This strategy, for shoes, clothing, and a lot of other things invariably fails for me. They just stop making the stuff. And you only find out 6 months after they stopped making them. Also, with shoes, you can’t even stockpile them. Your shoe size frequently changes as you get older and/or heavier.
I had the best shoes ever. They were hemp. Green hemp shoes. They were called Boks, and they were eaten by my dog while I was in the shower. I miss those shoes. I miss that dog.
Kidding, the dog lived for many more years.
I still miss the shoes.
Guin,
Do you have an Asian neighborhood where you live? You’ll need to drive around it, but chances are pretty good there will be a small storefront with Asian dresses/tops for sale retail. If there is a University in town, you can try calling their Chinese Student Association for an address and reference.
I looked for one for a Christmas party this year, and gave up because my boobs are too big for the off the shelf dresses.
(Or a trip to San Francisco may be necessary to shop Chinatown).
No Asian neighborhoods in Pittsburgh that I know of. I thought someone mentioned there’s an Asian shop somewhere that might sell them-I forgot it, though.
Anything navy blue. Specifically, shoes and handbags because I haven’t seen either of those in navy in years. Shoe store assistants look at me as if I have two heads if I ask for navy shoes. It’s about time fashion did that cycle thing it used to do. At least long enough for navy blue to make a comeback.
And navy blue trousers - comfortable but not baggy, wash and wear but not plasticky and with decent pockets. I can find a bazillion pairs of black trousers which fit the specifications but I need blue for work and such an item exists only in my imagination.
Here are the shoes (again with the Zappos): http://www.zappos.com/n/es/color/27/d/722000224/show_all/1/page/1.html
and here are the pants (I have these and love them): http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/application/prodDisplay/?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=UL-194315&page=1&cgname=OSCLOCARZZZ&rfnbr=2238
Try WinterSilks, they have great long underwear!
http://www.wintersilks.com/products.aspx?BRANCH=1~
Ladies low-rise long john pant, from WinterSilks:
http://www.wintersilks.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=1~4~&ProductDisplayID=1175&dept=Silk+Long+Johns-ladies+lightweight+silk&prod=1512+ladies+low+rise+pointelle+lj+pant
Here you go! Again, from WinterSilks:
3/4 sleeve low-cut undershirt:
http://www.wintersilks.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=1~4~&ProductDisplayID=165&dept=Silk+Long+Johns-ladies+lightweight+silk&prod=054+3+4+sleeve+low+cut+top
3/4 sleeve deep v-neck:
http://www.wintersilks.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=1~4~&ProductDisplayID=163&dept=Silk+Long+Johns-ladies+lightweight+silk&prod=268+lightweight+silk+3+4+sleeve+v-neck
3/4 sleeve scoop neck long john top:
http://www.wintersilks.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=1~4~&ProductDisplayID=164&dept=Silk+Long+Johns-ladies+lightweight+silk&prod=199+scoop+neck+3+4+sleeve+top
Ann Taylor has some nice black skirts. I was looking forever for a straight tailored black skirt to wear to work and after looking almost everywhere, I finally found one here, in a nice woven wool crepe. They are a bit pricey, but if you catch a sale you can get good deals:
I want what every female wants: pants that FIT, damnit! Just one pair of jeans (preferably dark blue, not fake-worn-out, and with no diamonds on the butt or anything) that stays on without a belt and doesn’t end up too short.
Also, a corset that fits. Corsets are supposed to cinch at the waist, I thought. The only ones I’ve been able to find are still roomy at the waist when they’re pulled tight.
A long-sleeved collared shirt that buttons all the way up the front in BLACK. I’m about ready to give up and go with dark brown, but I’d really like a black one.
I also had a pair of hemp shoes. off-white sort of crocheted or something summery shoes. They wore out becuase I wore them constantly two summers ago, and I can’t find anything quite like that anymore.
Stockings that are control top, not super-duper-ultra-sheer, beige/tan (the closer to beige the better. I’m a pale person. I look weird with orange legs.), and small. I can find them in all shades and styles in queen size, but never my size.
A very thin, sort of sheer (but not shiny) red sweater with a very wide, preferably just off-the-shoulders, neckline.
A black leotard with no sleeves, a high halter neck that snaps around the neck, and decorative straps on the back.
I used to wear Hanes Silk Reflections pantyhose in Soft Taupe. I am so fair that that was quite close to my natural skin tone. I have the same problem with orange legs, apparently. Little Color is a nice light beige, if the Soft Taupe is too grey. They come in control top and are sheer, but not ultra-sheer. Here’s a linkto the One Hanes Place website. They come in reinforced toe and sandalfoot, sizes AB, CD, EF. Many department stores carry them, though I don’t know your location.
thank you, Telperien. I’ll look for them next time I’m in a department store… my problem is more that, while size A control top stockings exist in certain brands, none of the stores sem to have them. Also, I’m under 95 lb, so buying stockings tends to be a gamble (another reason I like control tops- they don’t fall down.). I’ll definitely be on the lookout for those, though.
