https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:06:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336862 Tue, 29 Aug 2023 15:09:37 +0000 Zaeobi 2336862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@quietloud<br /> That's the problem - maybe I'm a cynic, but I doubt that the sweatshop workers are benefitting much from these price hikes... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336848 Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:26:09 +0000 quietloud 2336848@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree about prices,&nbsp;<b>Sal</b>! As someone who sews I really feel for those working in the garment industry who are not paid fairly. Sewing is HARD LABOUR! I think we've gotten too used to seeing low priced clothing that doesn't reflect the true cost of a garment, so I think raising the prices is a healthy development. Of course, one can only hope that the extra money is going where it should... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336835 Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:20:15 +0000 Zaeobi 2336835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Even living somewhere with big fancy malls (like HK) I've still been doing 95%+ of my shopping online since before COVID - my size usually isn't available in-store unless it's a western fast fashion brand (looking at you, Zara - I've consistently had good luck there over the past few seasons, but their prices are still increasing, even over here). I've paid for shipping and returns even before COVID, due to my geographical location but also buying a fair bit of secondhand &amp; vintage. </p> <p>The UK's prices are even more alarming though - I tried checking TK Maxx when I was last back home (TJ Maxx in the USA) but their clothes have definitely gotten pricier (some bargains still to be found in other departments, but not many). So I bought just some secondhand clothing &amp; small boutique accessories on this trip - most of my purchases otherwise were on things like toiletries and kitchenware (still more expensive in Hong Kong, with or without COVID). </p> <p>If only I could access Banana Republic, though! Their 'new' (old) earthy palette of deep &amp; rich shades is perfect for this Dark Autumn - just not the prices! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336786 Tue, 29 Aug 2023 02:12:20 +0000 Sal 2336786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do get the prices - if you think of sewing a blouse or dress or making a sweater, and factor in a couple of hours of labour plus materials plus shipping and marketing and etc etc it feels surprising to me that garments can be sold for $50!!&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336758 Mon, 28 Aug 2023 19:26:32 +0000 Dana 2336758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also...when retailers force us to shop online (because the merch just isn't in the stores,) we're the ones absorbing the costs. We might order 2 sizes because we're just not sure about the sizes. </p> <p>Right there, you're tying up your credit. Then whether you buy 2 sizes or not and it doesn't fit or you don't like it, you have to take the time to package it up, drive to mail it, drive home, etc. I could go on and on.&nbsp;</p> <p>Then there's the fact that there's no one to help you style the garment. Sure some stores have examples of how to style the garment on the page, but they're either terrible or&nbsp; the pieces aren't in your price range. So I think a lot of women will buy but never wear, because they don't know how to wear it...and I know women who won't take the time to do the return...which behooves the retailer, because that woman will shop because she feels like she needs something new.&nbsp;</p> <p>Argh!!!!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336755 Mon, 28 Aug 2023 19:17:55 +0000 Dana 2336755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Much much much less stock in brick and mortar!! I kind of feel like the really good merchandise is on line. Bums me out because I like shopping IRL and get more satisfaction from bringing a shopping bag home in my car than from opening my front door and picking up the package!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336660 Mon, 28 Aug 2023 05:57:58 +0000 Sally 2336660@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It seems more and more people shop online or in malls these days here.&nbsp; It is so disappointing to go to our down town area as it is losing all its shops.&nbsp; &nbsp;I very rarely go to a mall apart from the local outlet centre.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336470 Sun, 27 Aug 2023 01:27:52 +0000 Debbie 2336470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am late but downtown is still busy here. It’s a tourist destination situated pretty close to the border and that drives downtown. </p> <p>The malls vary. The one by my house is always busy an seems to be thriving. I don’t go much anymore because there just seems to be a lack of stock. One interesting fact about the mall is that Zara is coming in there in a big way. They have rented space from one hallway to the next. The store is going to to be huge. It is suppose to open this fall and I am hopeful that it will be a place for me to brick and mortar shop. </p> <p>BR has been my go to for pants for awhile. I bought a pair of cream colored ones over the summer and love them. I am not seeing much at the moment but will keep checking. They do seem to be going back to there unaffordable roots.</p> <p>Prices are outrageous. I just don’t get it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336404 Sat, 26 Aug 2023 13:31:16 +0000 cat2 2336404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa: Thanks for the data point. My Aquitalias were on sale for about USD $ 119 with California state tax included, and available with free shipping and returns. So at the high end of what I spend, and my usual Cole Haans on sale are about $ 50. $ 500 is mind boggling, and I can see why online shopping is discouraging. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336349 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 23:16:05 +0000 Angie 2336349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>quietloud,</b> thanks for explaining. I understand that the temptation and motivation strikes when things are at arms length, and easy to return :)&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Anchie,</b> downtown is the same as the old and new city centre. There is no difference here. It's one in the same.