Have moved to the USA and don't know where to shop!

[CleansLate]

I wasn't sure if I should post here or in living abroad or try to find a mumsnet for the USA (doesn't seem to be one). I am going to try here first and hope you can help me!

We just moved to the USA. I don't know where to buy clothes. For the kids we have got bits at target and sears. But I have noticed the quality isn't brilliant.

In the UK I shopped at uniqlo, asos, dorothy perkins, vivien of holloway, m+s for pants. Not got any of those in my city. But I was hoping to make the most of my new surroundings and get eg some good jeans, nice layering pieces, things that will last. It's about to get cold.

I don't get much childfree time so while I could go to the oxford street equivalent and have a look in the big department stores I'd really rather have an idea of where to go!

It seems a bit backwards to buy clothes from UK stores and have them shipped internationally.

Am a size 14 (a US 10 I think?!), and would really like it if anyone has any stores they liked I could find and try.

Gap and Victoria's Secret for pants.

Remember the Friday after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, and there will be SERIOUS sales, so don't buy much now if you can hold off for a few weeks.

I like Lucky Brand for jeans, but WEES for other shops.

If you like J Crew then check them out online because they sometimes have money off and free shipping (right now is 25% off and free shipping on a $150 minimum spend). If you liked Boden in the UK, they ship in the US too. I second the recommendation for Zappos - I used to find them really good. If you don't like north American fashion sense (very conservative, to generalize) then you could try mail order from the UK e.g. John Lewis. But clothing is generally cheaper in the US. Revolve and shopbop are decent trendy online stores too.

Duane Reade sell Hanes pants which are nice (if you want cotton rather than lacy stuff).

Chicago was home of my fav department store Marshall Fields, before Macys bought it.

Ahhh this is all GOLD, thankyou. Will post a 'which premium denim jeans are best for muffiny pears with parsnip legs' post when I have gotten my clothing bearings!

J Crew is a bit expensive (even with 25% off), for what I am looking for at the moment I think but I LOVE some of their stuff. Colours! Swishy skirts!

Zappos looks like a must do. I am a bit concerned about buying kids' shoes there as I like them to be fitted 'in real life' but I think we will cope. Need to get ££££ shoes for DS2 anyway so something has to give.

Sizing is another thing - I thought that a UK14 was a US10 but looking at the measurement charts on various websites my measurements are more like a US14. Or is it as random as it is in the UK in terms of brand sizing and relation to measurement charts?

Right now people are mostly beginning to wear massive coats so I have some time to put stuff together. I noticed clothes were cheaper but it seemed like quality was worse - I am hoping that's because we chose our shops badly. I am struggling with all the basics really so this has been so helpful.

The first time I was here it was still Marshall Field's!

Cleans, I'm in Chicago...also very near a Piggy Toes ( the one on Western) so we may even be neighbours.

Some of this may be have already been suggested, but based on the UK shops you said you liked, I would take a look at:

Gap/Old Navy - Gap is always having sales, lots of online offers.
Sears isn't great, but the Sears downtown (State Street, in the Loop) has a Lands End shop inside it which often has good basics. Right nearby on State Street, there is a Nordstrom Rack (Nordstrom outlet store), if you don't mind rummaging you can get some good shoe/clothing buys. There is also a TK Maxx, Old Navy and Macy's (the old Marshall Fields store) all in the same stretch of State Street.

On Michigan Avenue, amongst others, there is a Gap, and Eddie Bauer which is similar to LL Bean (outdoorsy).

Marshalls (all over the city, similar to TK Maxx) and DSW for bargain price (named) shoes

Shopping Malls - my favourite one is the Old Orchard centre in Skokie, just north of Chicago - it has Macy's, Bloomingdales and a couple of other dept stores. Also Gap, Anthropologie, LL Bean, Ann Taylor and a whole load of other shops. It isn't a shopping outlet, just a regular mall. It's outside/partially covered and (in my opinion) a calmer shopping experience than some of the indoor malls like the Woodfield Mall (out in the suburbs - has the usual range of shops and probably some kind of indoor entertainment for kids too).

If anything else comes to mind I will add to this. Any questions, ask away..oh and welcome to Chicago, it is a great city!

