https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 09 May 2026 04:05:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately/page/2#post-1804314 Tue, 02 May 2017 11:50:00 +0000 dakotacheryl 1804314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FYI..I bought the Everlane Square Silk Shirt last summer in navy. I wash on my hand wash cycle (front loader), hang to dry and then a light press. The color has not faded and the shirt is very comfortable to wear. It is very oversized, so be sure to size down. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately/page/2#post-1804312 Tue, 02 May 2017 11:47:15 +0000 tinfl 1804312@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I finally had to own just how much I love Gap. I still remember the trailer from that movie "Crazy, Stupid, Love" where Ryan Gosling gives Steve Carrell a makeover and tells him "you are better than the Gap." But I feel like their clothes are just made for me, I love the tall sizes, and the jeans fit like a glove and feel nice and sturdy.</p> <p>Lately I've surprised myself by perusing Unique Vintage for some cheerful, retro-style dresses. That's not my usual look, but I do have a vintage-style swing dress by the Australian brand Retrospec'd that's been a favorite for a couple of years, and I could add a few more vintage or reproduction statement pieces to round out a somewhat basic/minimalist wardrobe. I'm eagerly awaiting some items in the mail! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately/page/2#post-1804131 Mon, 01 May 2017 21:49:48 +0000 Anonymous 1804131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great topic and interesting reading the responses. In the past I've had no luck at the Loft but found some things this year...my tomato red cropped trousers and some tops and a summer dress that may become a tunic. It has been too cold yet to try much.<br /> I also had a coupon for DSW and found a summer pair of tomato red flats ( AK Sport) that feel great on and match my KS red bag. Not a place I usually shop, so they surprised me. This was on-line.<br /> I am between a regular and a petite at Talbots and occasionally have found things at Chicos but choose carefully. Their jeans fit me better than most but many stores do not carry 0 and OO sizes. My Ponte jeans from a couple of years ago have become winter essentials. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately/page/2#post-1804068 Mon, 01 May 2017 19:28:44 +0000 Anonymous 1804068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely overlook talbots but I should pop in.<br /> There's another poster here, Deb, who finds the best things there. She found some wide crops that look excellent. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately/page/2#post-1804057 Mon, 01 May 2017 19:09:54 +0000 Anonymous 1804057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Christina - I think LE carries a lot of basics, but I haven't looked lately to see what else they've got. I like the range of sizes they carry. </p> <p>Aquamarine - chicos has some cute things, I think. It's a pretty specific look that works for lots of ladies. With bloggers, it sounds like they're trying to work toward a younger demographic. </p> <p>Texstyle - from what I've seen of your color palette, Talbots doesn't seem like a great spring fit. It was the pool blue that drew me like a beacon. :)</p> <p>LP - those florals must be for people like me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately/page/2#post-1804054 Mon, 01 May 2017 19:04:42 +0000 JuniperGreen 1804054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Christina F. - I also was going to chime in with some Land's End love! &nbsp;</p> <p>The Sears in my areas recently closed, and when they did some massive store sales before shuttering, I found a few Land's End pieces that I've been wearing the heck out of (a black and white gingham no-iron shirt, a black jersey fit and flare dress, a pin-dot white popover, a white cotton tunic).</p> <p>Land's End had always seemed kind of dated to me, but these pieces feel pretty timeless.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately/page/2#post-1803988 Mon, 01 May 2017 16:03:10 +0000 LaPed 1803988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agree with Anchie that Boden is quite good this year. My only complaint is that they're very floral-heavy in their prints right now. Usually they have a handful of quirky critter prints (birds, dogs, etc) that appeal to me more than florals, but not this year. I did end up with a floral chambray shirt from them that I really like, and I'm pretty sure it's the only floral in my closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately/page/2#post-1803962 Mon, 01 May 2017 15:08:42 +0000 texstyle 1803962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't shopped at Talbots in a while - I did get a belt there end of season (green plaid) but haven't worn it yet since it's really more of a fall/winter style for me. I used to find things there on/off so I'll have to take a new look. They didn't used to have a great online shopping return process. I had to arrange and pay for return shipping. I think they've fixed this now.</p> <p>I got a pair of Gap cropped jeans recently that I like quite a lot and it's been a while since I've found anything there that I've kept. Oh and I didn't realize Lou &amp; Grey had their own online store (other than via Loft) and they've had free shipping so I ordered something from them directly for a change. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately/page/2#post-1803959 Mon, 01 May 2017 15:03:22 +0000 Aquamarine 1803959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I need to drop 5 lbs to be comfortable in my existing summer clothes, and our season is so short that I have been avoiding shopping....except for filling some holes via Nordstrom online.