Clothes advice.

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I am turning to you, ILE, in mild desperation. I have long clothed myself with garments from 2nd hand stores, but I'm: getting bigger, sigh (about 38/34 at this pt); finding I don't have the time anymore to transport myself all about town searching for things at Village Thrift, Salvation Army, etc; getting older and feeling like the shabby-chic thing perhaps has to give a bit.

I spent a recent weekend travelling to department stores, old standbys Gap and Eddie Bauer, Filene's Basement, etc. and came away with a few pairs of socks and a belt. That list should give you a sense of how oblivious to organized fashion am I. This past fall/winter I've been rotating the same three pairs of (admittedly comfy) pants and six or seven sweaters when dressing for work. Again, pathetic. I need more and better duds to impress all the cute interns!

So here's what I'd like: some recommendations of places (in the midwest US, or online perhaps) where I can find affordable (nothing over $60 plz), reasonably stylish clothes that will actually fit me. Also maybe some good places to buy shoes...for like under $80/pair. Also any general advice as to how to dress a slightly chubby, pretty tall frame fashionably on a nonprofit-sector budget is er...fulsomely encouraged.

(These questions are aimed at all, but anyone familiar with Chicago is esp. urged to respond.)

Hopefully via this thread we may help other people in similar situations find the clothes they want/need, and then my life's work will be complete.

― Amateurist (amateurist), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 06:07 (twenty-two years ago)

38 = chubby :```(

― jess (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 06:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Jess, that emoticon was incomprehensible. One of my projects last year was to own up to my own chubbiness (it is undeniable, believe me).

― Amateurist (amateurist), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 06:17 (twenty-two years ago)

it is me weeping like a wee (chubby) girl

― jess (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 06:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Filene's can be okay but it can be hit or miss. Do you have a car? Of course you have a car, don't your parents live in Evanston? Go to Gurnee Mills in Gurnee, straight up I-94, get the coupons from the manager's office and go to Off 5th (the Saks outlet) and then whatever else you like there. At Saks you can get all the nice sweaters and nice shoes you need for cheap. They have Banana Gap and all those kinds of places, just much, much cheaper. Don't bother with Kenosha unless you are really into the shopping hard core.

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 06:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Do you mean the manager's office of Filene's in Gurnee? (Gurnee--how strange. I haven't been there since my 8th grade trip to Grebt America.)

I don't have a car but I can borrow one maybe.

― Amateurist (amateurist), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 06:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Or at the customer service kiosk -- they have some coupon that's like 10% or 15% for people coming from more than 10 miles away but they'll just give it you you regardless.

(And yes, by "cheap," I mean merino or cashmere sweaters under $60 and Kenneth Cole shoes under $80.)

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 06:25 (twenty-two years ago)

argh . . . I am being dense. I mean the manager's office or the customer service kiosk of the Gurnee Mills shopping mall. Not the manager's office of Great America or anything like that.

Good luck. Remember the first rule of clothes (besides keeping you warm and covering your shame): It has to fit.

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 06:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Sales are the way to go. That way, you can get much better quality stuff, but still on the cheap if you know how to look for it. I used to work at Nordstrom, but anything they mark down more than 50% gets shipped off to the Rack. Nordstrom is great for tall/unusual measurements, so the Rack might be a good place to try if you're hard to fit, or a good place anyway really. Marshall Field's marks things down indefinitely--I once got a reasonably nice cashmere sweater there for $11(!). Van Maur, in Yorktown (Western burbs), has great markdowns as well as very good service. Their women's shoe dept. is wonderful...I would assume the men's would be as well.

Gurnee Mills is overwhelming, but off 5th is a great place. They have one in Schaumburg too.

But yes. It has to fit. You have to like it and be comfortable enough to wear it readily. That's the important thing to keep in mind regardless of price/style...

You said "reasonably stylish" clothes...dress casual, casual, or what sort?

