Ask Angie: Shopping Trip - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Shopping Trip

Patience

Veteran

My birthday is this week and I was planning on taking a shopping day on Friday. I am looking for summer tops (which I never seem to have enough of probably because I don't like shopping for them) and maybe a dress. At what stores would you suggest I focus my efforts? Also if I do go this week will I get the benefit of the summer collections?

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Antje

Ana

(website)

Veteran

What's your budget and what sorts of tops do you like to wear?

Patience

Veteran

I'm willing to spend a few hundred dollars to get a decent supply. I'm looking for both casual and smart casual that aren't t-shirts and my style is classic and clean. I like color and will wear patterns but I'm pretty choosy about them. Hourglass body shape. I generally wear more fitted silhouettes but I'm willing give blousie styles "another bash" as Angie has suggested.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hmm...sounds like you and I have a similar style and body type, and are searching for the same sorts of things. Maybe we can trade notes. It's heating up already here in Austin, so I'm looking for mainly sleeveless tops that I could easily layer over when I go into air conditioned buildings. It's actually been pretty challenging, but I don't like backless styles, and I don't wear black (I'm trying to make that part of my signature style--it's slow going). I like bright colors, but generally don't like patterns, either. I know for me the majority of my summer clothing needs to be machine washable. Are these things you're also looking for or do you prefer short sleeves, etc.?

I found a great top at Ann Taylor that I got several compliments on when I wore it today:

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

It also comes in a darker ultramarine blue which isn't shown on the website. That's the color I have, but the aqua is nice as well (I tried on both). I've perused bluefly.com and found a nice shirt on there. What sort of dress do you have in mind?

I'm still waiting for all the stores to put out the remainder of their summer merchandise. I would suggest Macy's, Bodenusa.com (I love their "Chic cotton dress") Nordstrom's (if there is one near you). J. Crew might have some things you would like, and also Banana Republic. I don't know how you feel about layering, but Express has some good quality bra camis in really great colors--you might be able to add those to things you already own to punch them up a bit and get more from your budget. Other good (fairly inexpensive) accessory places are Target and Coldwater Creek (they have some neat earrings and bracelets there for under $30).

Those are the places I usually haunt, but other people might have some additional suggestions. I'd be interested in hearing them as well.

Patience

Veteran

I'm also in Austin so I'm trying to get ready for summer too. I think I'm definitely going to hit Nordstrom and Macy's and I'm on the fence about Loft since it's in a different shopping center. I'm trying to avoid BR because I buy way too often from there. Thanks for your help.

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Patience,
if you're going to Macy's check out their INC line. It's a hit or miss, but I always find cute tops worth of smart casual there, such as this one:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen

At Nordstrom have a look at Sweat Pea, the have gorgeous patterns and flattering cuts ( I especially like the gathered wrap ones toward the bottom):
http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/23.....and2374325

Both stores carry BCBG, I find them to have some of the best tops around, tough they are a bit pricey:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....5&P=1
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=22719

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hmm.....shoes you should buy online and try and target particular brands at Macys and Nordies. What do you usually go for?

Patience

Veteran

I've got my summer shoes all lined up-- just need to purchase. Tops are my big necessity and I like shopping for these least.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Patience, that's fantastic that you're in Austin as well! Now we'll definitely have to compare notes. I hate shopping for summer tops as well, because I never seem to find what I'm looking for. Are you in North Austin or South Austin (it's okay if you prefer not to say, I just thought it would be easier to recommend specific places). I'm in North Austin near the Arboretum and the Domain. I made a trip out to Hill Country Galleria Saturday morning to find a dress at the Loft. I hadn't ever been there before, because (as you probably know) it's a long way from here. I'd say that for most stores, everything that is out there is up North as well, except the Loft. When I went to the store, I didn't see anything in the store that wasn't really available online, either. I was lucky because I found the dress I wanted, which was sold out in my size online, so it made the trip worth it. Other than that, it's all the same stores that are at some place like Barton Creek Mall.

Have you been to the outlet mall at San Marcos? Granted, it's basically a whole day gone in shopping, but I've always managed to find good things out there at fairly reasonable prices. I might be heading out there soon to search for tops, myself. RoundRock Premium Outlets is another place you might try. It's been hit or miss with me, but the Anne Taylor outlet there is good and really big. Try Bass Outlet for tops as well.

