Saturday, March 1, 2008

Butterfly

I never thought the day would come… but I’ve transitioned.

Today I went shopping (Without the cubs. Yippee!) and here are the stores that I did NOT go into:


-American Eagle
-Hollister
-Aeropostal

Here are the ones I did go into:

-Banana Republic
-J Crew
And… brace yourself… Ann Taylor Loft

It’s time that I start dressing like an adult. Let’s face it, I’m dripping with children and practically middle-aged (Don’t worry, I’m still a couple of years shy of Dress Barn). But I’ve come to the realization that it’s not cute to show my butt-crack every time I bend over (bye bye low-rise jeans) and perhaps tee-shirt with sayings like “total flirt” and “your boyfriend wants me” are also a little irrelevant.

But the price tags... oh my. I don't think I can afford to dress like a grownup.

I still want to look youthful and trendy... just classy and put together at the same time. I’m having a hard time finding the balance. Any suggestions?

9 comments:

Janssen said...

I LOVE Ann Taylor - we have one at our outlet mall here and it's still expensive. But so so cute.

And I wish J.Crew didn't cost six bazillion dollars too. Or Banana Republic.

Bethany said...

I totally hear you. I probably shouldn't still be shopping at Forever 21, because, let's face it, no one will ever be forever 21. But it's my favorite. You can totally find modest, non-teenage looks, but you do have to dig. If we ever strike gold, I think J Crew will be the only store I shop at. (That, and rare boutiques.) Until then, i'm pretending to be 21 forever, while maintaining the modesty factor. ;)

Chris and Tara Mason said...

I don't really know that I should be shelling out advice on where to shop given that I am a certified shlumpadinka, but you need to check out Target! Cute stuff for cheap. Sometimes Khol's has cute stuff. Also, Harold's has an outlet store in Addison - you can find great prices, but it's hit or miss (sometimes their stuff looks a little too mom-ish). I also think that Anthropologie has great stuff! Hope that helps! :)

Audrey said...

Target does have some cute stuff for cheap although sometimes shrinkage is an issue. If you hit the Loft at the right times, their sale prices are phenomenal. Ask a sales associate what day they put the newest sale stuff on the rack. Here, it's on Thursdays I think.
I do love those shade or Mollyme or those under shirts that help to make shirts that are too short a bit longer. Although, wearing double layers in the AZ summer is completely unappealing. Dillards has some great sale prices too.
I don't think you have to forever give up on American Eagle or such stores as they do carry cute items that can be modest from time to time. It's more about what's in season vs. what store (longer shorts when they're in will be in all stores). Old Navy is fun to shop at too. I personally think that for the simpleness of J Crew's look, the price is completely overdone. The Loft is much more afforable--if you're willing to go to the sales racks. Do they have a Nordstrom's rack there? What about a Nordstrom's last chance? You have to dig at those stores, but I've seen friends with adorable stuff from there.
Just don't tell me you're going to go back to "mom jeans"!!!

Kristy said...

Ooh, ooh, TJMaxx and Ross can have really good stuff if you're patient and willing to dig. I especially love the shoes.

brenley said...

i agree with the comment above - tjmaxx and ross - but patience is required. to be honest, i've only ever shopped those stores a few times but the finds were awesome! good luck transitioning! i'm so sick of all the trendy stuff but maybe that's just because i can't afford to switch my wardrobe with every coming trend - just the basics for now...but if we strike gold, then i'll be shopping jcrew with you! love it!

Blake and Meg said...

ok... our next girl's activity is going to be the outlets in San Marcos. Kind of far away, but they have fabulous stores and even more fabulous prices! Let's all save our pennies!

Jessie Nielson said...

Bethany,
I love to shop at Nordstrom. I can find cute stuff in the juniors without feeling like a junior and the women's stuff is really cute too (but a little pricey). I also hit the Banana Republic outlet in Park City quite often, but I don't know if you have one there.

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