You’re welcome. I used to sell those things, and wore them at work. They did make a petite line, which might be better for you, but I couldn’t find them on the website, and I don’t remember seeing them in stores lately. I admit I haven’t been looking, though, as I wear the queen ones myself!
I find them nice and soft and fairly durable. I liked them because my legs are fairly slender for my body size, and they didn’t bag at the knee like all-nylon hose do.
Bras and I don’t get along well… I found a nice bra at Ross that I’d kill to have a drawerful of–all cotton, and the under"wire" is one piece of curved molded plastic that runs across the whole front. Doesn’t jab me on either side of my tits, doesn’t pinch like a mammogram plate, nice low dip that doesn’t show under my tops, and serves the girls up like they were on a platter. Best of all, very comfy! And cheap! And completely unavailable except for that one! Dammit!
These are actually my next project, I found a couple of knitting patterns online one here and one here. The second one also has instructions for crocheting if you don’t knit.
My article of clothing? A blazer. Any blazer. Something that fits me across the shoulders and doesn’t constrict my movements in any way. I do have one, but it still contricts in some ways and my other one is corduroy which wouldn’t be professional for job interviews.
My other item? Dress shoes that won’t give me a huge blister on my heel by the end of the first day of wearing them. Yes, you have to break in shoes, but they should not be digging into my heel so much that I can’t wear them two days in a row thanks to the blisters I get. Or boots! Any boots that will fit over my high arches and around my wide feet. I have tried on boots that are two sizes too big and still can’t get my feet into them. I’d try larger sizes too, but the average store doesn’t seem to carry above a 12 womens.
Three things:
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Penny loafers with rubber soles. Current loafers have a) all-leather soles, b) rubber heel + leather sole, c) sizes 8 and up … I’m a size 7. Rockport used to make one but the model has been discontinued.
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Vests. That third thing in a three-piece suit. I have several two-piece suits. I just want the vest part. And no, Mr. Mens Warehouse, I don’t want to buy a new three-piece suit. And the only vests available these days are the types to be worn only with tuxedos. Maybe I should wear a two-piece and walk into Brooks Brothers to ask. I hope they won’t trample my ego (aristocratic voice: That simply is not done, sir.)
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Shirts with two-button mitered cuffs. Yes, I’m being overly picky here. But if CostCo (of all places) carries a Perry Ellis model for $15 (in only two patterns, unfortunately), why can’t other places take a hint? The shirts with such cuffs at Nordstroms start at $99 … Macy’s carries a Hugo Boss line that’s not that much cheaper.
I guess mine are more of a sizing thing than a can’t find at all thing.
Here’s what I can’t find though. Garters. I can’t stand pantyhose, and they don’t work for me anyway, so I figured maybe I’d try garters. I can’t find them anywhere, no idea where to start looking.
I’m with Delphica. I went to Target on Saturday looking for a half-slip. To the clerk’s surprise, as well as mine, I couldn’t find one. I suppose I’ll be checking Macy’s style stores for them next, although I will keep Kohl’s in mind.
I also haven’t been able to find a butt pack anywhere. I know they’re ugly and bulky, but they’re also practical. My old one wore out last summer while I was on crutches and carrying a purse was impractical. I do have a pattern for knitting one, but I’ve got another project or two ahead of it, and I have a deadline for one of those projects.
I did, however, find a couple of nice, not-too-long corduroy skirts at Kaufmann’s a few months ago. I bought one in black and one in burgundy, and I’ve been wearing one or the other at least once a week. Kaufmann’s is a local chain which is owned by Macy’s, so I’d suggest checking that type of store or possibly Penney’s.
A decent top. If I find one, I’ll buy it in every color.
Unfortunately, I live in a college town, so all the casual tops are meant for kids. Flimsy, trendy, see-through, basically disposable flavor-of-the-week clothing. And you have two choices, cap sleeves or no sleeves at all. I finally went into the men’s department and bought a small, unflattering T-shirt. But it had sleeves, by god!
And, like SurrenderDorothy, and every other woman on the planet–jeans that fit. (And a pair of black pants for work.) I just spent an entire weekend trying on clothes at every store in town, and that men’s T-shirt is all I’ve got to show for it.
Thanks to all who helped! Davenportavenger and flutterby, I don’t knit, but I’d like to learn someday. If so, I’ll make myself a pair. 
And foxymoron, I should have known they’re called “arm warmers.” I’ve even described them as “legwarmers for your arms.” D’oh. I think I’ll get a pair from the socks website and knit myself some once I learn how.
I’ve been forever on the lookout for a men’s button-up sweater: heavy, & casual… perhaps with a shawl collar. I see them on movies all the time - usually on the “retired senator” type. I love big, loose, snuggly sweaters in the winter.
It’d also be nice to have one at work for when the office chills a bit.
Ideas, anyone?
I have been looking for two types of nightgown: for winter, a long full flannel nightgown that is pretty and feminine but not too frilly and tacky. For summer, a long, full white cotton nightgown, again - one that is pretty without too much lace and frill. When I go to the department store, they just don’t have any nightgowns at all! I just can’t figure it out. 