https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:12:15 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing/page/2#post-2331194 Wed, 19 Jul 2023 20:25:33 +0000 Sal 2331194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The international luxury brands do seem more prevalent - Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel etc. and even the next tier such as Michael Kors.</p> <p>In the most part I don’t find their offerings to my aesthetic - which is good. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing/page/2#post-2331193 Wed, 19 Jul 2023 20:16:41 +0000 Kyle 2331193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is interesting. The best mall in Arizona has stopped renewing leases for mid-range retailers such as AnnTaylor, BR, J Crew, etc. They are focusing more on luxury brands, apparently.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing/page/2#post-2331191 Wed, 19 Jul 2023 20:13:15 +0000 Sal 2331191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks all - some great comments here.</p> <p>I agree La Ped - the vibe and mood has shifted away from the classic office attire. And towards active wear/ gear. I see people wearing long cotton tiered dresses to work - or slouchy elevated joggers - not pencil skirts and shirts. I also rarely buy in that category either so I should not be surprised that when I do it’s not well stocked or appealing.</p> <p>I also agree (Suz and Angie) that quality long lasting pieces can be found in fast fashion retailers. In the past I had success at The warehouse and Glassons here - but not so much lately. </p> <p>I like Veronika Maine a lot - I am a bit wary of buying tailored pieces online due to the risk of fit issues. But I am going to Christchurch in a few weeks where they have a store so I think that’s probably the best option for me for a suit. It’s pricey so I need to be certain which is not a bad thing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing/page/2#post-2331134 Wed, 19 Jul 2023 13:50:38 +0000 Angie 2331134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hope that potential perfect puffer works out for you, <b>Brooklyn</b>!&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm nodding along with <b>Suz </b>and <b>La Ped :)</b></p> <p>My Zara items last a long time too. They are also anything but fast for me, somehow. And produce a lot more sustainably than they are given credit for. I did well with Zara this year. Lots of natural fibres.&nbsp;</p> <p><u>Some Middle Retailer CURRENT Impressions:</u></p> <p>Personally, I'm loving J.Crew post Jenna Lyon. They are doing a stellar job this year and earned my fashion dollar (clients are enjoying them too). I LOVE their colours.</p> <p>BR is off my radar. Their new "earthy utility" look is not my look. Some clients like it!</p> <p>Madewell and Club Monaco are great - but only if you like their palettes, which 99% of the time does not mesh with my style :(</p> <p>Everlane is always worth a look. Again, the palette has to work for you.&nbsp;</p> <p>LOVE Boden and can always find something fabulous, and get a good discount. Excellent colours for my style. Lots of "clean, crisp and pretty", which I fancy! Case in point, four new Boden items earned a place in my wardrobe this year. All working extremely well - especially the dress:</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2331125 Wed, 19 Jul 2023 11:27:52 +0000 LaPed 2331125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love that puffer jacket, Brooklyn!!</p> <p>Some more thoughts, based on my peers and locale --</p> <p>Folks my age (30s - 40s) still rely on mid-range brands (esp Talbots, J Crew, and Loft) for workwear, but we need a lot less of this than in the past. Many have moved to full or part-time WFH, and most of us have a core wardrobe already built up so we don't add loads of new items at a time from those midrange brands. Conversely, most of us have kids and/or hobbies that give our casual and athletic clothes a work out. Most of us are willing to spend as much as or more on high-quality activewear (think Lululemon for the gym, Patagonia for the outdoors) compared to work attire, and from a CPW perspective this makes sense.&nbsp;</p> <p>Folks in their 20s and entering the workforce seem less likely than previous generations to buy into the idea that they need to "invest" in a career wardrobe, so they're not putting a big chunk of their budget into those midrange brands which used to feel like such a rite-of-passage into adulthood. Again, remote work/school is a factor. I think anyone whose college or high school years took place during the pandemic has a different relationship to getting dressed, public/private(/virtual!), and also just different priorities when it comes to budgeting.</p> <p>Another factor is online shopping; it is much easier to achieve a mid-range price with a direct-to-consumer model and minimal brick-and-mortar presence. I've ended up with<i> a lot</i> of Everlane over the past decade (it's more or less taken the place of J Crew and the Gap brands for me) because the price:quality ratio is by and large better IME. Also sort of a "gateway drug" for shopping other, smaller direct-to-consumer labels online too.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2331095 Wed, 19 Jul 2023 03:29:42 +0000 Suz 2331095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What I've noticed here in Canada is that the "middle" has become more expensive and so -- it still exists, but it's a tougher reach for those of us who are not working corporate jobs (or independently wealthy). Stalking sales can help (but then your size is often gone). What used to be affordable to me on a teacher's salary is no longer affordable unless I can get it on sale.&nbsp;</p> <p>Having said that, some so-called fast fashion proves anything but fast, for me. I have Zara items that have lasted years. Meanwhile, some of the so-called middle ground retailers have failed me at times. J. Crew used to be pretty consistently good quality -- now it is mixed. BR was good, then bad, and now seems to be improving (though the prices are higher, too.)&nbsp;</p> <p>For me, denim is a high and low situation. I will pay a lot for jeans I love (not 400 CAD, but 200 or so.) I will also pay a little, because I often find ones that work on sale at Gap and Old Navy ($70 to $27). Because of the missing middle, I'm more likely to go high on some types of item (jeans, footwear, coats) and low on others that matter to me less.