Age appropriate stores?

I need new clothes. My body has changed ( for the worst, but I won't get into that). I have been rotating two pairs of terry cloth pants and two oversized long sleeve T's for the past 8 months.
I am very self conscious.
And I don't know where to shop.
My question though is, do you think (adult) stores are geared towards certain age groups?
Do you not shop in a particular store because it may be for an older shopper?
Do stores like black house white market, loft, jcrew, have a shopper that is a certain age group?
Sorry I'm rambling. Not sure if I'm being clear.
Sometimes I see something nice in the window and then hesitate because I see someone who could be my grandmother trying on the clothes.
I'm not trying to look 15. But I don't want to look 80 either.
I am 38.

Re: Age appropriate stores?

I don't think I've ever paid attention to the other people trying things on...it just never occurred to me to do so!

My two go-tos for work lately are NY&Co and Loft. I'm 33. I tend to have good luck at those stores because I'm short (5'3") and they have clothes that work well for my height. You should definitely check out both stores! They have decent stuff at good prices - sign up for their email lists too...I just got a delivery today from NY&Co - two pairs of dress capris, a dressy tank, two tops and a light cardigan for $130 with the sales they advertised in the emails last weekend. Killer deal! Nothing I ordered is frumpy or old lady'ish.

I also really, really love Free People. I get their stuff at Nordstrom Rack or sample sales. Nordstrom Rack is another great place to shop - you can find a lot of cool stuff there if you're not looking for anything specific.

Oh! Modcloth is awesome - it's only online but they have great things and you can look through reviews that people leave - they sometimes indicate body type, sizes and weight, add pics to them...very helpful!

ETA - I didn't answer some of your questions. I do think that some stores are geared more toward an older crowd...like Coldwater Creek and J Jill...or maybe they're just too preppy for me? I associate preppy with being old though, so maybe that's my own bias. I wouldn't avoid browsing in a store that may seem geared toward an older crowd, so long as some of what's on display interests me. You never know what you may find if you invest a little time in browsing.

Message edited 5/28/2015 8:11:28 PM.

Age appropriate stores?

I tihink to some extent some stores are geared towards certain age groups, but I thinkthere is a wide range of merchandise in many stores so that there could be something for almost everyone in many stores. I think stores like Loft, Gap, Banana Republic, J Crew, White House Black Market have clothing that is age appropriate for a wide range of ages - 20's to 50's+ at least

Message edited 5/28/2015 9:33:42 PM.

Age appropriate stores?

I agree with the above posts. I think many fashion lines are geared for the teens or over 60 look. Anne Taylor has many lines geared toward different shaped bodies.
I feel the same as you and I am slim but hate the way I look in everything. The past 2 months my body has changed and I don't know why, I dread cloth shopping and always have. I delay it as long as I can.

Good luck. I bet you look better than you give yourself credit for.

Age appropriate stores?

I work in a women's clothing store but to be honest I love going to kohls lately for my clothes, they have so many different things for work and casual and better prices

Re: Age appropriate stores?

I am not sure about age groups, but certain stores are geared towards certain STYLES for sure.

For example I never find a THING in Loft. Everyone raves about it, I walk in, walk around and say, ok where's the rest?
There is not one thing I would put on ever.

Same with Gap, Banana Republic, etc

Certain stores are just not MY style, regardless of age

Message edited 5/29/2015 8:23:47 AM.

Age appropriate stores?

I hope Loft and WHBM are age appropriate or I've been walking around like an old little biddie for a few years! I'm 30.

The majority of my everyday/work clothes are from Ann Taylor, Banana, WHBM. I like more tailored, conservative stuff. I get good sales in Macy's a lot, too. I have never found anything in Kohl's. I don't know if it's just too many options or what, but I just don't have any luck. J. Crew I can live without- $50 for a t-shirt? No thanks.

For party dresses and such I like Express.

Re: Age appropriate stores?

i always thought WHBM was for an older age group. but when I went in there and the saleswomen actually helped me out, which I normally hate, they were able to pick out some great pieces that fit me great and definitely didn't look frumpy or old.

It also depends on how you style anything. if you wear old lady shoes then it will look older.

I really think its all about fit. if you find a store or brand that the clothes fit your body correctly you won't look old in them

Re: Age appropriate stores?

I think you just need to venture out and look around.

I go to Marshalls, Gap Outlet, Old Navy and once in awhile Kohls for clothing.

I like H&M but tend to loathe the mall so don't go there that much.

It can be hit or miss too, but I tried Stitch Fix too until it got too pricy for me to justify and they sent me several pieces that Ive kept.

Once in awhile I will find something at Target but try to avoid the clothing section because I already spend too much money in that store. Sometimes their quality is poor to me as well.

Also don't laugh, but I've run into the local Kmart for some random thing and have spotted a great item on a rack that fit like a glove.

I just picked up the cutest maxi dress for my SIL shower this past weekend, and it doesn't fit like a tent and cost less than $20.00.

ETA: for more formal attire, like for weddings and such I do well at either Macy's or Dress Barn.

Message edited 5/29/2015 9:10:58 PM.

Re: Age appropriate stores?

Macy's, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Kohl's are my go to's.