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336341 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 21:55:35 +0000 anchie 2336341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Banana Republic is not available here any more, they even closed their online shop. Last time I bought something from them was I think 2020. </p> <p>I have a silly questions, but what is Down Town? Is that like old city center with shops, restaurants, museums, theaters and tourists or is it new part of town with high rises, conference centers and offices buildings, also some shops and restaurants but for office workers instead of tourists? </p> <p>City center here is bustling, lot of busy shops from high end designer and fast fashion chains to quirky boutiques. Department stores and malls also fully stocked and busy. Teens still going to malls to socialize, shop and eat. I am almost exclusively online shopper, have been one for almost 15 years, but have been enjoying going shopping to B&amp;M stores with my daughter recently. She always has great success finding cute clothes for herself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336325 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 20:51:06 +0000 Carla 2336325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For US shopping, I stick to LLBean and Lands’ End. &nbsp;I recently bought some linens from the US and they cost a fortune! &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336301 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 18:01:05 +0000 bj1111 2336301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shopping n Canada was limited to bloor st when we used to go to Toronto regularly. But I couldn’t justify the prices even without vat. It was just too expensive.</p> <p>Men’s clothes seemed a better proposition </p> <p>It’s been quite a few years since I shopped high street in Toronto. We were there last summer and the thrift/secondhand scene was booming.</p> <p>Going to Montreal in two weeks. V curious about the shopping and retail environment </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336296 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 17:41:18 +0000 LJP 2336296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We can order from US retailers and brands but it comes with a price : 1 . High exchange rate on our dollar 2 . Shipping is NOT always ( or often ) free 3 . Returns are not usually free . Plus it often takes forever to receive orders . You mentioned Aquatalia flats : they run between $500-$600 a pair here thus are a high - end brand for most of us . Of course everyone has diff levels of disposable income and has diff ideas as to what is high - end or what isn’t . </p> <p>Ordering from the UK or Europe is even less fun . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336291 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 17:33:02 +0000 ophelia 2336291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Still chuckling over the cat’s “chemical soup” comment regarding synthetics. It will stay w/ me forever.<br /> I think it’s that &amp; more; we may eventually find it’s a fabric best not worn next to our skin. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336261 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 14:01:48 +0000 cat2 2336261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How interesting. I have never clothing shopped in Canada. My in person splurges while traveling are in US states with no sales tax on clothing. I just assumed you had access to local, US and UK retailers. I find ordering from the UK risky and expensive; it sounds like you have that as well as similar US expenses? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336241 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 08:24:51 +0000 quietloud 2336241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Angie</b>, that’s a great point about availability in the US vs the rest of the world, and it probably does have something to do with it. For myself though, I wasn’t really thinking in terms of being fashion forward or ahead of the curve so much as developing my own personal style. I mean, I feel like I am less likely to experiment with different things when shopping online because I am less likely to notice them in the first place, as I just tend to seek out more of the things that I already know I like. And of course because of the hassle of returns when things don’t fit. When shopping B&amp;M I was much more likely to try on things just for kicks, and once in a while I’d discover something new that surprised me. Or something like a color or a texture would catch my eye that I never would have considered based on just a photo of the garment. Also when browsing stores with someone else, they might nudge me to try on something that I would never have thought of myself, or I might pop into a new store because of an interesting window display. None of that really happens with online shopping for me. I suppose the difference is B&amp;M is more emotional/intuitive, and online is more analytical, so online shopping has reinforced that side of me. ;)</p> <p>Another thing kind of related to the point about increased prices is I feel like everything I see now is made from recycled polyester and that quality materials are really hard to come by. So you’re now paying almost the same for a polyester garment that you previously might have paid for wool or silk. It’s great that they are finding ways of recycling synthetics, but recycled polyester is not less sweaty or itchy to wear than new polyester, so…</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336228 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 02:54:11 +0000 Helena 2336228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa, I had the check I wasn't looking at the Beaverton by accident: <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/grab-a-tissue-while-you-can-kleenex-tissues-to-be-discontinued-in-canada-1.6533598" rel="nofollow">https://www.ctvnews.ca/busines.....-1.6533598</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336226 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 01:59:57 +0000 LJP 2336226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kleenex pulling out of Canada ?? That’s it . I’m done . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336223 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 01:47:32 +0000 Sal 2336223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But - funnily enough - I don't think people in the US are better dressed than those in Canada, Europe or Australia where clothing is more expensive.