I’ve been thinking about clothes lately.
It’s been hot hot hot around here and thus I’ve tried to wear “real” summer clothes. I’m at an age where sleeveless is not always the best choice..but sometimes it is necessary! I do have some cute sleeveless tops and a dress or two….
But mostly I’ve been searching in my closet, in vain it seems, for something to wear that isn’t ten (or even twenty??) years old. Yes, sad but true. Many of my clothes have seen better days. Don’t get me wrong: I am “into” fashion, sometimes as an extension of my home furnishings world and background, and I love shopping. I really do. But somehow the years have crept up on my wardrobe and rendered it obsolete.
Time to source some new threads! Even the husband urged me to do so. Now that’s unusual, right?
I can’t believe that I never did a post about this image below!
This was my entry for “How I Wear My White Jeans” over on
The Rich Life in Wine Country
Really, I CAN dress up and look great! But not often it would seem…so off I went to Nordstrom.
I have read, endlessly and repeatedly, how everyone “of a certain age” adores Eileen Fisher. The cut, the fabric, the colors, the fit…all are very appealing to so many women my age. But there was always the problem of price. I am just not used to spending that much. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet.
I’ll start out slowly, I told myself. Like the French women, I will buy a few fine pieces and go for quality over quantity. When you’re used to shopping in bulk at Marshalls or TJ…well, this is a change! Oh yes, I do buy some good quality items, but really it is few and far between (as I am now realizing.)
The minute I tried this on I knew: THIS IS IT. Perfect fit. Perfect neckline (so often they gap on me.) Perfect material. Perfect color.
I liked it so much I went back two days later and bought the
Straight Leg Crepe Pants
The S/M fits me just fine and I can’t believe the length is fine as is. At 5’4″ all pants are generally long on me, and Petite is just not right. That top was also S/M and is SO PERFECT!
Another great thing about buying Eileen Fisher is that all the clothes are
MADE IN THE U.S.
That does make them more expensive but in this case, I now know that you get what you pay for.
To all my friends: you will be seeing me in these clothes OFTEN!
Having had such success early in the week I decided to go boutique shopping in Chapel Hill. Again, I’ve never really shopped these independent retailers in the six years we have lived here.. After a few dead ends (too dressy, too old looking, too young looking) I ended up at
Lark Home/Apparel
(on S. Elliott Rd, near Whole Foods)
What a great store. Katherine, the owner, was there and was very helpful. I hit it at just the right time as all the summer items were on sale.
Bingo!
Loving my new white knit skirt and long citrine top. Again, these are USA made.
So, let’s hear from all of you. How do you feel about spending money on clothes? Do you go for quality or quantity, or a little of both?
We do now have Eileen Fischer in the UK (although it is much more expensive than in the USA). I had a good try on in one of their London shops and loved the fabric and cut. Not all the styles suited me. The pieces definitely looked good layered. Unfortunately their red was too bright and some of the other colours too warm. I did like their lilac.
I am told that it is cheaper (even with the duty) to order from Nordstrom. I might try.
Josephine: I do think the really basic colors are her best, but this sapphire blue is stunning! I’ve resisted for so long,but partly thanks to Susan over at UnFemme, I am now a convert! Maybe someday I can buy some here for you and bring over…how’s that for service!! We will be in Provence for 3 weeks in late September, just fyi….
Those choices look great on you, Libby. I love the look of Eileen Fisher but it doesn’t suit me. I also like the fact that she makes her clothing at home and not somewhere far away paying workers peanuts for their labour. I too found the heat this summer a struggle, with not enough hot weather pieces and those I did have I wore ALL the time. By the way…love that line “source some new threads.”
Susan: As much as I love hot weather, this summer has been so unusual. Our huge pool temp. has been about 92F, forcing me to swim at 7 AM! But yes, those summer clothes in my closet had definitely seen better days and are now relegated to “home” wear. Was nice tht the husband agreed with this!
Hi Libby,
Love your new clothes! You have always had a fine since of style.
I became a huge fan of Eileen Fisher when I had to tear some of here recycled garments apart at a course on fashion at Rhode Island School of Design. This was experimental work for Green Eileen, giving new life to old garments. I was amazed at how beautiful the fibers were and how well the garments were made. I was so inspired that I went out and bought 5 basic piece of Eileen Fisher that I adore. My most favorite are a black cardigan and a swing rain coat.
