Greetings, friends! I want to thank everyone who participated in my Reader Survey this year. It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, so it felt like time. There were over 1600 responses this year, which kind of blows me away. Thank you so much for taking the time to submit your answers and offer feedback; it’s very helpful as I plan content for the upcoming year. I always like to share the results of my reader surveys and address some of the comments that came up, so let’s take a look!
2025 Reader Survey Results
First I’ll share the multiple choice and checkbox answers, and then I’ll address some of the comments.
How long have you been reading my blog?
In March, I will have had this blog for 19 years! It has changed a lot over that time, so I’m always surprised when anyone says they’ve been around since the beginning, but about 120 people who participated in this survey consider themselves an OG. Then there are about 80 who are new readers, and 83% are somewhere in between.
What is your age range?
I turned 50 since my last reader survey, and I noticed that the amount of readers who are in their 50s has increased since then, and the amount of readers in their 40s decreased—I guess we are all growing older together! Last time I did this survey, the oldest age range I offered was Over 60, and this time, I divided it into Over 69 and Over 70, and I found it interesting that 10% of you are over 70! Whatever your age, I’m glad you’re here.
How much did you spend in 2024 on clothing & accessories for yourself?
I added a few new questions this year about spending habits to get a better sense of where most of you stand, and this one really caught my attention! Since clothes shopping is such a significant part of running this business, I know my spending habits are far from typical. That’s why it’s so important for me to stay in touch with what feels realistic and relatable for you.
One thing I particularly loved was reading through the “Other” responses because they offered a glimpse into your unique perspectives and priorities. I think I actually added the “Other” option to this question a few days after publishing the survey because I found the answers in other “Other” sections so insightful. I’m glad I did—it made this question even more interesting.
What is the most you would spend on a pair of jeans?
This question brought in a lot of interesting answers, especially in the “Other” section. It was helpful to see that 50% of you prefer not to spend more than $100 on a single pair of jeans (combining the $50 and $100 categories). About 30% are comfortable spending up to $200, while only 7% are willing to go up to $300.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many options in the $150-$200 range unless you catch premium denim on sale. Most premium denim brands have crept into the $200-$300 range these days, which is kind of wild! That said, since jeans are the foundation of most of my outfits, I still believe in investing in the best pair you can afford.
That said, I’m planning to make a concerted effort this year to explore more brands in the $75-$150 range. I’ve found KUT from the Kloth to be a standout in that category, but beyond that, I haven’t found many options I truly love. If you have a favorite denim brand in this range, I’d love to hear your recommendations!
What is the most you would spend on a sweater?
This was another interesting metric! Over 70% of you prefer to spend under $100 on a single sweater (combining the $50 and $100 categories), while more than 15% are comfortable going up to $250, which was the highest option I listed. Interestingly, a few of you added your own responses, sharing that you’re willing to spend as much as $400 or $500 on the right piece. It’s clear there’s a wide range of spending preferences here, which gives me a lot to think about.
While I’ve always been comfortable investing in premium denim, I’ve noticed that my spending on sweaters has crept up significantly over the past couple of years. I do love indulging in luxurious knitwear, but I also recognize the need to balance that with more budget-friendly options.
For my blog features, I’m going to make an effort to highlight more sweaters in the under-$100 range this year. That said, I’ll still include a few splurge-worthy options for those of you who enjoy them. My goal is always to strike a balance and offer something for everyone, but every once in a while, I need a bit of a reset.
How often do you purchase things I feature?
About 6% of you shop from my blog several times a month, 42% about once a month, 34% a few times a year, and 15% prefer to get ideas from me and shop elsewhere. The remaining responses were individual comments, and they offered some great context.
Many of you mentioned living in Canada or other countries, which can make shopping from my site more challenging. Others shared that different lifestyles or body types influence your choices, which I completely understand and appreciate.
I know not everyone is shopping all the time, so I try to strike a balance between introducing new pieces for you to consider and sharing informational posts with styling tips or ways to rework what’s already in your closet.
What are you wearing on a day to day basis?
Well, I can see why so many of you follow me—64% of you wear casual outfits, like jeans and a sweater, on a daily basis. Once again, the “Other” section provided some fascinating insights, with responses like scrubs, a mix of casual and workwear, and a blend of casual and athleisure. This feels like confirmation that I’ve found my people!
Which of my current topics do you enjoy the most? Check your 3 favorites.
No big surprises here—Try-On Hauls are by far the most popular of my regular features, followed closely by seasonal trend forecasts. (I’m already working on the Spring Trends Forecast, so stay tuned for that!) About 45% of you listed What I Wore Lately as a favorite, and 33% listed How to Wear posts. Everything else fell in line after that.
Feedback on What I Wore Lately in the comments was mixed. Some of you love it, while others feel it’s boring or redundant—which I totally understand. It is redundant, but that’s kind of the point! That’s how I actually dress day to day. 😬 Enough of you enjoy these posts that I’ll keep doing them, but I’ll stick to sharing them every other week.
Are there any stores/brands you would like me to feature?