― JuliaA (j_bdules), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 06:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh yes, there is a Nordstrom Rack in Northbrook, also off I-94. It is great.

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 07:04 (twenty-two years ago)

38 - 34 is an absolute bastard -- too big for the normal stores, too small for the Big and Tall stores. Give up.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 09:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Very constructive.

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I've found plenty of stuff at the Nordstrom's Rack in Schaumburg - it's near the Ikea. I'm a 40, it's not that tough to find pants in my size, just a bitch to find the right length (I'm only 6').

― hstencil, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Colin: That's been my experience; even the online versions of the Gap, etc. don't often have 34 length. I'm not even all that tall. It's odd. Anyways, I appreciate the advice but I don't think I'll give up just yet.

Thanks for your advice, Felicity. Julia: I guess casual, since "dress casual" implies...what exactly? A tie? I'd be putting on airs if I wore a tie to work.

― Amateurist (amateurist), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:42 (twenty-two years ago)

(My other suggestion would have been to bulk up or slim down -- I went with the more philosophical option.)

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Amateurist, have you tried the Land's End website? I was reading something about it a while back, and I think they do custom measurements.

― Nicole (Nicole), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I recommend J Crew, but I suppose it could be heaped in your "old standbys" list.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:45 (twenty-two years ago)

(Even if I slimmed down, I never see 34/34 or 36/34 anywhere either.)

― Amateurist (amateurist), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Kohls has decent men’s casual clothes (read khakis and golf-style, Dockers, etc.) with decent prices.

― No One (SiggyBaby), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 16:18 (twenty-two years ago)

golf-style

My God, who do you think I am?

― Amateurist (amateurist), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 16:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Fuzzy Zoeller?

― No One (SiggyBaby), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 16:35 (twenty-two years ago)

The pride of Southern Indiana.

― hstencil, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 16:38 (twenty-two years ago)

a golf punk!

http://www.golfpunk.com/site_images_system/user/golfpunk_newfront.jpg

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 16:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I am dressed so that I am always prepared in the event that a round of golf breaks out.

― No One (SiggyBaby), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 16:39 (twenty-two years ago)

If you prepared to hunt, try Off Sak's (they're in the Midwest). You might luck out and find some nice clothes that have slipped thru and you can get nice designer ware for reasonable prices.

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 16:40 (twenty-two years ago)

you think thats bad, try finding 38/36...hell anything/36

― jess (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 17:33 (twenty-two years ago)

or 40/29 or 40/30.

― hstencil, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 17:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, but jess and hstencil can shop at the big & tall stores and find what they need. I'm a short-legged tall guy with a bit of a gut -- the world denies me trousers.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 17:50 (twenty-two years ago)

do they have better big&tall shops in germany or something? i'd rather not dress like the career night manager of a best buy on his day off, thank you

― jess (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 17:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, they are pretty classy here. They just don't cater to folks like me.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 11:37 (twenty-two years ago)

folks like me

Please elaborate...

― Lara (Lara), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 11:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Tall but relatively short legs, bit of a gut but not too much. American jeans size 38/34.

(I should stop whining and exercise more, I know.)

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 12:01 (twenty-two years ago)

I went for a jog last night.

― Lara (Lara), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 12:09 (twenty-two years ago)

I have tiny legs. Assuming these numbers are waist/inside leg, I am 32 or 34/27!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 18:53 (twenty-two years ago)

(Martin, Kylie would like her legs back now.)

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 19:19 (twenty-two years ago)

OK, so I reserved Friday to drive up to Gurnee's Rack. Are there any hot spots off of I-94 that I should visit as well?

― Amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 20:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Go over the border and hit the Mars Cheese Castle. It’s the same exit as the Bong Recreation Area.

― No One (SiggyBaby), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 20:21 (twenty-two years ago)

oooh, I-94. Just over the Wisconsin border is Kenosha a/k/a Vice City (FIREWORKS!) but I don't know if that's what you meant by hot spots.

Good luck!

