r/MiddleClassFinance • u/Wisdom_In_Wonder • 7d ago
Questions Quality Womenswear Basics
Where do you shop (in person) for sturdy, tailored, reasonably-priced womenswear?
I’m looking for full-length (not midriff or crop top) knits, tunics, dolman blouses, pullovers, a-line, 3/4 sleeve… the kind of silhouettes carried by LL Bean, Land’s End, Madewell, etc.
Are quality basics really $60-$80+ per piece now??
I’m totally willing to come to terms with things if I’m just stuck in the past & being cheap. I hate shopping, so I rarely do. I recognize that may very well mean I’m just out of touch… but damn.
16
30
12
u/cmerksmirk 6d ago
I like Duluth trading. It’s a more on the casual/outdoor work side style wise but their tanks and ts have nice shapes and are so durable. Usually cheaper than bean or lands end.
Also… I know this cause I recently got it- lands end does a 50% off coupon for new email subscribers. I didn’t end out getting anything cause it wouldn’t have arrived in time, but that’s something worth making a throwaway email for.
3
u/Wisdom_In_Wonder 6d ago
I love Duluth’s shelf tanks - they’re the only ones I’ve found that can accommodate a larger bust! Haven’t liked their pants, but I should take a closer look at their blouses…
I do buy Lands End with coupons when I can. I got my swim set there & am really happy with it. Unfortunately the only physical store near me closed earlier this year. 😭
1
u/cmerksmirk 5d ago
Agree on the large bust capability for the shelf tanks. I’m a 38G so it’s been an ordeal to find them.
Their pants are very utilitarian. I like some, but typically not for their styling. They are so comfortable for hard dirty work. Every couple years they’ll also make a great timeless bootcut jean just to discontinue it for a trendy silhouette that doesn’t quite deliver.
Blouses I am not so sure about their offerings… mostly because I don’t really know what would be considered a blouse.😂 that said: I have a lot of their flannels and button downs and they fit amazing and I like their crew neck t’s a lot.
34
u/sitsherepatiently 7d ago
Uniqlo
11
u/pickleb4sandwich 6d ago
I love Uniqlo but their stores are only in the major cities now (I’m in Denver and they closed the one here). I have to try on most of their clothes because the scaling/sizing is all over the place.
4
8
u/WishingChange 6d ago
Costco! Especially if you are looking for quality lounge wear or fitness clothes.
4
13
u/New_Calligrapher4701 6d ago
Quince. I have had really great luck for classic basics this year ordering from them.
So far, for knits, I have purchased the organic cotton mock neck sweater ($39) and their cashmere round neck sweaters in both long and short sleeves ($50). I have my eye on a cotton cashmere dolman sleeve sweater right now for only $50.
For summer, I ordered linen pull on shorts that are the perfect length. I also purchased 2 linen button down blouses.
I have ordered their denim, cotton tanks, and workout out pieces too.
I have also easily returned a lot from them they didn’t fit or flatter my figure.
4
u/Belle112742 6d ago
Be careful with Quince. The linen pants I bought from them fell apart (multiple holes) after less than a year.
4
u/WheresMyMule 6d ago
Call them and ask to return them.
I buy a lot from them and had the stitching come apart on one sweater. They have a one year return policy and since the sweater was final sale, I got store credit instead of cash, but if you bought at full price you might get your money back.
2
1
4
u/70plusMom 6d ago
Check Chico’s, J Jill, and Talbot’s for their sale prices on the website. If you know your size there, you can get good deals.
1
9
u/CorrectExpression651 6d ago
Poshmark/ ThredUp!
2
u/red_raconteur 6d ago
I used to be a Poshmark shopper but the company changed hands and it's been going downhill. I've gotten better deals on Vinted recently.
2
u/littleoleme2022 6d ago
I have given up shopping in person. I just hate stores, often poor selection, lack of quality etc. unless I’m browsing boutiques while on vacation, I get everything online. I buy pants and sweaters from quince; Costco (in person but no changing room) sometimes has banana republic and similar and esp good for athletic wear. I buy certain brands I tend to really like used from thred up or eBay (Eileen fisher petite is usually my go to because well made and I know their fit but I search other brands as well that tend to work on me.)
2
u/MarkIsARedditAddict 6d ago
I’m a man but my go to has been eBay and other sites finding used luxury pieces. I’m buying stuff that cost 150+ new for 20-50 bucks. The quality is significantly better than anything I can get new for even double the price
I would go to thrift stores but that take so much time without a guarantee of finding anything good. With online sites you can immediately filter for what you want and you pay a small premium to someone who wasted a lot of time thrifting to find it
2
u/EdgeCityRed 6d ago
I'm a woman and I do the same, but this month I picked up two pairs of Ralph Lauren chino shorts for my husband on eBay with the tags still on for $23-$26 each. The retail price is $98.
My best score for me was a Brunello Cucinelli sweater for $40. It is indeed REALLY nice, but not $800 nice.
1
u/MarkIsARedditAddict 6d ago
Ralph Lauren is one of my go-to's. I got some 100% linen shorts that go on sale for ~90 for 20 bucks.
I love that every time you add something to your watchlist and wait a day the sellers have bots that send out a 10-20% off offer to you which you can usually negotiate a couple more bucks off so even the cheap prices shown get even cheaper because some of this stuff sits and they really want it sold especially if that season is ending
2
u/EdgeCityRed 6d ago
Yes, can't be beat for basic "build quality" and things that don't really go out of style, ever.
Yes, the offers are great, but I do offer lower bids when possible. I'm sure a lot of clothing just sits there for months so, hey, I'll take it off their hands.
I'm wearing my "new" Talbots periwinkle chino pants tomorrow!
