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View Full Version : I need a personal shopper for Summer please!



daisymommy
06-03-2010, 05:27 PM
I'm feeling down in the dumps over how I look lately. I'm totally stuck in a rut, and have realized that now that I am no longer 18 with a teeny tiny body that I can't show off in tight low cut stuff, I just throw on whatever and don't know how to dress myself anymore. I'll admit that I'm feeling a little like DH is losing interest....I can hardly blame him though. I've gotta do something here!

So, some background info for those who choose to accept this mission:
-I'm a stay at home mom; so nothing fancy. If I can't wear it while taking care of of kids, it's out.
-I'm nursing, so it needs to be able to be pulled up/down. I'm also a DD, so no little cami tank tops.

Can anyone please pick out some cute tops and pair them with shorts and shoes?

I usually shop at places like Old Navy and the GAP. But again, I'm stuck in a rut and have no idea what else is out there. No $50 a pop shirts though please. I want to look feminine and pretty!

TIA!

lizzywednesday
06-03-2010, 06:36 PM
I'm a DDD/G so I feel your pain!

I recommend the nursing tops at ON; there is a lovely v-neck one online only that looks really good without screaming "I'm nursing!" & the openings work with my boobs, so you'll be fine.

Link:

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=41578&vid=1&pid=655390

I'm also a big fan of the layered-look nursing tanks at ON, even if DH isn't (I think I ordered the wrong size; they seem to run big) ... the opening is under the bottom "layer" so NIP is a breeze!

Link:

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=41578&vid=1&pid=655372&scid=655372092

I'm considering this dress from Milk Nursingwear to get through summer at church, etc., IDK if you'd need something like it, though:

http://www.milknursingwear.com/store/pc/Smocked-floral-print-sundress-3p144.htm

I'm also a big fan of the Merona knee-length cotton skirts from Target!

sadie427
06-04-2010, 01:04 AM
I'm really liking the Land's End Canvas summer collection, and if you're on the LE mailing list you get a lot of coupon codes, most of which are also good for Canvas. They have lots of cute tops, capris and shorts. I have the cotton lawn dress, which fits great, but I guess that wouldn't work for nursing. I have a pair of sandals from there that are very cute and comfortable.

I also love a denim skirt I got from Boden's summer collection--I think it's called a "mini" but it's really more of a pencil skirt.

Ann Taylor Loft had a bunch of summer stuff on sale last time I was there, including some capris, skirts and t-shirts.

I don't really like to wear shorts, so can't be much help with shorts.

boolady
06-04-2010, 02:16 PM
duplicate post that I didn't realize posted before i was finished

niccig
06-04-2010, 03:45 PM
I have a few things from Ann Taylor Loft - most stores have a sale section that is pretty well stocked, and you can find the shirts for much cheaper.

I stopped buying tight cut t-shirts and tanks because of the baby belly. I nnow look for a t-shirt that has some different details and is a looser cut. Something like this

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=25163&N=1200005&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=204&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_204&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Light%20Willow%20Green&defaultSizeType=Regular

or this http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24668&N=1200005&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=204&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_204&loc=TN&defaultColor=Poppy%20Red&defaultSizeType=Regular

they also have shells like this, but not this one as it's silk/cotton
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=26000&N=1200005&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=204&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_204&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Poppy%20Red&defaultSizeType=Regular

I find this kind of t-shirt with pintuck/ruching at neckline is more flattering as it falls nicely over stomach and it isnt' tight
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55405&vid=1&pid=507719&scid=507719492
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55405&vid=1&pid=730877&scid=730877062
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55404&vid=1&pid=763376&scid=763376002

I think this is cute http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55404&vid=1&pid=765561&scid=765561042
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55404&vid=1&pid=765562&scid=765562052
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5441&vid=1&pid=752972&scid=752972022


I find that these tops look dressier than a standard t-shirt/tank top, and they are more flattering on me as no bulges. Paired with a solid short or capri and a cute sandal/flip flop, you are still casual and comfortable. I normal go solid on bottom as it's easier to then wear a more interesting kind of top. I'm very pear-shaped and I normally buy the Julie fit at Ann Taylor Loft for pants/shorts/capris. It just suits my build better than any pants at Old Navy or Gap.

HTH

boolady
06-04-2010, 03:51 PM
Well, I don't know how you feel about brighter colors, but I used to wear lots of black and neutrals, and have realized that as I've aged, I need more color in my clothing. I'm not talking garish, I'm talking jewel tones-- dark purples, teals, rose pink, darker turquoises, etc. They definitely perk up my complexion and look when I'm not looking perky.

