YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Fab Finds (other brands)

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Fab Finds (other brands) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:28:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Lisa on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408993 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:52:14 +0000 Lisa 2408993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My latest brands/stores over the past few years has been: <ul> <li>Nordstrom (especially for Rails, Paige, Caslon, and Zella)</li> <li>Jockey (lounge and sleepwear)</li> <li>JCrew (I really like their linen and chino shorts, also tees for layering)</li> <li>WHBM (for workwear)</li> <li>Madewell (denim)</li> <li>Life is Good (graphic tees and fleece sweats)</li> <li>Lucky Brand (recently added denim for spring)</li> <li>Ann Taylor (recently added knitwear for spring)</li> <li>Gap (layering solid tees both short and long sleeve, also cotton sweaters)</li> <li>Polo Ralph Lauren (recently added a linen shirt to try out for summer)</li> <li>LL Bean (good outdoor gear)</li> <li>Columbia (good for outdoor gear and fleeces I use for layering during transition seasons)</li> </ul> I've liked Uniqlo in the past for their Heattech for warmth in colder months but haven't shopped their in years. I do not have them in my area. unfrumped on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408983 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:01:54 +0000 unfrumped 2408983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We have an Anthro and I have found some good things there years ago— were some of their most tailored items. I still go in once or twice a year but am mostly just bewildered. I will walk up to something interesting and find it has some twist of length or width or shape of sleeves that just isn’t wearable to me. Brooklyn on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408971 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:51:53 +0000 Brooklyn 2408971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have also purchased from H&M lately. I find their B&M stores a bit overwhelming but I quite enjoy their online experience. I’ve bought tops, a couple of skirts, metallic jeans (!). Recently a corduroy jacket. All natural fibres. My surprise find this year was budget retailer Target. I’ve bought some linen dresses from them, on clearance. Some I converted into skirts. But my favourite retailer is The Iconic (an online aggregator of various brands). They have excellent customer service (free delivery, free exchange, free returns) and a wide range of brands. That gives me access to Allsaints, & Other Stories and Arket. Also mango! Kyle on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408966 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 03:56:45 +0000 Kyle 2408966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Banana Republic has been wowing me this season, and Janet perfectly captured my thoughts about Anthropologie lately, though I still sometimes find interesting denim there. LJP on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408956 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 01:34:22 +0000 LJP 2408956@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh I know I was high on them a few years ago . My store likely doesn’t carry as good a selection as yours - different markets etc -so all I see are the more mainstream designs and lesser quality pieces . Good to hear they are no longer as problematic as they once were and wow - I have no recollection of those jeans and wish I still owned them ! Carla on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408953 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:21:59 +0000 Carla 2408953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @ LJP - it’s funny what you wrote about Joe Fresh.  It was a post by you 3 years ago that brought them to my attention.  You had bought a pair of really cute jeans that I wanted to replicate.  Cropped with a slight flare to the leg and patch pocket on the front. (See pic #1 below)  I understand that Joe Fresh has done some work to redeem themselves in the past 12-13 years since the factory collapse in Bangladesh.  Just one article: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.oxfam.ca/story/rana-plaza-eleven-years-on-what-has-changed/">https://www.oxfam.ca/story/ran.....s-changed/</a> Also, they have been collaborating with George Brown College on some sustainability research since 2019, and get extra points for being size inclusive. <div> </div><div>The  sweaters I like so much are 55% cotton, 3% cashmere, 17% rayon, and 25% nylon.  They have a good selection of cotton, and cotton blend garments as well.  The trench (pic below) is 97% cotton outer shell.  Denim and cargo pants are also cotton, or a high % of same.  They also have a line of linen garments. </div><div> </div><div>I agree they are considered fast fashion, but if I’m getting 60+ wears from a cotton sweater, I consider that reasonably sustainable.</div> LJP on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408951 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:34:06 +0000 LJP 2408951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I knew that was for my benefit JAileen on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408946 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:18:33 +0000 JAileen 2408946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lisa, I wrote that just for you! I still haven’t been down there to check out Dillard’s since Angie wrote about it.  I just don’t drive much.  