This post is brought to you courtesy of Suzanne. In her last post, she mentioned that she is on the hunt for cute tops. In my response, I mentioned a shirt that I recently bought and love. I feel that I fell short in my description of said shirt. Then she wondered if I would post about cute shirt finds.
Unfortunately, I only have the one recent cute shirt find. But, luckily for you, I have plenty to say on the subject of clothing.
I am still not going anywhere I absolutely don't HAVE to - which means that the odds of me stumbling over a cute top in the wild are slim to none. Which leaves me to online shopping. The problem with online shopping is that unless you are VERY specific about what you are looking for, you just end up scrolling aimlessly.
I stumbled across the shirt mentioned above because of a J. Crew ad on Instagram. I saw the shirt and scrolled on by...but I kept thinking about it. So much so, that I eventually caved and clicked the link. Friends, don't click the link because then forevermore you will only see multiple ads from that retailer.
But then again, that won't matter so much, because once you succumb and purchase said item you will then be BOMBARDED with emails from the retailer. Someone needs to inform all these marketing departments that there IS such a thing as overkill.
At any rate, I have scoured J. Crew's website and it appears this particular top in no longer available which is sad because 1) you can't order it and 2) that means I have had to figure out a way to take a decent picture of it...and we are all well aware that I am not a photographer.
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Wide button-collar tunic sweatshirt in
cloudspun fleece. I swear it's
cuter in real life. |
What I love about this shirt: I'm a sucker for a detailed neck line. I love that it doesn't have a banded or boxy hem line. And that it doesn't look like a sweatshirt but that it is still cozy. On me, this shirt is long enough that I could wear it with leggings and feel like everything is covered; but your mileage may vary.
Speaking of leggings - let me ask, those of you who wear leggings...where do you put your "stuff?" Since the beginning of the pandemic I've quit carrying a handbag. Generally, if I have to go anywhere I just grab my keys, wallet and phone. When I'm wearing jeans, keys go into the front pocket, the phone in my back pocket and wallet in my hand.
As I (and Suzanne) are still currently on the hunt for cute tops, I figured we'd crowd-source this mission. So, please share your favorite places to find clothes.
I am also on the hunt for quality, long sleeve tee shirts. Usually, I just buy them from Target but, here's the deal, the quality is terrible (I know, I know - you get what you pay for, but it's gotten ridiculously bad). I bought one shirt this summer and, I kid you not, in under ONE hour that shirt had holes in it from rubbing against the button on my shorts. This winter, I've found a solution of sorts - I just wear a tank under the top and, so far, that seems to help. But that is not a long term solution, particularly since the summers here are so warm that there is no way I am going to wear two shirts then. So that's the second issue I want to crowd-source - have you found quality tee shirts? If so, please share.
And since we are chatting about clothing; feel free to share - what are you a sucker for when it comes to clothing? Clean lines? A fun neck line?
I have THE BEST Amazon leggings. They have a high waist, side pockets, and are extremely comfortable. Satina is the name of the brand. I've had great success with Amazon clothing. I despise giving money to that guy, but dammit if they don't have decent stuff.
ReplyDeleteI have purchased a few things from Amazon and, for the most part, I'm usually pretty happy with them. I did buy a couple of tee shirts and they went the same way the Target shirts did.
DeleteIn early summer of 2020, I was thinking about a skirt I used to have several years ago and did a search for it. I found it listed on a site called Poshmark and also on eBay. I ordered it in the teal and the brown. (A Talbots corduroy, A-line skirt with cream embroidery on the front.) I was familiar with eBay, of course, but not Poshmark. I ended up spending hours searching for things on Poshmark and also came across two other thrift sites called Mercari and ThredUp. I'm only 5'0" and even many petite items are too long. Once you know the measurements of your waist, pit-to-pit, and length of your favorite items you already own, it's so much easier to find things that fit the way you want them to. (When sellers tell you the measurements of the item they're selling.) You can find things that are used in fair, good, or excellent condition and you can find things with tags still on them. Not everything is old or previously worn.
ReplyDeleteSince 2020, almost every clothing item I've purchased has been from thrift sites. It's so much easier to find things I actually like. It seems like the department stores haven't had much I like the past few years.
I was running into issues with department stores pre-pandemic (not having anything I liked). Thanks for the tip about Poshmark, I'll look into it!
DeleteI buy 90% of my clothes second-hand so I can never link to cool finds...but I have a shirt almost EXACTLY like the one you picture and it's one of my favs because of the fun neck line!!
ReplyDeleteThe neckline is fun and is what made the decision that I had to have it. Currently, it's my favorite piece of clothing.
DeleteOh, that top is very cute. On the topic of leggings, I always have a bag with me. I do have running leggings which have side pockets for a phone and a key, but that's it. I wear leggings half the time and always just have a bag. Even when I wear jeans I don't use the pockets (probably because the jeans I wear are of the super-tight variety!) I have had some luck with Gap t-shirts, but it's variable.
