https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 18 May 2026 17:52:34 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline/page/2#post-1704812 Fri, 29 Jul 2016 05:37:34 +0000 rachylou 1704812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Right, Janet? I swear the last time I saw anyone in St John for real, it was 1985... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1704142 Thu, 28 Jul 2016 05:11:26 +0000 Gigi 1704142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've still been enjoying the Nordstrom in Minneapolis. I'm probably only a 15-minute drive away, but as DonnaF said, the petites' clothing is pretty boring in-store, so I shop mostly online anyway. I really like the feature online where you can see whether the item you want is in-store or not. A very large amount of the time, what I like is not in-store and has to be ordered anyway.</p> <p>Because of their customer service, I always try to order from them if I know that what I am looking for is available at several different locations (like the Urban Decay eye palette that I just bought).</p> <p>Nordstrom is one of the few places that I can get some decent clothing in petite sizes, so I will definitely continue to shop there.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1704134 Thu, 28 Jul 2016 04:31:37 +0000 Janet 1704134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the various stores vary widely -- after seeing the flagship store in Seattle, I know that the ones near me are tiny and very limited in selection. Annapolis in particular (caters to the sort of preppy/conservative crowd). Towson (near Baltimore) is better but nowhere near the Seattle store. </p> <p>And rachy, yes, what's up with the St John? I swear I don't see that many women wearing it in real life. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1704014 Thu, 28 Jul 2016 01:44:34 +0000 DonnaF 1704014@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As a Petite, I find much more available to me online.&nbsp; I can sometimes wear regular shorter skirts and dresses, but I rely on online descriptions to tell me if something is worth ordering.&nbsp; I find it too confusing and a waste of time to traipse from one department to another.&nbsp; And Petites in stores tend to be downright boring.&nbsp; I find the Topshop brand to be a lot more interesting, but many styles are inappropriately young and skimpy.&nbsp; The saving grace of Nordstrom is their alterations.</p> <p>I've bought many a pair of footwear elsewhere (online) and for a cheaper price when Nordstrom has run out of my size.&nbsp; Which means that Nordstrom must be facing a lot of pressure on what used to be their core business due to the proliferation of online shoe sites that seems always to be running sales. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703941 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 23:48:35 +0000 Amy 1703941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn, I'm sure being near the flagship store does color my perception a little bit. Even being this close, I usually shop online, because I'm too impatient to snoop around in person. I like the targeted approach I can take with the website. </p> <p>I *really* dislike Macy's...it's vibe is depressing, the service is abyssmal...and yet, I have managed to find some good things there.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703781 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 20:09:31 +0000 rabbit 1703781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've always had difficulty understanding how any but a small fraction of millennials could afford Nordstrom. &nbsp; I realize Topshop prices are lower (and the design for price ratio tends to be more appealing). &nbsp;Also don't millennials prioritize their spending differently, with more money allocated toward travel and experiences than clothes? &nbsp;It may be different if you are in a profession that requires formal business wear of course. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703736 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 19:24:00 +0000 rachylou 1703736@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I thought I'd say the service is different now. SAs still approach and help and suggest, but it's not quite as ... pleasantly obsequious as it once was, lol. Folks are not quite as refined. Wonderfully friendly, just a little less polished. </p> <p>Also, the store seems a little empty of goods these days. On the other hand, some of the emptiness is artful 'white space.' I like that. I dislike the way Macy's jam-packs the floor with racks.</p> <p>Stoneridge Macy's has gotten better, FYI for Bay Area peeps. But back to service... Macy's doesn't seem to have ANY SAs anymore. Just hard to find temps who work the registers.</p> <p>And not in the same league... my local JCP has the worst manager ever. He's just a nit and the floor people apologize for him. The reality is probably something filtering down from corporate and he's major stressed.</p> <p>And while I'm ranting, lol, Neiman's still has some of the most ridiculous, provincial-in-their-worldliness SAs - altho the shoe people are nice. I don't know how it can afford that approach out west here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703639 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 16:30:06 +0000 Susie 1703639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely remember the pianists, though&nbsp;It's been 10 years since I've lived close enough to a store to shop&nbsp;there regularly.&nbsp;I get the occasional store visit when I travel but most of my Nordstrom shopping is done online. It is still a go-to resource for me, particularly for dresses, shoes, pants and outerwear, but my style is far from cutting edge. </p> <p>I can't comment on Nordstrom's remodeling efforts but I'm not crazy about shopping in any department stores as they tend to feel crowded, or overwhelming, or just too time consuming. While it's nice to see a particular line all together, if I need black pants, it's frustrating to have to go to several different departments to find them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703622 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 16:19:27 +0000 MsMaven 1703622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really missed the pianists from the moment they took them out.</p> <p>As I read through your answers it occurred to me that I may buy more from Nordstrom online than in the stores. Online I usually buy brands I know work for me. Still, I do see things when actually in the store that would have passed over online.