Lately I’ve been feeling sort of at a loss as to where to shop. I can’t always justify the price at j.crew/madewell (even though I’d love too) and well, Gap bottoms don’t really fit me all that well. The more I go into Forever 21, the more I can’t stand anything in there. I don’t have a 14 year old body and definitely I don’t want shorts or jeans that show any part of my butt. Ha! It is tough finding pieces that are still younger, but not too young. Do you agree? My style over the past 2 years has become way more relaxed, more casual and much more functional. Don’t get me wrong. I see my dear Kendi’s posts everyday (so gorgeous!) and wish I had somewhere to where cute dresses and heels, oh the heels! but that is just not my life. And you know what? I am ok with that. Anyway, long story short, I went to the LOFT the other day and hit my jackpot. Some stuff there I will agree, is a little old lady like for me but, the fit of there shorts and the length of their skirts is perfect. Plus, everything was on sale! I walked out of there with like 4 pairs of shorts, 2 skirts and 2 shirts for a steal.
and just so you know… linen, drawstring shorts are like wearing pjs. So awesome!
OUTFIT DETAILS:
Eyelet Top: Old Navy
Shorts: LOFT
Sunglasses: Target
Kork-Ease Sandals (my favorite!): Nordstroms
Striped Tote: c/o Massi (so perfect for summer!)
You look great Jen! Love the outfit! 🙂 We don’t have the LOFT here in Canada, but can order it online…hmm…
(Have you tried Shabby Apple – they have some good stuff/good prices: http://www.shabbyapple.com/)
love the colour of the shorts! and I agree…my love for F21 is waning… I too, prefer my bum to remain covered 😉
Cute! Another inexpensive option is H & M. Where I live there are two stores, one with the teeny bopper stuff and another with some options that are fresh and fun but much more geared to someone my age. I love their t shirts.
adore that blouse!
kw
very cute! i will have to go to LOFT soon to see what i can find. i have actually been loving old navy vintage tees and boyfriend cardis lately, since spring is still trying to find its way to us!
As I approach my 30’s I find myself having that same problem! I have had some luck with Kohl’s and Ross, especially with their prices. I do a lot of my shopping at thrift stores are well. You have a great eye for style.
~Kelsy
I have been reading your blog for a while but never commented. I love this blog! I am also a SAHM to a 2.5 yo and 1 yo. I find myself in the same dilemma as you! Thank you for posting this! I’m off to buy the entire outfit! Love!
super cute shorts! they go great with that bag!
http://www.thebluecurtain.blogspot.com
Jen you have gone and done it again! I feel like after reading your posts you are typing my own thoughts out for me. I feel the same way about forever21, it’s sad. I so miss being able to run in there and always find a great deal on a piece. But lately I feel ancient and out of place when I go in there (and I’m only 25, c’mon!) but adding mama to the title does that I guess.
Thanks for the heads up on Loft shorts, ive been on the hunt or shorts but never even imagined to pop in there! Love your blog. Always delightful to hear your thoughts!
Have fun in FL!
Brit
Jen you have gone and done it again! I feel like after reading your posts you are typing my own thoughts out for me. I feel the same way about forever21, it’s sad. I so miss being able to run in there and always find a great deal on a piece. But lately I feel ancient and out of place when I go in there (and I’m only 25, c’mon!) but adding mama to the title does that I guess.
Thanks for the heads up on Loft shorts, ive been on the hunt for shorts but never even imagined to pop in there! Love your blog. Always delightful to hear your thoughts!
Have fun in FL!
Brit
I feel the same way…find myself in a weird in between stage of feeling too old for a lot of stuff but not ready for mom jeans (hopefully I’ll never be ready!!) but I LOVE Loft. I shop there a lot…many of my favorite casual dresses are from there. I have three pairs of their “modern skinny” jeans in different colors that are stretchy and comfy but still pulled together. I love this outfit on you! The shirt from Old Navy is great and I might have to look into some Kork-Ease sandals…
love love love your coral shorts. so incredibly cute!
Jen, I am so with you! After having babies and breastfeeding all of them, my body hasn’t quite gotten back to it’s pre-children state and quite frankly I don’t think it will and I’m really okay with that. Investing in new clothes for me is also in a way accepting that I won’t easily fit into F21 clothing anymore (again, I’m okay with that!) and I also have found that the LOFT suits my taste and wallet. Thanks for the post, I think you’ll always be a stylish gal!
so cute! i went to the loft for the first time last year and loved/bought so many things! i kind of felt like “hmmm, maybe I am growing up??” 🙂
Cute!! Have you tried Kohls?
You look so fab! I want this whole thing…I suppose I’ll have to wait until I finish being pregnant, but you’re style, pregnant and not, has always been a great inspiration to me. Also, you’re confidence in yourself and your body is really encouraging to me as I go through the adventure of my first pregnancy. Thank you.
TOTALLY agree with the F21 comment! i stopped shopping there as much when i realised that it made me feel horrible about my (completely normal & real!!) body. i mean honestly! & you look adorable, as always :).
Wow! I have been feeling the same way about shopping lately. I like J.Crew, but their prices can be out of control at times. Haven’t found something in Forever 21 aside from t-shirts in years now. I want to look fashionable but have been paying more attention to hemlines etc. It’s so hard to find reasonable clothing at age 26. Loft is a good choice, and Gap jeans are pretty good for the price.
Umm…yes, LOFT!! I was just in there on Friday. There was the cutest dress that I completely would have bought, had I not already met my clothing budget for the month. LOFT really does have some cute, affordable pieces with normal hemlines! (Looking at you, forever 21…)
I hear ya! I’ve been feeling it since I turned 31 and had my first baby (35 now, pregnant with number two). I work full time and think I should invest in good pieces, my top choices would be J.crew, Anthropologie, and Aritizia, but then I find it hard to justify spending so much when we have kids and bills and a mortgage….and all that other grown up stuff I don’t like to do deal with…but then affordable stores (forever 21, and others) are too ‘young’….hard to find ‘cool’ and ‘trendy’ clothes that doesn’t make me look like I’m I think I’m still ’21’ and is well made. Thanks for the tip, I’ll check LOFT out, but will have to online only.
I feel your pain! I will be 40 later this year but I don’t want to dress like I’m 40! I still want to be modern, young and relatable. And yes, I too hate going into Forever 21 because nothing fits this almost 40 year old, post having a baby, body! I love LOFT and have several pairs of shorts from them! Might need to invest in linen drawstrings!
http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/
I really like the color of those shorts!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
I have recently discovered the cuteness of LOFT as well! Who knew? I’ve bought a ton of shorts, cardigans, and a few simple dresses there. Love the length and fit for a woman’s body. You’re so cute…hope to see you in TX this August for the blogger conference! You’ll definitely want to bring your summer clothes : )
– Jesse
http://jessecoulter.blogspot.com
Just wait until you get up to Toronto, and see Joe Fresh! Perfectly cute clothes at awesome pricing. All of the faves in my closet are from there!
Score! I love LOFT too, and have found myself shopping there more since becoming a mom. 😉
Your mom style gives me hope for myself! Thanks for the fresh ideas 🙂
The LOFT has recently become my go-to because of the aforementioned.
I also like J. Crew Factory (on sale only) – all the other prices are just too much when I have a growing toddler on my hands! 🙂