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Us oldies, where do you shop, or not?

always trying

Veteran

after reading Runcarla post about where you shop, I started thinking of why I don't shop some places I feel old and out of place in places like forever 21, Old Navy, etc. unless I am taking my 13 yr old GD. If I do wonder in some of the other mall shops I pretend like I am shopping for gifts for her. On the other hand I am not a fan of Chicos. Do not think I ever bought anything there, although I browse there once in a while.

Probably Macys of the mall shops feels best. always lots of oldsters in there, especially on weekday sales.

Never go to wall mart, rarely Target, seldom Khols. Always go to Bass outlet as there is no other place to shop in Mammoth these days. Love their jeans, 100% cotton t's, and sweaters.

Do any of you feel more limited in shopping places or is it just me?

We are getting a big new outlet mall wit outlet and regular retail, near me opening around end of next month. So maybe will expand my brick and morter shopping.

Shopping

31 replies

Latest reply was from Debbie

MuseumGal

Veteran

I'm 48 and have recently become a big J Jill fan. If I coudl afford it, I'd buy more Eileen Fisher, but J Jill is my budget alternative. I also like Macys, not that we have any such thing where I live! Don't laugh, but I also shop at Dress Barn, Kohl's, and JC Penny for basics.

deb

Veteran

I do not feel that way at all. In fact when I want to have fun, I go into the youngun's stores and try stuff on then ask the 18 your old SA how it looks. Great fun.

MsMary

Veteran

Nope. I don't think of myself as an "oldster" even though I'm about to turn 57. I shop everywhere including the fast fashion stores on occasion. There is a Nordstrom Rack close to my house and I do the vast majority of my brick and mortar shopping there. And I am in Target all the time!

Carole

Veteran

I'm 58 and am a huge fan of Banana Republic. Ann Taylor, Nordstrom are frequent stops, too! I haven't shopped at Macy's much in the past few years but it used to be a regular haunt.

I'm not opposed to shopping at Old Navy or H&M at all especially for a trendy piece or color, but I much prefer higher quality items now, i appreciate the fit and feel so much it's hard to give that up for a bargain.

Author Linda

Veteran

I shop anywhere that looks interesting. I'm 62, but never feel out of place unless the store is clearly geared toward petites. I've never been able to wear petite sizes. Everywhere else is fair game.

Because I live near a major city, I have a lot choices for where to shop. I frequent Kohls, Target, Old Navy, and Macy's, but recently have been purchasing more from Nordstrom, Eileen Fisher, and J.Crew. Where I find what I'm looking for tends to vary year to year. This year, I bought most of my clothing online for the first time.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm in my 50s. I feel "old" in places geared completely to teens, but to me that doesn't include H&M or Zara; I shop there regularly. And even if I am the oldest customer they've seen in months, I don't care.

Wearing it well is the best revenge.

Anonymous

I'm petite, with limited choices. I have clothes from J Jill, Talbot's, Lands' End, Ralph Lauren, Pendleton and Express. I also have a couple of things from places such as Banana Republic, Modcloth, HSN, Amazon, and Sam's Club. My increasingly fussy feet (arthritis) demand shoes like Dansko and Alegria.

Anonymous

I actually love the Gap and have had some luck (not much at TJ Maxx), but as of a few weeks ago I am enamored by White House Black Market.

Carla

Veteran

Though my plastic is as good as the next persons I sometimes feel a little intimidated in the super high end boutiques. You know the ones...where the garments are presented in small clusters of minuscule sizes, like objets d'art and the SA's appear to scrutinize your worthiness!

My all time favourite stripped T's were from Smart Set, and i'll brave the youngsters at H&M. For some reason, I've never been to F21 or ON.

I had to rush through my first visit to a WHBM, but would love to go back and spend some time in that store!

