transition from jrs to womens

I have fully embraced the fact that I am 30 now. My husband and my big sister are in big denial about their age. My sister is "29" forever and my husband went even further to say he's "25" forever. We joke and play around about this, but seriously, it's just a number. I can't turn back time, so I've decided to accept and embrace my age, knowing that I'm still young at heart and that's what matters most.

Of course as we get older our styles begin to change. I never wanted to be a girl who dresses "like an old woman" just because I'm no longer a teenager. I shopped in the Junior's Dept well into my twenties and I still take a little walk through to see if I can find any good finds. But I'm pretty much done with it. I mean, I'll never say that I'll never shop in that dept but there are many reasons why it's no longer my first place to go to during a shopping trip. Here are some of my personal reasons.

• sizes...plain and simple: Juniors clothes are cut for the younger girl in mind, like teenagers who are not completely done growing yet. That is why a medium 20-something girl needs to buy a Large or XL in the Juniors Dept.



• style...although I do like some styles within the Jr Dept a lot of them are designed with the teenager in mind. Also, I find things are made to fit tighter (even for the younger gals), tops tend to be shorter, skirts/shorts are shorter, and jeans/pants lower.
  
  
• quality...how many times have you put something from the Jrs Dept into the wash only to find it has shrunk down to Barbie size? Clothes in the Jrs Dept are usually more affordable but there's a reason for that. They want young girls to be able to afford to shop there. And a lot of times lower prices can mean lower quality. I'd rather pay a little more and be able to wear something more than once. Also, younger girls change their style quite often. If prices are lower, then they can afford these changes.

On a side note: These are all my opinions and thoughts, but I do have many years of retail experience under my belt. I know how retail companies think.

So if you can't complete all your shopping in the Jrs. Dept where can you go? Oh, no! The dreaded Women's Dept? But aren't their clothes all like this?

alfred dunner, JC Penney

No offense to this lovely woman, this company, or anyone who likes this. But, I'm talking about a more modern style. This is very typical "Mom" or "Old", am I right?

I am here to tell you, you no longer have to be scared. There is hope. In fact, there are GREAT finds in the Women's' Dept. Let's take a trip to JC Penney today and I'll give you some examples. All images are from JC Penney.

bisou bisou

I actually bought and wore this skirt to my brother's wedding. I wore a different top though.

east 5th

east 5th

I bought this same top but in a different print and LOVE it.

nicole miller

a.n.a.

liz & co

worthington

st. john's bay

I love this line for casual attire!

st. john's bay

st. john's bay

I have this top in brown print and one in solid black. They fit so well and I get compliments when I wear them. They're really affordable, esp when there's a sale. You can use a solid one (like my black one) and pair it up in so many different ways.

There are many more great places to shop and find great things. If you're a girl who feels a little too old for the teenager stuff and wants to mature with your style, but not look "old", there is hope. I suggest you just start looking. A lot of Women's Depts don't look too appealing at first glance. But once you start looking through it, you'll be very surprised. Also, go online and check things out. You always find things more easily online then when you are in the store itself. JC Penney did a great job with their "shop by outfits" feature. It also gives ideas of what to pair up together and even accessory ideas.

Maybe I'll do this with another store someday soon. It was fun. Until then, have fun shopping! ;-)