Clothes for Us Gals over 40 - Ann Arbor,MI

i hear ya. for me it's not even the body changes, although they're significant, it's an energy thing. i still wear the same stuff when i'm bomping around the farm, but my professional look has toned down and classed up. i was funky and eclectic in my early 40s, in gypsy skirts and sparkly tanks and rainbow leggings and high tops.
i was adorable.
i was!
now that i'm in my 50s, it would just come off as slightly demented. for the first time 'old lady clothes', ie tailored slacks, ann taylor blouses and an alfred dunner cardigan, give me a sophistication and polish i never managed to pull off before. or maybe didn't try, because i was far too focused on looking 'sexy'<G>.
i know we've all heard to go for classic, not trendy looks. it's an imperative when you get older. and a relief! i still add my touch of whimsy with a stroke of faery dust on my lids, and a beautiful piece of jewelry.
:) khairete
S.

I found more change in my body directly after giving birth and again once I hit 50. At 40, I was still much the same (but I am a dance teacher).

I am an avid thrift store shopper. I go to a thrift store in easy-to-change-out-of attire. I load my arms with jeans, tops, skirts and leave most times with at least 5 things that flatter.

I LOVE White House Black Market, Nordstrom and Anthropologie.

Fortunately, I am the same size I was before giving birth 18 yrs ago (0-2) petite but at the same time, I don't want to dress like an 18 yr old. It is hard to find good quality petites.

I buy good quality pieces and wear them for years. My skinny jeans were $165 about 8 yrs ago so bottom line that $165 is not that bad....roughly $20 a year. The stores I mentioned have very fashionable items that are not "frumpy mom" clothes which I refuse to wear.

You can get some good deals at WHBM if you are a sale rack shopper as well. The tops and jeans/pants are usually around $80 but routinely go on sale for 1/2 price. My friend works at one of the WHBM and she gives me aheads up when something comes in that she knows I would like.

I recently started shopping at Ross. They have designer-brand stuff that fits better than what I find at Kohls, Target, etc. I'd love to shop these designers in higher-end stores like Nordstrom, but I don't want to spend that kind of $$ on clothes. I also shop the clearance rack at Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft (really like Ann Taylor jeans, they sell mid-rise jeans instead of only low-rise ones). And there is a Talbots outlet near my house where I find good stuff.

I'm 42 and I get my clothes at Gap Body, Banana Republic, White House Black Market, H&M, and Marshalls/TJmaxx.

When looking for jeans ask the associate to bring you "mid rise" styles not low rise. I really like my Silver Jeans (style Suki). They are a mid rise jean that really flatters the bumm.

Banana Republic, Nordstrom and Hot Mama (shopmama.com)

I'm in my early 40's and lately I've been shopping at Ann Taylor Loft.

I think they have some cute things that aren't too frumpy or too clingy. That was what I was looking for.

They also have some good prices if you shop the sales in the store and online.

Talbot's is targeting our age group big-time and I've found their clothes fit great! Some really cute styles, too ... they've changed things a lot in recent years.

Coldwater Creek is another one that's updated its overall styling. I also have a lot of luck there.

For tops that go to the top of your thigh, try J. Jill. Tons in that length.

I LOVE tunic tops!

You can go to

http://www.zappos.com

You can go to Clothing - Womens - Jeans and one of the options to select down the left side panel is 'Rise'.
Select 'High Rise' and you'll have approx 234 items to look through.

Coldwatercreek.com

White House Black Market

Loft

Chicos

When it comes to Jeans, I have a few pairs of Joe's Jeans. They do cost a bit more but are well worth the extra money in that they hold up quite nicely, They come in all different styles and hues. In particular, I like the dark wash "Vincent" .. You can dress em up or down and they always look good. I am short waisted so it's not always easy to find a cut that hits me just right, however, with JJs, I found my match.
Additionally, I must say Nordstroms has some really cute shirts and they make it a pleasant shopping experience. I have also found cute jeans there as well..

I get the best stuff from the consignment shop. I can try on dozens of different styles and then select what I want. For under $100 I can change out my wardrobe constantly and have things I wouldn't even look at in a regular store.

I like Not Your Daughter's Jeans. Tops I'm still looking for, but I really like my maternity tank tops because they are long.