I think the same is true for a bit of tasteful embellishment. Again, I'm not talking things that are bedazzled, I just mean a few beads or stitching or something to give things a bit of oomph. On a Saturday, for example, I feel like I look 100x better in a purple tee shirt I have that has a screen print on it when I'm wearing jeans and boots or sneakers than if I'm just wearing a plain black tee shirt w/ jeans or yoga pants (which yes, I do wear around on Saturdays:))

I think for summer, you can't go wrong with simple tanks in bright colors--ON has a bunch right now, with tan/black/army green/white bermudas and flats or cuter flip flops.

For example:

ON Long Perfect Tanks in either First Kiss, Purple People Eater, or Crimson and Clover (where a few years ago, I would have been all over black, brown, gray and white):

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55410&vid=1&pid=730950&scid=730950062

ON Beaded Rib Knit Tanks (either color):
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55409&vid=1&pid=752619&scid=752619002

ON Womens Seed Embellished Tanks (any of the colors...I have this one in Fuschia Dazzle):
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55409&vid=1&pid=752618&scid=752618012

ON Metallic Embellished Tanks (again, any color, I think, b/c the embellishment adds something):

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55409&vid=1&pid=752621&scid=752621022

I don't know if you "do" prints, but this is really cute, to me (I like Warm Floral), though it may cause nursing bra issues:

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55409&vid=1&pid=765084&scid=765084042

In terms of tees, I have a few of these, and they are cute. The lighter colors do need (at least for me) a thin cami or something under, though I doubt the brighter colors would). I love the cobalt blue that's on sale, Eat Your Greens, Spitfire (though any of the colors other than white, black, and heather gray are pretty):

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55405&vid=1&pid=730877&scid=730877012

These are cute (love the Marilee Mauve, but I know it's not for everyone):
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55405&vid=1&pid=507719&scid=507719492

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55405&vid=1&pid=730877&scid=730877012


I looked at the Gap stuff right now, and a lot of it was kind of blah to me. I like Gap clothes, but I don’t know. None of the tops were too interesting to me at the moment.

At ATLoft, there are a few cute embellishy tops:

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24665&N=1200005&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=204&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_204&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Vivid%20Violet&defaultSizeType=Regular

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=25014&N=1200005&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=204&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_204&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Enamel%20Blue&defaultSizeType=Regular

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24669&N=1200005&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=204&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_204&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=White&defaultSizeType=Regular

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=25037&N=1200005&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=204&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_204&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Paradise%20Pink&defaultSizeType=Regular#

I think Lands End is a good suggestion, and LL Bean has some things right now that look a lot more modern than I usually think of and look kind of Boden-ish. There are some cute tops on Banana Republic with a bit of color: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5040

Shoewise, just for ideas, I recently bought these at DSW (yes, I really didn’t need two pairs of shoes with flowers, but they were so cute):

These, in pink:
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/b.o.c.+by+born+women%27s+leeza+flower+flat?prodId= 197006

These, in a turquoise that doesn’t seem to be on the website:
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/b.o.c.+day+lily+leather+sandal?prodId=198963&brand=dsw10brand900002


So, these are just what I do to try and look a bit nicer and feel a bit nicer. I am a DDDD/G, so I tried to choose tops that I don’t think would be unflattering or uncomfortable with a larger chest. I also have 2 short sleeved (and a few elbow length) Gap cotton cardigans that I can throw over a nicer tee shirt in the evening or if I want to. Now, if money was no object and I really had my way (and loss a bunch of weight), I’d just pretty much wear Boden all of the time.

daisymommy
06-04-2010, 04:55 PM
Thank-you so much everyone for taking the time to help me! I appreciate it.

It's funny that several people posted links to the ruched front V-neck Tees at Old Navy, and I have a few of them--they are actually my favorite T at the moment!

I LOVE the stuff at ATL; unfortunately the closest one is 45 minutes away...but maybe I'll have to trek out there someday. Do they have good sales at times? I hate to spend $40 on one top. Maybe I'm cheap ;) Doh! I just noticed they are BOGO 50% off right now!

And as far as the tank tops go, I always feel like my chest is too large to wear them and look flattering. I thought it was interesting that you are the same bra size as me Jen, and you like all the tanks at Old Navy. Maybe I'll try some on next time I'm in the store.

I asked DH last night what types of clothes he likes to see me in, and he said "girly feminine things, with color". I wear a lot of earth tones and dark colors, and cargo capris, T's...so basically the opposite. I would like to change my wardrobe because 1) I'm not feeling good about how I feel and 2) It would make DH happy :)

I saw the thread about sundresses too, and I think I may try one, see how I feel all day in it. DH would be over the moon if I wore a dress ;)

So keep the rec's coming!