I didn't realize there were so many people in Chicago.

Ann Taylor and white house black market are both for office clothes. Loft, which is the casual younger version of Ann Taylor is good.

Nordstrom is good but expensive. There are massive sales in black Friday, but I have found that the week following that is when everything that didn't sell is reduced again. About 2/3 of my local Macy's is reduced around that time and is as cheap as an outlet mall.

Sizes are as random as in the uk. It used to be true that you went down 2 sizes, but for about 10 years now I haven't found that.

Oh and not your daughters jeans (nydj) is meant to be a premium brand for mums but I have found they look awful on me and cost about $120 a pair. Macy's own are quite good quality but only come in one length.

I cannot believe no one has mentioned Gymboree for kids clothes? They are fabulous with great sales.

im not sure on avalibility in chicago, but a few places we stock up for the children in the us are The childrens place, and p.s from aeropostale. The others have already been mentioned, gap, old navy, abercrombie and hollister.
My older teen loves aeropostale hollister, abercrombie, converse, vans. which all seemed much easier and cheaper to buy in the US.

I don't really shop for myself when over there as im not big on designer brands, so if anything just tend to buy the plainer stuff in aeropostale and i like trip to the huge forever 21.

kickassangel I am also surprised (and delighted), there are so many MNers who know Chicago! Lucky for me! I think with the sizing thing I'd best try stuff on a lot. Sigh. My mum wears NYDJ so I'd like to avoid them if possible! Will check out Macy's

Saretta I think we ARE neighbours, oh my goodness what a coincidence! Old Orchard sounds nice, thankyou v much. The farthest we have gone so far is the giant costco in Niles and it looks like OO is just a bit further on in that direction (no car yet so are using igo). Are you a transplant too or a native? I am loving Chicago but flailing a bit as you can see!

missymum thankyou, there is one an easy journey/near a lot of other recommended stores, will check it out!

daisydoodoo thanks v much, had not previously heard of aeropostale and there's one in town so will check it out! - agree about abercrombie etc being cheaper here. DS1 is just starting to care about where what he's wearing comes from (boooo), but I haven't bought that sort of thing in the UK to compare.

Yes I love Gymboree for kids but really for under 10s.

For coupons etc then yes you can get them online, but you will be flooded with emails. I have a yahoo account for them, and just go on them before I plan to go shopping. Currently I have over 1000 unread emails.

Cleans, I am a transplant (American husband) too. So funny that we are neighbours! Will pm you (once I work out how)...just watching the election results, all very nerve wracking..

Gap is ok for undies. 5 pairs of pants for $25 at the mo.

Uniqlo recently opened in US. I think the stores are only in NY, but you can shop online. And it's quite a bit cheaper than the UK.

Target is good for basics, eg layering vests/ t-shirts, sleepwear, workout gear. They also do cheaper lines of known brands such as Levi's and Converse.

You have plenty of help here, especially from people who know Chicago.

I would also add Target for PJs for you - they have great relaxing pants and tops, and also for kids underwear. Nordstrom Rack for jeans and some North Face stuff. Kids Gap for boys shirts and jeans. Old Navy for boys' tshirts and sweatshirts, and for your tshirts.

Macy's is great for ladies coats, but I have fallen out of love with it for most other things. Carter's stores are fab for kids up to 6-7 - after that, they do not fit any more, which is very sad. They email great coupons.

NY & Company for trousers and tops, and some party stuff. DSW is a must for shoes - i never go there without buying 2-3 pairs in all sorts of styles.

Good luck!

I am so lucky to have had all this help! Never in a million years did I think so many people would know so much about Chicago and be so helpful! Let alone there be someone in my new area here!

Loads of shops to track down and DH has agreed to a trip over the weekend, hooray! I will get some clothes!

Saretta have PMed you back!

Club Monaco, Banana republic, Anthropologie, Marshalls and Loehmanns are my favorites.
Some popular outlet malls are a nightmare during weekends, go during less busy times.

Target is better for kids and household items than clothes but worth checking out.

Sears, Walmart an K Mart do clothes but I'd steer clear... Old Navy is fine for kids but slightly too tatty on me.