Question for the Fashonistas

[MrsK]

I've been looking for weekend casual clothes that look grown-up, polished, tailored, fashionable, etc. BUT do not need to be ironed, hand washed, or dry cleaned. I'm bored with wearing T-shirts, jeans, and sweatshirts and I feel frumpy, like I'm dressed to wash the car or clean the garage. I cannot understand why it seems that everything that is not a T-shirt needs to be ironed/hand washed/dry cleaned. I mean, who wants to spend time and money on dry cleaning, hand-washing, and/or ironing play clothes?

I've tried Nordstroms, Macys, Bloomingdales (had some gift cards for the first three) and Ann Tayor Loft. I had some luck at Ann Taylor Loft but the department stores were rough -- it seems that a lot of the non-T-Shirts were tie-died, see-through, frayed, hooded -- not polished or tailored -- and nearly everything required dry cleaning. Any suggestions? Good brands or stores? What do you wear on the weekends?

[Meenah]

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

This is why I will never be a fashionista!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.. I'm in old jeans and a t-shirt underneath a sweatshirt. I've been painting and coud use that as an excuse, but I'm usually dressed this way on the weekends. On Friday, for work I wore jeans and a nice sweater with my labcoat! I love being the boss.

[MrsK]

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

I should probably add something to this inquiry. . . when I was in Miami and unmarried, I wore my "lawyer costume" to the office and "South Beach Chic" for socializing on the weekends (picture The Real Housewives of OC). Now that I'm a part-time midwestern housewife, neither the lawyer costume nor SoBe attire are appropriate. What's the middle ground?

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

I am no fashonista, but my students tell me I'm the best dressed teacher in the school...for what that's worth I typically live in wash and wear khakis (I really like Dockers) and cardigans. I also have a good number of those knit-type fitted shirts and v-neck, long sleeved "t-shirts" from any various store. I feel that I look more put-together than, say, DH It's a fine line sometimes - but I have noticed that I feel better about myself when I dress a little nicer!

[medpedspouse]

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

No fashionista here either....BUT the few times I have caught "what not to wear", the key item for a put together casual look is a jacket/balzer. So, you could still wear your denim and t-shirts - just get a solid color, add a blazer and cute flats and you're good to go if you are heading out the door. :huh:

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

Boden or J Crew? Both have some nice velvet blazers -- I like that suggestion.

[Vishenka69]

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

Fashionable and put together people wear t-shirts, jeans and sweaters too, they just wear them fitted vs loose. I usually professionally dry clean clothes once or twice a season and use dry cleaning clothes for the dryer in between. They work really well in freshening up the clothes, taking funky smells out and generally fluffing them up. I use Dry Cleaners Secret clothes, they come 4 in a box for $10. Each cloth can be used with 4-6 items (depending on size). Cheap and easy and no sacrificing on style. If you take the clothes out of the dryer immediately, there's usually no ironing involved either.

I have a couple of blazers but find myself more comfortable in sort of a sweater jacket. Basically a sweater with a bit more construction but not quite a blazer.

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

What she said

I have a lot of Banana Republic stuff too andfind that it washes well and we don't even own an iron...wayyy too domestic for me! Shoes make a world of difference too....

[MrsK]

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

I, too, hate dry-clean stuff, and even though fibers like cotton and polyester are washable, a lot of times the construction or finishing will be such that they say 'dry clean only' anyway, so unfortunately you have to check. (Of course, cotton wrinkles). Wool, cashmere, and rayon are great fabrics in many ways but are really weak when wet, which is why they either have to be dry cleaned or hand washed. However, Modal (which is an improved type of Rayon) is a newer fiber that can be washed (though sometimes needs to be hang-dried).

I knew that you'd be able to give me the whole story, chapter and verse! I've always wondered what modal is. Thank you!

[alison]

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

Maybe you can add a chunky bracelet or necklace to your t-shirt and jeans. I automatically feel less slovenly if I put on some jewelry!

[Amiens]

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

I can be the queen of schlubadubdink, and I have been looking at various retailers all thanks in part to the fashionistas here. My current fav is J.Crew (they have a 30% off plus free shipping at the moment), and then of course I have been turned onto to Ann Taylor and her LOFT. Who knew clothes could be so pretty AND comfortable? .

Something I have learned from these amazing gals- shoes are a great accessory for making a blah outfit look great. (I am still on the hunt for comfy kitten heels).

[Vishenka69]

Re: Question for the Fashonistas

How about this look for winter/spring? This outfit has been brought to you by JCrew sale section. Instead of jeans and sweatshirts, go for cords and sweaters - you'll seem less bulky and more grown up.

I have these cords and they are totally washable, if you take them out of the dryer sooner rather than later and hang them up, they don't need any ironing.



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Re: Question for the Fashonistas

How about this look for winter/spring? This outfit has been brought to you by JCrew sale section. Instead of jeans and sweatshirts, go for cords and sweaters - you'll seem less bulky and more grown up.

I have these cords and they are totally washable, if you take them out of the dryer sooner rather than later and hang them up, they don't need any ironing.



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Accessory choices:

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