PS: the tweens at the mall don’t scare me (my kids were very recently that age, they’re all hopeless dorks lol), but the alarming state of in-person retail does - my mall has the saddest-sack Macy’s of all time, Gap left years ago, Forever 21 and its even lower-tier imitators are Not For Me plus they fill me with existential dread - I start thinking about fast fashion and landfills and microplastics and GAAAAHHHHH !!! Not much fun.
Your wise words, “my foot bones have rearranged themselves” — spot on! Perfect description of too-narrow boots *before* the dreaded LF injury but now even more on-the-mark. 🦶🏻
For me, I save searches for brands I like/know because I don't trust their measurements. I am very specific about what I'm looking for - I don't usually browse without filters. I also look really carefully and up close at the photos. But, everything I've purchased so far has been in better condition than expected.
Man, I love the slade blazer but it is SO expensive for an unlined piece! I have resisted buying it for ages simply because I’m like - “$500 and it has no lining??” But maybe … I do love the way it looks. It just peeves me that Rag and Bone can get away with charging that much.
I was thinking the same thing until I put it on. a wool blazer without a liner it's like wearing a cardigan - stretchy, warm and light. ALSO, I got mine for $130 on The RealReal so do not pay retail for this!
I returned some Quince jeans (too stretchy; crotch was weird) and a bunch of shoes. I'm always looking for comfortable flats that don't look stupid but have yet to find anything.
The last things I returned were a silk shirt I bought on eBay that was the wrong cut for my body and some bras from Bare Necessities which just did not fit (then I went for an in-person fitting and bought some more that I kept). I live near a big mall that is kinda second tier, and 45 minutes from one that has everything, but I order online and pick up from the nearby one and don't really bother going to the one that's more of a drive. I am on the small side of plus sized and it's hard to shop those sizes in person, anyway. I've been trying to shop more selectively and second hand for a lot of things (except shoes--I really have no luck with those 2nd hand)
Kept: Baggu Small Cloud Carry On. I was looking for a lightweight Personal Item bag that will fit under the airplane seat, hold a lot, and could also double as a beach tote once I've arrived at my beach trip. I'm keeping this bag and excited to try it out! It's also machine washable which is awesome.
THIS IS ME!!! Banana Republic does NOT fit me. I wish it did. It is for the self I wish I was apparently. So I buy online, try and return in person. Nordstrom sames for denim and things that influencers "make" me want. Tried to find dupes for things like the Bottega Veneta bag I want or the Spanx perfect pants on Quince--nope back they went. I avoided the physical stores entirely over the holiday season and everything came to the front door. Amazon (sorry), Nordstrom, Athleta... you name it. And then most everything went back. Except the $15 Jcrew sweater vest that didn't fit but would have been more hassle to return. That I wore twice and then rehomed.
I feel bad about buying and returning, but my city has so few offerings that aren't ath-leisure or that don't targeting a different customer with clothing that is headed for a landfill. And there is an Anthro. But I have no idea who that clothing is for anymore.
That is a cycle I know well, as I am constantly searching for brands that are relevant to my older self. I even gave J Jill a shot--mostly because it was a good sale-and kept one piece (a surprisingly good cord coat) and returned three. I also returned a pair of shoes from the Adidas + Liberty of London collab. I bought them on a whim and they really don't work for my foot or my wardrobe.
Returned: a bunch of shirts from every damn place - menopause has ballooned my boobs, and everything makes me look frumpy and matronly and I hate it. 🤬
Kept: First Ascent pants from Eddie Bauer (they’re finally making the thigh pockets long enough to zip over my iPhone!), a wool-blend overcoat from Gap that is the BEST red, has perfect shape and drape, and was on sale in December for under $100.
PS: the tweens at the mall don’t scare me (my kids were very recently that age, they’re all hopeless dorks lol), but the alarming state of in-person retail does - my mall has the saddest-sack Macy’s of all time, Gap left years ago, Forever 21 and its even lower-tier imitators are Not For Me plus they fill me with existential dread - I start thinking about fast fashion and landfills and microplastics and GAAAAHHHHH !!! Not much fun.
The internet is not big enough for my list of returns. 🤗
Your wise words, “my foot bones have rearranged themselves” — spot on! Perfect description of too-narrow boots *before* the dreaded LF injury but now even more on-the-mark. 🦶🏻
Everything revolves around The Foot still!
So many good comments here! For those who’ve shopped The RealReal - any strategies or suggestions for newbies?
For me, I save searches for brands I like/know because I don't trust their measurements. I am very specific about what I'm looking for - I don't usually browse without filters. I also look really carefully and up close at the photos. But, everything I've purchased so far has been in better condition than expected.
Man, I love the slade blazer but it is SO expensive for an unlined piece! I have resisted buying it for ages simply because I’m like - “$500 and it has no lining??” But maybe … I do love the way it looks. It just peeves me that Rag and Bone can get away with charging that much.
I was thinking the same thing until I put it on. a wool blazer without a liner it's like wearing a cardigan - stretchy, warm and light. ALSO, I got mine for $130 on The RealReal so do not pay retail for this!
Now THAT is the way to do it!