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703605 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 15:48:43 +0000 Anonymous 1703605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I dislike department stores because they all sell the same stuff. Nordstrom is different, and I hope it stays that way. Yes, I like to have my wardrobe basics, but I also like unique pieces to add a little spark to my wardrobe. I'm rather new to shopping at Nordstrom, and I only shop online, but so far my experiences with them have all been good. I've never even had to contact Customer Service for anything. Knock on wood! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703592 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 15:14:21 +0000 retailgirl 1703592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Having worked for both Macy's and Nordstrom, I don't think Nordstrom will ever be like Macy's. (Thank goodness!) When I worked at Nordstrom, the edge and the point of difference was the sales people and their commitment to customer service. When we were interviewing for sales people for a new store, the quality of the people who applied was unlike anything I had ever seen in retail. People wanted careers and were serious about CS. Not sure if it's like that now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703588 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 15:01:21 +0000 Anonymous 1703588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn - YES. My first experience with Nordstrom was at South Coast Plaza in Orange County. Back in the day, as it were. Pianists, professional , formal sales people. A truly stunning store. Spoiled me for life, I swear.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703586 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:57:06 +0000 Bonnie 1703586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I still like Nordstroms and hope they don't go the path that Macy's &nbsp;seems to be on. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703580 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:49:58 +0000 Angie 1703580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After shopping at Nordies intimately with countless people and for myself, I have lots to share on this topic - and will do so in a blog post at some point. Personally, I don't think it has anything to do with the remodeling of stores. It's a strategic market shift that I believe has hurt them.</p> <p>That said, their product assortment still works for my own style and the style of my clients - albeit we look a little harder, (and thank heavens for online shopping where the product and size assortment is much wider). And I enjoy their service and return policy very much.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703574 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:32:48 +0000 elpgal 1703574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with the others about the decline in the Nordstrom shopping experience after the remodeling. </p> <p>I don't know if others notice this, but every year I see more and more polyster and knits and hardly any natural fabrics. This is even at the &gt;$50 price point.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703411 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 05:11:35 +0000 Jenn 1703411@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amy, I wonder if your experience is colored by living near the flagship store? I have visited two of the Nordstroms within an hour or so of me, and one was very nice and well-stocked, the other not so much. Actually, the difference was pretty startling.</p> <p>Does anyone else remember when department stores had pianists? I kind of miss that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703329 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 03:23:12 +0000 Anonymous 1703329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I shop at the Calgary Nordstorm several times a year , but rarely find clothes there that speak to me . Well, there are some that speak loudly to me but are out of my price range I don't find the house brands inspiring or aspirational , and as was mentioned above , the long and narrow individual departments are hard to distinguish and carry no defining identity . 20 years ago , Nordstrom was awe- inspiring , but now it's just another department store , albeit with different merchandise than we see at Hudson Bay. All I really look at now is the cosmetics department , a quick trip through accessories to check for sale Burberry and McQueen , and a general overview of the clothes . That store is heavy on Free People , of all brands , and seems to cater either to the moneyed crowd (oil and hockey wives) or to the junior market . I think every single clothing item I've bought there I've regretted with the exception of some KUT jeans . The shoe dept is wonderful if you are shopping high end , but totally average for the rest . I don't know - the department store model is a tough one . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703322 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 03:11:53 +0000 Amy 1703322@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I must be who Nordstroms is targeting because I often find wonderful things there and the service is generally stellar. I don't generally buy designer items because they're out of my price range...aren't they available at other retailers like Barney's and Neiman Marcus? I'm glad there's a department store that provides nice quality items that are sufficiently stylish if not pushing the boundaries. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703310 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 02:51:16 +0000 Lisa 1703310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have four Nordstrom's in my state and three of them are within an hour of me.&nbsp; And I don't like any of the stores anymore.&nbsp; One store started a remodel and then just stopped, it looks so unfinished, I stopped going there.&nbsp; The other two near me, don't carry nearly the large selection that they used to, it's frustrating because it feels like the store never has anything anymore.&nbsp; I also noticed less and less higher end brands.&nbsp; The stores feel more and more like Macy's.&nbsp; I don't hate Macy's I just used to see more of a difference between Nordstrom and Macy's in the past.