ReplyDeleteI figured you would be legging expert! I rarely wear leggings. Jeans just seem warmer to me. I did put on a pair the other day and was flummoxed by the lack of pockets and had to change out of them just to go to the store.
DeleteI always have a purse/backpack for my stuff, and I love cargo pants because of the pockets. Always one for my phone! I think leggings look good on other people but never would wear them myself.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I used to feel the need to carry a purse at all times. Not anymore. I can understand the appeal of leggings but, yes, I rarely ever wear them.
DeleteI still carry a purse and make sure it's the smallest and lightest one I can find. And I wear leggings that have pockets on the leg that I can slip my phone into.
ReplyDeleteI honestly detest shopping for clothes and do it as infrequently as possible. The stuff I have I wear to its death. And I found out while shopping for Christmas that finding men's clothes is even more impossible. (You're right about Target; it's stooped to Dollar Store quality.)
It's shocking that the quality at Target has become so awful. They really need to up their game. Nothing is made to last...not even for one season.
DeleteI love that top; the neckline and buttons are interesting.
ReplyDeleteI can't go anywhere without a purse because the minute I do, I'll need eyedrops, chapstick, a comb, etc...
I generally find cute tops are TJ Maxx or Marshalls, but it's a crapshoot. If I want to invest in a nice blouse, I go to White House Black Market or Ann Taylor, although sometimes Ann Taylor caters to the older, more 'buttoned up' clientele.
I think I've been able to ditch the purse because I rarely leave the house for any length of time. Except when I am going to spend the day at the office; and there I have everything I might need.
DeleteI forgot all about White House Black Market - off to search their website!
I AM HERE FOR THIS! And I love the J Crew shirt -- it's really the perfect mix between comfortable and polished, and the buttons really take it to the next level. So cute!
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to wearing leggings, I either do a bum bag/fanny pack or carry everything in my hands. And by "everything" that is my phone (which has a case in which I can stow my driver's license and one credit card) and my keys, which I dangle off of a finger by the key ring. Lots of people are carrying fanny packs/bum bags these days which are very cute, too.
When it comes to long sleeve T-shirts, I have had good luck with the Caslon brand at Nordstrom (plus, free shipping and returns!) and I also really love these long sleeve T shirts from Free People. https://www.macys.com/shop/product/free-people-arden-solid-long-sleeved-t-shirt?ID=10484571
They are a little... shlumpy, but they have the thumbhole thing that helps keep my hands warm when I'm typing and they are long enough to cover my rear.
Thanks, this shirt is my current favorite.
DeleteThanks for the reminder of Nordstrom - I'm off to look at their website. I never think of them because the closest one to me is about an hour away in a VERY densely populated area. Last time I went it took me nearly 25 minutes AFTER I got off the highway just to get into the parking lot.
Since I have been talking about shirts, all my instagram ads are now for shirts. So I am going to try a few and keep you posted. I sometimes have good luck with Loft shirts -- they are definitely hit or miss, but sometimes they are very cute. I even have a few that I like and fit currently, but they are sleeveless. This is part of my problem: I have little problem finding cute sleeveless tops, but ones with sleeves are so hard for me to find! I have also been getting ads from J. Crew Factory, and they have some very cute tops right now!
DeleteAll of my clothes get destroyed at work. You wouldn't think so, but yes. And since I work like all the time, my clothing passion is currently comfy pajamas. Preferably ones I can walk the dog in without looking like I am 1) Homeless or 2) a person of Walmart.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much for leggings but when I do wear them I have a lightweight crossbody purse from Baggallini in which I put my stuff. I buy Lands End long sleeve cotton t-shirts because they fit, they're in pretty colors + basic ones, and when on sale don't cost much. I haven't bought anything from J. Crew in years, kind of forgot that they existed.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really a leggings girl myself but I did wonder about the stuff aspect of them. I'd forgotten all about Lands End...and these shirts don't get the little holes in the waist where the button of your jeans rub them?
DeleteI'm a sucker for purses, to be honest. But in clothing I'd settle for ones that aren't ten inches too long (I'm short).
ReplyDeleteSame...just about everything I buy is far too long in either the sleeves or the length.
DeleteCute top. I think your photo is practically professional grade. Fun post - I enjoy seeing where everyone else is shopping.
ReplyDeleteI haven't shopped at J Crew in YEARS. I feel like I go in phases but I have almost exclusively shopped at Von Maur forever. While shopping their site, I look at sale and then I plug in my fav brands. I prefer long tops because I'm tall. A cute neckline is a plus. I like Royal.Robbins. Tasc. Alo. Toad. Free People. Nic + ZOE. Kuhl. They ship for free. I also vote for long sleeve t-shirts from Lands End.
Two votes for Lands End - that does it, I'm going to order one for me and one for The Husband. Fingers crossed they stand the test of time.
DeleteAs I age I find myself buying less clothes and when I do it is to replace something worn out beyond redemption. A fashion plate I am not. :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't buy many clothes but am finding that when I do buy, I want to love it and I want it to have an extended shelf life otherwise it does not belong in my closet.
Delete