</p> <p>Lisa...a bunch of bloggers have featured some Chico's stuff recently (specifically their girlfriend jeans, I think). Some of these bloggers are young and cool, LOL (the Mom Edit). They have made me curious enough that I may wander into a Chico's if I happen to pass one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately/page/2#post-1803945 Mon, 01 May 2017 14:34:27 +0000 Christina F. 1803945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I go through periods of liking and not liking Lands End. I recently randomly found a $20 Lands End ponte sheath dress in a pink and red paisley at TJ Maxx that works for me - sheath dresses usually DO NOT. And the colors and pattern made it feel more current than much of their stuff in recent years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803906 Mon, 01 May 2017 12:47:50 +0000 Anonymous 1803906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anchie - I also hadn't purchased from Boden in years, but ended up with two dresses from them this year. Glad they worked for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803902 Mon, 01 May 2017 12:36:31 +0000 anchie 1803902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Boden - I haven't bought from them in few years but this year I found couple of things that I really like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803716 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 20:19:41 +0000 Anonymous 1803716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>jacquez - Eshakti seems very interesting. I've looked at them, but never purchased. </p> <p>BC - I've never looked at those other than an occasional shoe. Never purchased though. </p> <p>Greenjeans - brooks brothers looks like they have nice quality merch. Glad you could find it on sale. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803711 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 19:41:57 +0000 Greenjeans 1803711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brooks Brothers. &nbsp;I always thought of them as lawyer's clothes but someone posted a dress here that I thought was spectacular and so started stalking their site. &nbsp;At full price they're out of my range but on sale I can do. &nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Sale/sale,default,sc.html">http://www.brooksbrothers.com/.....lt,sc.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803710 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 19:36:14 +0000 Anonymous 1803710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've shopped at Talbots and J Jill in the past, but this year's offerings from those 2 merchants simply aren't speaking to me, so no orders.</p> <p>I bought mostly from HSN (Diane Gilman) and QVC (Isaac Mizrahi) this year. I'm going to need more sweaters for winter, so I'm saving up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803706 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 18:59:37 +0000 jacquez 1803706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a few pieces from eshakti that I'm very fond of, but largely their aesthetic and mine don't mesh. I'm trying to be more open-minded, because the fit and workmanship is so nice!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803698 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 17:31:46 +0000 Anonymous 1803698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa - no laughing. I don't see them much on the forum, but I have a couple pieces from them. I liken it to Talbots in that I like individual pieces, but maybe the overall vibe is not exactly me (yet?). And this seems to be one more retailer (like their sister store WHBM) that the tops are too short on me. Plus, I'm often between their sizing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803693 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 17:15:29 +0000 Anonymous 1803693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok - don't laugh, but, I'm liking the new Chico's ads for weekend clothes. &nbsp;I know, I know, and maybe the stores don't quite meet up to the ads, but I have to admit they are clothes I would like to wear in my downtime...because I don't see anything else out there I want to wear.</p> <p>note: there is no danger of me buying anything though as this chain doesn't have Canadian stores. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803681 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 15:41:37 +0000 Anonymous 1803681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling - ha. I am a little afraid of the judgement in showing my purchases, as I'm no minimalist. My plan is just to stop looking and visiting stores and websites. I have a couple things that got blessings on the forum, but I eventually returned for fit issues (2nd free people tunic, I'm looking at you. Too snug through the forearms so I couldn't move well. Bigger size would have been too big through the body) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803678 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 15:35:57 +0000 Anonymous 1803678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Delurked</b> -- please post your purchases. &nbsp;It is instructional both to you and to me. &nbsp;I can't tell you how much I learn about myself and my shopping habits when I put pen to paper. &nbsp;There is certain honesty there as well ... especially when I start counting all the different purchases in all the different categories. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803675 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 15:30:45 +0000 Anonymous 1803675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LP, Shiny - I took a look at Grana, and I can see similarities with Everlane. I will also keep this in mind for basics for my DD, as I see lots of crew necks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803667 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 15:03:01 +0000 Anonymous 1803667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet - I know the feeling. I have done walk throughs of stores I thought I'd like, only to walk out without getting to the dressing room. </p> <p>Anthro doesn't usually fit me well, but my favorite top from last year is from there, so I'm willing to try to weed through. I do like the styles they carry, as I must have moved more boho than in past. (I would never have used that word to describe me, but not sure what others here see) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803664 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:58:53 +0000 Janet 1803664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't say any retailers have been surprising me in a good way lately. I took vey quick looks through JCrew, BR, Zara, Lord &amp; Taylor, and Macy's on a recent mall errand and I didn't find anything appealing. I tried on a couple of things in L&amp;T but nothing interesting. A pair of sandals in Nordstrom caught my eye, but I didn't try them -- I might go back and take another look next week. The only stores where I've purchased anything in the last month or so are Lucky Brand and Anthro, and there's no surprise in that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803663 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:57:22 +0000 LaPed 1803663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>shiny -- I have several silk pieces from Grana -- a tank, a long-sleeve top, and pants. The quality is good for the price. I'd say they run fairly TTS (and they provide basic garment measurements on the website). The length on the silk ankle pants is good for me without hemming -- I'm 5'4".