Ellen: You know, I saw on their tags that they take back and recycle all clothes and encourage people to do so. Really nice and so unusual. I may go back for another piece or two before our trip; best to space out the purchases!
Oh, gee, thank you Alice! EBay: wow, hadn’t thought of that. And I see a visit to Manchester in our future. So, has the summer been hot for you too? We have good friends driving right now up to N. Hero for the week: they are big swimmers and look forward to being in that lake water. Off to Provence end of September, thus the “need” for some clothes! Great excuse, no?
Love your choices, Libby. I have bought Eileen Fisher on sale at Nordstrom or with my Nordstrom Rewards bucks in the past. Her pieces stay looking good though lots of washings. Garnet Hill and Soft Surroundings have some pieces that are also nice for our age.
Hi Cindy: Well, better late than never! I am so glad I’ve started buying some of her things. And yes, Garnet Hill also has a good selection. I’m going to try ebay as Alice suggested and see what I come up with.
Your new threads look great, and those crepe pants look so comfy (& classy). It seems like our lifestyle out west is pretty casual, so tend to buy lots of t’s, jeans and sweaters with the occasional chino pair of pants thrown in. Our shopping is very limited here so I depend on my tried and true go-to store – The Loft – for most of my shopping, online. My problem is that I’m petite 5′ and shrinking so even shopping at TJMaxx can be a challenge. I try to buy classics on sale and add to my closet once each season. So I guess this is the long answer – I tend to buy quantity.
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Yes, Cyndi, I like the Loft…sometimes. Other times it can seem much too young; just depends. Actually, their jeans are my very favorite! It is such a treat to live here as the shopping is terrific; such a difference from 25 years in the Hudson Valley!!!
Love your new selections, LIbby! Eileen Fisher has been a favorite line of mine for many years. I have a lot of her pieces, all of which I have purchased at reduced — and sometimes greatly reduced — prices. The clothes are so well made and so classic, they last for years and years, thus bringing down the overall cost. I have a black wool Eileen Fisher coat, original price over $400, which I bought for just under $200. Have had it for years and it still looks great. I have her skirts, pants, jackets, knit tops and sweaters. All of it I love! However, I do not think all the clothes in her line are made in the US. Last time I checked labels, some were still made overseas. That may have just recently changed, so correct me if I’m wrong.
Another clothing line I like a lot is J. Jill, which can resemble Eileen Fisher in style but not in price. Their clothes are comfy, stylish (though some pieces are a little matronly) and affordable, especially when on sale. I don’t think they tend to last as long as E.F. clothes do, though.
Thanks for this fun post, and keep us updated on future additions to your wardrobe!
Thanks for so much info., Claudia! Well, the two labels I have say made in NYC. But yes, that may not be true for everything. But they do, as the commenter Ellen said, ask that you please recycle the clothes and bring back to the retailer. Nice idea. I know, I always look at JJill and like their things a lot. They have come a long……way, haven’t they? But I agree they can sometimes be a bit matronly (don’t want to look that!!) as they are cut larger I think. But their linen pants for summer are my go to items. You certainly do have a lot of EF and I will be “collecting” from now on! But we leave for three weeks in France end of Sept. and of course, there will be so many goodies to look at over there! To be continued…
I love your choices, Libby. I try to shop like my European family, like you, a few well chosen, “good” pieces will last and last. My splurges tend to be well fitting pants, as I have very slim legs {and no back end apparently!} so when I find a great classic pair of pants, that’s where the money will go. A fabulous bag is next on my list. I buy a bag and use it for years, that way I have great style and quality, rather than less expensive bags that I used to buy by the armful.
And then there are always sales. Here in the US we are blessed much more so than our French sisters, the sales here are ever present and amazing!
Hi Lidy: Being a recent convert to the “good” pieces way of buying…we shall see! I still love great bargains, by the load, at TJ etc. But as you do with pants, I am doing with tops. So often they are just baggy and big and often it’s the fabric that can make or break the fit.
I’m so glad you stopped by; love your site!
I absolutely love that blue top! The neckline is a good fit for you, and I love the necklace you paired with it. Nice work! You look fabulous!
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