I need help with Christmas shopping. Please and thank you.

[whitewave]

My daughter is about a USA size 12 or I guess 14 if the clothes run small (we women know the struggle). She is double majoring and has also been accepted as a research assistant at her university.

She sent me this Pinterest board about clothes for the “academia aesthetic”.... I don’t have or use Pinterest.

Would you take a look and give me ideas on online stores where I can find these looks?

Thank you. It would be so helpful to me. I’m getting either one or both knees replaced hopefully in early to mid December, so I’m nearly done all of my Christmas shopping!

 

[whitewave]

So it looks like sweaters, layers, schoolgirl overalls, plaid skirts etc

Brooks brothers???!! Lol

Help!! Thank you so much.

 

[GlitterInMyHair]

Maybe look into Uniqlo and Everlane? They both have great basic pieces.

 

[Polabowla]

Looks like 80s-90s school girl, very cute!
Does she favor any particular brand?
I always wish pinterest would show the actual brand of the clothing in their ideas!

 

[whitewave]

Looks like 80s-90s school girl, very cute!
Does she favor any particular brand?
I always wish pinterest would show the actual brand of the clothing in their ideas!

No particular brand. Definitely not getting her a Burberry skirt! Loll

 

[whitewave]

Maybe look into Uniqlo and Everlane? They both have great basic pieces.

Thank you. I have not heard of either of those sites!

 

[Polabowla]

What about polo Ralph Lauren. They have plaids & soft sweaters (and more palatable prices than RL)

 

[rocks]

J Crew

 

[elizat]

Let's not talk about Christmas!

But I would look at Mod Cloth.

Some ideas based on her board, because I don't want to work.

In Plaid Taste Shift Dress

In Plaid Taste Shift Dress - This mini A-line from Collectif is jaunty in a vintage-inspired, multicolor plaid pattern. Made from a smooth fabric that has a little stretch to it for the perfect fit, this sleeveless shift dress radiates impeccable taste with its universally flattering silhouette...

www.modcloth.com

Vintage Overalls for Women // Vintage Overalls // Modcloth™

Vintage overalls for women at Modcloth come in a variety of styles & original prints. Shop ModCloth Overalls & find your new wardrobe favorite now. Sizes 00-28.

www.modcloth.com

Checked Out at Sea Pants

Checked Out at Sea Pants - We all need to check-out of the dull day-to-day routine sometimes and the best way to make some waves is by adding some fun new pieces to your wardrobe. These high-waisted, nautical-inspired pants are a fabulous option! Made from a smooth weave in a light brown hue...

www.modcloth.com

They also have all kinds of other things that might work for her.

 

[MamaBear]

Ann Taylor may be a good option

 

[Tartansparkles]

Not sure if Hobbs (hobbs.com) is available in the US but they have a similar vibe.

 

[dk168]

Uniqlo is great! My mum introduced it to me a few years ago, and I have been buying at least a couple of their Men's flannel shirts in different check patterns and colours every year. They are my staples for colder weather.

DK

 

[whitewave]

Thank you, everyone, and for the links!

This is by far the earliest I have ever done Christmas, but with delays on packages and my surgery, I want to be done ASAP so I don’t have to worry about it.

I’ll personally thank everyone in a bit. I’m so stressed out because I feel so under pressure to also purge and deep clean since I’m going to be on limited mobility for months. Uugh.

 

[Polabowla]

Good luck with the surgery & recovery!
I'm sure everyone will understand if the gifts aren't perfect right now!

 

[123ducklings]

Ann Taylor, J Crew, Nordstrom?

 

[caf]

I asked my college daughter. She says:
Uniqlo
H&M
Frank and Oak
ASOS
Revolve
Top Shop
Shop Bop
Madewell
Mango
Nordstrom
Nordstrom Rack
J Crew
& Other Stories
Anthropology
Everlane

 

[partgypsy]

I would pick a store that made returns relatively painless, in case she needs to do returns. I still remember as graduate students we visited another college to do a question and answer of prospective majors. One raised their hand and said "why are you all wearing dark colors?" And we look at each other and we are all wearing blacks and browns lol. It's the uniform.