My car is 8 years old and just ticked over 20,000 miles. LJP on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408942 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:06:34 +0000 LJP 2408942@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JAileen - do you have water and electricity out there in the boondocks?  Cars? Or not quite yet? JAileen on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408941 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:52:02 +0000 JAileen 2408941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You all know we have a Dillard’s, but at the mall that is so far away (8 miles).  That mall just got an Anthropologie.  I’ve been intrigued by them for years, and the interesting (weird?) things they carry.  I’ve never bought anything there.  Otherwise, we don’t have anything you all have mentioned.  Hence the forced online shopping, mostly Macy’s and Nordstrom. LJP on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408935 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:24:58 +0000 LJP 2408935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla - unfortunately the Joe Fresh line has a problematic manufacturing history . Not sure how much has changed , but I haven’t purchased anything now in a couple of years. It’s all synthetic blends now anyways -at least in the Superstore I do my grocery shopping at . As to Carla’s point about “ other “ fab finds ( H&M , Zara etc are nothing new to any of us at this point ) , I’ve had pleasant success with Quince this spring . It’s new to the Canadian market . Quality is very good and prices are pretty amazing . kkards on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408933 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:48:23 +0000 kkards 2408933@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ shout out to levi's barrel leg jeans. if you want to try this shiloute but dont want something to "out there" i highly recommend these  RobinF on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408919 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:40:40 +0000 RobinF 2408919@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Unfortunately the only one of these stores we have locally is H&M and I don't seem to have a lot of luck there. I think the fits just don't work for me. Or maybe it is just that the layout is uninspiring because I also rarely try anything on there. I have bought online from Uniqlo and Zara but find the websites make it hard to tell what the clothes actually look like so it is rare. I drool over COS and Massimo Dutti but have never bought.  I wandered around Antho last weekend but the only things I liked were more expensive than I am willing to spend. Also wandered around Nordstrom Rack but with DH not a lot of time so didn't purchase. I did recently get a new dress for a baby shower from Loft. It doesn't get a lot of love here and I agree they aren't always cutting edge of design, but this is a fairly substantial weight cotton eyelet dress, fully lined and in a petite. I think it will be a nice dress for spring occasions. Jenni NZ on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408906 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:24:29 +0000 Jenni NZ 2408906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We have Zara, H&M, and COS here. I don’t usually frequent them much, Zara is difficult to get to as only one store in Auckland and it’s quite a long drive for me. I looked in the other two earlier this month in our downtown area. The prices seem high in COS and the oversized look is not my style but the quality looked great. To Jaime’s point, isn’t Massimo Dutti the sort of upgraded Zara (same owner) and COS the sort of upgraded H&M (same owner)? So you would expect the quality to be a bit higher? Because I am a B&M shopper I don’t look at things I can’t easily try in store. Jaime on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408898 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:15:01 +0000 Jaime 2408898@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So assessing by the second hand wear test (i.e. how sellable they are once they are donated), I would say that Gap, Uniqlo and Levis especially are the winners.  It is true that 100% polyester does stand up, but it is usually (not always!) very poorly made so the stitching comes apart, the prints look cheap, etc.  Generally speaking, Massimo and COS look like they are made to a higher standard than Zara and H&M.  Janet on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408897 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:12:48 +0000 Janet 2408897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m a little bit excited that my local mall is getting a Uniqlo this year — I don’t have a lot from there, but the items I have gotten from them are really good. I cruised through Anthro today after picking up a prescription across the street and could not relate to anything in there, which is unusual but becoming more frequent. Puffed sleeves on everything, tiers and ruffles and spaghetti straps. Ugh ugh ugh. Not my thing. Very fitted, super cropped, or floppy tops. Maybe it was just this location but I was completely uninspired. My best luck is still with Nordstrom (mostly online) and local boutiques that carry brands like Rag & Bone, COH, etc. Athleta gets a fair amount of my shopping dollars too. Single-brand b&m stores have dwindled around here, except for places like Gap and Old Navy, where I rarely purchase anything. I haven’t seen much interesting in the mall shops here — Zara, H&M, Macys, etc. The nearest BR is over a half hour away and didn’t have a lot of selection last time I was