I'm so sorry you're having these shopping frustrations. Going through a rash of returns can be so tedious and exhausting. Especially when you rely on web shopping as you do. You wait and then you are disappointed; a few rounds of that and ugh.
But beyond finding the things that fit well, I'm also really intrigued by your comment about looking at your wardrobe and finding all the same things.I think it's interesting to think about why that happens to us sometimes.
To a degree I agree with La Ped; there seems to be a lot out there but much of it boils down to great basics. For me, it's hard to find wearable items that feel really new. Even though I have had some success shopping this fall, I still feel like I am wearing the exact same thing I have for several years (look at my recent WIWs!). Probably my new French jeans are my best recent purchase that feels silhouette changing (have worn a few times) and my plaid long vest (have worn once).
So what is going on? Is it hard to break out of our individual norms? (Hard to move beyond the high-low fit sweaters?) Or are the really different items just not there?
Yesterday, I went to Cargo, an enormous store in Portland that was filled to the ceiling with the most amazing things. It's like what Anthropologie and Pier One would be in the most ideal universe possible: authentic interesting items from around the globe. There was color everywhere -- gorgeous cashmere scarves, long batik dresses, colorful quilted coats (and about a million other things). And what did I buy? A pair of simple, gold modern earrings. As my daughter said: "Mom, you bought the most YOU thing in this store."
So, I guess ultimately I wonder, what's the difference between having a style and being stuck?