Since this was an open-ended question, I don’t have a neat little graph or pie chart to share, but many of the usual suspects came up—White House Black Market, Anthropologie, J.Crew, J.Jill, Lululemon, Madewell, Banana Republic, Chico’s, and Talbots were all mentioned quite a bit. Some newer suggestions I’d like to explore more included Tuckernuck, Aritzia, and Sézane. I also received requests for more Old Navy, Kohl’s, Target, and Amazon, while a few of you thanked me for not featuring those brands.
In addition to specific brands and stores, several of you said you enjoy the mix of high and low retailers I feature. Some requested more affordable options, while others felt the variety is just right as is.
I’ll admit I don’t feature a huge variety of retailers, and I can definitely get into a rut. Nordstrom is just so easy to shop! They carry multiple departments, have a user-friendly website, and their product photography is consistently the best. I also shop Evereve frequently, though I know some of you aren’t fans of their shipping and return policies, the lack of big sales, or the price point.
In the past, I used to shop more at White House Black Market, Banana Republic, J.Crew, and Madewell, but I haven’t loved a lot of their styles recently. That said, I’ll definitely check out their late winter and early spring collections to see what’s new.
You don’t see much from Target, Walmart, Kohl’s, or Amazon here because I’m not a fan of the quality of their clothing. I’ve tried incorporating them in the past, but it never felt authentic, so I phased them out. I figure there are plenty of other fashion bloggers who focus on those retailers for those who are interested.
All that to say, I’ll make an effort to source from a larger variety of retailers as I plan my spring content. Sometimes, I just need a little nudge.
Are you on my email list?
This shows that the vast majority of my loyal followers (those who were willing to take the time to participate in this survey, anyway) are hooked into my daily emails! I spend a lot of time on those, so it’s good to see that it’s worth the time investment I put into them.
Do you have any feedback about my email newsletters?
Over 500 people left feedback specifically about my email newsletters, though I think some responses were more about the blog itself. Thankfully, I could usually tell what you meant!
The overarching theme was that many of you enjoy my newsy intros and feel they make the emails more personal, which is so nice to hear. Most of you seem to like the format and exclusive features as well. Quite a few of you mentioned that you enjoy the Saturday Q&A feature, so I’ll definitely keep those going.
Overall, the feedback on my emails was overwhelmingly positive, and I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts!
Do you follow me on Instagram?
Almost 60% of survey participants follow me on Instagram, while 37% aren’t on Instagram at all. One concerning takeaway was that 20% of you said my posts no longer show up in your feed. If this sounds familiar, here’s a quick fix: head over to my Instagram profile, tap the “Following” tab, and select “Add to Favorites.” This ensures my posts will show up in your feed more regularly.
Also, don’t forget to like and comment on posts you enjoy! Engaging with my content signals to the algorithm that you want to see more of it. Your support makes such a difference, and I really appreciate it!
Are you part of my JLS Insiders Facebook Group?
Almost 50% of survey participants are in my Facebook Insiders Group, and I’m a little surprised that 40% aren’t on Facebook at all. I expected more of to be on Facebook than Instagram. I didn’t ask for any feedback on that group this time, which was an oversight. In general, I feel like it is running pretty well, although every once in a while, I need to step in and moderate rude or inconsiderate comments. I hope you all who are members feel like it’s a safe and supportive place to discuss fashion and style.
Would you be interested if I started a Substack?
Only 6% of you said you’d be interested if I started a Substack, 35% aren’t into Substack, and a whopping 57% don’t even know what it is.
For anyone wondering, Substack is a platform where creators can share content directly with their audience through email newsletters. Many use it for long-form writing, exclusive content, or even podcasting, often with the option for readers to subscribe for free or pay for premium access.
It seems like Substack isn’t on most of your radars right now, so it’s not something I’m planning to pursue anytime soon. However, I want to clarify that if I do decide to experiment with it down the road, it would not replace my usual blog content—unless something drastically changes in the online space that makes such a shift necessary. For now, the blog is and will remain my main platform.
Would you be interested in getting text alerts from me with new posts or special sales and deals?
This idea came from a reader, so I thought I’d see how many of you would be interested. The results showed that 82% of you said no, 16% said yes, and 2% submitted their own answers. If 275 of you (which represents that 16%) would like to receive text alerts, I’m open to looking into setting this up.
That said, I would still continue sending daily email alerts with new posts and sales and deals, so you wouldn’t miss anything if you prefer sticking with email. The text alerts would just be an additional option for those who find them more convenient.
What is your biggest fashion/style challenge at the moment?
I got over 1,200 responses to this question, so this will be a great resource as I plan post topics for the next few months! This is just a snapshot of the fashion challenges you all are facing, and a lot of these issues were repeated in various ways.
It sounds like many are struggling with our aging bodies and trying to find that perfect balance of looking modern but not try-hard trendy. Quote a few mentioned shoes, and some mentioned the current denim styles (especially wide leg jeans). I will definitely refer to these comments as I plan spring/summer content!
I so appreciate your readership and your participation in this survey. Is there anything else you would like me to know?
Then there were 772 comments of general feedback to read through. It took me a while, but I did read every one, and I even took notes! I am humbled by the encouragement in this section, and I appreciate the constructive feedback as well.
