YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Nordstrom Calgary

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Nordstrom Calgary https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 26 May 2026 17:50:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448517 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 04:24:38 +0000 Anonymous 1448517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ runcarla - I'd LOVE to work at Harry Rosen.  I have toyed with the idea over the years as a part-time gig.  We actually have one here in Wpg that is quite a nice shop. Helping women would make me nuts, but men?  I'd love it.  What on earth would I wear to work every day though??  Now you have me thinking.... jackiec on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448471 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 03:07:25 +0000 jackiec 1448471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lisa - too funny about the sweater - and I TOTALLY do that too - just for the sake of buying something sometimes. Too bad it feels a bit short. That's the bane of my existence with my long torso. When I was in Nordstrom in Las Vegas last year the SA was outstanding; she brought so many different things to try on, made suggestions, and went out of her way to help a group of us girls when we were pushing closing time. I was so impressed.  I've even toyed with the idea of applying to work at the Vcr store...but I'm pretty sure whatever I made would get turned right back into clothing....that and I'm an accountant not a sales person Carla on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448467 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 02:59:41 +0000 Carla 1448467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, the Bay in TO is the BOMB for footwear! LOL! My favourite place to shop, though, is the flagship Harry Rosen! Gaylene on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448461 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 02:42:25 +0000 Gaylene 1448461@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was in the Calgary Nordstrom the day after it opened and was hugely impressed by the sales associates. They were run off their feet, but were still very attentive and available. That, to me, was the biggest difference between their store and the Bay. The two stores carried many of the same lines, but were worlds apart in service. One of my DILs is a huge fan of Holts on Bloor for the same reason--excellent service even if you aren't buying anything more than a tube of lipstick. The SAs at the cosmetic counters are really good at handing out fistfuls of free samples if you stop and chat a bit. My husband gets a chair and bottle of water--and lots of attention from the SAs--so he never minds when I pop in for a few minutes. And that doorman is a sweetie! Dee on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448449 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 02:27:11 +0000 Dee 1448449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The Calgary Nordstrom opened a few weeks before I moved away but I loved it. My only issue was that the petites were mixed into their respective brands on the floor, so there was no way to know if they carried petities for a particular branch without checking each one individually. Suz on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448436 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 02:13:14 +0000 Suz 1448436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I LOVE the doorman at Bloor. LOVE!!! He is such a sweetie. (He has also been there forever.)  Elizabeth, you can just sail in there and enjoy. There is no reason in the world to be intimidated. With your YLF knowledge you probably put some of the sales associates to shame. And I've actually found they are usually quite all right with browsers.  Oh, and Holt's has house brands, too -- I just remembered that I bought a gorgeous house brand winter coat from them in the 90s. Ironically, it would be PERFECT now, but I donated it....a cocoon style pea coat!  Anonymous on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448429 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 02:07:39 +0000 Anonymous 1448429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Elizabeth - just visualize a bunch of exploding sheep and you'll be fine  The doorman on Bloor is a real gentleman too.  Makes us all feel welcome.  cheryle (Dianthus) on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448420 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 02:02:56 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1448420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I may have to check out the Ottawa store.  I am going to be there March 9-12 and should have an evening free. Elizabeth P on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448391 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 01:34:29 +0000 Elizabeth P 1448391@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for that review Lisa.  I'm going to be in Ottawa in April, and am really looking forward to checking out the new Nordstrom there.  Not sure I'll be in buying mode, but I think it will help to get an idea for sizing on some of the brands, maybe.  Or maybe I'll have a small wish list tucked into my back pocket. I tend to get overwhelmed in large stores as well, so we'll see how it goes. Holts intimidates me before I get more than 10m inside.  Then I turn around and leave. Anonymous on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448389 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 01:19:38 +0000 Anonymous 1448389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz - yes, it's quite something.  You know, lucky for me, I get overwhelmed by so much beauty and choice that I end up buying nothing in huge departments like that. I just can't handle it.  I know it would be different if I lived in Toronto and saw it often enough to get to know where everything was and what was there, but a once-in-awhile browse is sensory overload.  Suz on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448387 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 01:14:45 +0000 Suz 1448387@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lisa, have you seen the shoe department of the flagship Bay (the old Simpson's) in Toronto? It's incredible.   Suz on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448386 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 01:13:29 +0000 Suz 1448386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ohhh...this is so exciting. Marilyn, I got the invite to the Nordie's in Ottawa opening, also. Sadly, I can't go on March 6th. But I hope to make a trip up there ASAP. Can't WAIT!!  I agree that Holts and Nordstrom's are quite different. I love Holts, but in my case, it's almost exclusively for browsing, not buying. I think the last time I actually made a purchase there for anything more expensive than cosmetics or hose was in the 80s when I was a student! (I found something on sale that I loved and could afford.)  