STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

halah · Kenneth Cole

The Item(s) you can never find...

lynnie · Chanel

Have you tried American Apparel? I think I've seen cream there- I was going to get a summer tee in cream.

I can't find:
shoes, all kinds. This is the hardest for me. comfortable, basic, affordable yet expensive looking, flats.. heels... I got one pair of oxfords at Steve Madden that I really like actually. I want to find some comfortable moccasins or boat shoes (recs?), ballet flats, and a couple of pairs of heels. I don't need anything that looks like its made for a working professional- party shoes, dressy shoes, casual shoes...
Straight leg light/medium wash jeans. Really basic and worn and casual, a la Ralph Lauren or J crew, but still somewhat polished. Looks good with button downs.
A short black skirt- sort of tight- made out of a thick synthetic blend, almost like wetsuit material. I saw a pair of Theory pants in the perfect fabric, but no skirt!
Gold bangles- somewhat affordable

Kelly · Hermes

I can't find:

-boots that I like. I have been scouring shoe stores and basically throwing my budget out the window because I've been living in the same two pairs of boots this winter and need more. But I still can't find any!

-a smooth, black pushup bra in my size. The closest I've gotten is a seamed one, but I want a smooth one that I can wear with everything. I feel ridiculous saying it because so often I'm lamenting about the size of my chest, but every once in a while I get the urge to really pull out all the stops, and I can't!

-dark-wash straight-leg jeans with zero feathering (that look good on me)

-slips that fit me. My body is like 5 different dress sizes depending on where you measure (at one point I'm a size 2, and at one point I'm a size 10!) so I always have to buy stretchy material - but I want a pretty slip that doesn't have to stretch over my wonky body

KaffeeKlatsch · Marc Jacobs

1) I have never yet found a pair of knee high boots that fit the way I want them to. I think I'll have to wait it out until I am rich and famous...then I can just have a pair custom made, right?
2) Business suits that fit...to loose, to tight, to short I can always find...but just right, I can't
3) a slim cut short winter coat that will keep me warm but doesn't add bulk
4) jeans that don't slip down my rear every time I sit down or bend over

atlgirl · Gucci

I don't wear the ribbed, beater-type tanks; I prefer a thinner cami look under my tops. I don't know if you could substitute something like a cami, but The Limited seamless camis are great. I have them in about 12 colors and they don't leave any bumps or lines under my clothes. They're also a little longer than most camis so I can tuck in or leave out as I desire.

HTH

Jahni · Dooney & Bourke

lynnie wrote:

I want to find some comfortable moccasins or boat shoes (recs?)

I love my Sperry Topsiders. I've worn them with almost everything!

Kitty · Hermes

- Nude patent round toe heels. This seems to IMPOSSIBLE. Either, it's not the right color nude, or I don't like the shape.

- Basic tops that are the right length. I feel like tops are either too long (cover my butt) or too short. It seems impossible to find basics that hit at the hip.

- Plain white button-down shirt. Seems so simple, but I can't find ones that are the right length and fit me well.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Cream can be a tough color. Have you tried Limited?

erin · Chanel

kitty, i recommend cole haan ambrose! they are super comfy and nicely round-toe. i have them on in this picture. i have a hard time with nudes because i am very pale and more pink-toned.

jj · Kate Spade

Ugh - I feel your pain. I have the hardest time finding pencil skirts. This could be the year though - I saw some that might be right on BR's web site.

The right midweight jacket. It gets cold here, but not cold enough for wool. Cotton is too light. Then I need to find the right shape that doesn't look too bulky and can be worn with a variety of outfits. AAAAARGH!! It's impossible!

Kitty · Hermes

erin wrote:

kitty, i recommend cole haan ambrose! they are super comfy and nicely round-toe. i have them on in this picture. i have a hard time with nudes because i am very pale and more pink-toned.

I like the toe and basic shape, but I'm looking for something w/ a taller heel and also a thinner heel. I'm thinking of wearing them for when I wear mini dresses and go out at night(elongate the leg and all that).

I *thought* I found the perfect pair (BCBG) but when they arrived, they had this silver mirror on the very back of the hell, which I couldn't see when I was looking at them online. I was like...WTF?!