I did want to address a few recurring themes, but first, just to prove that I will never make everyone happy… and that everyone perceives things a little bit differently. (And this is totally meant to be humorous. It doesn’t frustrate me or upset me in the least.)
- I do not enjoy the Question and Answer portion.
- I like the Q & A presented by your readers. I could read those every day.
- Sometimes I think it would be better if you posted fewer emails. Then you could have more content with the emails.
- I have come to really look forward to seeing your email in my inbox every morning. A few times you missed a day or sent it later, I noticed! I can’t believe you send it every day. Please don’t stop!
- Less images of each outfit, more outfits.
- I like that you don’t post too many pictures in the same outfit in one post
- A little less denim please.
- I love all your casual denim looks. I’m a denim girlie too!
- Too much expensive clothing.
- I appreciate all of your price points.
You get the point! Clearly there is a mix of budgets and preferences represented here, and I’m always trying to find the right balance of being a personal style blogger and wanting to be a resource to the variety of women who read along. I don’t think I will ever find a perfect balance, but I feel more authentic when I stay in my lane and feature items that I actually wear.
What came through more than anything is that you all like my attention to detail and how I explain the hows and the whys behind my outfits, so I will strive to keep doing that.
A Word About Ads
A few people mentioned the ads… Believe me, I’d love to have a beautiful, clean, ad-free site. Sometimes I even consider ditching my ad network altogether, but from a business perspective, that wouldn’t make sense. Running this site is quite costly, and I provide all of my content for free. The ads help offset those expenses so I can focus on creating new posts and interacting with you across my platforms.
That said, I’m very mindful of how ads can detract from your experience, and I’m always working to strike the right balance. For example, I’ve opted out of ads that cover my content and force you to close them, and I declined the option to remove the close button from the footer ad. While these decisions do impact my ad revenue, I make them with you, my loyal readers, in mind.
Of course, like everything in this digital age, ads are constantly evolving. As users get better at tuning them out, ad creators find new (and yes, often more annoying) ways to grab your attention, lol!
The point is, I’m always open to constructive feedback about ads. If you see something that feels overly obtrusive, don’t hesitate to send me a screenshot. It might be something I’m not seeing on my end or a new feature I’m unaware of. I’ll do my best to address it!
A few more comments I’d like to address…
Can you make a page for your favorites? Like favorite jeans, favorite sneakers, etc., with sizing? I know you link these in blog posts, but when I’m ready to buy, it would be nice to have a quick reference page.
This is definitely something I’d be interested in creating! The challenge would be finding the best format and, more importantly, keeping it updated. It’s not impossible, but I worry it might fall off my radar after a few weeks. To make it work, I’d need to set a recurring reminder to update it monthly, which I can certainly do if there’s enough interest.
Would you find a page like this helpful? If so, I’ll talk to my team about the best way to implement it. I’d love to know your thoughts!
Can you do capsule wardrobes?
I have done a few, and I can try to do them seasonally. I was also thinking of making these a bonus for email subscribers.
I’ve noticed your blog has changed a lot over the several years I’ve been reading. I really miss you wearing heels the way you used to and cute booties. It seems it’s very practical and more conservative now, which is fine, we all need practical at certain times but sometimes I wish for more excitement, lol.
I found this comment both interesting and a little surprising, and then it hit me—I’ve been mostly sticking to flats and low heels since last March, when I took a bad fall and tore four tendons in my ankle. That recovery has definitely influenced my footwear choices! Add to that an extra five pounds of perimenopausal weight (and its unfortunate redistribution), and I just haven’t felt as inclined to wear the heels and tighter tops I used to gravitate toward.
That said, you’re right—my style has become a bit more practical lately. Part of that is personal comfort, and part of it is the current trends—lower heels are having a moment, hooray! Still, your comment has given me something to think about as we head into spring and summer. Maybe I’ll find ways to incorporate a bit more excitement into my outfits again. Thank you for the nudge!
I know you have a very casual lifestyle, but I do get tired of hearing about sweaters and denim all of the time. I am not looking for dresses but just switching up tops and bottoms to include others besides jeans, sweaters and sneakers.
I got a few comments like this, and I’m not going to deny it—I live in jeans, sweaters, and sneakers! I’ve always said I’m an unlikely fashion blogger because my personal style is so simple, and I’m perfectly content rewearing outfits and sticking to the same basic outfit formula.
That said, I do think this improves in spring and summer, especially with all the layering opportunities in spring. Winter, especially after the holidays, is when I really lean into my comfortable uniform—it’s cold, I’m tired, and post-holiday burnout is real. This also made me realize I tend to run these surveys at a time when we’re all feeling a bit bored and restless. I’m curious if the feedback might feel different in spring or early summer when things are a bit fresher.
I love your try on posts, but they feel like they are more geared to your closet. Perhaps trying on and just commenting on the piece itself, without the commentary on whether you would keep it. While something might not be right for you, it could be what we’re looking for, and your try on is still a benefit to the rest of us.
I definitely try to do this! In fact, I’m not a big fan of including the “verdict” because a lot of the time, I’m trying on pieces more for you than for myself. I don’t need half of what I try on! That said, whenever I skip sharing what I’m keeping, I get a lot of questions asking for that feature, which is why I include it.
