Recently in Where Can I Find... Category

Q. I’m on the hunt for a stylish wool coat that is actually warm. Wool blends aren’t warm enough for Midwestern winters. I’d love to see some suggestions for 100% wool coats and if you know of any with Thinsulate or similar layer for extra warmth, that’s even better.

A. There are a few brands that offer wool coats lined with Thinsulate (or a similar insulation) which provide an added layer of warmth without the bulk or puffiness of down or quilted linings: jcrew.com, delias.com, alloy.com and landsend.com. Lands’ End even goes the extra mile with temperature ratings for all of their coats. The insulated wool styles tend to be pretty basic and classic, in general, so if you’re looking for one of this season’s hottest coat trends, you might have to layer up for warmth.

Here are a few insulated styles we’re liking, most are available in several colors:

Q. I seem to be having quite a bit of trouble these days finding good jeans - I know, we all are, I get it. So instead of asking if you know of anywhere I might find jeans to fit my crazy, unporportionate hips, I’ll concentrate on the bigger problem, seeing as for the former there are always tailors…

It seems like everywhere I look every jean has rips, studs, hideously fake and obvious fading and cheap looking fabrics or washes. I like jeans but am a girly girl, I like things that are sexy while still classy and “romantic” looking. All I want is a nice, comfortable, form fitting jean (no skinnies) in a nice medium wash (this is way harder to find than a classy dark jean) with a nice fabric, and no distressing. I have literally scoured the internet and my local shopping malls for far to long now, so I am reaching out for help.

A. I totally get your distaste for all things distressed, shredded, destroyed, etc. in lieu of a jean in a clean, classic wash. But why the aversion to dark denim? Dark denim is not only slimming, but it can easily be dressed up or down - and it looks fantastic with everything from a classic white shirt to a romantic feminine top. That being said, you clearly prefer a lighter medium wash, which is difficult to find these days without any fading or distressing in styles that don’t look like “mom” jeans. Never fear, though, we found some affordable options for you to check out (no skinny styles included!):

Q. I’m always on the search for a great t-shirt…my problem is that they usually aren’t long enough…any ideas??

A. Luckily, many brands are now making longer length (or tunic length) tees, we’ve featured a few below. Another option is to look for tees that come in tall sizes, like those from Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Finally, you can always layer a long tank underneath your tees to achieve the length you’re looking for along with a chic layered look.

Q. Do you have any suggestions for some cool, kick-around pants? All the pants I own fall into two categories: dress pants or jeans. I’d love a cool looking pair of relaxed pants to wear with my flats or “fashion” sneakers on the weekends. Any ideas?

A. Our favorite kind of pants! This season, we’re loving the Ripstop Utility Pant from jcrew.com (below) for its versatility and comfort. You can wear it with sneakers and flat sandals or dress them up with heels and a pretty top. They come in a variety of colors as well as petite and tall sizes. We also like washed linen drawstring pants, cuffed stretch jeans and cargo pants.

Here are some more casual weekend pants for you to choose from - all under $100:

Q. I am a stay at home mom with 2 small children - my day to day life consists of running between preschool, classes, parks and playdates. My uniform is often jeans and some sort of comfortable top. The problem is I am having trouble finding a t-shirt or top that is flattering. After two children I am left with the dreaded pouch and protruds out and could be mistaken for an early pregnancy. All I am left with are tighter fitting tees or buying too big and therefore looking big all over. I was wondering if there were some good options out there for those of us who are home. Please keep in mind that most of us are on budgets or can’t imagine spending $80 on a shirt that will most like get snot, dirt, or food on it from our darling children.

A. It’s time to think outside of the basic t-shirt box and look for blousy cotton tops or a-line shapes that won’t cling to your tummy - they have a bit more style than the classic tee but are just as easy to wash and wear, and look great with jeans, shorts or casual cropped pants. Here are several options for you, all machine washable and under $50: