Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Sources for Skirts?

Okay, so I know that we have closed the comments on the modesty/jumper issue, and I am not re-opening the debate here. I am a Land's End (on sale) shopper for most of my everyday clothing, and (like B-Mama) I like to save up and splurge for special occasion wear (I have a great go-to suit from Ann Taylor, it looks great, fits well and I have worn it so many times it has more than justified the price).

However, I do like to wear skirts (or slightly dressier slacks, even) to church, it makes it feel like I am setting the day apart. My kids notice, too, that I require them to dress up for church, and for my girls that means little dresses, so they ask why I am not wearing a dress.

I loved the comment from Anon4 about stopping wearing make-up while at Yale, because long before I was a homeschooler I had some hippie-chick tendencies and back then my summer staples were broomstick skirts, or tied Balinese sarongs, and birks. In the winter time I wore my mom's old kilts with thick dark tights and boiled wool clogs, so I associate these things with rather a liberal look, actually!

Lately, I have been thinking that those skirts would be cooler and more practical, my khakis are killing me in the heat and humidity and I have never really felt comfortable in shorts outside of the athletic field.

So, anyone have good luck finding nice mid-priced skirts or church attire lately?

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've had some luck in recent years at NY&Co. finding skirts that are reasonably priced, fall below the knee, are fabrics that are easy to care for, have nice patterns, and (BIG bonus) have elastic waists so they can see me well into pregnancy and right after. The style is along the lines of the following, but the patterns are much "fancier". I find myself wearing them just to run errands, even though I don't need to be that dressed up, just b/c they're comfortable. Their selection is usually not very good online, but if you can stop by the store every few weeks (or months) you're likely to find something!

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=prod1360035&categoryId=cat570002&addFacet=1002%3Acat570002

Melanie Bettinelli said...

New Creation Apparel has a huge selection of beautiful skirts.My sister just bought a bunch and loves the way they fit. I've been extremely tempted to buy some too, but the ninth month of pregnancy is no time to splurge on clothes, if you know what I mean.

B-Mama said...

Mary Alice, I just saw some cotton ones on sale for 19.99 through Land's End. They look really comfortable and even adaptable for prego or postpartum waistlines!

JMB said...

Why just wear skirts? There are so many beautiful dresses out there. That's what I love to wear in the summer and I am a fashionista from the East Coast (NYC) with four children. If I do the skirt thing, I go to J Crew or Target (Merona line). The thing about skirts is that is it usually more flattering to have a fitted top with the skirt, like a tee shirt. So if you are concerned about being modest, you have to chose a top that is baggy and ill fitted which is not flattering. You are better off just buying a nice sundress. That's just my opinion. Too many moms don't dress well at all. It's sad.

Kristen Laurence said...

I love the pretty, feminine skirts at JCrew, but I'd never pay full price for their clothes. Their sales are fantastic (and you start receiving 20% off cards in the mail when you start buying from them). I recently bought two skirts there, both for $19.99 (one of which was $89 regular price!).

MJDMom said...

ok...I am going to let KMB's comment go and assume its a joke!! Please be joking!

Dresses don't work well for nursing moms...but I have had great luck at Marshalls and TjMaxx. They have some high quality stuff, some cheap stuff, but you can get all types of skirts for all types of occasions. Or have you tried cropped pants? They are cooler than regular pants and you can get them in lighter fabrics.

Gail said...

JMB, many of us are stuck with skirts as opposed to dresses because of nursing. I've been ready to switch to dresses for months, but my daughter isn't ready to wean yet. I'll second the New Creation Apparel website mentioned above. Dozens of beautiful and modest skirts, reasonably priced. However, I have to admit that I get most of mine from thrift stores or make my own.

Jessica Gordon said...

I second B-Mama's suggestion on the cotton ones from Land's End. I purchased three of them and have been wearing them almost daily! I LOVE THEM!! They are indeed great for that first/second trimester too! =) (Not sure about the third since I am not there yet, but probably then too since the waistline can be folded over below the tummy. )

Right Said Red said...

We like to look our best for Sunday Mass as well. I think it sets a nice tone, and since Jesus is there he deserves our best attire. For this reason, I wear a skirt or a dress almost every Sunday. I put on makeup, and wear some jewelry. When I come downstairs dressed up, I love that my children always compliment my outfit, and I compliment them as well. In this way I feel we are teaching them more proper manners and how to act in a more formal setting. Everyone knows that we are all dressed up to go see Jesus and it makes Sunday morning really special.

