Thank you to everyone who filled out my reader survey. If you missed it, the link is here and I would love your feedback as well. There were a few surprises and lots of great new suggestions in your answers.
Here’s the recap:
The majority of you receive my posts by email. Very few use Bloglovin’ which surprised me. Many of you also hop over from Facebook.
Overwhelmingly, you wanted to see more style tips followed closely by Dressing Room Diaries. I love doing DRD so that’s a good thing. I think we all benefit from seeing the clothes on a real person rather than a young model. I was pleasantly surprised you want more beauty posts because I do as well.
The next in popularity was how to interpret trends. You all know I like to include a touch of a trend into my outfits. I believe it helps us look current and relevant which builds our confidence.
Enough of you like my opinion pieces that I will continue with the odd rant when something insults my intelligence or seriously pisses me off.
I was surprised to hear how many of you shop at Macy’s. I’ve been avoiding it because my local Macy’s is due for a renovation and pretty dismal. I’ll take one for the team and venture in more often.
Nordstrom was your favorite store (yay, mine too), closely followed by Chico’s, Talbots, Loft and J. Jill. Not surprisingly all these stores carry regular, petite and many carry plus sizes. Stores that serve us well deserve our business!
Over half of you get style inspiration from Pinterest which I think is great! I’m always inspired by nice outfits and Pinterest is full of great ideas.
Most of you wanted to see more jeans and dressy casual outfits followed by dinners out and travel attire. That’s easy because that’s my life!
More of you are working than I anticipated and you’d like to see more 9-5 looks. I will plan to work more of those into the mix.
The majority of you do not use Instagram for style inspiration, neither do I:)
Most of you wear low heels. A small percentage are blessed with pain-free feet and can wear any shoe, lucky you! Some have to wear orthotics and would like to see some stylish options, which I will hunt down.
I appreciate each one of you and feel grateful that you are here. Thank you for allowing me into your lives to talk about fashion, confidence and how to best navigate these years in style.
Surveys are imperfect, did I miss something? Please share in the comments.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Great results! Looking forward to your posts!
Author
Thanks for reading Linda
Sometimes it’s reassuring when I wonder “Am I the only one who thinks this way?” and the answer is everybody has the same issues! I can’t remember if I included this, but I also love when you talk about your family, visits from your daughter, friends, your travels, and Lucy! Looking forward to posts to come!!
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It is reassuring to learn we share the same issues! There’s comfort in company:) Thank you Roxanne for reading and sharing with us here.
Great to hear! I’m one of many I guess! The only difference is I shop less at some of the stores you mention because I like to shop for clothes in person and most stores you mention are either not near me or very expensive given the difference of the dollar in Canada. That’s okay. I can work with what I have available based on your inspirations but I thought I’d mention why I don’t shop through your links.
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I do remember the exchange rate and expense of clothes from when we lived in Vancouver Island! The selection was very limited there too. I’m glad you get inspired! Thanks for being here Janet
Hi Jennifer,
I love Macy’s as well and find it frustrating that so few bloggers do posts on their clothing. They must not pursue bloggers or offer incentives that the other stores do, I’m not sure. I love all of the stores that the rest on the survey mentioned, and I agree that supporting stores that actually cater to “us” is important. Otherwise, they’ll go by the wayside and we’ll only have lower quality, poorly fitting options. I don’t like throw away clothes, cosmetics, furniture, appliances, etc. I’d rather put a few more $$$ at first and have something that lasts. Thanks for asking our opinion. Amy
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I’ll be visiting Macys more and explore their online offerings. I wish they’d go ahead and renovate mine! I’m a big proponent of investment dressing for basics and wardrobe staples. It saves so much money in the long run. Thanks for reading Amy!
From the survey results it looks like we are a group of like-minded women. I look forward to many more years of following your blog Jennifer. So fun to look forward to your daily posts that are so relevant for “women of a certain age” who still want to be stylish and the best that we can be!
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We are like minded! It’s a fun group. Thanks for being here Marlene!
Interesting results. Just curious as to the amount of petite people that responded. The old guidelines of what a short person should or should not wear is stuck in my head. Like hats were a no-no. But, you wear hats and look terrific. Or how about dress in all one color. Boring. I’ve only followed you for a couple of weeks and it so refreshing to know I have more options to feel good.
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Welcome Gerrie! Rules are made to be broken and we should dress to please ourselves. Dressing in a column of color helps one appear taller but that’s only helpful if it makes you happy.
Thanks for publishing the results.
Although I didn’t participate, you have covered all my concerns fashion-wise. I absolutely love the stores that you frequently shop. I don’t live near anything, so those I can be confident with buying on line. Thanks for all your help.
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I’m glad I could help Julianne. Are there other shops you’d like me to try?
Love the survey results as I always enjoy your blog! LOVING the new community page – you should spread the word about that page as well! Love interacting with the other ladies who follow your blog – All in all Jennifer – you’re the best out there!!
BTW – hope you’re feeling better from the man cold!!!
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Heading the right way. Thanks xx
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Thank you Debbie!! It is a great community. I’m so glad it’s turned out that way.