there. Irina on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408892 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:16:31 +0000 Irina 2408892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’ve been occasionally buying from H&M for a few years. And I’ve been more successful with them than Zara or Gap. <div>I go to only one Winners now and still find amazing stuff there. Just bought two pairs of Massimo Dutti shoes for $49.99 each. </div> Suz on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408891 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:04:37 +0000 Suz 2408891@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla, I've been pleasantly impressed with H&M  for some items, too. The store back in Kingston was always a complete mess and quality was dreadful. But the one here in Victoria is better, the service is good, and my sense is that overall quality has improved. Also, they get good marks on environmental consciousness. If you hit it on the right day, the denim items are excellent value. I got jorts there last year. I still like my Zara jorts better, but these were a nice addition in a lighter wash.  Isn't your fab charcoal winter coat from Mango?  I still shop at Zara. In store service is irrelevant to me because I order online and they are good at delivery/ returns.  I could not agree more with you about Winner's. I have stopped stopping in there!  But I'm also shopping at Simon's. Again, online.  Angie on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408890 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:54:39 +0000 Angie 2408890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you, Carla! Good info. A HUGE H&M just opened in Seattle - it's in an old JC Penny location so that's how big it is - and I thought the quality of their woven items was good too. Extremely affordable.  This faux WASAHABLE suede jacket is gorgeous! FULLY lined, and $55. (Find below). As I mentioned in my BIG Seattle mall thread last month... <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-lots-of-mall-shopping">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....l-shopping</a> Shoutout to these retailers:  <ul> <li>COS - EVERY item is absolutely stunning. </li> <li>Banana Republic - SO MUCH awesome newness! Best "comeback" store in the US. </li> <li>Mango - very affordable on trend fabness! And outstanding service.</li> <li>Zara - affordable spunky fashion forward fabness! Terrible service. </li> <li>Uniqlo - lots of fab essentials and some fashion forward bottoms.</li> <li>Nordstrom - very good jeans, petites, shoes, and Ralph Lauren items. Lots of way, way too expensive items - which was off putting. </li> <li>Anthropologie - great petites, and all sorts of pretty flouncy looks. More affordable. </li> <li>Levi's - truly, an incredible denim store. A gender-neutral and size diversity leader, AND affordable. Old school denim with no stretch. YES!! Great Japanese denim too. The SA's know their stuff</li> <li>Ralph Lauren - everything! Just. So. Good. At what they do. </li> </ul> And of course, DILLARDS. (But they are not in Seattle). Carla on "Fab Finds (other brands)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fab-finds-other-brands#post-2408887 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:13:54 +0000 Carla 2408887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As Angie noted in the blog post highlighting the brand Mango, prices for garments (and footwear, and bags) has really gone up in the past year +/-.  Like her I’ve been throwing my net a little wider, and visited some retailers I’ve not previously shopped.  <div> </div><div>I’d like to give a shout out to H&M.  I’m really happy with the denim I bought there.  100% cotton (including some recycled).  A nice weight, no dye transfer and minimal shrinkage (washed twice).  An almost unbelievable price point.  There seems to be a good through line with their winter-to-spring slightly Scandi fashion story,  and good merchandising in the store I visited.  I liked it much better than the Gap or Old Navy. Uniqlo is not new, but they are getting a portion of my clothing budget every year, and are usually the place I go to first when visiting a mall.  </div><div> </div><div>La Vie en Rose is a Canadian lingerie store that carries bathing suits.  The are the talk of the locker room amongst the more casual exercisers and therapy pool users ‘of a certain age’.  When I struck out at Bikini Village  I checked out La Vie, and scored a great vacation bikini at a reasonable price.  I will keep them on my radar when next I need a lingerie refresh. </div><div> </div><div>A Canadian grocery store chain called Joe Fresh has been a surprising source for decent quality at very reasonable prices.  I’m a fan of their cash-cotton sweaters.  At 3% cashmere, that’s stretching credibility, however the crew neck neck (and turtleneck) sweaters are great classic style transitional season tops that wear well (around 60 wears)  come in a variety of colours, and are under $30 CAD. Though I still check out Winners, their fashion items have been a real disappointment lately.  You used to find good leather footwear, but now everything seems to be made of plastic.  The store I have access to seems to have less hidden treasures, and more cheaply made synthetic  stuff.  Housewares (Homesense) is still good, but women’s fashion - not so much. How are you feeling about the ‘mall brands’ or other clothing retailers?  Do you have any ‘ride or die’ brands?  Are you checking out different shops or discovering new designers?  Who looks interesting to you going into the next season?  Where are you spending your fashion $$’s?</div><div> </div>