― felicity (felicity), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 20:23 (twenty-two years ago)

There's an outlet mall in Woodbury that's not too far from I-94, but you'd have to drive to Minnesota.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 21:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Isn't Castle on the Rock or whatever it's called somewhere up there? Or is that closer to Madison?

― Amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 21:04 (twenty-two years ago)

The House on the Rock is past Madison, closer to the Dells. Would you believe that it gets more visitors than nearby Taliesin?

― No One (SiggyBaby), Wednesday, 19 February 2003 21:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Amst., how did this go?

― felicity (felicity), Thursday, 27 February 2003 00:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh! I lost I-94 on the way to Gurnee and didn't arrive there until 6 PM or so. Actually I got lost about three times and sort of stumbled upon the mall accidentally, just when I was ready to crack.

Before that I went to Nordstrom's Rack in Northbrook and found a few things, including some very nice Kenneth Cole shoes for about $60. Gurnee Mills is a trip. It was a Friday evening so there were roving hordes of teenagers taking over the mall. Also some very dire record stores, all of them going out of business. I bought lots of things at the Gap and Banana Rep. outlets, spending very little money in the process. There was actually quite a bit of stuff in my size--I guess they tend to send the bigger/taller things to the outlets? I wandered around Off 5th but I couldn't afford anything.

So my total acq: 4 pairs of pants, 2 collared shirts, 1 pair of shoes, 1 sweater, 2 belts, 4 pairs of socks. I supposed this is a tiny load by some standards, but it's enough shopping for a year by mine.

I wish I could say I found particular interesting things but that'll have to wait until I have a free weekend to go thrifting.

Thanks for your advice, by the way!

― Amateurist (amateurist), Thursday, 27 February 2003 00:44 (twenty-two years ago)

You're welcome! Glad you found some stuff. Hope the cute interns will notice!

― felicity (felicity), Thursday, 27 February 2003 00:48 (twenty-two years ago)

ten months pass...

where can i buy a denim skirt at this time of the year? It seems if I want one that covers my arse, I'm outta luck! H & M is usually a dead cert, but it aint happening there at the mo.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 26 January 2004 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

i just got one at H&M. it was kind of hidden, though. pencil-skirt style, like i was looking for.

i think dorothy perkins is doing one as well.

― colette (a2lette), Monday, 26 January 2004 15:08 (twenty-one years ago)

that's exactly what i want, maybe i'll have to look again! humph!
Any ideas for buying on the internet?

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 26 January 2004 15:10 (twenty-one years ago)

nope. but if you get to london and go to the covent garden store it's upstairs (with the grown up clothes, rather than young trend) folded on a table next to jean jackets. they were hidden, i only saw them while i was trying on jean jackets.

i still haven't worn it yet. dunno why, i think it's just a bit different from other skirts that i have.

dp's website is pretty decent, i'd check it out to see if they have anything like that.

― colette (a2lette), Monday, 26 January 2004 15:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I've got more chance of flying than going to London at the moment!
They had 2 mini skirts. Topshop had one that is nice, so i might check it out at the w/e.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 26 January 2004 15:22 (twenty-one years ago)

ugh! i'm having a really hard time finding a denim skirt, too. what gives? the ones i've seen lately are either really long or else tiny stretchy 12" minis. i was thinking that i'd have better luck when i go to london next week, but i guess not. waah!

― lauren (laurenp), Monday, 26 January 2004 15:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I know what you mean! It sucks.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 26 January 2004 16:01 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

36x36 is a fools errand

― strng hlkngtn (dubplatestyle), Wednesday, 28 September 2005 23:52 (nineteen years ago)

Clothes-shopping this time of year is bullshit. The heat index was 105, but every single store has in a full fall/winter line.

