https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:21:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2180025 Thu, 18 Mar 2021 01:21:33 +0000 cat2 2180025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They just went through bankruptcy, where they liquidated as much stock as possible. I think I bought two pairs of their pumps for $ 40. With new owners in place it will take some time to decide on contracts and design team staffing and move forward with new orders. I would suggest checking back periodically to see where they are. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2180024 Thu, 18 Mar 2021 01:13:33 +0000 Beth Ann 2180024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have an interest in sustainability, but my income means that I must accomplish this mostly by buying less from mainstream places like Loft.&nbsp; I wear a 14-16, but I, too, have noticed more irregularity in sizing. It's hard to know when to size up or down.&nbsp; My nearby Loft store (I only go to return items purchased online) is sparse in its inventory. It sad all around.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179785 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 05:57:40 +0000 cat2 2179785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sycamore has also been operating Talbots, Coldwater Creek, and Belk. These new management deals bet on long term growth but come with a lot of cost cutting: stores, product lines, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179771 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 02:38:08 +0000 Anonymous 2179771@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So sad and disappointing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179767 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 02:25:35 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2179767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sad, and interesting discussion of what's going on, or what might be. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179763 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 01:58:07 +0000 Gigi 2179763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>RobinF</b>, I was wondering the same thing about their petites' line. I noticed that these types of extended sizes got cut early on in the pandemic at some retailers, and I don't know that extended sizes are back to where they were before restrictions and lockdowns started. I am concerned that those people who don't wear straight sizes are going to have an even harder time as companies decide to cut these lines altogether.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179633 Tue, 16 Mar 2021 12:17:37 +0000 RobinF 2179633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a shame. I really don't get excluding such a large segment of the population. I wonder if that also means their petites are about to go:(</p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179617 Tue, 16 Mar 2021 10:59:38 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2179617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve been meaning to unsubscribe from their emails for a long time, just did it. Thanks for giving me that final nudge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179269 Mon, 15 Mar 2021 04:06:36 +0000 rachylou 2179269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If they are still bringing in new merchandise, placing orders... I just don’t understand. It’s totally an untapped market. But obviously they have problems tapping any market at all... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179268 Mon, 15 Mar 2021 03:52:02 +0000 shiny 2179268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't bought any LOFT or Ann Taylor in a year due to COVID. Part of that is I don't need work wear, the other is that both stores tend to require me to try things on because the fits are inconsistent and not as reliable for ordering online. Especially with LOFT: sometimes I'm an XSP, sometimes a SP, sometimes a MP, and sometimes an XS or Small regular. You just don't know unless you try it all on.</p> <p>During COVID I've remained an avid Old Navy fan because the fits are more reliably consistent and the clothes are more casual. Also, it's easier/safer to do returns without having to run through an indoor mall. Our local Old Navy is in an outdoor mall so that has felt safer for returning.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179267 Mon, 15 Mar 2021 03:34:22 +0000 nuancedream 2179267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The parent company of Loft, Ann Taylor, and Lane Bryant, Ascena, had been struggling long before Covid. There were store closings in fiscal 2017, the year before Loft introduced the Plus collection. The Plus collection was, according to the press release, supposed to be an evolution in Loft's offerings since they already had a strong selection of petite, tall and maternity lines.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179255 Mon, 15 Mar 2021 02:31:04 +0000 Jaime 2179255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shaking my head. Seems all wrong. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179191 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 23:45:35 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 2179191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Loft’s plus sizes were only added a few years ago, and only online. It doesn’t surprise me too much that they never were a huge part of their business, although it is a shame. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179185 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 23:34:06 +0000 Anonymous 2179185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>:( </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179139 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 22:03:43 +0000 Angie 2179139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WHAT A SHAME.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for the insight,<b> kkards.<br /></b><br />Nodding along with <b>Jenn, Nuancedream&nbsp;</b>and <b>Echo.</b>&nbsp;</p> <p>It's an economic decision, but I would like to know <i>what </i>they are basing it on. Does the data show that sizes US18 and up do not sell as well? That's very, very hard for me to believe - (there is a dire need for those extended sizes) - unless sales went completely dead for The Loft during COVID.....one year and counting.&nbsp;</p> <p>Needing to cut inventory to look more attractive on paper in order to sell, I get. But why cut inventory in <i>that </i>way? It's an untapped market waiting to be filled. New owners would have a hard start.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179130 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:40:31 +0000 nuancedream 2179130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kkards, I am very pleased to see Athleta and QVC extend their size offerings. Janet, I do hope other retailers step up their commitment to size inclusivity </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179128 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:34:05 +0000 Echo 2179128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One would think that a company would make a decision of what to carry based on sales and profit margins. Given that the "average" American woman is a size 16 - 18 (the data that said it was a size 14 is a decade old, and new information indicates the larger size), were their sales really skewed that far toward smaller sizes? And if that was the case, I wonder why.</p> <p>I believe in inclusivity, but I also believe companies make a lot of decisions to further their bottom line, some of which I agree with, and many of which I don't. If they made their decision based on solid data that shows they do not sell enough of certain size ranges, I guess that's a financial choice they're willing to make. But I have to wonder where the "average American woman" is buying her clothes that so many places don't carry them. It seems it would be a wise financial decision for more places to carry more size-inclusive clothing. </p> <p>ETA: I just reread kkards post, and given the situation, I better understand the decision. They're likely preparing to sell or close.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179125 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:30:57 +0000 Janet 2179125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m not surprised for all the reasons kkards and LaPed mentioned. Disappointing but I hope other retailers will fill the gap. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179114 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:16:02 +0000 LaPed 2179114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Disappointing, but I am somewhat unsurprised, for all the reasons kkards mentions. And office-wear must be a hard-hit market segment with so many people still WFH for the foreseeable future.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179109 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:12:13 +0000 kkards 2179109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, as this retailer was bought by a&nbsp;private equity firm&nbsp;earlier this year, I’m not surprised. They aren’t interested in the customer, they are interested in striping out assets and making money before either selling to someone else or closing all together. And inventory is one of the biggest investments that a retailer has.&nbsp;<br />On the other hand, these 2 retailers are adding sizes, see Athleta (especially see there recent catalogue), QVC extending up to 5x on many styles, and offers wide width on a significant number of shoes.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179102 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:46:40 +0000 Jenn 2179102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't shopped at Loft for years, for a number of non-size-related reasons, but I'm sad for all the plus size women who came to depend on them for affordable workwear.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179092 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:21:44 +0000 Anonymous 2179092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well , yes , but a retailer cannot be everything to everyone , especially when they answer to a board of directors . Did they ever pretend to be socially conscious ? Size inclusivity isn’t their mandate and at least they aren’t pretending it is . Just saying . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179086 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:14:17 +0000 Anonymous 2179086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>:/ I've not bought anything at Loft for quite a while, and wear straight sizes, but shame on them anyway! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-step-in-the-wrong-direction#post-2179081 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 20:06:31 +0000 nuancedream 2179081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To say Loft's actions in limiting their size range to 00-18 as of fall 2021 is disappointing is a gross understatement.<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://fortyfatandfabulous.com/2021/03/14/another-one-bites-the-dust/">https://fortyfatandfabulous.co.....-the-dust/</a> </p>