Concerning sizes, women’s clothing is not standardized. All brands and styles can (and in my experience are) different. Some brands “vanity size” and some don’t. The fit model plays a role too. Her body type can play a role in how clothing is sized. When I tell women this and they are still melting down about having to go up a size in a certain item of clothing, I advise them that if it is that disturbing, then find a brand in which they like the size they wear and buy exclusively from that brand.
75% of what I wear comes from LL Bean. I’m shaped funny–OK, I’m short and fat–and I know that their pants fit me, with a little hemming. Their shirts are also excellent–even the non-wrinkle-resistant ones just need a few minutes in the dryer to look sharp.
I’m also addicted to Threadless.
I’m yet another person, a man who uses Land’s End. Besides the website, they have a print catalog and you can order by mail or phone, and they sell in Sears stores now. I’ve found their stuff costs about twice as much as the equivalent product from Target, feels better, and lasts more than twice as long. My family bought me some things and got me into it. I mainly shop at the overstock site, where you can get things for around half their normal prices.
Although, I’m not sure about their jeans. They’re good but they don’t seem quite like other jeans, I think I might prefer classic Levi’s. Also, their standard t-shirts are generally nice but I think they’re too heavy or something, I’d prefer Russell or some others if you’re going to be doing something athletic. My favorites from Land’s End are the Pima cotton polo shirts.
How do the others such as LL Bean compare to Land’s End?
When I was a kid my mom would take me shopping, sometimes at the mall and sometimes at discount stores. Since I’ve been full-grown I haven’t had much money, and I’ve only recently been able to order some things for myself. Lately I’ve been thinking, I’m a young man and I should at be able to do some things on my own, without the Internet if I have to. I’ve never gone shopping at the mall by myself for instance. I was thinking of starting a thread along the lines of “Any men buy clothes in a store?”
Since what size I wear varies a good bit, I’ve so far only bought clothes from Lane Bryant and Fashion Bug. They’re the main stores I’ve shopped at in person, so I’ve got a good idea of how things’ll fit.
I’ve only bought one thing that I didn’t like, and that was because of the color. I swear the pink didn’t look that neon on their website.
I buy a lot of high end but inexpensive clothes from eBay. Works for me.
I must agree. Having large feet, finding Zappos was a godsend for shoes.
They do customer service right.
Uh, yah. Once or twice.
I find the typical measurement scales to be very accurate. I am easy to fit though.
I buy all my shirts for work from LandsEnd.com, as well as casual tees. I buy my Birkenstocks from a local store but also from QVC.com and birkenstockcentral.com.
I don’t buy super-tailored stuff so on-line is fine for fit. I would get my pants from Lands End as well but there’s a more affordable alternative at Walmart/KMart that I get.
:: off to peek at endless.com! (thx tremorviolet!)
I’m their biggest fan. I even got Mr. K to try them and he’s the pickiest shoe shopper evah. He’s in love with their operation.
Oh yes, do check there! I got the most fabulous pair of FM pumps that I’ve ever had in my life from there, a week or two ago. And they showed up on my doorstep the very next day, and fit perfectly!
On topic, I buy almost all of my clothes online. I’m a pretty standard size and rarely have to send things back. When I do, I still find it worth it not to have to shop in person. And I live in podunk, so shopping in person involves as much or more fuel money than shipping anyway.
Is FM a brand, or does it = F**k Me? 
I had the same experience with birkenstockcentral.com. My parents sent me a birthday goft certificate and I ordered on Monday, the day before my birthday, expecting a few-day turnaround. The next morning they were on my doorstep, in time for me to wear them on my birthday.
Speaking of shopping on line, where are the hot spots to buy clothes for 14 year old girls? The niecelette’s birthday is right around the corner and I want to maintain my ranking as Very Cool Auntie.
Word is, it’s aeropostale.
I’ve bought stuff for her there before. She likes it, but you know how quickly these things can change.
The latter, gigi, I just didn’t think this was the forum for it.
Here, see? Please excuse the sock-feet, I’d been wearing boots all day, but had to try them on immediately. Hot, no?
I once bought a pair of jeans on EBay, but I was familiar with the style and brand. I would hesitate to order anything I hadn’t worn or at least tried on IRL.
I once bought a pair of jeans on EBay, but I was familiar with the style and brand. I would hesitate to order anything I hadn’t worn or at least tried on IRL.