Ann & I are on the rocks - YouLookFab Forum

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Ann & I are on the rocks

Thistle

Veteran

Ann Taylor and my relationship are currently on the rocks. While we have had some amazing moments in the past, this season, well, we just aren't meshing. I just can't forgive the too sheer summer tops that all require camis, or the sweaters designed for a shorter torso, or the lack of colors flattering on my skin type.

So, Ann and I are taking a break this season. Perhaps we can rekindle our affair in the fall

Over to you. Anyone you are taking a break from? Or better yet, any relationships rekindled because of spectacular offerings?

Shopping

38 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

catgirl

Veteran

Ann and I split up long ago over their shipping policies. I will still meet up in person, but not via mail.

Anonymous

Yes! Me too. I can't say why though. Nothing came even close to piquing my interest.

Thistle

Veteran

Yes, I can see that. BR, GAP, Nordies, etc. all are far better when it comes to shipping. And I bet shipping to Alaska is especially problematic!

Anonymous

I had to break up with Club Monaco . I've gone from being one of their top customers in Wpg (or so they told me a couple of years ago) to buying almost nothing lately. Ah well, these things go in cycles.

An old boyfriend did tell me more than once though that you can never go back- and now I'm wondering if he wasn't right

rachylou

Veteran

Ann and I broke up when Ann stopped doing suit-suits. Altho, the final nail was probably me losing weight and becoming hipless...

abc

Veteran

Broken up: me and clothes from target

Almost broken up: shoes from target. One exception is the Carolyn slip on sneaker I just got this week. Other than that nothing struck me and the sandals seemed downright flimsy. First Target shoes in years. We'll see how they hold up. Not holding my breath. Since upping the quality requirement a few years back I have really learned the difference wearing good shoes makes.

Torrid love affair: BR, loving this seasons offerings

Peri

Veteran

Ann and I have been on the rocks for two years. Now three years ago we were really close friends. I don't know what happened, we just don't mesh anymore.. She changed, I changed...

Talbots and I have been over for about 8 years. I used to be Talbots from head to toe. And it's weird that as I got older I liked them less. Seems like it would be the other way around!

Anthropologie and I are on the rocks too. I notice that the things I buy from there are the things I get tired of the fastest. On top of that, I've had more shrinking problems from anthro than all other stores combined. I still consider a few items from time to time, but we really are on the outs for the most part.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I used to be the biggest BR buyer, but in the last year I've only bought a couple items from them. Also used to do AT a lot and Loft almost never, which has reversed in the last year or so. Also getting off Old Navy jeans for some reason; there's nothing wrong with them, I'm just tired of the same old stuff. I haven't actually been buying much Boden recently either, or Nordstrom - I'll be interested to see if NAS this year has anything I want.

I know what y'all mean about it being disorienting. You get a routine going, a place that works for your style and your body, and then something changes and you have to look around again.

Places I have been buying from recently, either again or for the first time: Garnet Hill, Eddie Bauer, Asos, J. Jill, Lord & Taylor, Violeta, and most recently, House of Fraser (inexpensive international delivery from the UK, and their house lines are really nice).

Nebraskim

Veteran

I was in Talbots today and if I hit the lottery, the store is coming home with me. I am loving the fit and flare dresses they are showing, their colorways this spring and their general fit right now. Alas, because I no longer work from an office, I have no reason to wear cute or pretty clothing any more. I did pick up a gray denim skirt that I sense will be this season's workhorse for me.

Carole

Veteran

I was really into AT for awhile and now everything is just a little too classic or feminine for my taste right now. And the t's and tops are a tad too short:(

retailgirl

Veteran

I'm a classic dresser and talbots is always on my radar, some seasons more than others. Brook Brothers is my favorite now, nice quality but a little more pricey. Lauren Ralph Lauren is also a fave that goes back and forth for me. I love the look, ( on-line ) of the women's Polo line but haven't seen it in person. Given my taste and my figure type, rectangle, J Crew should be on my list but I'm not a big fan.

ma342

Of the last four pairs of pants I bought from AT, two had misaligned back pockets and had to be exchanged/returned. They were not the same pants style, either, which indicates a larger quality control problem.

I've bought work clothes from them for years because they tend to work well for my hourglassy shape, but I'll be taking a break for now.

Kari

Veteran

Ann, Loft, and Banana Republic are all my "on a break" store relationship status list.

lisaflex

Veteran

at loft and i- broke up years ago never to even think of getting back together

ann and i, well, not so much goin on lately

marshalls/tj maxx for clothing - shoes is a different story as are handbags and home stuff. clothing was too much of a hassle with being irregular and not marked, etc....

famous footwear and i are on the rocks - selection not so good. still love affair with dsw though

Staysfit

Veteran

I broke up with Anthropology when my DD was in HS, maybe 4 years ago? This was mostly because as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist I want to only support businesses that fully accept all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual or gender identity, etc. I was also disappointed with the quality of the merchandise. So, partly political, partly quality, but it is definitely a breakup.