 

[whitewave]

Thank you, everyone.

I was able to get several skirts of various plaids from Brooks Brothers, on sale with extra 25% off, so they were like 35$ or 45$ each.

I’m still looking for the booties and or Mary Janes and some other pieces, so I will check every place you all mentioned.

I appreciate the help!!!

 

[qubitasaurus]

I agree with pick something where she can return easily. She'll also kind of change that plan for dressing according to a percieved uni asthetic pretty quickly. PhD level grad students live below the poverty line almost everywhere (its a full time job that you dont get a wage for, but rather a 'scholarship/stippend' that would be way below minimum wage most places. You mostly dont get any subsidised living or even standard student benefits like lower public transport costs and if its a big uni you also usually live in one of the more expensive locations on earth. This usually leads to pretty severe poverty amoung the population). And their clothing choices tend not to be something to emulate. Professors have more disposable income in some unis, but zero time to spend it. So both mostly wear threadbear (often a little tattered or cast off) clothes.

 

[whitewave]

I agree with pick something where she can return easily. She'll also kind of change that plan for dressing according to a percieved uni asthetic pretty quickly. PhD level grad students live below the poverty line almost everywhere (its a full time job that you dont get a wage for, but rather a 'scholarship/stippend' that would be way below minimum wage most places. You mostly dont get any subsidised living or even standard student benefits like lower public transport costs and if its a big uni you also usually live in one of the more expensive locations on earth. This usually leads to pretty severe poverty amoung the population). And their clothing choices tend not to be something to emulate. Professors have more disposable income in some unis, but zero time to spend it. So both mostly wear threadbear (often a little tattered or cast off) clothes.

Yes, I wondered if this is unrealistic, but she doesn’t wear skirts or dress up, so I’m at least happy she will have a few choices in her closet.

 

[lambskin]

Some stores will not take returns now so please check store policy. Also, why not get her gift cards so she can pick out stuff during study/ work breaks. Fun diversion, no?

 

[qubitasaurus]

Yes, I wondered if this is unrealistic, but she doesn’t wear skirts or dress up, so I’m at least happy she will have a few choices in her closet.

Yes totally get her some solid clean basics, so she has a few choices that look good on her. That way no matter where she is or what she is doing she'll be set. Just Id get returnable items, so if they dont turn out to be all of the above you can send them back and help her chose again.

 

[qubitasaurus]

Haha in point of fact these are my husbands only shoes.... he has been wearing them like this since september some time...... today he remarked yet again about how badly he needs to buy new one as I was talking about the 11.11 sales. He's exact words were that he was too busy to go to the city to buy new ones. Ive given up on trying to find shoe laces, it took too long to find them in the shops . I have no idea how they still stay on his feet though. Or how he turns up to work like this -- although we have mostly been at home due to covid.

 

[whitewave]

Some stores will not take returns now so please check store policy. Also, why not get her gift cards so she can pick out stuff during study/ work breaks. Fun diversion, no?

We live in the sticks.

If we can’t return them,I’ll keep them for when I fit in them lol.

 

[partgypsy]

Quibit that is very much true. Although there were a couple grad students from wealthy families or helped by their families, one of the reasons of the "esthetics" of black and dark clothing, you can wear the same items of clothing, maybe changing the shirt or accessories without this noticing of, omg this person is wearing the same 5 items of clothing all the time! While if you wore bright colors it might be more obvious. In grad school I had a stipend of around 11K a year, with an additional 3K or so of funding in the summer (you had to apply for that) I was pretty close to living on that but yes my wardrobe was not extensive and my shoes were rather scuffed up (I bought a shoe stain/revitalizer to try to cover the scuffs). Threadbare was fine but I didn't wear any clothes that were soiled, had marks etc because as a TA you are present in the classes and may also teach sections. I would have loved to pick out new clothing but I am a tad picky about fabric content etc (like natural fibers).