I sometimes use the search function. Would it be possible to order the matching results by most recent first?
I got a few comments about the search feature—some of you didn’t even realize I have one! On a desktop, you’ll find it by clicking the little magnifying glass icon at the top right corner of the blog. On a mobile device, tap the three lines at the top left of your screen, and you’ll see the magnifying glass icon next to the social media icons in the middle.
As for the order of results, the search function is designed to show the most exact matches first, and those are ordered by most recent. After that, it displays additional results that aren’t exact matches to your search phrase. To get the most accurate results, I recommend using one keyword or a short phrase you know I’ve used—it makes it much easier to find what you’re looking for!
One thing that could be said more is that your closet will probably not look like a normal person’s and that is okay. I see people in the comments who seem stressed about trends and looking dated, but you said recently that you only keep most things for one year. That isn’t a reasonable or appropriate goal for most women who don’t make their living as a fashion influencer.
You’re absolutely right, and I try to be as transparent as possible about my shopping habits and why I may keep or pass on certain items. Because I need current options to share, I do shop more frequently and purge items more quickly than the average person.
That said, I understand how overwhelming it can feel to try to keep up with trends or avoid looking dated. My goal is to provide inspiration and ideas, not to set unrealistic expectations. It’s important to remember that a thoughtfully curated wardrobe built over time, is more sustainable and practical for most women, and I fully support that!
Do you have a LTK account?
I do have an LTK account, but I don’t use it very much because I’m contracted with Collective Voice, so I link most of my outfits through them. My TapTo.Shop page functions similarly, and you can bookmark it if you’d like. It includes most of what I feature on Instagram, plus I also have my Daily Looks under the SHOP tab in the menu bar.
I would love though if you had your links to popular retailers in an easier spot to find, since I often think about things for a little while before buying but I still want you to get the credit.
Thank you for that! And I do actually have a page of popular retailers—click on Where I Shop under the SHOP tab in the menu bar. You can also bookmark this page, if that’s easier.
I’d like to know how to give you credit for my full purchase. I’ll click on a link and add it to my cart. A few hours later I’ll add more and search differently, put it all together and buy it. I might check the Vince site then back to Nordstrom to purchase. I’m not sure you always get credit for the sale. If there was a reoccurring line or two, that could remind us how we can support you more with our purchases, I would appreciate that. I know you work hard and I rely on much of what you put out to guide some of my fashion decisions.
The most important thing to remember is, affiliate programs use last-click attribution, so the last link you click before checking out is the one that counts—even if the item was in your cart earlier from another link. If you want to be sure I get credit for your purchase, try to click through one of my links to that retailer immediately before checking out.
And remember, it doesn’t cost you anything extra to shop through my links. It’s like when a sales associate earns commission on your purchase in-store—just online instead. This is one way I earn income for all of the free content I create on the blog and social media channels, and I appreciate your support so very much!
On that note, I made a list of suggestions to keep in mind as I plan future content, and these are some of the ones I included:
- I’d love to know more about your hair extensions
- I would love to see more pants options other than denim.
- Your most casual look is often a sweater and jeans. But personally, I like to throw on a sweatshirt or fleece bc I can toss them in the washing machine. I suppose I don’t need a stylist to advise me on sweatshirts, but if there are easy care options for days we cook and clean, I’d love to see them.
- I enjoy accessories. Would like see more affordable handbags and jewelry. Not just amazon.
- I would like an updated make up tutorial.
- I love the splurge vs save because I need less expensive choices but same size and body type as you.
- Miss your glimpse of your suitcase and what you packed! Luxury vs splurge vs save, maybe include a third pricing point
- More handbags and how to wear with outfits
- Would love to see posts on resort wear (struggling to find vacation dresses), bathing suits.
- We are members at a country club and I’d like some direction on elevated casual top and non jeans bottom type outfits. A throw on and go, look polished, but not fussy.
These are all very helpful, and I will definitely refer back to this list!
In Closing
Alright, let’s wrap this up! It’s so tempting to respond to every single comment, but I think I’ve covered the most common themes. I truly appreciate all the ideas, suggestions, constructive feedback, and, of course, the kind and encouraging words.
I’ve already started implementing some of your suggestions, and I’ll be keeping everything in mind as I plan future content. Thank you for being here and for being such a fun and supportive group of women—I couldn’t do this without you!
71 Responses
I love knowing whether you keep it! Please keep this.
Agree with this completely! It reminds me that I don’t need to keep something if I don’t love it.
I agree. Please keep this.
Me too!
I love this too, it’s helped me learn whys and wherefores of why keeping or not keeping. I’ve definitely gotten more discerning of fit, and style and figuring out why something is just not quite right. And determining that if it’s not perfectly right, I probably won’t wear it and so then it’s not worth buying.
Regarding the suggestion of a page for your favorites- YES! I would definitely use that feature. Great idea!
Thank you so much for this spectacular post! I really enjoyed reading all the results. You went above and beyond to share with your readers!
Thank you+++
I love your “what I wore lately” section! Not redundant and not boring. It’s inspirational! Precisely why I read your blog, for inspiration on how to combine clothes myself
This was so interesting to read. Thank you for sharing and all the hard work you do!
