:

Geez, I'm the oldie here......late 40's....UGH......and I get most of my clothes at Gap and Sams. Sometimes I get stuff at Macy's or Dillards or Express, even Buckle (for tops) and Victoria's Secret online, but I'm a sale shopper. I have no idea where I'm going to shop for skirts/dresses for our cruise......I'm not going to spend a fortune on the stuff because I basically live in jeans or capris.

By Texannie on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 12:28 pm:

Karen, I just got back from a cruise and except for formal night, capris will be fine if they are on the dressier side. I bought a pair of black satin pants from Penny's online and two tops from Newport News for formal night. You will see all sorts of outfits from way under dressed to prom queen.

By Annie2 on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 03:44 pm:

I love Banana Republic. You can shop online, too. They have wonderful petite selections. Great sales, too.

By Angellew on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 04:34 pm:

Double whammy here!!! Not only am I 39, but I gained 125 pounds when I was pregnant with my DD and have only lost 30 of it!!!!! Do you want to talk about depressed and can't find clothes???? I've yet to find a good place to shop until I get the rest of this weight off!!! OK... I'm done whining!!!!

By Momaroze on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 06:37 pm:

Angella, you gained 125lbs? Is that right? Did you have Gestational Diabetes?
Doesn't pregnancy do wonders for our bodies!!!!(just kidding of course). Springs here, spring and summer is when we will really get back into shape.

By Dawnk777 on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 08:07 pm:

I have baby weight I haven't lost, and then middle age creeping up on me isn't helping either. (44) I either find clothes that are sooo ugly or it's something my grandma would have worn. Sometimes I have trouble, too.

No low-rise pants for me. I wouldn't be comfortable in them. Although, they make them in my size. UGH!

By Annie2 on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 11:45 pm:

Dawn, try the low waist with stretch jeans from Old Navy. They do not cut into the waist and they eliminate the "pouch" look with regular waisted jeans.
I was hesitant at first about lower waist pants, but they are very comfortable.

By Texannie on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 10:44 am:

I agree with Annie, I fought them too, but finally tried some on and they do give a nice long waisted look.

By Marcia on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 12:17 pm:

Do you have Cotton Ginny out west? They have a nice selection of comfy clothes that you can dress up or down. They come in all sizes and shapes, too. I shop there all the time.

By Momaroze on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 04:24 pm:

I remember Cotton Ginny. I don't think we have one close to where I live now. I am going to re-check. They do have comfy clothes, cannot beat cotton!

By Bea on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 04:37 pm:

I lived in Germany through much of my 30s, and loved shopping there. European styles were great back then.

By Marcia on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 09:13 pm:

I saw another store at the mall today, and it looked like what you might be looking for. It's called Cleo. It's new to the mall, and I have no idea if they're all across Canada or not.

By Eve on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 08:29 am:

Ok, I was going to ask if the reason I have had no luck shopping was because I turned 30?! LOL! I have had bad luck lately too. I usually LOVE Gap, but I have not had much luck there lately. It's rough getting older!

When you see something you like and it fits well, buy all of them!

By Colette on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 10:03 am:

I've been getting some nice stuff from J Jill. There is an outlet about 1 hour from me and it's worth the trip.

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 12:21 pm:

I'm 40 and have good luck finding clothes at several places. Some have already been mentioned. The only thing I have trouble with is finding pants that fit well. I have a long torso and short legs. Not an easy combination! LOL!

Wal-Mart
Target
TJ Maxx
Marshalls
Bob's
JC Penney
Kohls
Lands' End
LL Bean
Eddie Bauer
Chadwicks of Boston

By Bea on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 01:20 pm:

Trina, are we sisters? I have to cut and hem even petites. Sitting down, I'm the same height as friends who are 5' 5" or taller, but I'm 5' 2". My arms are the same. Everything hangs over my hands.

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 05:31 pm:

LOL, Bea! I'm 5'5", and a lot of pants are too short in the crotch for me. Drives me nuts! I can't wear a one piece bathing suit unless it's long torso. Yet, I don't have long legs. To get pants to fit comfortably in the crotch they're usually too big everywhere else. Argh! That's why I love my good old fashioned 550 relaxed Levi's. They are so comfy and fit me well. Finding dress pants is a nightmare. I absolutely HATE pants that ride up my butt! LOL!

By Bea on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 10:14 pm:

I guess my torso is normal but my arms and legs aren't. I get so sick of having to cut and hem every stitch I own. I've taken to wearing my dresses very long. I'd rather not hem them. Slacks however, give me no choice. I hate it.

By Robyn on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 09:54 am:

Hi Marcia...I think it's pretty neat to see that you are from Ontario...My Mother , brother & sister live in Cambridge, Ontario & we just returned from spending Easter week-end there with them. Loved it! I am living in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Lovely area but no friends with young children here!