Eileen Fisher vs. Old Navy........

teeandcee

I felt like a total fraud, but I went in anyway and tried on some Eileen Fisher and Bryn Walker clothing today. Wow. I know I've said it before, but I really need to get out of the cheap sections more often. These clothes are wonderful! They fit perfectly. You know, like someone actually made them for a woman rather than a teenager? What a concept!!

And then I went into Old Navy, which I normally love. Well, things were too tight, too loose, too tight AND too loose, too short, too long, too revealing, etc.

Apparently I should have been rich and I've somehow missed my calling.

Quite the experience.

13 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Chrizzle

qfbrenda

Veteran

I do find things at Old Navy, but overall I find it hard to compare those too. It's a bit like apples and oranges.

13 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

It can be one of those ignorance is bliss situations. I find good things and then I find better things that make me question the good ones. Not always based on price though, so keep an open mind. I've seen very expensive items that do not seem like they would last if I breathed on them and vice versa. I did find a fluke Kate Spade silk top for $43 at the Rack and am constantly amazed at it's craftsmanship and quality. I can sort of understand it's original $200 price tag. It's not my usual neighborhood, but it's nice to do a drive by.

13 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

teeandcee, I know exactly what you are saying! I love all the fun, silly things that I get at ON, but I always try to keep in mind that they are little flings. They won't last more than a season. I also try to keep in mind that ON's fit is all over the place. It sure makes me feel better about my body when I do. Anymore, if I'm interested in something there, I just take several of the same size in and try them all. There is always one that looks better than the rest, and that's my winner!

13 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

Bryn Walker is so pricey - we have several stores in Berkeley and I can't even go in there without feeling like a fraud. I like EF a bit better especially because you can often catch it on clearance or sale at Macy's or Nordstrom. Quality on both is terrific - I do agree.

ON is a different beast - you can find some fun seasonal items and ok basics (my white denim jacket has survived about 4 seasons now) but you kind of know what you are getting - k can shop pegged it as "a cheap fling". And the sizing! All over the place.

Do you have an Eileen Fisher Outlet store near you? That might be a good option.

13 years ago

teeandcee

Active Member

Oh, I hope it's clear I'm in no way being critical of ON in this thread. I love it and ironically enough walked out with a nice pair of clearance linen blend capris I'm going to recycle into some slouchies. And they had the cutest cotton tunics I was tempted by.

Christieanne, I don't have an EF outlet near me but do have a Name Brand Clothing store that had several EF pieces for under $30 I saw yesterday (I didn't need them so controlled myself).

I'm seriously considering getting one of the Bryn Walker tunic dresses. It's on sale and it looks surprisingly good on me. And it's in kiwi green. And linen. Sigh......

13 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I don't know. I see everybody here looking smashing in Eileen Fisher. But I have to tell you, when I try that stuff on, I look like a reformed, aging hippie. Like a liberal female minister, the sort that is always - no matter what - 5-feet tall with close-cropped grey hair and discreet-yet-still-dangly earrings.

I don't buy a ton at Old Navy, but I've gotten a lot of wear out of my ON purchases.

13 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Rachylou, you are cracking me up! I think "liberal female minister" is the PERFECT description for the EF target demographic! (Although I must say I have an aqua silk tee from her -- via the consignment store -- that I love to distraction.)

13 years ago

teeandcee

Active Member

LOL! That description is so right on. I did see some EF stuff that would fit that bill. I tried on an oversized light knit that look utterly modern and great along with a too-sheer-but-oh-so-adorable linen top cut into all kinds of neat angles. Nuttin' lady minister about 'em.

At least I don't think.

13 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Ha! Like any line, you pick what part works for you and ditch the others. I love EF, but I don't love *ALL* of EF.

13 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

rachylou - you are hilarious and dead on with that description!
I like EF for the shells and tanks mostly. The really huge baggy linen stuff does not work for me either - they must think everyone is 6 ft tall and can carry that off.
I do have some nice ponte separates - a black blazer and skirt - that are great for car travel and have lasted so well without piling.
I think the key with EF is mix with other edgier or non-EF stuff (use IK as your role model here) and NOT head to toe. I am going to think about the liberal female ministers I know every time I see EF now.

13 years ago

Chrizzle

Active Member

Laughing about the EF-clad liberal female ministers. I know just the type you mean, and some of my best friends fit that description to a T. However, the liberal female minister at my church is tall and slim, wears her hair long, runs marathons, looks wonderful in midi-length pencil skirts with high heels, and is probably quite a bit older than she looks!

I once read a novel in which a character disdained middle-aged women in "Eileen Fisher shrouds" for having given up on style and on attractiveness. I thought that was rather catty, though it made me averse to wearing EF for a while. EF isn't always my style, but I reject the idea that preferring that look means one has given up on style. Just means the style you enjoy wearing is different than that espoused by most magazines and bloggers (and by most YLFers, from what I've seen here).

13 years ago

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