Liverpool is another affordable denim option. Very similar to Kut.
I am 56 years old and live in South Louisiana and I have been following you for years and absolutely adore you and your blog! Unfortunately I was busy this week and missed the opportunity to complete your survey. I love your content and wouldn’t change anything but maybe add some additional retailers in mid-range price points. You often feature GAP Factory but how about Quince, J. Crew Factory, or others? Thank you so much for NOT getting on the low price point bandwagon! As we age lower priced clothing from retailers like Amazon, Kohl’s, Walmart and Target just don’t fit our bodies correctly. I also do not like to support fast fashion. Keep up the great work Jo-Lynne! Your blog is my favorite fashion blog!
Fun and interesting information! Another denim opinion I like is NYDJ. They are more affordable and good quality.
Thanks for all the work you do. I’m in the group of older readers (both age and length of following), and look forward to your emails each day. Even though there are quite a few years of age difference, I find your style most relatable to mine and it’s very inspirational.
Please continue to include the “verdict”. I personally find it useful.
Hi JoLynne! I sure love your blog and appreciate all your fashion advice! I have recently discovered a new option for jewelry, enewton.com. The quality is excellent! You can even leave it on in the shower!
Thanks for sharing the favorites tab on Instagram as I did not know about that.
In response to your question about a favorites on your blog. I think you post or show them on repeat. However, some people may not notice that so a seasonal favorites might be nice.
Thank you for conducting the survey and for showing us the responses and how you are going to relate to it. I think it a mistake to try to reach each and every type of person. You do you- those who live sort of your life style can shop through. There are so many other bloggers that show other styles that could connect to that person. Being all things to all people at all times will drive one nutso.
Love the try on hauls, what I wore lately, save and spurge. You are doing an amazing job and I love your site. Please don’t make it any longer or more content cumbersome.
I welcome your advice on travel- what to pack, how to pack (clothes, makeup, phone accessories, etc.) and rotate options.
I love the sales section on Saturday and most often buy based on that.
There’s so much great info here that it may take me 2 days to read it. I did, however, in response to the price most readers prefer to spend on jeans, want to suggest a WHBM jean try-on. I have never worn WHBM denim until a year ago. After trying on a dozen pairs of wide-leg jeans in various brands, WHBM won (slimmer at the thigh, then widening) and I have 4 pairs. They run around $99 whenever there’s a sale, which is often. At that price, I even bought a pair and cut off the hem to wear with my Gola sneakers because they don’t make frayed styles. After buying the wide-leg, I added bootcut and straight-leg to my arsenal. They have some stretch but don’t bag out after wearing. In the past, I’ve always worn Frame, Paige and AG, although I finally found MOTHER jeans that fit me– The Weekender!
Thank you for all your work compiling this info, Jo-Lynne!
I didn’t do the survey, but big yes to the favorites page and to capsule wardrobes. I’ll also take this moment to throw in one individual request: more non-costume jewelry. I’ve seen so many cute costume pieces on your blog that I would totally consider buying if they were real silver/gold. Maybe post fine jewelry equivalents as an “additional options” type thing sometimes? Or even just throwing a Yurman ring you like into Daily Finds every once in awhile.
This is great and thank you for the survey! I think you do a great job and like everything. Regarding denim, KUT from the KLOTH is a great option or maybe Wit and Wisdom? I like AG, Frame, Mother….honestly now in my 50s I probably need to watch my budget and I don’t really need 7 or 8 pairs of jeans, just maybe 4-5 that are comfortable and appropriate for work in the schools or casual/travel. Speaking of jeans, I have thoroughly enjoyed wearing my GAP factory flare jeans! I think GAP factory is a nice store with quality clothing (classic or trendy) that holds up well–I really do enjoy your picks and collaborations from there so please continue. J Crew, WHBM, Banana Republic…nice stores but they are a bit pricy if not on sale. I do love Nordstrom too–when their items are on sale they are definitely quality and you cannot beat their return policy. Thank again for all you do!
I loved that you shared the survey results. Thank you!!!
The “verdict” on keeping or returning items is fun, I hope the verdict is that you keep doing it. Lol!
In lieu of sweaters as a daily top, I’d like to incorporate other ideas. Can you show us denim shirts, pullovers, and sweatshirts?
Re: the FB. Having been the recipient of a person’s snarky comments 2-3 times I now think twice before posting. Enough is enough-zero tolerance for repeat offenders.
Going through your survey responses could not have been an easy task! I enjoyed reading your comments.
Quick question and one I have been meaning to ask forever: do you consign your unwanted clothes or donate to goodwill (or the like) or both? I used to consign but found that the shops were getting so picky that I found it was not worth my time and effort.
Oh, btw, Current/Eliott jeans are worth a look and I just bought a pair of black Nordstrom brand jeans which I am very happy with😊.
I agree with Cindy’s post!