I tend to purchase two nice church outfits and rotate them weekly. I find this allows me to feel really good and wear something that fits at the moment (frequent size changes with pregnancy/nursing). I tend to wear things out this way, which is fine because my size changes so frequently. Since I only own two, it isn't that expensive to go purchase new church outfits when the seasons change and my size changes.

For economic reasons, I tend to purchase plain skirts and then dress them up with a fun top, some jewelry, and shoes (which always fit!) Skirts and a nice top are much easier when nursing, but dresses are usually more flattering. I have had great luck on the Ann Taylor Loft clearance rack with skirts (which I have not visited for some time so things may have changed), but I have heard some women complain that only a certain shaped waistline looks good in their clothes--so that advice may not work well for others.

Dianna@KennedyAdventures said...

My husband LOVES me in dresses as well .... but this nursing momma prefers tops/skirts. I love Ann Taylor Loft .... have a huge collection from there, since I used to have a business casual wardrobe. Good sales there, plus I've been able to find them at consignment shops as well. (typing as I sit here in my flirty skirt!)

Mary Alice said...

thanks everyone!

Anonymous said...

Great stuff here, thanks! I esp. appreciate the links.
Anon4

Melissa D at DropTheBabyWeight.com said...

I love good clothes and have had great luck purchasing on Ebay, especially brands like JCrew. And last year I found some darling knee-length flowered A-line skirts at JCPenney (I think they were from their Liz Claiborne line).
--Melissa

Lynn said...

I have had great luck at Salvation Army and Goodwill shops! I wear ankle length skirts and dresses most of the time for comfort and practicality, and I rarely buy anything new.

I will occasionally wear a denim jumper if it has some personality to it, but given that I'm in the mid-Midwest, nobody minds.

I have pretty much given up my straight denim skirt unless it's with a dressy top and jewelry, because otherwise it identifies me as Pentecostal, when I'm actually Catholic. They tend to wear Keds and I stick to Birkenstocks, but better safe than sorry :)

Anonymous said...

I wanted to first thank you for the last post - it really gave me a good perspective.

I saw some skirts in the Land's End overstock catalog I received the other day that looked really comfortable -- they're were several actually that I liked.

Sandra

Julia A said...

Coldwater Creek's sales are terrific.

My 15yo lives in print skirts from India, which we buy at street fairs for $10-$15 each.

Unknown said...

Target actually has some nice cool right below the knee skirts available currently, as does old navy. Shop both online. You might also be interested in www.shadeclothing.com They specialize in layering and modest apparel...including skirts! Good luck!

Kyra said...

I own a lot either from Target or Old Navy but sometimes it is harder finding more formal things there. I also have bought from Forever21.com! (check it out before you knock it) I used to think that was just a store for "club clothes" for promiscuous teens, but actually the online store has a wide range of pretty dresses/skirts/blouses etc. that aren't all too tight or revealing. None of the dresses are over $25. I actually just bought a dress there for a Christening. They also have a huge selection of really inexpensive jewelry. Just as an aside, it is a family owned business owned by Christians.

MJDMom said...

I second Forever 21 as an awesome place for cheap jewelry!!!!!! There's a zero return policy, so you know its cheap, but I have been happy with a lot pieces I have gotten there!

Anonymous said...

How about bodenusa.com? My MIL gets her skirts there and I think they have a nice selection - a slightly different look and feel from the American retailers. They're not the cheapest but they are good quality and they often have 10 or 20% discounts. Just beware the British sizing - there's a conversion chart on the site.

Karen B. said...

J Jill has some very modest, yet fashionable skirts. They are high quality, but not inexpensive, so you will have to stick clearance rack. They have a clearance section on their website as well.

http://www.jjill.com

Have you ever googled "fashionable modest women's clothing"?

Karen B. said...

Forgot to mention, I have googled "fashionable modest women's clothing," and it is very interesting. I found everything from Prairie dresses to Burkas.

Lindsay said...

I get most of my skirts from Sundance Catalog http://www.sundancecatalog.com/

The Outlet often has beautiful skirts at reasonable prices (I have paid $20, $25, and $30 for skirts that retailed at $100-$150). I can't see the new stuff is mid-priced, but what I get certainly is! I think their skirts are lovely!

Kerry said...

sorry to chime in late, but have you heard of Shade clothing? http://www.shadeclothing.com/

I've never bought from here, but lots of it looks cute-dresses esp.

(shhhh--it's a mormon company!) :)

Mary Alice said...

Am I missing something about shade? it seems like it is just a bunch of tight t shirts?

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