Where are the young 80 year olds supposed to shop?? - YouLookFab Forum

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Where are the young 80 year olds supposed to shop??

Peri

Veteran

I'm trying to find a friend a dress. As I'm looking around I think clothes are just not made for the elderly woman who wants to look nice. I checked Nordstrom under these filters...elbow or 3/4 sleeves, midi length, A line...and out of their hundreds of dresses there were around 15 that met that, most of those plus sized.

She is tall, not small but I don't think plus sized, with an apple shape. Possibly around size 16. She wants A line because she doesn't want anything that won't drape right past the apple. This would be for semi-dressy but not formal.

I've found a few at J Jill but don't know where else to look. Suggestions?

General

19 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Joy

Veteran

This can be hard. I was going to suggest Nordstroms, but Macy's often has lots of dresses. Ask SAs for suggestions. You might also look at Lands End. Sears may carry that brand. Another idea is Travel Smith online. It is hard to get good length even for shorter women. Does she have any problems with fasteners like back zippers or buttons? I know women younger than 80 with arthritis who can no longer manage to do buttons or, because of shoulder problems can not reach above their heads for pull over styles or around to zip up zippers. A two piece dress with a pull on waist might be good if you can find one.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I've seen some pretty plus size a-line dress ob QVC if all places.

Anonymous

My MIL, who is 86 years young, mostly wears Eileen Fisher for dressier occasions now. It is pricey but if there is time to shop around, pieces can usually be found on sale.
Does she absolutely need a dress, as opposed to something like a skirt (or pants), and shell with a dressy topper? An outfit might be more expensive up front, but there could provide the opportunity to wear the individual pieces more often.

Joy

Veteran

Back to suggest that you might consider a pull on skirt like a tube skirt with a dressy top. I see many older women wearing this sort of outfit to the symphony or dramatic productions. Tube skirts often are midi length and work well on a wide variety of body types. Another skirt idea would be a pull on pleated skirt. My apple shaped DMIL looked wonderful in this style. I am putting a couple of examples in finds. These are probably no longer available but you may see something similar. A plain black may be the easiest to find.

Caslon Side Ruched Tube Skirt

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Topshop Pleat Jersey Midi Skirt (Regular & Petite)

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Joy

Veteran

Ryce has good advice. An elderly plus size friend always looked fabulous in her Eileen Fisher outfits. They are often designed to skim an apple shape. The brand runs large.

deb

Veteran

Watching closely. I will be there in 17 years and want this info.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh that is a good question. My grandma was a uniform dresser. She concocted her own pattern and had it made up in different fabrics over my whole lifetime. I have one of them that I wear. But such a thing is a thing of the past.

Have you had a look in a Dress Barn or Avenue? Or is she wanting fancier?

always trying

Veteran

All the older women I know shop at stein Mart and Chicos..not sure about how big sizes go at chicos though.

binkle

Veteran

Just took a quick look at Talbots - they have a big selection of dresses, several with half or longer sleeves. Perhaps she would also consider a short sleeve or sheath with jacket, bolero, or cardigan?

I also agree that Eileen Fisher is a good choice!

Lafayette 148 is pricey, but has very nice things, especially dressier separates.

kkards

Veteran

(hmmm...i didn't realize my Mom had ask you for shopping help, LOL)

Macy's...seriously, she's the only person i know who actaully shops there.
seconding Talbots and Chico's her other go to stores...

Traci

Veteran

Breaking it out into separates is definitely the best bet. It will be much harder to find a good fitting dress that meets all those requirements, which is probably why they're few and far between. If she's set on a dress, she might be best off to look at the plus sizes and have one tailored for her. At a 16 she would be considered plus size in most brands.

Beth Ann

Veteran

My mom, who is 77 and a petite 16, has good luck with dressy separates at Chicos. Now, you have to have your own fashion eye, as dressing head to toe from the shop can leave you in serious glam-o-rama territory. Same goes for Steinmart. I think Soft Surroundings (online). J. Jill and Eileen Fisher are also good options.

The best thing about Chicos is that the staff are still taught to develop their customer base. My mom was recovering from back surgery before my nephews wedding. The manager, who by this point knew my mom well, pulled a lot of items into a fitting room, added a few that my mom bookmarked in from the website in an email, and was ready when she arrived with a friend. She chose a floaty skirt, lacy tank, and sheer lacy kimono style cardi and looked lovely.

Another shout out for separates dressing - especially a two piece dress look!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think dresses have been particularly problematic for a long while, even for those of us much younger than that! Why is everything above-the-knee and sleeveless??? Ugh. Don't get me started.

Anonymous

Janet - you are singing my song. I have long been lamenting the dearth of dresses with sleeves that come past mid thigh. I am pretty tall, but I'm not a giant.

Macy's always seems to get maligned here, but their online selection, and corresponding prices compared to competitors, I find very good. I think the larger department stores in general try to carry lines for all ages.

JAileen

Veteran

My mother is 92. She doesn't wear dresses anymore. In fact, she likes pants with elastic waists. In her area, one of the Macy's is "too nice" to carry those pants, so she has to go to the other one. She shops at Macy's, Nordstrom, Kohl's, Chico's. Leave no stone unturned. However, stores with loud music do not get any of her business.

Peri

Veteran

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will check out Macy's, EF and Chicos.

Separates are a no. Good idea in theory and for someone else but her life mantra is that she will not tolerate anything touching her stomach. I think there must be some pain issues involved and I for one can certainly understand that.

Her uniform is jumpers over a T-shirt. That is really a style of the past, I don't think you can buy them anymore. I'm looking for dresses that mimic the shape of a jumper, with sleeves, and a touch more elegance.

Traci

Veteran

I actually love tshirts layered under jumpers. I think it's the 90's teenager in me. The blue dress with yellow mock neck below is adorable to me.

How would she feel about shirt dresses? They always come with belts, but I just ditch the belt. I love the structure they give up top, while giving ease in the belly area. Gap has a few midi length ones right now.

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Tencel stripe midi shirtdress

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Liz

Veteran

Here's a source: http://appleseeds.blair.com/t/.....s?count=99

Yup, it's a "proceed with caution" site, because they definitely cater to a very conservative dresser. I stumbled across this family of stores several years ago when I was desperately searching for skirts that are long enough for my height. I was willing to start with something borderline frumpy and alter and slim the silhouettes, if only to get the length I needed.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Dresses are REALLY hard.

I have an 80 year old client who is a size 14, and Eileen Fisher is best for frocks.