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703302 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 02:43:33 +0000 rachylou 1703302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's interesting about Stanford. Walnut Creek is still nice - haven't been downtown or to San Jose in ages. Walnut Creek has, tho, as Annagybe notes, an odd selection of designers now. And St John seems to be more prominent - which I find most peculiar. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703295 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 02:35:43 +0000 gradfashionista 1703295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I popped into the Nordstrom's in Chicago a few times and generally did not enjoy the experience. The service was slow, particularly in shoes, the changing rooms were messy and dreary, and the clothing itself was sprawled out and poorly arranged. The arrangements didn't seem intuitive, and everything looked like everything else. </p> <p>When I compare the off-putting experiences there with my fondness for Galleries LaFayettes in Berlin--a brief but memorable experience--I notice that the distinct style of each designer showcased at GlF was immediately apparent. The selection of clothes was much smaller (and more expensive), so it didn't take long to decide whether you could find something you liked. Because of the variety and differences between adjacent designers, your attention was constantly stimulated and you didn't feel like you were ploughing through a field of strewn- together clothing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703288 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 02:30:50 +0000 shedev 1703288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not an out there shopper, I'm a niche shopper. I'm finding less and less that fills the niche at Nordstrums. I do best in shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703219 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 01:00:34 +0000 njw 1703219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I def. will read the article you linked to, thanks for sharing. &nbsp;I have to say that when the Michigan Avenue Nordstroms remodeled I was so disappointed in the final layout. &nbsp;The departments are now long and skinny and "crowded into the space" instead of horizontal and easy to shop...not sure if that makes sense but I honestly thought they were still re-working the departments and shocked to find this was the final product. &nbsp;Its hard to know where one dept. ends and another begins and clothes seemed very crowded. &nbsp; I also agree with post that said stores are only stocking "safe" styles and brands. &nbsp;I am not saying I am the more out there shopper, I am not, but sometimes I find the clothes at Nordstroms somewhat boring and I am still searching for "my" department...I cannot afford the area that stocks Kate Spade, Vince unless on sale, often Point of View is too young and too short. &nbsp;That said I am not also interested in bedazzled jean jackets. &nbsp;I find that I purchase most of my shoes at Nordstroms and sometimes makeup and accessories but recently realized I buy very few clothes there. &nbsp;Am I alone in this feeling ? &nbsp;Am I missing something? &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703200 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:38:32 +0000 Thistle 1703200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Retailers are desperate. They're putting in bars to get people in the store: <a href="http://time.com/money/4423639/urban-outfitters-bars-in-stores/" rel="nofollow">http://time.com/money/4423639/.....in-stores/</a></p> <p>The competition with off- price retailers isn't helping either. <a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/3991464-price-retailers-winning-clothing" rel="nofollow">http://seekingalpha.com/articl.....g-clothing</a></p> <p>Can't find the article, but there was one a little while back about how the Internet is taking a big bite out if in store sales. That's a big deal ass consumers on the Internet are savvy and very price conscious, especially when they can compare prices at lots of retailers quickly and easily. </p> <p>That price sensitivity is a big deal when you're on margins as slim as many retailers are. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703187 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:29:59 +0000 Sal 1703187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not a Nordstrum shopper but I am noticing how safe/uniform many retailers are becoming. &nbsp;I am not cutting edge but I am finding many places very predictable.</p> <p>I think it is uncertain times/increased competition...... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703182 Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:27:08 +0000 annagybe 1703182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Honestly I really saw the change with the promotion of house brands &amp; a definite loss of the interesting styles. Their buyers seem to go safe or behind the curve on getting newer designers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703050 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 21:59:47 +0000 Muffin 1703050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting thank you- I agree about the competition from online shopping and discounters. I'm old school and definitely prefer to shop in store where I can touch the product, but I'm also 45... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1703011 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 21:35:53 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1703011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's so rare for me to shop at a department store anymore that I would not know if they were hurting or not. Thanks for sharing the article. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1702861 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:30:04 +0000 Anonymous 1702861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting article; thank you for posting it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lapse-of-luxury--nordstrom-decline#post-1702797 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:12:53 +0000 kkards 1702797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MsMaven --it is a trying time right now for retail in general. stores, of all sorts, are closing, and others are experimenting with new ways to keep and attract customers....I'd say if you are in retail and are not trying new things (some of which will fail), then the chances of your store still being here in 5 years is probably not that great. </p>