We know what silhouettes make us feel confident, what sorts of laundry instructions we’re willing to follow and which are too much time or trouble, what fabrics work for our position at work or our weekend hobbies, and how we’re looking for clothes and accessories that will last longer than a season.
Anthropologie
Anthropologie is known for elevated boho style. Over the years, Anthropologie has put more of a focus on their curated collection of apparel by increasing brands and also increasing sizing up to 3XL. Unlike many retailers that have separate styles for plus sizes, Anthro offers the same link for Misses, Plus, and when available, Petite and Tall. They offer fun prints, unique embellishments, and clothing that can move with you.
Anthropologie is a favorite place for summer clothing – cotton voile tunics, breezy maxi skirts, shift dresses, linen pants, and cool graphic tees that don’t look childish. Come fall and winter, you’re sure to find fantastic cardigans and kimonos and dresses that transition from desk to drinks with ease.
Argent
If you’re looking for cool, modern, yet still office-appropriate workwear, Argent is a great place to shop. Classic suiting with an edge, modern cuts for blazers, and chic separates that go beyond the boardroom to weekends and social situations, Argent offers relaxed and cool sophistication that looks ultra-chic on grown women.
Creating workwear that is vibrant and cool while also being incredibly functional (hello as many pockets as found in a man’s suit), Argent is a retailer to watch for any age, but especially for women over 40. Do note Argent only goes up to size 14. If you’re new to the brand, check out their Starter Kit where you can try Argent without paying a dime.
Banana Republic
Banana Republic has gone through a lot of… personalities over the years and those of us over 40 can remember a lot of them. Now, Banana Republic is a place for clean, simple yet very chic style. It’s a great place for workwear, but what I love is they have so many pieces, from merino wool sweater to suiting, that are machine washable.
Banana Republic has been pivoting offering wide range of breezy summer separates like shorts at a comfortable length, t-shirts in gorgeous colors and prints that are opaque and not too fitted, and beautiful below the knee length sundresses styled so you can wear your favorite bra. Their denim is cut well and they now have a great line of high-quality activewear that is worth checking out.
Boden
Boden is one of my favorite destinations for that special something that completes my wardrobe. Quirky prints, interesting details, and great quality makes Boden a place you should check out. The thing is, Boden’s quirkiness is sophisticated and looks better on grown-up women than those right out of college.
They often have lengths and tall options up to size 20/22, plenty of customer reviews, and stellar customer service. Boden is also a great place for knit tops.
Chico’s
If you think of Chico’s and envision polyester palazzo pants and quirky embroidered tunics, you haven’t visited this retailer in a long while. While Chico’s still offers comfortable and creative fashion, the look has streamlined with the trends offering quite chic options in a range of sizes up to 20/22 with many available in petites, tall, and lengths.
Garnet Hill
Garnet Hill is a place I have shopped from for decades. While I first found them when searching for the perfect bed linens, they are now a place I can trust for high-quality stylish yet not trendy fashion. Garnet Hill is not cheap, but its buyers are extremely picky and provide high quality and a very clean aesthetic.
If you love Eileen Fisher, they carry a great selection of this fashion brand. Garnet Hill has plenty of customer reviews and a ton of information not just about the items but the brands they are from so you can be a very educated consumer.
Halsbrook
Halsbrook is an online boutique that carefully curates on-trend, but not too trendy fashion specifically for sophisticated, grown women. Never frumpy or dated, Halsbrook offers elegant clothing that will look chic now and years from now.
Hobbs
A UK-based fashion brand that started in 1981, Hobbs offers modern cuts, feminine tailoring and heritage craftsmanship up to a US size 16 with petite offerings. A great destination for suiting and dresses for work and social occasions, Hobbs is clothing that will stand the test of time in your wardrobe, making getting dressed easy and chic for many seasons.
J. Crew
J. Crew has been around for decades, and while their classic/preppy/with a twist aesthetic has remained, they have moved with the times offering a wide range of modern silhouettes, on-trend colors, quirky prints, and current accessories to update your wardrobe.
J.Jill
J.Jill is a company that makes great fashion clothing… but they don’t feature it well on their site. For a brand that offers an extensive size range (Misses, Petite, Tall, and Plus up to 28), they are very limiting with their model diversity making it hard to know how the clothes may hang on a different shape of body. But the quality is excellent, and the customer reviews on the website help you narrow down purchases.
Johnny Was
Johnny Was offers luxe boho fashion that is right on trend, made from fab fabrics, and makes a statement without looking like the garment is wearing you. These are elegant, luxe, and not cheap pieces that you will enjoy wearing for years.
Gorgeous prints, romantic chiffon overlays, patchwork velvet dusters that glam up your favorite jeans, Johnny Was is a favorite place to find a beautiful dress for work or a day wedding, or a statement piece that will elevate my denim and other closet basics. Johnny Was offers up to size 3X or 26.