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2331092 Wed, 19 Jul 2023 03:10:31 +0000 birdie99 2331092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Blue Illusion is great. I often buy my mum items from there (she’s a very stylish older lady) and the styles and quality are excellent. I love their accessories too - scarves and necklaces are original and last a long time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2331057 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:01:46 +0000 Sal 2331057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Witchery has closed in one mall here - Forever New is moving in. Max also closed in the last 12 months - and the Country Road is not a good store - it has a very small range. The growth here is in nail salons, makeup stores, sneakers and H&amp;M and Zara etc.</p> <p>Thanks for the comments and reflections. I think the current exchange rate is not helping - but I think the middle ground is probably affected by the inflation, move to more sports gear, move away from office attire.</p> <p>I have been mostly purchasing at a higher price point than I used to - or thrifting/ second hand shopping. It just crystallised in me when I went to the mall and saw the changes - and how I felt about what was on offer.</p> <p>I have a good base or clothing - must be very hard for people trying to build a wardrobe on a moderate budget.</p> <p>Personal priorities do come into play - I feel like bags and sports gear and shoes get the most wear so these are priorities. </p> <p>I do want to support local - there are some lovely boutiques in my city and towns near by luckily. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2331007 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 11:01:21 +0000 Star (Lise) 2331007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That jacket is very you Brooklyn! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2331003 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 10:29:12 +0000 Jenni NZ 2331003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh wow Brooklyn that’s one gorgeous jacket. Perfect match for your green beads too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2331002 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 10:27:23 +0000 Brooklyn 2331002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni, my only Blue Illusion purchase, until last week, was a set of green beads (which I love). </p> <p>Last week I ordered a puffer jacket from them. I haven’t received it yet. I’m not usually attracted to puffer jackets but the pattern really spoke to me. So I hope the quality is good! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330999 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 10:16:02 +0000 Jenni NZ 2330999@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Further to that, I just Googled Witchery stores in Auckland. Our population is 1.4 million as of last year and there are now precisely 2 Witchery stores for that large number. The local one had been very close to me and now I would have to travel over our Harbour Bridge </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330996 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 09:41:49 +0000 Jenni NZ 2330996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Australians: what level of quality do you think Blue Illusion is? I got my new floral dress for the wedding I attended in Canada there, Black Friday sale last November. It’s floaty viscose. Quality seems reasonable. As good as Witchery??<br /> I have a store near me and there was a Witchery store too which has just (for no apparent reason) closed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330986 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 04:51:30 +0000 birdie99 2330986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks!! Agree Oroton is amazing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330984 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 03:44:53 +0000 Bijou 2330984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>@birdie99</b> - if you are looking for well-made leather bags I recommend Oroton. I bought a fab bag in the current sale as a gift for my sister and it was just under A$200 - the quality is stunning. I also like Quay for sunglasses, which you can get for under A$100. Whilst these are not inexpensive prices, I consider them to be quality without designer label pricing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330979 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 03:31:48 +0000 Jaime 2330979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question. I honestly don't know - I have luxury taste on a thrifter's budget. And strangely the brands that I come across that are not luxury but not terrible quality tend to be the upscale "sisters" of fast fashion behemoths: COS and Massimo Dutti.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330955 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 22:26:35 +0000 birdie99 2330955@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi, I completely agree about the proliferation of the luxury bags and asked about this on the forum last year! </p> <p>I don’t understand the disconnect between all the media about increasing cost of living pressures and what I see when I am out and about. Anyway … each person has their own story so they must be able to afford it. </p> <p>I also agree with you @brooklyn about the good range of middle items in Australia at the moment. Witchery and Country Road/Trenery are great options for decent clothes and I recently bought a lovely dress from Cue for a wedding and it was a good price being on sale. </p> <p>Would love to hear of other brands that are affordable and good quality. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330953 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 21:34:01 +0000 Angie 2330953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MISSING CLASSIQUES ENTIER TOO!!! :(</p> <p>And so do most of my clients.......</p> <p>Don't know WHAT Nordies was thinking getting rid of that absolutely stellar in-house brand.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330945 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 21:03:45 +0000 bj1111 2330945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m with @nuancedream—still missing Classiques as a great “affordable” line with great design elements. </p> <p>@Jenny—likewise with Net-a-Porter. I use to browse for inspiration and file ideas for sale season. Now, there is a sameness to the designer look and eye watering prices.</p> <p>I have tried high end jeans—my faves in fit and color remain old navy and the gap. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330929 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 19:02:07 +0000 nuancedream 2330929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nodding in 100% agreement with suntiger. I don't think I will ever forgive Nordstrom for discontinuing Classiques Entier, a stellar bridge line with well-designed, quality clothing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330889 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 16:13:39 +0000 Angie 2330889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sal,</b> my fast response is that I am nodding along with <b>Brooklyn</b> and <b>Irina.</b></p> <b><br /> </b> <p><b></b>As<b> LJP </b>mentioned<b></b>, in the US we are VERY lucky with pricing, frequent, discounts, and free shipping!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330883 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 15:25:06 +0000 Sisi 2330883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, definitely. I regret the good old times when I could find, for a reasonable price, excellent, high quality clothing (for those who do not know I am in Italy).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330862 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:58:55 +0000 Irina 2330862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that depends on the market. &nbsp;Smaller markets like in Canada, NZ are more affected. Especially if our respective governments choose to protect local retail. If we didn’t have to pay duties here, in Canada, we would have a choice to order from EU, UK and other places.&nbsp;<div>I think in Europe or US one can find more interesting brands in the mid range prices.&nbsp;</div><div>Another point is one’s personal decision on wardrobe priorities. I bought a good pair of running shoes because I want to ensure safety of my injured leg. I would never pay more than $50 for any other athletic gear, it’s not my lifestyle. But I would pay a reasonable (to me) amount of money for a purse from a designer brand I like.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330852 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:18:41 +0000 LJP 2330852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think our Canadian dollar is more in line with yours, Sally, than with the US dollar, so yes, I absolutely agree. &nbsp;Your denim example is exactly what I've been saying here for years. &nbsp;The US dollar allows Americans to buy premium denim at tolerable prices, but in Canada (as in NZ) $400 for Mother or AG or whatever the brand is? &nbsp;Forget it. &nbsp;</p> <p>I'm sure part of it is simply the effect of inflation , but I find it as frustrating as you do. &nbsp;Yes, there are brands/retailers out there offering good middle ground stuff - Massimo Dutti comes to mind - but there sure aren't many of them. I especially find this in footwear too. &nbsp;The really interesting looks are at prices I don't want to pay, or are knocked off but the fast fashion guys often with inferior materials.</p> <p>I could go on and on.....lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330842 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 12:24:44 +0000 LaPed 2330842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've <i>definitely</i> noticed the proliferation of designer bags in every setting, but especially paired with lower-end (often athleisure) outfits. It stands out to me because it's more or less the opposite of how I allocate my clothing budget!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330840 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 12:16:52 +0000 Anonymous 2330840@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been buying more from BR in the last couple years, and do a lot of boutique shopping. Even if I had a lot of money, I don't think I'd buy anything really high end. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330839 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 12:03:52 +0000 Brooklyn 2330839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel like there are some good middle ground retailers here, like Witchery, Country Road, Trenery, Saba, Sportscraft, Seed. Cue and Veronika Maine are a little more expensive than that group, but their designs are more interesting too. And lots of smaller middle priced retailers like Bec+Bridge, MoS.</p> <p>I do wonder how they are all doing. Witchery no longer has a flagship store in Pitt St Mall, Sydney. In fact, there are few clothing retailers there now. It’s mostly the big cheaper internationals (Zara, H&amp;M), sports stores, make up stores and jewellery stores.</p> <p>I went shopping in the city last week and I was very uninspired. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330838 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 11:43:45 +0000 Sal 2330838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes I do think quality is dropping across the price levels. And department stores are struggling- many of them anyway.</p> <p>It could be my age too. I went to a local suburban mall yesterday to find teo of my favourites had closed to be replaced by a teenage store and another nail salon. Maybe I am not the target market? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330837 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 11:36:51 +0000 Dee 2330837@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not even sure what the middle ground is anymore, as so much of what's out there now all seems fast fashion.<br /> The quality of production has drastically changed over the last decade with so many of these brands, that I have to agree Sal, there doesn't appear to be much of a real middle ground anymore. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-middle-ground-disappearing-in-clothes-retailing#post-2330835 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 10:57:16 +0000 Jules 2330835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it might be particularly true for denim and blazers - just based on my own attempts to shop better quality local brands, those two items are not well represented. Maybe a matter of economies of scale. For bigger brands I think Banana Republic is trying to fill that space currently. Subjectively I feel their prices have gone up while the Gap and Old Navy stay about the same. On the other end Nordstroms of course just exited Canada maybe partially on the basis that the market for luxury brands just isn’t what they expected. Just some disjointed thoughts. </p>