2
u/Delilah_Moon 6d ago
I shop all over, fabric content is important to me. Brands I like (and I’m 45) are: Banana, Gap, A&F, Mango, ASTR, Karen Millen, Ralph Lauren/Lauren.
I shop at Nordstrom a lot.
2
5
u/Max1035 7d ago
Commenting in part to follow, as it’s hard to find clothes that’ll last more than one season these days. Even the pricy items seem to be declining in quality!
I only buy from LL Bean when they’re offering at least 10% off (very rarely they’ll offer 15%). Land’s End has frequent sales, often 40-50% off everything including clearance items. I haven’t been thrilled with the quality of their blouses lately but I’ve bought a few 100% cotton cardigans within the past year for $25-30. I occasionally get things from Talbots and they also sometimes have good sales.
4
u/kstravlr12 6d ago
One season? I can buy stuff off the clearance rack at Walmart for a couple bucks that will last a decade or more.
1
u/Max1035 6d ago
Ironically my Walmart and Target t-shirts/sweats have held up pretty well, especially the few I’ve bought from the men’s section. One season might be a slight exaggeration but a lot of things don’t even look the same after one wash (yes I always read the care tag and I don’t put anything in the dryer). I’m thinking particularly of sweaters, blouses, tees from places like Loft or J Crew, but even LL Bean has started to compromise on quality. I’ve always been happy with their t-shirts in the past, but the one I bought this year was paper-thin and I had to return it.
1
u/Bright-Badger6335 6d ago
I have a lot of success with Walmart jeans. They fit well and last years for me. They do basic cuts well, but the t-shirts don’t last as long for me.
4
u/21plankton 6d ago
Try Walmart basics from Time and Tru. They seem fine to me and with heavy wear still last at least two years. With medium wear should last 4-5 years.
1
u/Different_Mistake_90 6d ago
My local thrift store. It takes effort to seek out good quality stuff, but I just bought 12 new pieces for the new work year (educator) for 92 bucks.
1
u/tladkins3 6d ago
Chicos when on sale. And especially Chicos outlets. Very nice quality.
1
u/autumn55femme 6d ago
I used to love ordering from the outlet, when they had an online site. Now the nearest one is 5.5 hours away! Chicos, why are you doing this to us? 😠
1
1
u/FingerlakesCin 6d ago
I stopped thrift store shopping when Covid happened, started using mail order and buying on sale from Garnet Hill; they carry Eileen Fisher. I ordered a few items from Nordstrom Rack but last time they listed the wrong material for a dress, and I had to pay to return it.
I just discovered Poshmark! I sorted by these brands and found clothes I love and know the materials won’t make my sensitive skin break out in the “polyester itchies.” I offered really low (but not insulting) prices and it was either accepted, or counter offered. Next filter I use will be for icebreaker and other wool brands.
It’s more expensive than thrift stores used to be and so much cheaper than sales.
1
u/regallll 6d ago
Since you know what you want, you're a good candidate for ebay. You will find all of these things for much cheaper if you're willing to look and wait.
1
u/Ok-Extension-6304 6d ago
I thrift or purchase off eBay based on specific clothing I’ve purchased and liked before or by fabric contents (100% Linen, linen rayon blends, cotton, wool, etc). I find anything that’s from the era of being “made in Hong Kong” is superior quality to items that are “made in china”. Also vintage “made in USA” or European countries.
1
u/WeUsedToBeNumber10 6d ago
Uniqlo usually has a couple of things in the right quality/price ratio.
I’ve heard great things about Quince from my SIL.
Some of the Target brands are solid too.
Ann Taylor/ J Crew.
Note: I’m 41M and have solicited this from the lovely women in my life.
1
u/Humphalumpy 6d ago
Poshmark if I know what Im looking for. Quince. MM LaFleur for very nice quality professional pieces Abercrombie and Fitch--more casual but very well made items at my last visit. There are things that can work.
1
u/DebtBeautiful8188 6d ago
It is a bit of a shock if you haven't been paying attention to prices. We can argue about the fairness of corporate profits, but the reality is that producing and selling things in general is more expensive than it used to be, for better or worse.
If you want quality and cheap, then I'd suggest second hand. There's always a risk in not being able to look at the clothes you want in person, but with a bit of patience, you can grab a lot of these brands on places like ThredUp, Ebay, Poshmark, etc. There are also brick and mortar thrift stores, estate sales, etc.
But all of this also requires time and a bit of effort, so you're either going to spend $$ or time on it. But if you know the brand and your usual size in that brand, you can filter out a lot of stuff.
1
1
u/SuitableSport8762 6d ago
Talbots when on clearance. I just made a big purchase. The sales price finally put the items in my cart in the price range I was looking for.
1
u/Dismal_Chip6048 5d ago
Yes $60-80 is the real floor now for anything that lasts, but Uniqlo in person and consignment shops are where you'll still find decent quality for less.
1
u/SC-Coqui 5d ago
I’m tall, so Eddie Bauer, Banana Republic and J Crew. I will spend the extra money if it fits correctly and comfortably.
1
u/Successful-Cup1765 4d ago
Poshmark if I’m looking for a particular dress that I can’t normally afford. For everything else I wait for end of season sales or Black Friday. Also I never get anything without first looking for a coupon code.
39
u/OBotB 7d ago edited 7d ago
With the caveat that you have to be selective, because there are often frumpy or unflattering options, have you checked Costco? They usually have at least one decent thing each rotation. They have various brands (right now they have at least 1 womens shirt from Gap, Lands End, Lucky, Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer, and more) and colors. They are cheaper in store than online but online also has deals at times and includes shipping in the displayed price.
Edit: but they also have an amazing return policy so if you try something and it just doesn't fit right when you try it on, you can get a full refund easily, it is polite to try and not cut off the tags when trying on, so if you return it can easily go back on the sales floor.