casual summer clothes: where to buy

this is an excellent question. i need to gather together some attire for my hawaii trip...

old navy is ass, but i got some great dark denim capris there a while back, and it might be worth checking the site. they're mid-rise, tapered but not ridiculously tight, and so far they're wearing pretty well.

yeah i really need to go to old navy

that sounds pretty much like what i'm after. i really like capris because i don't like showing off too much leg (i have ugly knees and pale legs).

old navy stuff is sooooooo stretchy, though... i have a pair of jeans from there that actually are just denim and do not have the stretch crap in them that are ok, but i haven't seen them there in ages.

i agree with you, t. ON basically sucks. these capris are really good, though.

http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/581/581952/main/on581952-04p01v01.jpg

why does it suck? i'm looking at their site now and it seems like there's loads of cheap basics, which is basically what i'm after.

i don't think quality was ever great, but it's taken a dive imo. it's fine for stuff like camisoles, yoga pants, plain hoodies, etc but the other stuff tends to be pretty obviously cheap.

liking these:

http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/578/578686/main/on578686-00p01v01.jpg

the problem with every type of pant like that on me is that they almost always do that stretchy/creasing thing across the top...does anyone else have that problem? ever pair of gap pants, ever.

ruby they generally suck because the quality is such that things lose their shape after a few washings or just start to look really cheap... kind of like H&M stuff... i agree w/ lauren - i have tons of tanks, pajamas, etc., that are all fine.

but old navy vs. gap? i've gotten really sick of the gap i think

old navy and the gap are basically the same.

right

yeah it's the material. i hate how gap jeans stretch

i don't think gap is necessarily any better than old navy for the most part but i rarely go in either these days...

i had a bit of an argument (about whether or not bootcut jeans are flattering) with a salesguy at the gap by my office and haven't been in since.

how cheap is cheap?

I really like this Australian label called Insight (Dan from Tsubi and Natalie Wood are the designers) and they do cheap summer'y stuff. Some of is hideous, but there are definitely gems in there.

haaaaaaaa that's hilarious lauren

see that's the jean i was talking about! the boot cut. it looked good on me but then it got kind of loose :/

dude was really pro-bootcut, and i wasn't having it. that style makes me look like a pear-shaped stump.

http://web5.revolveclothing.com/images/INSI-WP6_V1-BIG.jpg

like $55 on revolveclothing.com

wow! so cute

noooooooo

romper suits >:O

i think that's adorable but i could never ever in a million years pull it off.

i love the blue buttons!

nobody above the age of 5 could pull that off.

me either...

i think the model's doing a reasonably successful job of it...

really? i see rompers a lot these days. i think they're cute!

i do too but i'm also a big fan of leggings

i think i even saw them in some crappy cheap sidewalk store the other day...

hmm now thinking i should recommend to my lil sis... she would definitely be able to rock it.

she is most definitely not xps

this is a controversial look

what about that club monaco?

they still happen right?

other insight goodies?

http://www.loserkids.com/images/product/main/LKISWB0000005.jpghttp://www.loserkids.com/images/product/main/LKISWB0000003.jpg

club monaco really isnt that cheap though.. mostly like designer knock offs?

mhmm, you're right. those shorts are adorable

black one i love... i have loved that look for years though! (also never wear it)

white, too much like lederhosen?

ok well i just ordered a couple of pairs off old navy capris - one denim and the other black stretch. i just need some basics, to get me through for a little till i can actually (afford to) shop properly. but at the mo i have like ONE pair of capris and that's it.

http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/P11227988.jpg
i kind of want this...

ooh i love it. with red shoes :)

mmm ok! now i also need red shoez

Rubes, it's too bad yr not actually in NYC, there are these sort of secret-ish off-brand places where things are like $15. I pass one by Grand Central every day and I rly like their shoes.

club monaco actually has a black romper with pretty short shorts and a bustier top. I have no idea who in the entire DC metro area would ever wear this thing

my sister's friends, i think.