Re: Age appropriate stores?

I am 37 and the bulk of my stuff is from Gap, Banana, Bloomies, Nordstrom Rack. But then I'll also grab pieces from Forever 21 (too young for me) or Dress Barn (too old for me.) So I really think it's less the store and more the item.

Re: Age appropriate stores?

totally know what you mean. I have become very conscious lately when i try things on of not looking like i'm trying to be 21 (i'm 42)

however, i have always dressed fairly casual and don't have to wear business casual for work or anything like that so my wardrobe covers me for all situations.

I went into Express and really liked a cute dress i tried on, but agonized over if it was too 'young' looking for me. i ended up buying it but still haven't made up my mind, even after asking a million people for their opinion!

I do think some stores have a certain age group - i.e coldwater creek. my mom loves that store.. and i typically wouldn't be caught dead in there. But on the flip side, i was in there once with her as she was shopping and found a really cute jacket that i ended up buying. I chuckle everytime i see the label with their store name!

so, don't get hung up on the store name, but find what you like and wear it well. If you're having trouble, go into a store and find a salesperson and ask them to recommend some stuff for you - try it on even if its not something you would have picked out for yourself. You never know what you might find!

Age appropriate stores?

Hands down my favorite store is Saks (possibly because i used to work for them many moons ago). I think the buyers really know their customer so im always able to find something. I recently ventured into Express which i havent done in a long time and found a ton of things that i liked. I also took my mom there and she found some items as well. Im 33 , she is 61 (but a young 61 year old). I would definitely check them out.

Re: Age appropriate stores?

Re: Age appropriate stores?

I am 39 and need to dress professionally for work but don't want to look like hillary clinton. I recently got styled at Nordstrom. The Halogen line is age appropriate as is the line Joie (my sister works at one of the stand alone stores). I also like Loft.

Re: Age appropriate stores?

My 93 year old grandma & I both shop at Land's End, so maybe I'm not the best to answer this question!

I'm 39 and don't like anything too trendy. I have a lot of Loft, b/c it is the only store near my office, but often, I don't like what they have. I like departments stores for middle of the road stuff.

Message edited 6/9/2015 2:56:12 PM.

Re: Age appropriate stores?

I feel awkward going into a Forever 21

Re: Age appropriate stores?

I'm 48 and wear what I like and feels comfortable.
I don't try to dress like I'm 21, nor do I try to dress like I'm 65. I also HATE shopping because I am tall and also plus sized.

Macy's INC line is one of my favs because it fits, but it can be hit or miss with certain cuts, prints or styles. I also like Jones NY for work basics like trousers and button down shirts.

I like J. Jill for basic items. Their t-shirts are nicely cut and the fabric is to too light/not too heavy. Again, they fit my tall frame well. Certain items have that Eileen Fisher look to them, and that is not my taste at all.

I used to buy from Land's End, but the quality has gone downhill since they were bought by Sears group. Except for their bathing suits - I rave about them to anyone who will listen.

Re: Age appropriate stores?

I posted on this thread earlier but I was thinking about it today as I was shopping on-line at Talbots.

I think of that as an older store, but at almost 40 I am probably in the target demographic.

They do have some cute things. I think, as some people mentioned above, if you go to a sore that is out f your demographic, it may work best if you buy select things & mix with things from other stores.

Re: Age appropriate stores?

Re: Age appropriate stores?

Posted by MrsDiamondgrlie

I feel awkward going into a Forever 21

Re: Age appropriate stores?

Age appropriate stores?

WHBM is my favorite store - they greet me by name when I walk in I'm 40, and I don't look frumpy or old.

I shopped at the Loft more in my 30s, but I haven't loved anything there for a while.

I shopped in Express when I was in my 20s. It really is geared toward that age group. That was my go-to store back then, but I replaced it with NY&Co. for inexpensive wardrobe staples.

Sometimes you can see similar styles in all of the stores i mentioned but the difference is usually found in the cut.. dresses at Express are shorter, tighter, trendier.. NY&Co has longer hemlines, cuts are a little more structured.. Even Talbots.. I've liked dresses I've seen there until I try them on, and they are what I should wear when I'm a grandma with a super high neckline or whatever..

I think WHBM is a little more high end in that their clothes are made better than what you find at NY&Co. Their dresses are lined, they have snaps in the shoulders to hold your bra in place, you rarely ever find little threads sticking out... I love their clothes.

But at the same time, you can find things in any store. All depends on how it fits your body and how comfortable you feel.

Message edited 6/26/2015 12:34:14 PM.

Age appropriate stores?

I know what you mean about being unhappy with your body and just wearing the same stuff.
I lost about 30lbs last year but I was rocking two pairs of sweat pants too!
When I'm not feeling confident I like to go to stores that a full variety of sizes which marshals and TJ max don't always have. I shop there when I'm sure about my size and I don't really need anything because sometimes I can't find a thing.
I agree with Ann Taylor, loft(though some of their stuff now is cut weird), WHBM, kohls, H&M and old navy can be great because you have tons of choices and the prices are great if you need a lot of outfits. I like talbots too, but it's a little stuffier.

Re: Age appropriate stores?