Where to find pretty dresses and skirts?

DubaiSis · #1 03-11-2012, 02:23 PM

Where I currently live we get around that by visiting the tailor. That wouldn't be cost effective for you, but for me I can get a custom made dress that fits me perfectly for usually less than $100. I've even paid around that for ball gowns!

I really like Liz Claiborne for classic look and fit. If there's an outlet near you, I'd check it out regularly. Outlets can be so hit and miss that if you like the brand you just have to keep going back. And retail stores never seem to carry enough of it at a time, or maybe it's that it's all spread out through juniors, women's, sportswear, etc.

AnchorAlumna · #2 03-11-2012, 03:20 PM

Oh, TriDeltaSallie, you must be my sister. Everything you say is dead-on.
I'm so mad at Talbot's....I'm wearing 3- and 4- and 5-year-old clothing because their selection and quality is so poor now.
I did just purchase a top for, with delivery, almost $60. I'm keeping it (because there's nothing else), but the material is very, very thin polyester (not silk, which it would have been a few years ago)...the cap sleeves aren't even cut and sewn in separately...it's made so cheaply it should only cost about $15.
Never mind why designers think ruffles down your bosom and stomach are slimming.

sailboatgirl · #3 03-11-2012, 04:41 PM

I really like Ann Taylor Loft. Their prices aren't too bad, and if you sign up for their email list you can get stuff on sale. There are several dresses they have right now that I'm waiting to go on sale. I love their dresses...they are always the appropriate length for my height (I'm 5'8"), my age (late 30s), and for work, etc.

TriDeltaSallie · #4 03-11-2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailboatgirl

I really like Ann Taylor Loft. Their prices aren't too bad, and if you sign up for their email list you can get stuff on sale. There are several dresses they have right now that I'm waiting to go on sale. I love their dresses...they are always the appropriate length for my height (I'm 5'8"), my age (late 30s), and for work, etc.

I will check that out!

TriDeltaSallie · #5 03-11-2012, 09:41 PM

These are the kinds of things I would wear...

Black dress from Pendleton

Red dress from Coldwater Creek

Beaded dress from Coldwater Creek

Munchkin03 · #6 03-11-2012, 09:58 PM

What about Chicos, Eileen Fisher, or J.Jill? They're a little bit more resorty than what you posted earlier--but it seems to be similar in price, color, and fabric.

I've noticed the quality of clothing has declined considerably. Even places like Banana Republic, which used to be more "premium," has clothes that fall apart earlier and earlier these days. It's like Old Navy and H&M quality stuff that costs 3x as much!

I have sweaters from BR that have worn right through after only a season's wear. I hand-wash and line-dry all my sweaters so there's no excuse other than poor workmanship. I guess they're trying to improve their profit margins but it's ridiculous.

Lately, I've been obsessed with the #2 pencil skirt from J.Crew. Seriously. I can't stop buying them.

BAckbOwlsgIrl · #7 03-11-2012, 10:05 PM

I am a huge fan of Banana Republic.

I love Gap for sundresses. Make sure that you hit a larger Gap Lifestyle store as they will have better selection.

I also like Black Market White Barn.

Dillards is good too.

ADqtPiMel · #8 03-11-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Lately, I've been obsessed with the #2 pencil skirt from J.Crew. Seriously. I can't stop buying them.

I have four of them. CAN'T STOP BUYING SKIRTS

Primrose · #9 03-11-2012, 09:57 PM

B. Moss is nice.

FSUZeta · #10 03-11-2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Oh, Tri Delta Sally, you must be my sister. Everything you say is dead-on.
I'm so mad at Talbot's....I'm wearing 3- and 4- and 5-year-old clothing because their selection and quality is so poor now.
I did just purchase a top for, with delivery, almost $60. I'm keeping it (because there's nothing else), but the material is very very thin polyester (not silk, which it would have been a few years ago)...the cap sleeves aren't even cut and sewn in separately...it's made so cheaply it should only cost about $15.
Never mind why designers think ruffles down your bosom and stomach are slimming.

agree on talbots!

TriDeltaSallie · #11 03-11-2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Oh, Tri Delta Sally, you must be my sister. Everything you say is dead-on.
I'm so mad at Talbot's....I'm wearing 3- and 4- and 5-year-old clothing because their selection and quality is so poor now.

You know that Talbot's got bought out by a Japanese group a number of years ago, right? It isn't even the same company. We had a huge Talbots store where I grew up and I felt like I was in heaven every time I walked in there. It's really sad what has happened to such an iconic retailer.

I also like Pendleton, but they are pretty much out of my price range now. I could justify it more when I was working away from home, but working from home I can't justify it at all. I do have a lot of pieces that I've had for years and am still wearing.

Actually that would sum up most of my wardrobe right now.

AnchorAlumna · #12 03-11-2012, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

You know that Talbot's got bought out by a Japanese group a number of years ago, right? It isn't even the same company. We had a huge Talbots store where I grew up and I felt like I was in heaven every time I walked in there. It's really sad what has happened to such an iconic retailer.

I knew they had changed CEOs, but nothing about the company buyout. I've been buying from them since the days they competed with Carroll Reed and were only found in a catalog outside New England. There are constant complaints on their Facebook page. Apparently no one in that company cares.

TriDeltaSallie · #13 03-12-2012, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

I knew they had changed CEOs, but nothing about the company buyout. I've been buying from them since the days they competed with Carroll Reed and were only found in a catalog outside New England. There are constant complaints on their Facebook page. Apparently no one in that company cares.

It looks like they did have substantial part Japanese ownership but maybe bought them out a few years back? This was interesting from Investor's Guide. They talk about Talbot's alienating their core customer base by trying to go after younger shoppers.

honeychile · #14 06-29-2015, 06:39 PM

Bump for spammers.

TriDeltaSallie · #15 03-11-2012, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Where I currently live we get around that by visiting the tailor. That wouldn't be cost effective for you, but for me I can get a custom made dress that fits me perfectly for usually less than $100. I've even paid around that for ball gowns!

I am just about to that point. I would rather have a couple of things that I truly love tailor made for me than continue to pick up random pieces of whatever I can find.