Does anyone remember Creeds in Toronto? I used to shop there, too. Or I mean, I used to BROWSE there. ;) I have only been to one Nordstrom's. It was gorgeous! Not a Holt's experience. Something quite different. There is more of a mix, but the mix skews much higher end than most Canadian department stores. The old Simpson's used to be a bit like this, many, many years ago. They were a class act. It was much more "old old" and not so designer/ fashion but the service and the experience were similar. They remembered their customers and paid attention to detail.  Anonymous on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448380 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 01:03:15 +0000 Anonymous 1448380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Winnipeg lost Holt's too ,  quite a few years ago - and have only had a cosmetics boutique and personal shopping salon since.  I remember knowing why the Ottawa one closed, but forget now.  Let's face it: retail is a tough game.  I think The Bay is the one who has to watch the Nordstrom growth closely - that would be their biggest competition.   Jenava on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448378 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:58:57 +0000 Jenava 1448378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm not a Nordies employee any longer, but I can attest that they wanted to avoid direct competition with Holt so they are not emphasizing designer stuff in CA.  Besides, I think Holt may have some exclusive rights to selling some designers in the area Nordies is going into. Marilyn on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448370 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:43:55 +0000 Marilyn 1448370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've never been in a Holt Renfrew either.  I always thought about going but I don't have a high end budget.....more like champagne taste on a beer budget.   The Holts in Ottawa just closed in January after 78 years.  They had various excuses for the departure but the announcement came very soon after Nordstrom announced it was entering Canada so I think the competition had a lot to do with it.  It will be interesting to see how they fare over the next few years. Lisa....That's interesting about JC.  Didn't know that.  Anonymous on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448358 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:27:21 +0000 Anonymous 1448358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ jackie - that sweater?  the colour is indeed nice, but I usually don't go for those sweaters with fake blouses attached and I have no idea why I decided this one was ok. It's not really me - a little too pretty looking.  I put it on for work the next day, then pulled it back off and stuffed into my suitcase.  It's also kind of shortish on me - which serves me right for not trying it on. I would have gone to more trouble buying and trying it on had it been more expensive. I think I felt the need to buy something - I can be an idiot that way. Anonymous on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448355 Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:24:39 +0000 Anonymous 1448355@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie, Annagybe, Holt's is a different animal - at least from what I saw of Nordstrom the other day.  Holt's is pretty strictly high end and designer. There are no house labels other than their own Holt Renfrew label, and even that is pretty high-priced. In other words, nothing like Halogen or Trouve, or Chelsea28.  The only "real" designer line I saw at Nordstrom Calg was Donna Karan whereas Holt's has an entire designer floor.  Holts has lots of denim, which the Calgary Nords did not, oddly.  (Only noticed the Kut  jeans there ).  There is quite a beautiful Holt's in Calgary, so perhaps Nordstrom decided the market was already too covered to try to compete at the designer end  with their smaller square footage.  I really love Holt's - I have been visiting and shopping there since I was in grad school. It's just worth seeing how the clothes of the season are being merchandised and styled.  The whole experience is fantastic (if not slightly depressing - lol) .  Daria on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448334 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 23:38:16 +0000 Daria 1448334@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The only Holt Renfrew I visited was the Montreal one, but being a poor grad student it was like visiting a museum. jackiec on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448330 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 23:31:29 +0000 jackiec 1448330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great report Lisa! I can't wait for the Van one to open in the fall. Strangely enough I never set foot in Holt Renfrew. I just feel so out of place. I am ready for Nordstrom though. So ready....... Hey why don't u like that sweater? I'm loving it, seriously. Juicy colour. annagybe on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448326 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 23:21:50 +0000 annagybe 1448326@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ FYI Not all Nordstorm's are fab, see in Seattle the one at Northgate Mall. When Jenava used to work for their corporate, she said that locale was basically a dumping ground for all people making their returns. A suburb of Seattle, Bellevue has very different stock than the downtown Seattle store. The one way north of Seattle in Lynnwood has very mainstream stuff.  When I visited Canada I like Holt Renfrew in 2006. I got excellent service there at the one in Montreal. It was early summer and I was looking at Burberry hats. The salesperson said they got some new fall ones in wool, not on the floor. She pulled one in my size out of the shipping box from the back for the store. I still have that hat, because it's very hard to find ones to fit my head. Honestly that moment has surpassed every single retail experience I've ever had. Angie on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448319 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 23:17:28 +0000 Angie 1448319@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I REALLY have to go, but when I read that you nearly cried in the footwear dept,  I had to quickly chime in. Glad you had a fun experience.  Btw, Holt Renfrew has plenty fab brands - no?  