If you decide to check out J. Crew, I'd recommend the one at the Domain, only because I've gotten better service at that one. Ask for Lauren--she's really nice and is good at judging how something should fit. If Lauren isn't there, Janessa is great too.

Patience

Veteran

Ana, I'm in southwest Austin but I work near the Arboretum so I shop all over. I was considering going down to San Marcos because the Ann Taylor outlet usually has good stuff which is completely different from what's online and in regular stores but that's probably the only place I would go so I'm not sure it's worth the drive.

Patience

Veteran

I thought I'd share the story of my shopping trip for those who are interested. Let me start out by saying that as a working mom, my shopping trips are generally brief and very focused. So I try to take a day around my birthday and remove all time and item constraints. Yes, I spent the whole day at the mall and I really tried to explore stores and pieces I normally would not have tried. So here goes:

Macys - I've decided I really don't have fun in Macys. I don't know if the one we have here is worse than usually or what. I went in there with an open mind and tried a few things but they were all so-so. I do like their shoe department.

Geox - I went in here to try on some shoes I saw in a ad. The soles were especially soft and flexible but I decided to pass.

The Limited - I was pleasantly surprised by the selection here but I think in the future I will try to hit sales there as Ana suggested in the thread I started about this store.

Nordstrom - First I went to check out Angie's miraclesuit. Once again, she is right. (I posted more on the blog entry.) I found a few nice tops and that kiwi jacket I posted about on another thread. Of course, I tried on many other things but felt very successful with finding just a few that I really really like.

Ann Taylor - AT is always hit or miss with me. I usually find the fit is not quite spot on for bottoms and dresses and the styling is not quite my style. But I always have a few very solid AT pieces in my closet. This time however, I did find a couple of great tops.

So there you have it. I had a great time and I think one of the reasons I did so well is everything I have learned here.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the report back, Patience. Sounds like you had a great birthday shopping trip!

Where is Geox? Do they only sell shoes? What kind of shoes?

Patience

Veteran

Ana, Geox is on the second floor in Barton Creek Mall.

I thought Geox was shoes only but their store has a few clothing items. The store is not too big and the focus is definitely shoes. They advertise "shoes that breathe" and the implication to me is that they breathe through the sole, whatever that means. They are very flexible soles and well padded. They definitely felt good to the bottom of my foot. I tried these:

http://www.piperlime.com/brows.....=539856002

in red. I may go back and try some sandals.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Those look nice. I will check the place out next time at Barton Creek. Thanks, Patience!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These are great, Patience. I have had them on my feet in cream. Love them.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Do these come in cream Angie? I have been searching for some nice cream ballet flats and haven't been able to find any I liked. I was thinking these would be nice:

http://www.piperlime.com/brows.....=497461072

Has anyone ordered from Piperlime? What was your experience?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Very pretty shoe! Nice and cool for hot days. I'm impatient with Piperlime because I’m use to highly efficient Zappos. But, they are fine, Ana.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/29687142/c/64988.html

They have them in cream. Works really well with dark denim especially. Pops!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Oh thanks! I will have to try those out.

Antje

Veteran

I use Zappos, Endless and Piperlime. They are all good (reliable, similar pricing, no glitches so far etc.) Piperlime is part of the company that owns Gap. Endless is an Amazon company.

Zappos definitely wins in terms of speed. If I order in the morning, the shoes arrive the next day. What a treat! Endless takes a few days, and Piperlime can take a whole week.

Zappos has by far the biggest stock. They have both a very broad and a very deep inventory. Meaning, not only do they have loads of shoes, but they are also the most likely to have all or most sizes available. In terms of the actual browsing/shopping experience, I actually prefer Endless and Piperlime, because they have much simpler categories, and it's so much easier to browse on these sites when you don't already have a very specific style and color of shoe in mind. E.g., if you just know you want some bright flats for spring, it's much easier to get a sense of what Endless and Piperlime offer - not just because they have less, but also because they lead to the relevant results faster.)

I'd say use all three - I've only good experiences with all of them. The best thing is that all of them offer free shipping both ways.