Somewhere between my last maternity leave and my kids’ first day of school, I looked in the mirror and thought, “What even is this outfit?” At 36, I’m not ready for elastic-waist polyester slacks and pastel cardigans just yet — but I also can’t live in crop tops, oversized hoodies, and whatever else Target is selling at the moment. HELP.
Welcome to the fashion crisis of your 30s, where every outfit feels like a guessing game and shopping for yourself ends in frustration.
Ultimately, I just want to feel stylish without looking like I’ve raided either my teenager’s closet or my mother’s. And I’m here to tell you: there’s hope. I’m not a fashion expert, but as a teacher and mom of three, I’ve spent enough time and money (an expensive trial and error process), to figure out what works and what really doesn’t. Don’t get me wrong; I love an occasional cropped sweater, but I need clothing that fits my lifestyle as I get older.
I’m here to share some brands that flatter a changing, grown-woman body, and to point you toward my go-to shopping spots.
I’ll go ahead and start with my #1 and that’s Halara. There’s nothing I love more than built-in shorts or a built-in bra. Halara offers a unique brand of athletic wear that looks polished enough to wear to work, comfortable enough to nap in, and also somehow modest enough to chase a toddler in. Their athletic dresses come with built-in everything and I keep one in my gym bag as an emergency grab and go outfit. Halara also has business-casual style clothing to offer. My bestie bought their pants and she loves them. Halara is a 10/10 for me!
Southern Fried Boutique in Jacksboro, TN is in my neck of the woods, but it is a hidden gem. They have the BEST denim selection, a wide variety of dresses and accessories, and even a curvy section. Every time I go in, their in-stock selection feels refreshed and up-to-date with the trends. They do have a storefront with limited hours, but they mostly operate online. Like Josie’s, you can also find brands like Risen, Judy Blue, and Vervet, which are some of the best-fitting jeans I’ve found.
Josie’s Boutique in Knoxville has a HUGE selection of clothing that ranges from western wear, to a girls’ night out, to cute corporate wear, to cozy loungewear. I can find almost anything in Josie’s. They carry the Spanx brand, for shapewear needs. You can also find brands like Risen, Judy Blue, and Vervet, which are some of the best-fitting jeans I’ve found.
Reader, I really hope this doesn’t scare you away, but Abercrombie & Fitch has subtly rebranded over the past decade and grown WITH millennials. They have some very well-fitting jeans and casual outfits that I love!
A few honorable mentions include the classic J Crew for classic and work wear, and Aerie and Old Navy for athletic wear and staple pieces.
I might be alone here, but I get really overstimulated and overwhelmed by shopping malls and department stores, so as I get older, I tend to stick with the smaller boutiques and brands I love. In any case, I hope I helped you answer the question, “Where the heck am I supposed to buy jeans now?”
Though I have my favorites, I’m still constantly on the search for new hidden gems and places to shop, so please drop your favorite brands and stores in the comments!