Jo-Lynne, I’ve been meaning to ask this too. I know you’ve mentioned in the past that you donate your gently used items. I also know you have no interest in a resale site like Poshmark or E-bay. Have you ever considered a once or twice yearly sale directly to followers? Maybe in a Facebook live format? You could still donate the profits to a charity you support, but your readers might appreciate the quality and style more. It could also be a good chance for those that are the same size as you to get items that they missed or couldn’t afford when you first featured them. Fully understand if it’s more trouble than it’s worth tho!
The survey results were so interesting. Thank you for sharing them. Was there particular result that surprised you?
Interesting to read all the comments asking you to feature heels, dresses, etc. which may not be “your style”. I would prefer you stay in your lane and be authentic to your style. There are other influencers to follow if someone doesn’t mesh with your style. I appreciate all the casual outfits you feature as that matches my style.
Love hearing the results!
As a note about denim and pricing, I’m 50 and weight is all over the place these months, up a few, down a few (mostly up) and I just can’t invest $200+ when I don’t know where I’m ending up. I’ve got a drawer of jeans right now, and I literally don’t know what will fit me week to week. Sigh. Plus the “redistribution” to the middle section, ugh!
Thanks for keeping it real and know how much I appreciate all the work you do!
I love the “verdict”! I take it as a personal challenge to look at the first picture of the item in a Try-On Haul and guess whether you will keep the item or not. Silly but fun!
I giggled when I read your comment because I, too, like to play the guessing game of keep or return! ☺️
I like the guessing game too! Please keep the verdict.
Me too!! Sometimes I find myself cheering for a certain cute item, hoping she’ll keep it, then get disappointed and sad when she doesn’t!! Haha! I need a life! 😂
I do this too! And even though they may spoil the suspense, I love the faces Jo-Lynne makes at some of the no’s! Cracks me up!
I like it too.
So interesting reading your other readers comments. I read it every day.
Thanks for addressing these wants of your readers. I hope you don’t change too much. You are one of my favorites because my style is so similare to yours. I love that you include expensive and less expensive clothing. I love that you try on some dresses but not too many. Like others said, you do you! I really enjoy when you say you don’t like something. I understand that itmeans you don’t like it on you…that doesn’t mean you don’t like it for others. I am tired of many influencers that say everything is their favorite – it loses some incredibility. Thanks for caring so much!
Thank you for not showing clothes from Amazon, Target and Walmart!
Yes, this. So tired of these posts from other influencers and the fast fashion aspect.
One comment in your feedback was about finding denim that fits a larger waist when the rear/hips and thighs aren’t so fluffy anymore. That is me and I have found Democracy jeans are amazing. The waistband has hidden elastic (no one would ever know) for stretch and movement. The style is called AbSolution. Also, Kut from the Kloth jeans usually have a stretchy waistband. the price point on both brands is very good and at times I’ve gotten Democracy on Amazon for a steal of a price.
I also want to see pants that are not denim. I love cords for winter (all are Democracy or Kut), Ponte knit for a bit dressier and sometimes a color. Blue denim of any shade gets quite boring.
This was so interesting! Thanks for sharing. It was fun to see where I fall with majority of readers.
One question you asked was for Jean suggestions. I am one to spend up to but not $200. With that being said I own 2 Paige jeans and 1 mother and 1 frame. I got all 4 on sale(below $200). So it is do able, but not dependable. But the other jeans that fit my shape are wit and wisdom, kut from kloth and White House black market.
A request that would be sooooo very valuable to all of us….
could you compile a list of stores/websites that offer free shipping and free returns? We all know about Nordie, but there are others and sometimes it’s merely a matter of joining their free club to get the benefit. Some, like LLBean, offer both free shipping and returns if you get their free credit card which you don’t have to use for anything other than LLBean orders if you choose to do so.
This is a big ask, but I’d love a list.
My mom (in her 60s) has been a store associate at our nearest Kohl’s for 15 years and (privately): fully AGREES with your opinion about their merchandise! They, it seems?, have this ongoing “weird” and “confused” marketing strategy of never knowing which demographic they exactly want to cater to (twenty-something/social media snowflakes….or young married professionals having family responsibilities?) —- so, it doesn’t work either way (bc: soooo much of what they sell looks stupidly age-inappropriate after you turn 35; however, too, they’re way overpriced for basically the same grade of selection you *can* find at a Target!). The way I remember, for example, malls (in the 90s) with JCP or Sears located in them was that those were far better retailers.
I LOVE your blog and don’t change a thing (well, except lol: if you spoke more about what it’s like to keep mid-life fitness goals and, how to not lose motivation toward remaining active….I just say this, because: I’m 44 but don’t feel “old” ha! — yet don’t care to be involved with the entire phony/Tik-Tok Barbie culture of yoga classes thesedays).
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing the survey results with all of us. I enjoyed seeing where my answers compared to other readers. A topic that just dawned on me now with the discussion on denim and sharing other price points…could you suggest what you consider the most practical styles/cuts/colors/lengths to have in your closet at the present time? Styles you feel are versatile enough to be worn with a variety of footwear based on their cut/length, etc. and can be worn several seasons? I feel I own too many pairs of jeans, struggling with what looks best for the footwear I might be wearing at the time (Four season gal here!) and would love knowing what are the best staples to own that ‘work’ most of the time.
I am one of those who loves knowing what you keep and why. For someone less knowledgeable about fashion it reminds me of some of the basics of choosing clothes.