Marley

Veteran

I'm over 60 - and there is only one store that I can think of where I feel ancient. Brandy Melville - ever heard of it? My young nieces (ages 19 - 26) shop there - and oh my gosh, whenever I go with them into that store I just stand there with my jaw resting on the floor because I am absolutely in shock at their merchandise. Super short-shorts in jersey type fabric - some of them with ruffles on the leg openings, cropped teeny-tiny tees, jumpsuits with bows, etc. etc. It blows my mind.
The other tween stores - F21, H&M - I do frequent them - and often buy an accessory or small clothing item - mainly to update my look or try out a trend without forking out much money! Other stores where I shop include: Nordstroms, Rack, Off-Broadway, Target, DSW, Zara, B.R., GAP, Massimo Duti, etc.
On another note - I have thought before (from some of the things you've mentioned in other threads) that you and I must live quite close to each other - perhaps in the same town. We are getting an outlet mall where I live which is supposed to open this fall. Coincidence???

Cerinda

Veteran

It isn't my age (58 last month) that limits my options, but my 12/14/16 size. I fantasize a lot more than I buy. My budget largely goes to a few good pieces (Nordstrom, local boutiques, Saks off Fifth and Nieman's Last Call online); basics come from Gap, Target, and outdoor stores; my accessories and the few trendy items I want to experiment with come from just about any place (consignment shops, vintage shops, thrift stores, local boutiques, street vendors, Macy's, Target; Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom Rack, Zappos online). If the big mall and the outlet stores weren't located way at the other end of our metropolitan area I'd probably prowl them, too.

Anonymous

I'm still 29 in my head, so wherever there's a sale, that's where I'll be.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Our local mall opened up a Cotton On store and when I was walking through I felt very out of place. Lots of 'retro' interpretations of the same kinds of things I would have worn in the 90s when I was in high school. I don't go in Forever 21 much, but it seems to be much the same. H&M I often feel a little awkward, like I should be shopping for my (nonexistent) daughter.

When I was in my late 20s I started shopping at places like Chico's, and I did get some sidelong glances and less prompt service than the older ladies who were in the store. I guess they thought I wasn't apt to buy much?

Anonymous

I shop exactly at the same stores as MuseumGal! I work across the street from a high-end shopping center that has Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Macys, but Macys is the only one where I buy. I go through Nordstroms sometimes but don't buy. Bloomingdales I rarely enter and Neiman Marcus, never. There are lots of designer boutiques but I would feel out of place in them. F21 is too young for me and also overwhelming, huge store. I am 54 btw.

shiny

Veteran

Any place with petites!

I do shop at ON but online only, since my local store doesn't carry petites. I like some of the "younger crowd" stores simply because their regulars may have a passing chance to fit me. I hit H&M for camisoles -- they are inexpensive and last forever. I will venture into F21 if I have my 20-somethings with me.

I'm totally "off" the Gap and haven't bought anything in there in a long time -- last time I was in the store I had some sort of allergic reaction to the fabrics, not sure what was up with that! I had to leave because everything smelled like petroleum or a third world sweat shop and I was itching and wheezing like mad.

Mostly I'm Ann Taylor, LOFT (their pants and jeans fit me very well), Banana Republic... and recently Talbot's. Jcrew can be hit or miss for me. I do like WHBM but that can also be hit or miss.

I've developed a taste for EF but my local store doesn't have much of a selection -- the good stuff sells out immediately, so I have to shop Nordie's online for that. I do not like my local Nordie's (not sure why that is) but order quite a bit online.

I do like my local Bloomie's so I am apt to hit that to check out the EF (what little there is), the dresses, Vince, Theory, sales rack, shoes and handbags.

I do still like Macy's. I've been shopping at Macy's since I was a teen. You have to dig to find the good stuff, but I love hitting Macy's for dresses in particular. I also like being able to go online and order clothes in certain brands that I know are reliable for me, like RL petites.

I no longer hit TJMaxx or Target or Marshall's, because I realized I end up getting fatigued and will buy something just to justify all the hours I spent searching and trying on things, then that item becomes an orphan. So I've got them on my "do not shop" list now.

EDIT because I forgot one!

Club Monaco!! *LOVE*! Not everything fits me since they don't carry petites, so I have to be choosy, but the quality is excellent.

P.s. Just turned 50 last month.

Anonymous

At 54, I'm not finding anything in F21 or H&M and don't really feel comfortable shopping there. Not because of age necessarily, but because they are crammed, jammed stores. I'm too big and slow in there I guess ON - don't really feel good in there either - seems targeted to young moms. Now that I think about it, I am not as fond of those teen stores as I was even a year ago. Where to shop? Same as everyone else it seems: CM, BR, and Anthro, Gap. Aritzia. Lather , rinse, repeat .