there are actually a few cute summer things in the gap, I got a pretty neat chambray top with pleats the other day. though it's true the fit on the shorts/trousers is awful..

it's like wearing a big diaper with a novelty and a sash that says happy 1921 while sucking on a giant lolly is the next logical step.

ohhhhh, you'll love this photo i got of this girl in copenhagen wearing these bernhard willhelm diaper'ish shorts....

http://www.nylonmag.com/modules/magsection/article/uploaded_images/1499_head_copenhagen_big.jpg

(the girl on the left)

Suzy, I love the 531 skinny jeans -- the joke is that I am def not "skinny" but they're like the only tapered jeans with a high enough back still under $150. I'm waiting for the darkest denim ones to go on sale again so I can buy two more pairs.

I think those are actually a fat man's Y-fronts, Phil.

i'm not really getting some of the recent fashions that are so completely unflattering on anyone's body, like those weird t-shirt dresses.

http://www.revolveclothing.com/DisplayProduct.jsp?product=INSI-WD4&c=Insight

i have this in my virtual shopping bag at the moment, but i'm a bit undecided.

old navy is alright for certain stuff -- i was just there yesterday & bought some girly tanktops & polo shirts for summer wear

i also bought my boyfriend like 4 pairs of jeans and it was all basically free because HOORAY GIFT CARDS

TopShop is supposedly opening in NYC in October. When it does the website will have US prices and shipping from the states.. highly recommended...

lauren, its cute, though could be a bit garish in real life? i guess there are free returns so couldn't hurt?

Guys I was at target the other day with my 15 month old looking a trashy baby clothes when we came across a rack of rompers. I paused for a moment then came to my senses and said to her "oh. god. no! i cant do that to you!"

Lauren, I think that confetti dress/top is funny and cute and will be awesome to accessorize. Do it do it

Ladies in Ontario, Joe Fresh has some great stuff and it's cheap as hell. I can't believe I'm endorsing a -grocery store- clothing line but here we are! I got awesome black formal shorts that look really cute with flats, and some t-shirts for $8 or $9 that are super soft. Nothing from here will last forever but it's like a sensible H&M.

http://joefresh.ca

gotta say no to the rompers too, sorry phil :/ but ok if i were 21 right now i wld wear them probably

lauren i really like the black multi dress! i need more short cute dresses

thank you finefinefine for being canadian with me

people have been talking to me abt the joe line but yeah i am skeptical and as if i ever get out to any of the big huge stores that carry it...

Heeeeeeeeey Joe Fresh is cuet stuff.

Where do you live rrrobyn? Luckily/unfortunately there's a Joe Fresh at my closest subway stop so I get in there a lot. I bought the -cutest- spring jacket there - it's stiff white cotton, 3/4 length sleeves, poofy base.. I can't describe it but it's awesome. I think it was $60 and EVERYONE comments on it!

i live in montreal
so i mean i really can't help cringing at the idea of buying clothes in a grocery store
but my bro's ex-gf in vancouver is a fashion person in film in vancouver and even she was buying joe stuff, so...
but anyway, it is like a bike or metro trek way outta my way to get to the only store that carries joe adult clothes in mtl (according to their website), and so it's just not gonna happen but thats okay. i mean, there are a lot of clothes out there in the world.

Ahh - fair enough. Don't know about QC but in ON we've got a few boutique style standalone Joes, I have seen a few in the Superstore grocery stores but the one near me is very chi-chi, I think the building used to be Caban.

i want some of those cheap joefresh capped sleeve tees :(

http://joefresh.ca/ProductDetails_en.aspx?pid=1351

so cute!

OMG I love that. I might have to ask my friend in Toronto to do some grocery store clothes shopping for me.

yeah, making me miss living in rochester where cheap canadian ikea and clothing was only a quick drive away. though w/ $ exchange probably less cheap now.

I miss rochester for garbage plates, the lilac festival and HOG.