Would love to see a page of your favorites!
This was great insight for me and helpful to know my struggles are common! I would love more Anthropologie finds as my style is very similar to yours but lately I have found some great pieces and especially pants that come in tall lengths (short, plus, petite as well). I am not interested in Target, Kohl’s, Amazon finds. Too many instagramers do that all day long.
Once jean brand I found in a boutique that I love and it was mid-priced, I think around $125 was Letters to Juliet. Quality denim and a great fit.
Keep up what you are doing and thanks for doing it!
I like Collective Voice better than LTK.
I love your blog. I look forward to your email every day. You already know this, but your emails have been the bright spot in my days over this past week of heartbreak. I ordered the Regine coat on our way out of town for my nephew’s funeral. I wish I’d had it yesterday, but I’ll be thankful next to I need to already have it. I’m so thankful I found you/your blog. Keep being you, Jo-Lynne. We are here for it. ❤️
I thoroughly enjoy your emails and blog posts! And I do check out your IG, but almost never FB. The candle lamp was a late present for a friend, so thanks! The Talbot’s khaki jacket that shows up on many of your Top 10 lists is one of my favorites! I looked for two years for THAT jacket! Shortish but not cropped and not swingy…perfect.
Maybe it’s my age group (over 70) or my location (TX), but I am one of the responders that said “more pants, please.” My style “signature words” are very similar to yours: classic, minimal/simple (not fussy, almost no prints), and effortless (no outfits that look like I tried too hard). Still there are so many places where I would rarely wear jeans…church when I’m lay-leader, many restaurants, dinner parties (unless invite said casual), happy hour with friends, for example. I would love to see more of your take on just a little bit dressier.
Thank you for your inspiration! I can only imagine how much work you put into it.
Would love a page with your favorites! I often see you mention one (e.g., your favorite white jeans) but then can’t find it when I go to buy a pair.
This was such an interesting read! And you included my comment which made me smile. I would love a list of favorites, I’ve definitely found myself clicking around to double check sizing or a particular wash on jeans. And I love the “verdict” in the try-on hauls. One mid-priced retailer I’m curious about is Quince. I have the Ugg dupe slippers from there, which I love, and have considered other items, but never clicked buy. I noticed they recently started carrying jeans with a $50 price point and am curious how they feel and fit.
A big part of my job is writing surveys. I just want to tell you that you did a good job. For the most part you had great questions. I really respect you sharing the results. It is great that you showed us that you really did consume this vaste volume of data. Loved that you show cased the divergent opinions.
Jo Lynne, Thank you for the results of your survey!! Wow there was so much to take in there and also I just want to say no need to respond individually to ladies. I think your blog and website is so helpful and keep up the good work. I m a 76 year old lady, So casual clothing is how I roll and that does include jeans and tops, and then in winter its warm sweatshirts and fleece pants , and sweaters. One designer of jeans I absolutely love, Is DIANE GILMAN from Home Shopping Network. I d love to see you advertise some of her things . She designs jeans for women of my age bodies and I usually look pretty good in her jeans. I also love the fabric of her denims too.. Keep up the great work . Thanks and Happy New Year to you and yours.
Affordable denim option: Silver Jeans. I found them randomly on Zappos, and they fit me so well! They are very much like Kut for the Kloth. Keep it up! Love your blog! : )
If you are looking for another more affordable option for denim check out the Dear John line. They are in the same price range as Kut from the Kloth and I think they do a great job with fit and variety. The Jeanne and Jaxtyn styles fit really well. I work in a high end boutique and this brand has done really well with customers who don’t want to spend in excess of $209 on jeans. But it’s also done well with clients who are willing to spend on denim just because the fits and details are great. Size down one from your usual size for the best fit.
Thank you for actually giving us the survey (no other blogger I follow has done that) and then showing the results! So interesting to me. I can’t remember if I included Madewell in my answer on retailers that I’d like to see or not but I do like their jeans, sweaters and T-shirts. And I agree about Quince. I have the cashmere crew, cashmere cropped cardigan, fisherman sweater and have bought several things for my daughter. Great quality and customer service.
Check out Wit and Wisdom as a more affordable denim option from Nordstrom. They are flattering and fit the price point you’re aiming to try!
You already work with Loft, so maybe try more denim there? Their choices are often size inclusive, which is great for those of us who need extended sizing!
Wow Jo-Lynne this was so interesting! Glad you got such great feedback. I’m glad someone mentioned the search function leading to dated content. I had this frustration recently looking for a sweater dress you’d featured. When I searched “sweater dress”, the entire first page is from posts in 2015-2018 (the top result is from 2020 and is by far the most recent). I gave up after about two pages of old results. (I finally remembered where you had mentioned buying it, but still couldn’t click thru your link since I couldn’t find it). Hope your tech guys can brainstorm a solution for you. Maybe a way for the reader to filter posts (last 6 months, year, etc) or have an option to change the sort order from “best” to most recent?