No new breakups this year although I used to make purchases from BR and I haven't had any luck there for almost a year now. Maybe that's a breakup too. I love their sister company, Athleta.

DonnaF

Veteran

Too many reports of poor quality by YLFers scared me off AT and Loft so we've never had much of a relationship. Back in the day, Lands End and I were pretty hot'n'heavy and I still get charmed by the catalogs. All those pretty colors. But then I realized that the LE cuts made me look frumpy and dumpy so I stopped ordering.

Despite a high rate of returns, my romance with Nordies still continues, especially when those 40% off purchases become 60%+ off like a half dozen things I've bought in the past couple of months. I swear, they mark stuff down again just when I'm considering a return.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Me too, Thistle - Ann and I are on a break. I found some things I love over the winter - casual pants and jeans, sweaters, a skirt. But nothing even appeals to me in the spring collection. I'm not finding much at Banana lately either and my wardrobe has been primarily from those two stores for the past several years. LOFT and Nordstrom are getting all of my money lately.

Marley

Veteran

I broke up with Express several years ago after one too many of their knit tops either pilled or got terribly snagged just by me basically putting them on my body. I moved on and haven't given them another thought since!

Marley

Veteran

I'm curious about Anthropologie? What are their policies/practices StaysFit? (I don't shop there because their clothes just aren't my style - but perhaps there's even a better reason to not shop there and I just don't know about it!)

jackiec

Veteran

I'm embarrassed to say this but I broke up with the clothes section at Costco. Years ago. Ah well we have a fling now and again that's fun (looking at you Hudson moto jeans). But we usually pass each other without looking into each other's eyes now...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have had to say no to long distance relationships, although I do still pal around with asos sometimes (free international delivery and returns, no minimum order). Zara and I remain BFFs although I haven't seen a lot of her lately.

Louise

Veteran

I feel your pain. I broke up with M&S after a 10 year love affair. At one point pretty much my entire wardrobe was from there right from underwear to coats but over the last few years their quality and fit had hit rock bottom. The straw that broke the camels back was when I washed an M&S t that was £12 and a PRIMARK one that was £4 and the M&S one twisted at the seams!! I have begun new love affairs with BHS, H&M and New Look x

Summer

Veteran

I'm not familiar with Ann Taylor, Thistle, but isn't it frustrating when these break-ups happen?
I've left a few brands/stores behind lately, but more because of my own style-shifts rather than theirs. Luckily, I have found others to replace them that seem to chime with me more.
On a similar note, I find it really annoying when a store or brand that I love suddenly disappears from the face of the Earth. That seems to be the story of my life!

Gail

Veteran

I think that I am a flirt. I have bought from all those stores but do not have a lasting relationship with any lol!

Daria

I have the same relationship with Lands End as one of the previous posters mentioned - get lured by all the pretty colors, but the clothes are simply not flattering on me for some reason. I still occasionally buy basic tees though. Same story with LLBean.
Used to be a Zara shopper. Then the collection didn't "talk" to me at all for a few years. I might return though!
Discount retailers in general - used to be a fairly successful Winners shopper when living in Canada. Now all the choices seem overwhelming and I no longer have patience to sift through the merchandise.
Great topic Thistle, thanks!

Anonymous

Staysfit - if you see this - I'm also curious about Anthro's policies and politics. I would be very interested in hearing more.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Oh, yes - J. Crew too - I did buy a winter coat on clearance (I do that almost every spring), but the last several catalogs have not tempted me in the least.

unfrumped

Veteran

I will say, kinda sorta.
The AT store here closed. And I actually bought a lot of my items right there, occasional full price, mostly "40% off" and also from the sale racks.
And admittedly tried some things on for size or to go yay/nay since nothing is as is seems. Then, I could get free shipping for a large enough order and return for free, or, pay just the one shipping.
So, now I have to pay shipping back, making me very cheapo and not eager to order just one item.
Plus, they still do very maddening sales, one day it's tops, another pants, suiting almost always not included, then it is for just one day, you know the drill. And no price adjustments because those % off things are not actual "sale prices", they are special offers.
However, they are still a source of curvy pants and of pencil skirts so I have done a few orders since store closing.
I'm with you on the colors,though. I'm feeling more colorful and to me they are ever more neutral, or this year it's more of an orangey red and coral, not any cool pinks, orchids, or a revival of my great AT neutral, the "moonbeam" or mauvy-blush color.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I'm on the outs with LE. They seem to be making all the sizes larger and I'm getting sized out. On the other hand I've never bought from the Loft before and really like my maternity sea foam green sweater I just got. I usually like Eddie Bauer and haven't bought anything from them for 2 or 3 years now.

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