Demise of the Creek - YouLookFab Forum

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Demise of the Creek

Nebraskim

Veteran

So, I just read Coldwater Creek declared bankruptcy and is closing all stores. I'm not a big fan of their style, which skews dowdy to me, but I do have items I like, especially white shirts. I wonder what this says about retailers trying to market to the "woman of a certain age" demographic.

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Marlene

Peri

Veteran

I hope it says those trying to market to the woman of a certain age better start giving us things we actually want to buy!

MsMaven

Veteran

Agreed, Peri. Many times my friend and I--the same age but different tastes--have shopped together and gone into CC just to check it out. After a few minutes we look at each other, smile and leave.

I can't exactly say what it was about the clothes that didn't attract me. They weren't ugly or even necessarily dowdy. Just not right.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Finally, I don't have to watch their annoying commercials.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I'm not sure I remember their commercials. The ones I find annoying are for Chico's, another store of which I'm not a fan.

JayS

Veteran

I think quality issues might have played a role. I've found really good basics at CC in the past..especially tanks that didn't show too much cleavage, belts, etc. I went into CC yesterday to check out a top that I liked in the catalog. It was awful. The hem wasn't even and too prominent. Even at 40% off it wasn't worth it.
I also used to shop them because they offered petites. That has tapered off over the last couple of years, also. Plus, they do skew toward dowdiness. Can't say I'll miss them..just feel sorry for those that do shop there regularly.

Laurinda

Veteran

I will miss them! They were always a treasure hunt for me, lots of misses but a few of my favorite items, especially jackets and scarves.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

There was an earlier thread yesterday about the bankruptcy as well. I actually thought their spring stuff this year was very cute; lots of florals and fresh colors. I've always shopped there a little for basics, even though I'm younger than their target demographic. I never found them as dowdy as Chico's can be at times, or Talbots (two stores I also shop at, to be clear).

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

The commercial that I remember was this lady who would go to parties in a dress or a nice top and her friends would unzip her to check where she got the dress.

If my friend did that, I'd elbow her in the face.

Echo

Veteran

My mum used to like to look there for jackets. I remember liking the atmosphere of the store, but not the clothing. so much. Even so, though, the stores around here always seemed to have good traffic.

JillG

I'm wearing a silk and cotton blend sweater from CC as I type. I browsed there off and on over the years and bought a few things now and then. Their merchandise was mostly a "miss" for me, but the occasional win always became a favorite. I'll miss having the variety.

suzyq

I'm surprised at this as JJill is apparently doing fantastic with their new campaign. This demographic is hot. I thought they were a decent choice between the (for some) simplicity of JJill and the over the top pseudo ethnic of Chicos. I Have a few thrifted items from them as there are none on this side of the pond. Quality seems pretty good for a basic cotton tee.

neonginger

I have several wonderful longer tunic tanks that I bought at CC several years back that have proven to be workhorses! That said, I can't begin to count the times I've gone into the store only to return home with nothing due to the lack of quality alone.

Thistle

Veteran

I am a huge fan of Talbots with most of my basics coming from them. I have no problems qualifying for their elite black card every year

I had thought I would like CC based on this, but I just didn't. I am not sure the why of it. Perhaps it was the quality. Perhaps I just like the dowdy of Talbots better

I would cry a river of tears if Talbots ever went bankrupt!

Alassë

Veteran

Thistle, I like Talbots, too. They get a bad rap, but for a classic/ladylike dresser, they're a good store to check.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Thistle, my closest Talbots closed and I was very disappointed that I'd have to drive another half hour to get to one. I shopped there all the time but apparently I was the only one.

I wonder if the issue with Coldwater Creek was that they skewed more casual than Talbots, so people were always bargain-hunting? In my experience people are more likely to pay full-price for workwear, as opposed to casual and weekend stuff. That doesn't explain why J Jill is still thriving (as far as I know) since they are casual as well, but they do appeal to a younger crossover boho crowd more than CC, I think.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I think that perhaps as CC's financial woes worsened, their quality soured as well. When they started subbing tencel in their denim it was the beginning of the end for me. I do have a few pieces but mostly their style and mine did not really mesh. I also am not a big fan of Chico's (but I have friends who love the brand). I have friends who are heartbroken about CC and really worried about where they will find items now. Where I live, this store did fill a big niche for business casual clothing. I guess I have never thought that CC and JJill overlapped much in terms of style. JJill is much more minimalist.

Anonymous

Hmmm, I have a silk and cotton sweater from CC that I thrifted and I'm going on my third summer with it. (Also note I have a sweater from Chicos too!) While I usually strike out in the stores, there is something about Talbots, CC and Chicos that appeals to me, but the sizing and cuts are just a bit off for my body type. I like the fact that their items are modestly cut, and I like classic things, but somehow these stores are not quite right for me. I keep trying, though!

Joy

Veteran

Like Claire, Talbots doesn't quite fit me and CC seems for a taller curvy woman. Still it is always sad when shoppers have fewer choices.

Liz

Veteran

This saddens me, as I had just discovered that they carried pencil skirts, knee-length (!), and in great fabrics. Maybe I can pick up a couple as they liquidate.

dustt

Veteran

never a fan of either CC or Chicos - they never got me. Talbots, although much more in keeping with my "work" style at least, doesn't cater to those of us over 5'8" I rarely have much luck there. It is frustrating to try and find options that aren't directly aimed at the under 30 crowd. I find most of my work clothes at Banana republic which is odd - as I think their target demographic is much younger than I am!! - but their clothes fit me well and for the most part have held together well.

Marlene

Veteran

I am sad to hear this. I have a couple CWC jackets in my closet that I really like. And I do like their knitted denim....they were one of the first to offer this.

A couple years ago they made an effort to try and attract a younger "hipper" demographic by offering some more modern styles. I was able to pick up a few pieces that I liked...especially since they have the best sales! But I guess their reputation did them in and that effort never worked since I was probably the only person who noticed. And it seemed to go downhill from there.