Anonymous on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448315 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 23:12:34 +0000 Anonymous 1448315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ JCrew retail is usually disappointing. The two Canadian stores I've been in are nothing, and even the one at the Mall of America in Minneapolis is nothing to get excited about. Makes me wonder where exactly all these clothes are? Daria on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448314 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 23:11:52 +0000 Daria 1448314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh wow, I don't follow news as closely as we no longer live in Canada. Interesting how they are starting with Calgary and Ottawa. Sadly Montreal is not even on their radar for now. Marilyn on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448308 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 23:01:56 +0000 Marilyn 1448308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, I've learned to keep a tight rein on my excitement.  I was beside myself when our J Crew opened and was completely under-whelmed when I got there.  Just a sliver of what I see online and really not what I had envisioned.  I was actually kind of crushed that day. Anonymous on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448297 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 22:54:56 +0000 Anonymous 1448297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Marilyn - I wouldn't want to get you too excited - I didn't find the store very big , and each department was pretty tightly edited. Half it is men's, and a bit of kids clothing is there too.   We're not talking tons of merchandise.  I didn't notice a special petite's department, but I wasn't looking for one either.  The Bay store here in Winnipeg is bigger than the Calgary Nordstrom, and has far more clothing in it. (just not as nice) . It is a lovely, lovely, store, and if I were looking  to buy Tory Burch, Vince , or Ted Baker, I'd be excited.  There is a Kate Spade store in Chinook Centre too - and it was cute.  Nordstrom had a ton of Kate Spade accessories , Tory Burch too.   Marilyn on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448296 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 22:54:35 +0000 Marilyn 1448296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A bit of info on the Ottawa opening if anyone is interested.  Apparently I could have attended a gala the evening before for a mere $100.  The "Meet Your Neighbours" page is interesting for anyone in this neck of the woods. <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/ottawa-new-store" rel="nofollow">http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/ottawa-new-store</a> Thistle on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448288 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 22:42:30 +0000 Thistle 1448288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ :) I am excited that we'll be getting a B&M Nordies by Christmas this year! Marilyn on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448287 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 22:40:23 +0000 Marilyn 1448287@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Our Ottawa store opens March 6th.... it's the second one to open in Canada.  I've never been in one so I have no expectations but your post has me excited.  We've also got a Kate Spade coming soon.  My husband has threatened to take away my Visa card. LOL Edit.....Lisa, please tell me they carry a decent amount of petites in store. Anonymous on "Nordstrom Calgary" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nordstrom-calgary#post-1448269 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 22:22:48 +0000 Anonymous 1448269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was in Calgary for a few days earlier this week, and when I landed to sunshine and warmth (a full 22 degree difference from what I left behind that morning) and no snow....I tossed my luggage and coat in my hotel room, and took a cab over to Chinook Centre (the city's premier mall) to check out the new Nordstrom.  I've been in  a few over the years, so knew what they are all about, but was a little leery of what the product and label mix might be (given other chains' inability to bring in certain clothing labels to Canada ) . I was steeling myself to be disappointed, but boy was I wrong!  The store is gorgeous.  A lot smaller than the others I've been in in South Coast Plaza and in Seattle, but most of the labels I love and don't get to see often were fully represented. I was really disappointed by the accessories department. Not much at all in the way of jewellery and bags were strictly very high end - but I did buy a pair of Kate Spade reading glasses, a brand I've had luck with before.  Burberry scarves were under lock and key, which was obnoxious , so I didn't get to look at them carefully. I was prepared to buy one, but not that way.  What I did appreciate was being able to see the Nordstrom house labels , how they were merchandised and where they were located in the store vis a vis other designer and bridge brands.  Getting to see a Halogen and Trouve mini-department helped put what I see here on the forum into better perspective.  I didn't get the sense that Spring was fully stocked yet - there were lots of sale racks, and I wasn't particularly blown away by anything in the lines I can afford. I did love the Vince department though, as that's a line I never get to see in its entirety.  ( The boutique I buy it from only stocks pieces, not the entire collection. )   I was impressed by the Trouve collection  - despite being  very UNimpressed with the first Trouve sweater I ordered on-line.  Good quality for the money.  Halogen didn't do much for me , nor did  the Vince Camuto collection, sadly.   I nearly lay down and cried in the shoe department: it was  that nice. We just do not get this variety in terms of brands and price points in our Canadian department stores.  I didn't even try anything on as I was not prepared to buy, but the selection blows The Bay, and some of the Holt Renfrew stores out of the water for mid-higher priced shoes.   I went in hoping to find a citron or bright blue bag - and found nothing at all in citron.  Funny when these "big" colours don't really show up at retail.  The cosmetics department was very lovely, every single brand I NEVER  get to see (Burberry, Armani, Tom Ford, Diptique) I saw, but it was also very , very cramped and crowded. I experienced a bit of sensory overload and finally had to escape - and this coming from a beauty product freak.   All in all the store was great to see and lovely to shop in. Customer service was decent, and the store was hoppin' busy for a gorgeous spring-like Sunday afternoon. New stores are rolling out this year, and those of you in Vcr, Ottawa and Toronto are in for a treat   p.s. one thing I did find odd was that the prices of things I saw (and for example on the sweater below, that I inexplicably bought, not really liking it) are a lot different in the store than they are on-line for us Canadians. This sweater shows as $50ish on-line and I paid a grand total of $29 Cdn for it (the entire reason I bought it, plus I was tired and hungry) .  Might be worth waiting to get to a b&m rather than ordering on-line.