&nbsp; Or New Zealand.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Forum members of course are all well dressed wherever they are....</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/3#post-2336220 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 01:20:34 +0000 Helena 2336220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And Angie don't forget the extra shipping and return costs ;)</p> <p>Aside, but it demonstrates the point - honestly just learned that Kleenex is pulling their tissues out of Canada. This is actually not a joke ... This is how ridiculous it is getting given our proximity to the US *facepalm* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/2#post-2336218 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 01:01:56 +0000 LJP 2336218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/2#post-2336217 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 00:45:52 +0000 Angie 2336217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see both sides!&nbsp;</p> <p>Like <b>UmmLila </b>and <b>cat2,</b>&nbsp;personally,<b>&nbsp;</b>I feel that I am ahead of the curve mostly shopping online the last five years, and get my preferred lower price points and exactly what I want that way. I think that's because <i>we are in the US</i>. <b>&nbsp;LJP </b>and <b>Helena</b> are in Canada and have comparatively far fewer retail options, and far fewer discounted opportunities. Maybe <b>queitloud</b> is in a similar boat.&nbsp;</p> <p></p> <p>Does that sound right?</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/2#post-2336216 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 00:23:56 +0000 cat2 2336216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m with UmmLila; with online shopping you can almost always find a version of what you want at your price point, earlier than if you waited for a local store to decide to purchase, and then receive and merchandise it. My Aquitalia Mary Janes are from 2020, when I saw versions at a higher price point, and my snip toe ballet flats are from last Fall. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/2#post-2336215 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 00:20:59 +0000 Barbara Diane 2336215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The upscale suburban malls near me are doing very well. The “regular” mall is sad and empty. Downtown stores are closing in the big city but neighborhood stores are flourishing.</p> <p>I am lucky to have 2 stores nearby that work for me and more choices within an hour or so.</p> <p>I still have challenges finding what I want. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/2#post-2336211 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 23:28:49 +0000 LJP 2336211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa : Celine has some that Keep it Chic posted about the other day . I think you’re finding better / more fashion forward things earlier and on line because you’re buying at a higher level . Maryjane flats and squarer toed ballet flats have only filtered down to the lower price points in the last few months and haven’t appeared anywhere here yet at retail where I can actually try them on . I know Everlane has had interesting flats for a few years now but that’s a take-a-chance and order proposition . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/2#post-2336209 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 23:17:07 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2336209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually think I’m ahead of the curve by mostly going with online shopping. For example, I picked up maryjanes and ballet flats last fall, when I saw that bubbling up. </p> <p>It’s so different from the old, wander around the mall or department store and touch and try things model.</p> <p> I follow various people and sites online and when I see an idea that’s appealing, I look around for a version that suits me. Anyone who’s got a line on motorcycle boots with gold hardware, lmk </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/2#post-2336201 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 21:40:54 +0000 Karie 2336201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, our malls are beginning to look like ghost towns. My local J Crew closed so they’re on line only shopping for me now, as are most other stores. The exception is Macy’s - they have two big stores in my area and both seem to be doing OK.<br /> I haven’t been in BR in a long time - in fact, I don’t even know if their store is still open in my local mall. I don’t know if Athleta is still in the mall either - they never have what I’m looking for so I don’t bother going, I just order online. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/2#post-2336195 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 19:27:37 +0000 Helena 2336195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>quietloud/LJP, that is SUCH a good point ... back in the day, I used to go out to retail when the seasons change to look at the mannequins and get the vibe on the season ... with online shopping and also the ridiculous number of "seasons" now, this no longer works. </p> <p>So it's either:<br />a) try to keep up with all the changes/influencers/trends/fads, etc. resulting in either boring things that have been done to death because every bloody one of them is selling the same thing, or else complete confusion ...<br />b) go to a completely "personal style" model that sometimes leaves me feeling less than fab because I do like to be reasonably current and in tune with what's what in the current moment</p> <p>... fortunately YLF is a great c) with a combination of both of these under Angie's wise guidance ... but the struggle is real!! (exaggerating for humour's sake, but really, it was much easier before, I don't think that's me idealizing the past ...) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-random-retail-thoughts/page/2#post-2336194 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 19:21:01 +0000 Sal 2336194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Retail is mostly struggling here too with a few exceptions. The Mecca and Sephora seem to be thriving and sneaker stores too.</p> <p>As many have said the in store ranges are smaller so going in can be fruitless. </p> <p>I prefer independent stores or boutiques for most things with a smattering of online chain stores. </p>