</p> <p>For the US (not sure about other countries), they're doing a free shipping/free returns promo through the end of April (today) so now is good time to order if you're curious.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803659 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:47:59 +0000 Anonymous 1803659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny - too bad about the wool coat. I normally can make shift dresses work, as it avoids the waist sitting too high for me.</p> <p>WHBM also runs too short for me, so I can see it may work well for petites. </p> <p>I've never tried Grana, and I have also considered J Jill, but think I would need to be selective to keep to my overall style preferences. I do think they carry talls online, so that's worth a look. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803655 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:40:34 +0000 Anonymous 1803655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>JAileen - it's not the worst thing if your pants are too big, but a pain to replace. I bought pants this year that are closer to straight leg than skinny. Maybe by the time crop flares are on their way out, I may be ready for them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803653 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:38:48 +0000 Anonymous 1803653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bridgie - I think you and I may shop alike. I do buy and return more than I'd like because I often need to try on things at home to see if I've missed an issue about an item that may bother me. I hope the sweater works for you next winter. </p> <p>I am very long through the torso, so I found everything too short!! All the tops except one needed about another inch in length for me so I could raise my arms and not show my stomach. I do need a couple shorter tops for when I wear skirts, so I am considering one. I've noticed I don't have much left that will work for skirts. And the one top I liked the best I had to try in one size too big because my size was not available. But it had the right shape and a floral print, so I think I will order it to see how the correct size works. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803650 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:34:05 +0000 JAileen 1803650@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Last year I bought several pairs of crops/shorts at Kohls. The pants were all Lee, and the quality was not bad, for a very reasonable price. Best, they had a curvy fit, so the waists weren't too big. However, we just got back from Texas and I realized that all of these pants are now a size too big. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803649 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:32:53 +0000 shiny 1803649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Delurked, I have a few items from Talbots and I'm still kicking myself for not buying a cute wool coat I tried on there earlier this fall, which would have worked great this spring. Their dresses however never work out for me, nor do their pants. Sweaters, jackets, coats, blouses - yes.</p> <p>White house black market - they have petites now. But I don't like the fabrics used in many of their clothing. However I have found items there lately-- you just have to be super picky! &nbsp;Including a white leather jacket to replace my old pleather one which was a workhorse.</p> <p>Suz, I'm also interested in your Everlane review. I have a hunch that brand will not work for someone 5'0 like me, which is why I've never ordered from there. Let me know if you think I'm wrong.</p> <p>Has anyone tried Grana? I hear that one is comparable to Everlane, but works better for petites.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've been tempted to give JJill a try lately. It's not my aesthetic but soft fabrics have a strong appeal, as I build out my loungewear capsule. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-retailer-you-normally-overlook-has-surprised-you-lately#post-1803646 Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:28:06 +0000 bridgie 1803646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>delurked, hi, how is Crush?</p> <p>I also got Talbot's catalog.&nbsp; I shopped at Talbot's a little bit years ago in Florida.&nbsp; I remember buying one dress there that I loved.&nbsp; But never anything else.&nbsp; This past Black Friday I went again in Charlotte because I saw a brooch, I thought I wanted, but decided I did not want to pay what it was priced.&nbsp; Found a similar one at another store that I liked.</p> <p>I even opened a charge account so I would get a large discount on a sweater I thought I liked.&nbsp; Exchanged it for two items later and returned them.&nbsp; Finally, with my 25 yr old granddaughter's help ended up with a nice heavy Fair Isle sweater, but too late in season to wear.&nbsp; Will keep it till fall and winter and I think it will. work.&nbsp; I do not usually buy things. I have to keep so long before wearing.</p> <p>I spent several hours&nbsp;at Talbot's (local store here) Friday and yesterday and bought a pop-over navy and white top with small ruffled neckline and collar.&nbsp; Two birds..&nbsp; Also bought a colorful tee. Really wanted to wear pop over top today, but felt&nbsp;like something was wrong.&nbsp; Anyway, I hope to spend less time there this week when I return both items.</p> <p>When I read Krishnidoux post above I realized my problem.&nbsp; I am 5'2" and short waisted, and even their petites&nbsp; are too long for me. And then kkards comments hit close home too.</p> <p>I do think Talbot's has good quality, and a lot of good points but their clothes really do not fit me and I sure am not going to get into a lot of alterations.&nbsp; With all the returning I have done, they will think good riddance of me.</p> <p>Have a great day.</p>