Gaylene

Veteran

At 65, I just don't have the patience to sort through racks and racks of clothing designed for teenagers, although I've always been treated very nicely by the staff. I'll shop in some mall stores like BR, Gap, J Crew, and Club Monaco as long as it's not on the weekend.

More and more, I'm drawn to smaller boutiques where I get to know the SAs and owners. I'll usually start by visiting in a quieter time so I get some help unearthing merchandise to try on. If the boutique's offerings seem to fit my taste, I'll return a couple of times to keep checking them out. If I think there is too much pressure, then I'll move on, but mostly I find the staff in these places helpful once they figure out my preferences. I've found a lot of interesting labels this way, including some really excellent Euro lines that look good on a more mature body.

Bonnie

Veteran

I'm older and I feel comfortable shopping in Anthropologie, Tommy Bahama, and Dillards - I've found the salespeople helpful and welcoming. I buy things online from Nordstroms, GAP, Macys, and J. Crew because the selection is greater than in the stores in my midsize city. I also like shopping in boutiques.

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm okay anywhere except don't like too close attention by SA. As an aside, I have mostly had not good experiences with SA's in regular stores as actual stylists--meaning showing me items that would actually work on me. So it's not been about the clothes or whether is a "young" store. Also find the pounding music tiresome and it's permeated into so many stores, not just the "hip" places, that if I avoided it completely, I'd never do brick and mortar, which I still like.
As Gaylene said, I've branched out to some boutiques which carry different brands so that there's the chance of a cool surprise, though overall their merchandise tends to be very not business, and often weird, as in, this looks like a great top, oh,whoops, there's no back. Next!

Gaby Meyers

Don't get turned off by bad salespeople, they can be found everywhere. Shop where you like the styles. I'm 67 and shop all the stores listed above and yes I've had good and bad experiences but so has everyone. I'm fortunate to live where I have choices so if I don't care fore the sales staff at a particular J Crew or Loft I'll just go to another one.
Also a lot of age appropriate issues can sometimes be handled with how you style an outfit. So if a new style grabs your interest don't walk away too quickly until you think it through and see if you might style it to suit your comfort level.

Jeweled

Veteran

I'm 51, and I'm mainly a clearance rack shopper. I look for well made pieces in my colors and style. I shop in all kinds of stores, although I'm less likely to find pieces that conform to my parameters of "well made, in my colors & style" in the fast-fashion stores. Kohl's has been a good source for me. Also occasionally Hamricks (a southeast U.S. chain of clothes stores targeted mainly at middle-aged and older ladies). While traveling through Virginia recently, I shopped in a Burlington Coat Factory outlet store and scored a very well-made olive moto jacket for $13.

retailgirl

Veteran

I'm 65. I have never shopped any of fast fashion or forever 21 places. Even when I was 21, I nevershopped juniors or trendy stores. I like Nordstrom, usually on line, Ralph Lauren on line, and brooks brothers. Oh, and talbots! I usually don't wait for clearance but do take advantage of rewards points and offers that charge account holders get. I don't shop tj maxx anymore because I'd always buy things that were a good deal but not anything I needed. I could probably go the rest of my life without buying another thing to wear.

Staysfit

Veteran

I'm 50, I like local boutiques for shoes but find the local shops do not carry much in my size. Therefore, I mostly shop online. My favorites are Nordstrom and Athleta, J Crew, Bloomingdales on occasion, and I also like Beren Shoes. I have also looked at Yoox, and similar websites if I have a specific item in mind. In our local mall I had good luck this year with WHBM, and I occasionally find an item at Lord and Taylor or Macy's. I like Dicks sporting goods and EMS for polar fleece and certain outdoor gear.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I'm 54, and the 2 places that are friendly to my boho-leaning style and my budget are Maurice's and DressBarn. They also carry many other styles. Tend to be kind of trendy, but many items are not overly so (and I'm not ) but they have a lot of unique items (I particularily like the crocheted/lacy tops.) Quality is 'decent' not great, but I've had several that have held up good for 3+ years. I like Herberger's, Vera Wang at Kohls, Nordies (a little too $ for me) also, but rarely leave without anything when I shop those 2. Btw, DressBarn lacy, crinkle cami's wear like iron, I've gotten heavy use for 3+ years on some and still look nearly new

