Clothes

[ste_noni]

I went through my closet today getting ready for my new job.  It's really obvious that I have lived in a warm climate/been pregnant/in school for the last several years.  I have exactly three pair of pants that fit me well.  (I actually have more pairs but I've gained a few pounds since I started studying for the bar in January.)  I have plenty of short sleeved or light weight clothes but maybe 10 or less long sleeve, warm tops.  I have plenty of sweaters, but most of them are from my pre-baby days, meaning my boobs were smaller and they are now too tight to be comfortable for me.  I have tons of open toed shoes and plenty of boots, but not a single pair of heeled, dressy shoes.  I have dressy pants shoes, but not a single pair I could wear with a dress in winter.

In the past, I loved to shop at the Limited.   I liked their style and their pants fit me well.  (I have a very hard time finding stuff long enough since I'm 5'9" and a half.)  But they stopped carrying size 14 a few years ago and I'm honestly probably a size above that at the moment anyway.  So, now I need to find a new source for clothes.

Comments

[truejavachik.livejournal.com]

Try the online outlet for Chicos and J Jill. Some really good deals to be had there.

[maidengurl.livejournal.com]

There are some pretty good consignment stores in the area. I even found one that specializes in larger sizes (I'm an 18-20, sometimes a 22, depending on the item).

Ali's Closet has some really nice stuff up to 16's.

[jesseh.livejournal.com]

Banana Republic has long lengths online, so you can try stuff on in the store for fit at the top, and then buy them online -- I think Ann Taylor Loft does, too. FYI. Although I've found recently that pants in stores are often pretty long now -- if I wasn't short-waisted, I could probably buy off the rack, and I'm 5'9" too.

[faerieflings.livejournal.com]

I'm a size 18/20, and my favorite dressy pants are from Lane Bryant. The fabric will also hang smooth, no wrinkles to iron. They're the only pants (or jeans) I've found that fit and are not telling everyone what color underwear I have on. Buy the talls if you go there, tho, I'm 5'7" and average-long legged, and the regulars just barely skim the tops of my sneakers.

[casperflea.livejournal.com]

Most mallish brands (Gap, J. Crew, Banana) have some things in long (=34 inch inseam) in the store. The extra-longs online are usually 36 inches, which is too long for me (boggle - but it's because I don't wear heels). Not sure if they have 14/16, though.

Lands End does have larger sizes, but you DO need to order longs in pants from them. Their standard inseam is 31 inches, and a long is 34. Also they don't have much dressy stuff.

Don't rule out Talbot's. Especially if you have a more traditional curvy figure (i.e. hips) they can be really good for dress basics.