<3 lilac festival! i didn't know you knew roch! i used to live a few min walk from the park :)

hog?

i been 2 rochester good town

http://joefresh.ca/ProductDetails_en.aspx?pid=1351

so cute!

-- tehresa, Friday, June 20, 2008 1:57 AM (13 hours ago) Bookmark Link

I saw that in the store but sadly since I have no rock-hard abs, it didn't suit me.. it's pretty much stretchy t-shirt material. :( Too bad though 'cause I love yellow and stripes!

that's the problem with budget stuff, i find. that thin, stretchy material is pretty unflattering (and usually wears badly).

While we're about what is the casual gentleman wearing this summer?

yes i need to know this

tshirts/short sleeve button down

okay joe fresh grocery-store clothing line OMG it is like minor H&M in a grocery store except the grocery store is more like a costco (hueg) - it is like a store within a store! yes, i went to a more suburban part of mtl! with a friend who has a car and she was super happy abt it too! (we are going to try to keep it a secret from the hipsters etc)

i got:
- a dress that is green with another green on it
- a black tank top with t-back
- dark brown shorts (crazy! they fit really nicely!)
- TIGHT SKINNY BLACK JEANS for $29!!
- blue t-shirt that is soft
- sunglasses (not joe brand tho, revlon lol, they are big)

i only made 2 trips to the change room but like didn't even get to the lingerie or sporty stuff. also their bathing suits are cuuute! and everything is sized normally! almost sized too big (lol vanity sizing i do not care, i'm okay with it). my friend was like, it's okay, robyn, we're totally going to come back here! haaa

they also had a lot of shoes but i am pretty wary of cheap shoes anyway - i consider most of them just slippers, like, office-only shoes, for instance. but of course they stock like 1 pair of size 10s for each style so yknow, even if i did like soemthing they didn't have it in my size...

so, yes, thank you finefinemusic for encouraging me to go!

oh man want those jeans!

I got all my summer dresses out and while about half of them won't fit me until 10 lbs from now, the other half I'd forgotten how much I loved them but I do! I love!

i got a very dark denim pencil skirt and a really lovely coral pink silk shift dress with black embroidery and edging from the little place around the corner (now my new favorite shop). i was supposed to be shopping for gifts for other people, but oh well.

i got two dresses from APC at 50% off and am a happy person

i am pretty much not taking off my lavender courdoroy jumper all summer

yay rrobyn! I won't tell any hipsters on you, I'm glad you liked it! And yes yay vanity sizing indeed!

Two questions:

1. What is the little place around the corner?
2. How is the remaining stock at APC?

One question - where do I find cropped trousers? I don't mean capris I mean ankle length cropped, loose fitting.

i got two dresses from APC at 50% off and am a happy person

-- bell_labs, Monday, June 23, 2008 7:06 AM (3 days ago) Bookmark Link

Any pics?

i don't have any pics! i love them both though. one is a lavendar corduroy jumper thing
(will this work?)http://www.aweebitskint.com/images/2008/01/27/overall_dress.png
the other one is a heavy navy blue fabric with brown and white stripey fabric around the neck and hemline. with pockets on the front.

Those sound v., v. pretty.

Was it at the APC store in SoHo or the outlet on Grand? I am dying to know what kind of prices they have at the APC outlet.

the store in soho. everything is 50% off!

damn, i still can't find any shorts/cropped trousers i like? anywhere? why are all shorts either ridiculously short (can not wear on work days) or bermudas? so annoying

maybe there should be a separate "i love style in new york" board

daria, what about finding longer pants that you like and just getting them cropped by a tailor (or doing it yourself) to whatever length you want?

Yeah I was thinking that. Most dry cleaners will do it for not that much $$.

i was thinking about that, there's a cleaner across the street.. because i do have some that are bermuda length & i really don't like them. hopefully they won't mess it up. maybe it's just the mirror in my apartment is not a good one and i suddenly think all my summer clothes are unflattering?