I know that the rest of civilization has normal seasons to go with line changes, but couldn't retailers in warm climates stretch the summer season just a bit longer? I don't need to stock up on hoodies that I won't be able to wear until Mid-December, thanks.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Thursday, 29 September 2005 01:15 (nineteen years ago)

I must say, I find the current Gap men's line to be surprisingly good. Also, they had lots of different styles of pants and jeans in lots of different cuts and sizes and even in-between sizes.

― Hurting (Hurting), Thursday, 29 September 2005 02:29 (nineteen years ago)

36x36 is apparently an impossibility for UK Gap unless you dig the piss-stained frosty tie dye stripes, but I have whinged about this plenty already. My brother recently snapped up what was apparently the last pair of 36x36 Gap Worker Jeans in all of London. They're pretty nice, but unfortunately they belong to him rather than me.

The 36 waist H&M indigo ones with a little ampersand on the back pocket are fine and fit okay but I am wary of expecting H&M clothing to last the winter. £30 a pair is not too traumatic.

― Alex in Sheffield (Alex in Doncaster), Thursday, 29 September 2005 09:46 (nineteen years ago)

On Monday I heard a stroppy woman actually shouting at a shop assistant and demanding to see his manager because Uniqlo didn't have jeans in her size in a 32" length. He replied, with great aplomb considering how bitchy the customer was, "Dude, it's a Japanese shop. Japanese people be tiny!"

(OK, he didn't actually phrase it like that, but still. It amused me.)

― The Brocade Fire (kate), Thursday, 29 September 2005 09:50 (nineteen years ago)

I got some Gap jeans the other day, 6L, which had a 36 inseam! I had to have them shortened to 34. All the women's jeans are absurdly long now because I guess they're meant to be worn with heels, which I don't really do. It's kind of nice though, used to be everything was too short.

― dar1a g (daria g), Thursday, 29 September 2005 15:22 (nineteen years ago)

Isn't this exactly what TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Century 21 is for?

― Pork Cheops (willpie), Thursday, 29 September 2005 18:41 (nineteen years ago)

There's also Sears and Penny's which offer all kinds of shapes and sizes and aren't too pricey. I think they're online too?

― Wiggy (Wiggy), Thursday, 29 September 2005 18:53 (nineteen years ago)

For pants in various inseam lengths?????????? Not last time I checked any of those places.

― Allyzay knows a little German (allyzay), Thursday, 29 September 2005 18:56 (nineteen years ago)

i have a 33" inseam, i must have a perfect length of legs because everything fits me perfectly

― Homosexual II (Homosexual II), Thursday, 29 September 2005 18:58 (nineteen years ago)

i always look like i'm going clam digging :-(

― strng hlkngtn (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 29 September 2005 19:03 (nineteen years ago)

You and me both, Jess. I have not found a pair of dress pant I can wear in approximately 3-4 years.

― Allyzay knows a little German (allyzay), Thursday, 29 September 2005 19:04 (nineteen years ago)

i was wearing a pair of mismatched socks the other day (i was hungover and didnt realize) and this girl on the street goes "NICE SOCKS".

― strng hlkngtn (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 29 September 2005 19:05 (nineteen years ago)

so i kneed her in the womb.

― strng hlkngtn (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 29 September 2005 19:06 (nineteen years ago)

j/k

― strng hlkngtn (dubplatestyle), Thursday, 29 September 2005 19:06 (nineteen years ago)

pussy.

― Allyzay knows a little German (allyzay), Thursday, 29 September 2005 19:07 (nineteen years ago)

What is the prob w/finding dress pants Ally? All teh ZARA and Benetton trousers seem to be pretty long.. but I have totally put off buying a new pair 'til I lose just a *couple* pounds, like 5, and maybe then the right size would fit & I wouldn't have to go a size up and spend more $$ on alterations. arrgh.

Hey, why don't you guys just start wearing skirts then? Problem solved.

― dar1a g (daria g), Friday, 30 September 2005 00:45 (nineteen years ago)

Too much of a breeze for the/my boys.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Friday, 30 September 2005 01:20 (nineteen years ago)

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