Well, this is a bummer. I like her clothes: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/fashion/...amp;oref=slogin True, I usually try to buy them used or on mega sale, because they're more expensive than I like to pay, but still.

And the article briefly touches on the woes of Talbot's and J. Jill, both of which are closing stores right and left. Frankly, ever since Talbot's bought J. Jill a few years ago, I haven't liked the latter's clothes nearly as much. Too generic looking. J. Jill was always a little funky, and I loved that. I was very loyal to that brand up until they changed their style. Now they're like everybody else, or nearly.

The article also mentions the "huge demographic" of women from 40-60 and how underserved they are in clothing stores in malls these days, which mostly cater to younger women. I'm thinking we just don't spend as much money on clothes as young women do; I know I don't. I don't care about having the latest and greatest. But I really did love J. Jill clothes for a long time, and part of me still hopes they can pull it together and be fun again.

Oh bummer! Exactly what you said there, Twitch...I love her stuff, and bought when I could afford it (at discounted prices) and agreeing as well in the decline of J.Jill. I've gotten a few things I like at Ann Taylor /Loft, wonder how they'll fare...

The article says baby boomers' tastes are more eclectic, not favoring any one designer/label, but I think another reason is the economic downturn. I think baby-boomers are more fiscally conservative and responsible, so when things look like they're going to be in a downturn for a while, they immediately reign in spending. I think that's probably a lot of why Talbots is not doing so well now too.

I really liked Sigrid Olson designs, I used to buy them on sale at Nordstrom's.

I'd buy Sigrid Olsen on sale at Dillard's. very high quality fabrics. Oh, dear, it's sad to hear. The Orvis company has been marketing some similar styles but the fabrics aren't as good. Too much rayon. I've bought some of the rayon Orvis pants, skirts, because of the styling. Thank goodness there's still Coldwater Creek!

Goody's Clothing is closing many stores, also.

Not surprised to read this. The Sigrid Olsen store here in Tysons Galleria closed months ago and has been sitting empty.

I never bought any of it but then I'm younger than the intended target demographic.

I always found the Talbot's style a bit grandmotherly, and I'm not a grandmother. Weren't they sort of pricey for what they offered?

I think they'd define themselves as "classic." I've found some good basics there; their clothes fit me well. But I agree, they target an older demographic. Heh ... with every year, I get closer and closer to that demographic.

As for pricey, yes, but their quality is also excellent, IME. Their clothes go on and on and on without showing wear.

For classic clothes, I've been impressed with the "Lauren" Ralph Lauren line. When I accompany my dad to find birthday presents for my Mom, we usually end up buying something from Lauren.

Sigrid Olsen went out of business at my mall several months ago. I cleaned up at their "going out of business sale". I went home elated with several gorgeous sweaters, but came crashing down to reality when I realized I probably would never be able to shop their again. What a shame. I'm not exactly sure what their target age group was. There were many things in the store that seemed too prim or fussy for my taste, but also lovely artistic clothing that I admired. I tended to not like their pants/skirts and blouses, but I flipped for the sweaters.

-Noelle

Well, if adult women don't buy as many clothes as young women it's because there aren't that many stylish clothes made for mature women.
I mean c'mon, I KNOW it's summer but there have to be some creative minds out there who can come up with something other than "baby dolls" and puff sleeved blouses to beat the heat. I have breasts and arms. I'm not awaiting the changes puberty brings so I'm really unlikely to look as good in that stuff now as I might have done about 30 years ago.
If that's all that's offered to those of us who can't afford Chanel prices, the chances are pretty good that we won't be rushing to the stores in droves.
It's too bad, because I LOVE shopping. I'm one of natures great consumers and I'd be a sucker for clothes shopping, but I can't even enjoy it anymore, and that's only because most clothes that have any "style" are either too expensive to afford and live too, or they are made for Miley Cyrus's demographic, and women with my son's build!

It's a self fulfilling prophecy.

I am in the target demographic in terms of age, and I never warmed to Sigrid Olsen's stuff -- too much emphasis on pastel/resort colors, not enough shape, and not enough edge. But I'm entirely sympathetic to a whole beloved clothing line disappearing because things marketed to younger women sell better -- but that's capitalism for you!

Did you see the corresponding article about Rick Owens boutique, especially the anecdote about his lover and muse, a "woman of a certain age"? I identify much more with that aesthetic, though I don't kid myself thinking I can pull it off: http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/rick-owens/

Wow. I used to like J.Jill also but have grown away from them over the last 5 year or so. Maybe the Talbot's influence is why. The styles have gotten too loose and matronly, the colors too muddy, they've lost that style they once had. Why spend $50 for a generic sweater when I can get something similar at the Gap for a lot less. For unique style, I love some of the clothes at Anthropologie and Boden, though cannot bring myself to pay those prices most of the time.

I've had a few Sigrid Olsen pieces over the years. Very good quality. I like Talbot's and also have a few pieces from there. I like their dresses for casual wear. I wear petites and they have a good selection there.

I love the Lauren line, too. It always fits me nicely.

I know for me, I don't buy as many clothes as I did when I was younger. I think it's because I and probably so for most women over - know what I like/what works(styles) for me, and stick with it. I'm not inclined to be chasing the latest fad or newest trend. BTDT, when I was younger. I like a piece or two of trendy/faddish things, but for the most part, I just stick with a style that says me, and works for me.


Sad to see anything go out of business.

The "cruise-wear" wasn't for me either.


Every now and then I find a great accessory at J.Jill, but that's it. Like you, I find the colors dull and the shapes a bit boxy. I also love Anthropologie and Boden and wish someone would to creative clothing at affordable prices. Until then, I'll have to keep hounding the Anthroplogie sale racks.

-Noelle

Interesting look, Cathleen.



I hear you. I think J. Jill has just lots its vision. Very sad.

I do like some things at Anthropologie but the prices are prohibitive for the quality, IMO. At least they're still creative.

I remember getting J. Jill catalogs about twenty years ago, because I was looking for all natural fiber clothing. I thought the clothes were something Mormon cult wives would wear, rather dowdy and shapeless. Perhaps they changed their style later on.

I've always found that I like the notion of J. Jill and Sigrid Olson better than I like the actual clothing. I kinda want to like them, but I don't have any of it in my wardrobe. With Sigrid Olson in particular, I'm always attracted to the color palette. I see all those pretty colors in the store and just go "Oooooh!" And then I go through the racks and there's just nothing I want to wear. Either the sleeves are all wrong, the neckline is wrong, the cut is wrong, or there are horizontal stripes on the stupid things. And with J. Jill, I totally agree about the boxy shapes.

Incidentally, Sigrid Olson is owned, and has been for some time, by Liz Claiborne. No need to worry about them losing money!

I liked some of her pieces, so this makes me sad. I like having as many choices as possible. Love Talbot's for lots of classic, transcends-time wardrobe pieces, I hope they don't go away, too.

You say that like it's a bad thing. I loved those boxy shapes!

Re: Talbots

Today is the last day of their Friends and Family sale (online code Friends) (or visit www.talbots.com/friends)

But I honestly could find nothing to buy! I dunno, everything just looked either too blah or overdecorated.

And their pants--it's like they've done something with the fit, and it's not good. The last time I went in I could find no pants. It's like they're trying to be hip--hey, we hear lower rises are cool!--so they shortened the crotch but didn't do anything else to adjust the fit. I am not a large or small sized person, I'm petite 5'4" and normally proportioned, I think--but the pants just fit weird.



J.Jill disappoints me. Their quality has gone way downhill. I bought a $25 t-shirt (I know ) and it pilled on me after just two washes.