I'm obsessed with that blazer! So cute.
I returned some Quince jeans (too stretchy; crotch was weird) and a bunch of shoes. I'm always looking for comfortable flats that don't look stupid but have yet to find anything.
The last things I returned were a silk shirt I bought on eBay that was the wrong cut for my body and some bras from Bare Necessities which just did not fit (then I went for an in-person fitting and bought some more that I kept). I live near a big mall that is kinda second tier, and 45 minutes from one that has everything, but I order online and pick up from the nearby one and don't really bother going to the one that's more of a drive. I am on the small side of plus sized and it's hard to shop those sizes in person, anyway. I've been trying to shop more selectively and second hand for a lot of things (except shoes--I really have no luck with those 2nd hand)
Returned: This adorable Quince dress, I ordered in two sizes and returned both. https://www.quince.com/women/100-organic-cotton-short-sleeve-shirt-dress?color=azure-stripe&gender=women&tracker=collection_page__women%2Fdresses%2Fmini-dresses__Mini+Dresses__27&qpid=_s9u542c02. I heavily debated keeping the smaller size but both sizes were bunching weirdly when I moved, and I knew I'd be endlessly smoothing the fabric down around me if I wore it. Bummer because I think it's a great potato sack dress for a hot day.(On an upcoming warm weather trip).
Kept: Baggu Small Cloud Carry On. I was looking for a lightweight Personal Item bag that will fit under the airplane seat, hold a lot, and could also double as a beach tote once I've arrived at my beach trip. I'm keeping this bag and excited to try it out! It's also machine washable which is awesome.
Kept: This EXTREMELY soft Abercrombie sweatshirt.https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/the-ypb-supersoft-crew-56287838?seq=02&cmp=PLA:EVG:20:A:D:US:X:GGL:X:SHOP:X:X:X:X:x:A%26F+Adults_Google_Shopping_PLA_US_YPB+Active_All+products_PRODUCT_GROUP&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAs5i8BhDmARIsAGE4xHzPRNpX9b4NFLGutk1aavciBRxRXsspMIJ2n1RJYHX0kPP0s8xHMDgaAi6uEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Woweee do I love this, I don't want to take it off. I sized down one and it's still nice and oversized. Soft as heck, perfectly cropped, I might buy another. (It also has matching pants that were sadly really long on my short legs).
Returned: https://www.nordstrom.com/s/tokyo-water-resistant-crossbody-bag/7751380?color=RAVEN&size=one+size&utm_content=60298249417&utm_term=aud-2325571726688:pla-296778336361&utm_channel=low_nd_shopping_standard&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=745687890&adpos=&creative=312381585302&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&acctid=21700000001689570&dskeywordid=92700049880842597&lid=92700049880842597&ds_s_kwgid=58700005468312099&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007631122&dsproductgroupid=296778336361&product_id=A0785071&merchid=1243147&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&locationid=9061294&targetid=aud-2325571726688:pla-296778336361&campaignid=745687890&adgroupid=60298249417&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAs5i8BhDmARIsAGE4xHy4qMHjWA0BPulYH-ouJa176seGRQY0CDvJI7Moa2IX0a0moNyftvMaAqh9EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds I'm looking for a simple everyday (non leather) bag, that's an upgrade from the Uniqlo Crescent Bag that I've been using forever. It needs to be water resistant and withstand me tossing it around. I expected this Bellroy bag to be perfect but it was so stiff, smaller than expected, and I knew it would drive me nuts trying to get stuff in and out due to the stiffness. Still looking for my perfect lil bag.
Maybe MZ Wallace for the bag? And oof, now I want that sweatshirt.
THIS IS ME!!! Banana Republic does NOT fit me. I wish it did. It is for the self I wish I was apparently. So I buy online, try and return in person. Nordstrom sames for denim and things that influencers "make" me want. Tried to find dupes for things like the Bottega Veneta bag I want or the Spanx perfect pants on Quince--nope back they went. I avoided the physical stores entirely over the holiday season and everything came to the front door. Amazon (sorry), Nordstrom, Athleta... you name it. And then most everything went back. Except the $15 Jcrew sweater vest that didn't fit but would have been more hassle to return. That I wore twice and then rehomed.
I feel bad about buying and returning, but my city has so few offerings that aren't ath-leisure or that don't targeting a different customer with clothing that is headed for a landfill. And there is an Anthro. But I have no idea who that clothing is for anymore.
Who is Anthro even for anymore? It's baffling.
That is a cycle I know well, as I am constantly searching for brands that are relevant to my older self. I even gave J Jill a shot--mostly because it was a good sale-and kept one piece (a surprisingly good cord coat) and returned three. I also returned a pair of shoes from the Adidas + Liberty of London collab. I bought them on a whim and they really don't work for my foot or my wardrobe.
Returned: a bunch of shirts from every damn place - menopause has ballooned my boobs, and everything makes me look frumpy and matronly and I hate it. 🤬
Kept: First Ascent pants from Eddie Bauer (they’re finally making the thigh pockets long enough to zip over my iPhone!), a wool-blend overcoat from Gap that is the BEST red, has perfect shape and drape, and was on sale in December for under $100.