Reneeb

Veteran

I am 56, I shop Nordstrom, Banana Republic, Loft, Ann Taylor sometimes Chico not because of age but they sell petites. I don't let age bother me just quality and fit.

retailgirl

Veteran

To staysfit: I love Beren shoes! I wear a size 10.5 or 11.0 Narrow and you cannot find those sizes in a regular store, even Nordstrom. And most on line choices are frumpy in those sizes. Their shoes are pricey but as someone who stands on her feet most of the day, good leather shoes are worth it. Stuart Weitzman, Ferragamo, Amalfi are my go to brands. And if you rotate them and take care of them , they last.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

I'm 51 and I really don't shop "old" at all--I'm in the same boat as shiny and other petites, so even as I aged out of the "juniors" category decades ago, I've continued to shop those stores and departments because they can fit my size, current style, and price point. I skew toward trendy and creative and away from classic, so fast fashion can work. (I do try to avoid low quality, but sadly, you can't always tell right away.) For jeans, I look for petite and short lengths--I will not pay extra to cut them down, which can also throw off proportion. Many Maurices jeans come in 5 lengths! Who else offers that?

Since I decided to start overhauling my closet, which was really pitiful 2 years ago, I've ended up with many chain-store things from places like Kohl's, F21, Target, and the Loft that have helped cover basics/essentials plus some trends at bargain prices. From there, I pluck from thrift stores, boutiques, Nordstrom and the Rack, and sites like Shopbop, ASOS, Amazon, 6pm, Yoox, and more. Generally, I turn as many stones as it takes to find items that suit my style, size, price, and quality goals, so I look all over.

Hmm...what I wore yesterday was actually a perfect snapshot of my shopping habits: button-front shirt of unimportant brand I got at a yard sale maybe 8 years ago, F21 latticework top over that, jean jacket I thrifted probably 10 years ago, jeans from Kohl's juniors' department; vintage, sterling, and new costume jewelry from Maurices and years-ago flea marketing and eBay; handbag from Kohl's, Fluevog shoes.

JAileen

Veteran

I just had my birthday last week and I'm definitely in the demographic this thread is aimed at. I bought an EF knit linen top for myself at a local consignment store. I hadn't been in there in awhile. They seem to have mostly ultra expensive designer stuff, like St John and Chanel. I find this surprising because my town is so casual and skews red neck. Who are the people that consign these clothes? How come I've never seen them?!

Anyway, lately I've bought clothes at Nordstrom (online), Macy's, Stein Mart, Kohl's. Online is nice except that so much has to be returned. Stein Mart seems to be for ladies that lunch, but don't want to spend a lot. I just bought a couple of nice tops there. Not EF quality, but not EF price either. We just got a Nordstrom Rack and I was very disappointed by it. There are lots of shoes but not much in the way of clothes. It's less than half the size of Marshalls. I bought a couple of dresses at Talbots early this summer and still haven't worn them. I also stopped shopping at Marshalls and TJ Maxx. Most of their stuff just seems to be inferior quality. Same with Old Navy. I bought a quilted vest there last spring and returned it. The fabric was too crinkly and the zippers were difficult. I'd just like better quality. I buy some stuff at Eddie Bauer. I like their tees and also jackets. I finally bought a windbreaker from them that I love and have worn every day for dog walking since it cooled down. I also shop at thrift stores. Last winter I wanted a pea coat. Just as I had bought a wool blend at Macy's, I stopped at Savers and found a 100 percent wool one. I returned the Macy's coat.

For me, the main differences between the 50 something me and the 20 something me:
1) Fatter, 2) More money, 3) More picky in terms of quality.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

JAileen, you said something I was also going to say: "I also stopped shopping at Marshalls and TJ Maxx. Most of their stuff just seems to be inferior quality." I feel like the last time they were any good was around 2011, 2012. And I would add Ross to that list.

I remember Stein Mart in Columbus, OH fondly, I think because its stock was just a little different, and that was fun to shop--plus, of course, the prices and coupons were nice.

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