I’m so glad you’re looking to feature more jeans in the $75-150 range! I never spend more than this on jeans and agree it can be a challenge! I honestly buy most of mine from the Stitchfix freestyle shop. I’m not sure you’d be able to link that tho since it varies by user. But some of my favorite brands in this price range are Democracy, Level 99, and Liverpool. I also like Cosmic Blue Love, but think it may be a Stitchfix exclusive. I don’t know if the other brands could be sourced elsewhere?
I was also intrigued by the idea of a “favorites” list. Maybe instead of trying to keep it up on an ongoing basis, you could just make a list twice yearly (spring/summer and fall/winter) and link that list to a favorites tab?
Hope this is helpful input. I truly appreciate your interest into our feedback. I also appreciate how thought out and informative your posts are – by far more so than any others I follow. Thanks for all you do!
The marketing nerd in me loved seeing the results and the breakdown – thanks for sharing this! My thoughts – the WIWL is one of my favorite posts. I, and I’m sure others, relate and can appreciate that you repeat outfits, and that you keep it real about what you’re wearing in your day to day life. That’s one of the reasons I continue to follow you. There is so much noise out there in the influencer world with people constantly showing new outfits, new accessories…and then never showing it again. For me, it’s a turn off, so thank you for continuing to keep showing the “real” you! Also love the try on hauls. I prefer designer demin and am one of the readers who does prefer to spend more on quality (sweaters, shoes, etc) than quantity so I love you showing Jenni Kayne, Vince, Frank & Eileen, and of course Mother. Thanks for all you do! Always look forward to getting the kids off to school, grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting down to read your post.
I also like the part where you say if you will keep or not. Makes it more personal than other fashion blogs. My favorite are the try-on hauls-you do a great job! My second favorite is what I wore lately. I would like to see more Quince as well as capsule wardrobes.
Thank you!
I appreciate the focus on quality brands. I have learned that it is better to have higher end pieces that last, and I look forward to wearing those items and watch for sales from brands you have featured that have fit me in the past, like Paige, Vince, and Frank and Eileen. After you featured some Tommy Bahama resort wear, I found some cute dresses. Of the less expensive brands, I have had some occasional success with Loft sweaters and pants and Madewell jeans. I also love some Nordstrom brands like Zella, and many of their items are as good as my Vuori, Lululemon, and Athleta pieces. Thanks for featuring carefully chosen items.
Hi Jo-Lynne! It was so fun to read through the results of your survey. Wow, I just have to giggle at the responses “I LOVE that feature, please do more and more” and “no, I am not interested in that “same” feature, please just stop”. HAHA! I guess that is why we have a scroll feature! One thing to ask, if you are able, can you add QVC to your “Where I shop” list? I order from QVC a lot and can use your link to get into the site if I can find it easier! The last time I wanted to do that, I had to look up an old blog that you featured QVC to find a link. Thanks for all your hard work, we all really want to support your site and small business.
Hey, Sue. Sure can! I have my team on it.
I love the idea of a favorites page!
Hi – I’m a long time reader of your blog but I missed the survey. I’m in jeans and sweaters most days but still want to be up to date and look my best. I would like to add the request for more natural fibers. There seems to be an increasing trend in clothing to rely heavily on polyester, acrylic and polyamide. I look for 100% or at least high contents of cotton, wool, cashmere and linen. Especially in blouses and sweaters. I do not find the synthetics to be comfortable at all and they show wear and pill more quickly. Thank you for all the time you spend and content that you share with us!
Hi Emmy, thanks for the input. I do look for natural fibers and try to mention it when I find them. I definitely prefer them, myself, but aside from cotton, most natural fibers are more expensive. I’m always trying to find a mix of options, for different people’s price points. 🙂
Risen jeans are a great option!
Regarding a page for your favorites, yes please!!
This is a great post, I just love how you dove into the analytics, it really appeals to the nerd side of me, lol! I commented in the survey, but I would also echo Susan’s comment that I would sometimes like non-denim options. I really love jeans, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I want more options. I will say I bought the black linen pants you showcased this past summer and really loved them, although they would stretch out on me and I had to wash them after each wear to get them back into shape. I love wearing shorts in the summer but for nicer events or going to a winery, for example, I also like “dressy shorts” options that are not tooo short. But classy. However, cannot do the 80s shorts that were pleated and long. I’m curvy and 5’3″ and that looks terrible on me. I did buy the Paige olive green cargo pants a couple years ago and the Vince skinny pants. I have no problems coming up with work wear outfits because they’re kind of like a uniform, or casual outfits, it’s the ones where I want to level up a little where I need help.
I get that. My struggle is simply finding pants that I feel good in—especially casual ones. They usually make me feel frumpy. I tend to have an easier time in spring/summer finding ones I like, but I just ordered a bunch of options to try.
I didn’t take part in your survey this year (for some reason, I didn’t even see it) but I enjoyed reading the results!
Thanks for all you do!
LaKlenza
Thanks for confirming I’m normal. I’d love to have you do a survey of how many shoes everyone owns. My hubby thinks I have too many, but I live in a four season climate too. Thank you for not featuring the clothing you mentioned, because I agree with you, they don’t hold up and the styles aren’t classic.
I was excited to see a majority of us want jeans and sweaters under $100. I know the quality won’t be the same, but I’m looking forward to your recommendations!