FYI I’m another Canadian reader. Vancouver Island to be more exact. I have a Talbots in Victoria – a three hour drive but a lovely place to spend a day to two. Nordstrom is a favourite of mine. It’s in Vancouver so I can drop in when visiting family. I’ve ordered online as well. The others are in the states only. I don’t know the sizing, so with all the fees I hesitate to order.
I love all your posts and always check in every morning to see your friendly, smiling face. Because you lived here and have a daughter in Vancouver, I consider you a honorary Canadian. ????
I hope your through the worse of your nasty cold.
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Thanks Joanna. I am Canadian. I was born in Saskatchewan and lived in Toronto until I was 12. We had a vacation home on Vancouver Island for many years and sadly sold it several years ago. We lived in Nanoose Bay. Where are you?
I’m up in Courtenay. Nanoose Bay is a lovely area. It is sad you sold it. Property on Vancouver Island has become very expensive. I suppose it’s due to Vancouver prices being so high, plus it is a desirable place for retirees from across the country. So that drives up prices. We moved here ourselves from Ontario.
I knew there was a reason I liked you so much! ????
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My dad lived in Courtenay for many years and my brother lives there now. It holds very fond memories for me. It’s such a cute little town with great restaurants. Small world!
I like those results! Hope you are feeling a bit better. Xx
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Thanks Jen. I’m getting there. xx
I just completed the survey, but had a few items I need to explain. First, my favorite stores are good fabric stores. I make my own clothes. I am 4’10” and about 30 pounds heavier than I’d like to be, large busted, long waisted, very short from hip to waist and short legs. Finding ready to wear that fits me is almost impossible. I’ve learned to fit myself as I sew. It is something that I enjoy doing. I’m not good at “styling” the things I make with jewelry and scarves or other accessories. That is one of the main reasons that I follow your blog and several others.
I only work 5-10 hours a week at a fairly casual work place. No jeans, tennis shoes, or printed T-shirts. I love heels, but can’t wear them any more. I can wear platforms if there is not too much of a difference in heel and toe height.
Thanks for all the style tips you give. I also enjoy following what you are doing. Hope the antibiotic has kicked in and you are feeling better.
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Thanks for filing it out Phyllis. Sewing is such a great alternative for you. I hope I can share some accessorizing tips that you’ll find helpful.
Jennifer, I look forward to your posts every day! I love the way you style things. I started following your blog a while back when you posted a video of some of the outfits you put together with pieces from your closet. I love seeing mix & match, especially for travel.
Also, I love your selection of pants, however the websites and stores you mention seldom if ever carry tall lengths. I’m blessed (cursed) with long legs. I’d really appreciate some occasional links and/or styling suggestions for what to do when you can’t find pants long enough. I’m sick of everything looking like highwater pants on me.
Thank you so much for all your help and inspiration!
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Thank you Susan. I will keep an eye out for tall alternatives for you. It is a blessing and a curse to have nice long legs. I can always shorten things but if there’s not enough hem there’s nothing you can let down.
Thank you and so glad you’re feeling better.
Hi Jennifer,
I really enjoy your blog and responded to the survey. Living in Aus means I can’t shop where you do, too many issues with postage and sizing to shop on line, but I get inspiration and tips which I find invaluable. Love hearing about your little jaunts in the rv and of course dear Lucy.
Jules
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Hi Jules! Thanks for reading and I’m glad you find them helpful.
My local Macy’s does not have the best selection either but I love Macy’s.com and purchase many of my clothes there. I return at my local Macy’s which make it very convenient. Also, I never pay full price. My Macy’s charge gives me so many benefits.
I don’t know whether anyone else in this group shops at places like Penney’s, Eddie Bauer, REI, L.L. Bean, etc., but I live in a rural, outdoorsy, tourist area where people are more apt to dress to walk, hike, bike, ski, etc., so those types of clothes are more appropriate here. I like the more dressy clothes for dinners out or special occasions, but most of my life is spent in more casual clothes. I love your blog and read it religiously. 🙂
Author
Great input Janie. Thank you. We all
Lead such diverse lifestyles it’s importabt we are dressed for our lives. Not the life we may wish we were living.
I’d add “Lands’ End” to the list of stores I shop…they have great “basics” and sales…
I didn’t complete the survey… sorry about that! But it looks like your summary is spot on for me too! I always look forward to your posts and am really looking forward to your future ones! Thank you for sharing with all of us!!
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Thanks for being here Deb
Hi Jennifer,
I also responded to the survey about shopping at Macy’s. Sadly here on the Monterey Peninsula both Talbot’s and Loft have left so we are very limited with store selection unless you make purchases online. I use to go to Talbot’s at Stoneridge in Pleasanton while visiting my daughter however that location closed too. I sure miss the days of strolling through Saks Fifth Avenue, and I. Magnin in Carmel and seeing the beautiful displays. Retail is definitely changing, all you have to do is walk around Carmel and see the amount of wine tasting rooms and art galleries. Thanks as always for your great posts!
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I have seen the changes in shopping options there too Annette. More and more I realize our best option is to shop online. I think retailers are sending us that way with their brick and mortar decisions.