Recently I spent an afternoon in West Palm Beach , Florida, at City Place, a boulevard lined with the hottest shops for the young and tiny, you know, places like BCBG and Anthropologie. There is a wonderful stone plaza with a spectacular fountain as its centrepiece. And every half hour, bursts of water rocket into the air in time to classical music pumped out across the courtyard.
The fountain... but no photo I've found will do it justice.
Designed to represent an old Italian village, the archways, pillars and palm trees are inspiring and the foot traffic is incredible for a Monday morning. The $8 US valet parking might even fool you into thinking you can afford to shop in some of the higher-end boutiques.
But truly, this is a mecca for hard core fashionistas and wannabes alike. People come from all parts in central Florida to shop in its high-end boutiques and chain stores. I have to say that it’s nice to see affordable stores in such a nice setting for a change, like a Rodeo Drive but without the $4000 pantsuits.
Bling!
However, when it comes to fashionistas vs. wannabes, I have to say that I am firmly a wannabe. I wannabe stylish, I wannabe trendy, I wannabe anywhere but a fitting room. You know what I would love? A personal shopper. Seriously. Someone who can miraculously pick out jeans that make my bum look smaller and tops that flatter rather than “fatter.” I would gladly pay someone to make me stylish. Instead, I’m left to navigate seas of racks with clothes that seem to be made for someone without my wonderful shape to find clothes that suit not just my body type but also my age. I’m not 18 but I’m also not 40 (not that there’s anything wrong with either–well, actually, I wouldn’t want to be 18 again but that’s another story).
So, my question of the week is this: where do you 30-somethings find stylish clothes in a reasonable size? And when can you take me there?
You should try a site like this one:
http://www.missussmartypants.com/
This is a good start and the testimonials sure seem to suggest that the personal profiles have helped people but I almost feel as though I’m too far gone, that I need someone to physically go through my closet and go with me to the stores. I will, however, explore this site (and others like it) to see if it will work for me. I didn’t know sites like these were even out there so thanks very much for the link!
Totally agree, although I haven’t been able to shop there since I lived in Canada, I LOVE Lulu Lemon (I’m all about the comfortable sporty look) or Jacob for business attire or dresses. Jacob is one of the few designers that fit me really well. I also find that DKNY (from Target, TJ Maxx or Winners) is really great for jeans and t-shirts.
I like DKNY but Jacob doesn’t work for me. Most clothes pull and stretch where they aren’t supposed to. You know, I have never bought anything from Lulu Lemon. I feel like I have to do yoga in order to buy anything from there otherwise I’m just a big faker!
I actually got given 5 hours with a personal shopper as a new mommy gift. She came to my house and went through my closet (think What Not to Wear without the public humiliation) and then went shopping. She went an hour early to Nordstrom Rack (the Nordstrom version of Winners), picked out a shopping cart full of clothes for me to try, and then I showed up and just went right into the dressing room. Although I have no idea of the cost, it was definitely fun and practical in the sense that as a new mom when do you have time to pick out clothes, let alone try them on?!!! There are people out there who do just what you are looking for – but you have to pay them to do it.
Thanks for this, Breff. I totally would pay someone to do this. I LOVE the idea of WNTW without the public humiliation! I wonder how to find a personal shopper in my area? I mean, that usually isn’t listed in the yellow pages!
Oh just come shopping with me and you’ll be impressed by how good you look and how good you are at picking at clothes. I’m a fashion dofus with a floppy post c-section tummy.
The nicest I ever looked was in my maternity clothes – salesladies told me lots of non-pregnant women shop at the maternity stores because the styles are becoming to curves.
I will go shopping with you the next time we’re together! We can be dufuses together! Too bad we can’t carry that mommy-to-be glow without the bun in the oven.
Have you tried the personal shopper at Yorkdale? I was at a baby shower a few weeks ago and one mom said she had a great experience. The best part: it’s free!
oh, see this is my specialty! i am really good at picking out clothing that flatters – and i love helping others do it to. listen, for carting around town, or just lazing around — lululemon is your store. so well made that i find a few pieces go a long way. i go shopping, go to class, work out, hang out – all in that.
for all the other occasions – that’s where i put forth the effort. you need a good fit and you can’t be afraid to try on everything!
stores – i hate to say it….but i do 75% of my shopping in the US b/c the selection and the prices stink here. when we get together (in april???) i will give you some ideas…and maybe we can even go shopping together.
see? i could just write forever on this subject. ha.
@jennifer w: Sign me UP!! You and I need to go shopping!! April can’t come soon enough.