Aging out of juniors? - YouLookFab Forum

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Aging out of juniors?

Anna

Is there a drop-dead date by when you have to stop wearing things from the Juniors' section? I shop in that area at Target almost exclusively because that's where I find things that fit the best. I'm not dressing like a teeny-bopper
-- there are no short-shorts, mini skirts or see-through shirts in my closet--and I realize that all of it is only good for casual occasions, but since I'm not a professional anything at the moment, I don't really need office attire.

Thoughts?

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from BB

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I go on a case by case basis. I'm 43 and I have a few items, mostly summer tops that I only expect to last a season or two. But I've also found jackets fit me much better in Jr. sizing than even petite misses.
I tried to steer clear a la 'rules' that you're too old too be shopping there but as long as you keep coverage, quality, and overall impression you're giving off in mind, I don't see why it needs a big OFF LIMITS sign.

EDIT: I also have no need for professional business wear and my lifestyle is casual, so that I'm sure impacts our shopping needs. We can all tell what a Juniors dept. business suit looks like - and it's often not good lol!

April

Veteran

If they fit you the best, there's nothing inherently wrong with shopping in juniors, as long as you can find styles that suit you.

I was directed to the juniors department at the massive Macy's branch in Manhattan, and I knew I was there by the fact that every item I saw was either deliberately ripped, elaborately beadazzled, or merely looked -- shall we say -- inexpensive. Like, "my fabric is thin and cheap, and my seams will fall apart the first time I am washed" inexpensive.

If you're finding age-appropriate styles that don't make you look like a seventh-grader, it seems fine to shop juniors.

Sara L.

Veteran

I don't see why there should be any reason to ever age out of the junior's section as long as the clothes fit and are your style.

Thistle

Veteran

If the clothes fit and they are your style, I don't think it matters what department you buy them in. Leave no retail stone unturned!

Anonymous

Clothes fit me much better from the juniors department. I really wish the quality was better, but I have yet to find a great quality juniors brand.

My latest realization was finding out my $17 jolt brand jeans fit me way better than the $200 jeans I was trying on. I prefer the expensive brand because the quality seemed so much better but it doesn't do me any good to buy expensive jeans I won't wear.

So you are not alone!

Linda

I guess it may depend on how confident you are in your own style. I shop virtually anywhere, but I'm pretty particular and have a strong will. I can try things on and if they aren't amazing me, I can pass on 'em. I too find a lot in junior departments that works in my wardrobe. True, I wouldn't likely find a business suit there, but I'll go a long time between needing to buy a suit.

I think it's fine to get ideas and even inspirations from all over, and that includes teens. Part of the challenge is not to veer into looking like an aged teen, of course but I think being at YLF is good insurance against that.

paula

(website)

I agree with Sara L. I especially like Nordstrom's Junior Dept. I've gotten some wonderful deals there and they have the smaller sizes I need that are often not found in the women's area. Of course, you have to be choosy about the styles.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

I'm with everyone else on this. I used to shop this department for decades, and then the petites started expanding into more current styles instead of being just frumpy, dumpy, and dated, so I mostly switched. (Of course, one cannot live by petites or juniors alone. You know what I mean.)

Then, lo and behold, I bought some skinnies from a junior department just last week, and I'll be 50 in March. If it works, it works, I say. "Rules" be da**ed. If you make a find that is up to your standard in fit, style, quality, and update, turn that stone!

I don't think there's a lot of chance you'll be tempted by some of the (IMO, freakishly awful) styles they push at teens. I have NO idea what some of these "designers" are thinking. Back in the day, it was one thing when all teens had to go on for current trends were magazines and each other, but now? I don't get it. I just unsubscribed to one junior-y retailer's emails because oh my, such bad. Wow. Much ugly. Oh well! Moving on...

DonnaF

Veteran

My big objection to almost (but not all!) Junior clothing is the inferior quality. The one big exception is Nordstrom BP camisoles @ $12 vs. Halogen camisoles @ $19. Thanks for the recommendation, Angie! Actually, they are probably close in quality, just not in price.

A few months ago, I bought two military style vests in the same color from the same manufacturer. The styles were similar but the $68 one was Misses and the $48 one was Juniors. Side by side, the $20 difference was obvious. The Misses fabric was a shade heavier so the vest hung better and didn't wrinkle. The fit and finish and findings were of higher quality. I prefer to keep my stuff for a long time, so I kept the more expensive vest.

As to other stuff? I would never say never (and I'm 60 y.o.), but as long as something passed the quality filter, I would at least try it on. Wait, no. I am partial to shoes in the BP (Nordstrom Juniors) section. In the case of my footwear, they have to pass the comfort test more than the quality test.

MsMary

Veteran

I have a pair of Jolt jeans, which I learned later is a juniors' brand. I love them, but generally I find the quality isn't acceptable in the juniors' dept.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Quality would be my concern too but as Angie says leave no retail stone unturned

Gigi

Veteran

As long as you can find stuff that fits your style--and that fits your body--go for it, no matter what dept. it's in. Heck, some people here even shop the men's dept. on occasion...so juniors' is definitely acceptable. :^) In fact, I just ordered a polka-dot skirt from Nordie's juniors dept. that I rec'd today. (I am having to send it back, though, because it is much longer on my 5'2" frame than on the model, and it bunches up quite a bit when I walk.) A lot of us head to juniors' when we can't find stuff that fits in other depts., or when the style in the other depts. is too frumpy.

chadya

Veteran

only when you find yourself saying "mutton dressed as lamb" in the fitting room
☺

BB

Being that I'm in my early 30's, I should be shopping in the petite's/misses but am not. Why? Because I find that the clothing in the junior's department fit my body better. I still shop at F21, H&M and really anywhere that has clothes that work for me and my body type. I try to steer away from the junior fashion's and stick with classics, clothing that I know will still be wearable five years from now. You have to pick wisely when shopping in the junior's department. And as long as you are not dressing like one, I say, it's okay to shop there.