I know what you mean about the right color, though. I'd prefer to find a pair that have warm/pinkish undertones, although, that's probably my last priority.

brazilian · Dooney & Bourke

I'm not sure if you have a budget for the nude pumps Kitty, but these might work:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/31952981/c/81695.html

Maven · BCBG

Amen to the difficulty of finding a cream tank or sleeveless top. Last week I started looking at the "usual" online sites--JCrew, Banana and so on. I hadn't thought of the Limited. I haven't Googled "cream tank top" yet either.

cahabo · Kate Spade

Jeans or pants that fit perfectly. They are always too loose at the back of the thighs.

One piece swimsuit in my size that is cute and isn't halter style. (although I never have a need for a swimsuit).

erin · Chanel

brazilian wrote:
I'm not sure if you have a budget for the nude pumps Kitty, but these might work:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/31952981/c/81695.html

those are really pretty! i'd stalk nordstrom or someplace like that, they are bound to go on sale.

leah-leanna -- do you have tiny calves? if that's the issue, you can just get the calf taken in! it's still pretty pricey (hence why i haven't done this yet) but probably worth it for a perfect fit!

tina242 · Kate Spade

halah wrote:
Once again I run into the same problem. I'm stocking up on cheap tops and tanks to layer under things at H&M and I can't for the LIFE of me find a cream colored tank or dress tee. This seems to be the one item that I am forever in search of. Every spring when Target rolls out their tanks I hope...but there is never a cream one, usually heathered brown is as close as it gets.

I love layering tops under my little cardigans, sweaters, and jackets but sometimes I just want cream instead of white...why is that so hard?

Anyone else experience this, or what are do you always have trouble finding.

Halah - I have a cream one (not white) from The Limited that I wear CONSTANTLY.

I always just get an item in my head that I want, and can't find it anywhere - although I KNOW it's out there somewhere, or has been in the past! Right now it's a black sweater vest.

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

I can't find almost any outfit I create in my head. For instance, I decided I wanted a mustard blouse with a black/white houndstooth pencil skirt that laces in the back to wear with a black leather cropped jacket and sea green heels. I found the other items but had to make the skirt. I still haven't worn the outfit because the weather hasn't been quite right.

I also decided I wanted a purple wool blazer to wear with a lime green blouse and lt gray pants. I am attempting to make the blazer and now am wondering what kind of shoes to find and wear with it. Somekind of print?

I have to quit creating outfits in my head and just wear what is available.

-- Edited by bloomie at 21:48, 2008-01-22

Lilykind · Hermes

I think these are the most frustrating things.

A good push-up bra: I have a plunge bra that I bought in an emergency situation that doesn't do anything for the girls. I'm with ttara123 on this...it sounds totally ridiculous given how much I despise my chest size, but I've come to realize that pushing them up is better than letting them pancake and flop around. Admittedly, I've grown very attached to my Le Mystere Dream Tishas and almost can't fathom being happy wearing another type of bra.
STURDY Flat leather riding boots that fit my calves: I've been searching ever since I became interested in fashion and haven't found anything that fits and that I like. I came so close with the J. Crew Richmond boots but couldn't pull the trigger. There is a chance that I will be in NYC during the spring and I am so beyond tempted to just get measured for a custom pair of E. Vogel boots even though they're so expensive.

kenzie · Chanel

bloomie wrote:
I also decided I wanted a purple wool blazer to wear with a lime green blouse and lt gray pants. I am attempting to make the blazer and now am wondering what kind of shoes to find and wear with it. Somekind of print?

I immediately pictured zebra print heels with this.

And I'll also jump on The Limited bandwagon for the cream cami. I have one from there that I wear all the time. I love their seamless camis.

As for what I can't find- it varies by season. Right now, I want new brown knee-high boots. My beloved pair is on its last legs (no pun intended) and I really need to replace them. I've searched everywhere, but the perfect pair continues to elude me.

Elle · Hermes

Black ankle boots. Seriously, can't find ones with a pointy but not witchy toe and a 3 inch heel. They're all very stylized this season.

Perfect jeans. My most recent purchase (which I thought were perfect) stretch out so badly after about 3 hours they need to be rewashed, and they can't be dried because they end up way too short

.

Comfortable shoes! Very hard to find nice middle of the road comfy shoes - they all seem hopelessly casual/dowdy or businessy.

A plain white t-shirt. Not too see through, medium v-neck, long enough but not too long. This one must be a conspiracy!

A warm but not frumpy winter coat. Something that could be dressed up or down. Totally impossible.