Yes, Liesbeth. I'm a good shopper - Try me, though. I know lots of Euro brands.

I forgot to mention that I can always find items at: Karen Millen L.K.Bennet, Reiss, John Lewis, Whistles and Hobbs.

There have certainly been collections/seasons of a certain brand I loved the looks of - Boden a few years ago, Mango's Violeta line a couple years ago (I think I posted here about how to replicate the look without buying a whole new wardrobe from them). Unfortunately, even with brands that often fit me some pieces won't end up working, and of course then they change the aesthetic influences as time goes by, the fit or fabrication changes, etc....

Since sizing and fit are the trickiest part for me I start with that, and then if something hits my aesthetic buttons I try it. Some things work, some don't, and to a certain extent what I can find in my budget that fits determines my style.

Maybe one of the reasons I'm currently smitten, is that I'm generally having a hard time finding good shops or brands for my current fashion needs. As a twentysomething I liked Uniqlo, Cos, & other stories, Esprit sometimes ... And started shopping with a focus on fair fashion in recent years, mainly loving People Tree and Armed Angels. But PT has lots of quirky prints and special designs that aren't for me (though I still have a lot of stuff from that brand) and AA is generally very casual. I'm evermore finding fabric quality and cut lacking in the highstreet stores I mentioned. Only Cos still works occasionally, but their colors are generally too warm for my complexion and their cuts too architectural.
So my most recent shopping trip was mainly about finding new 'go-to' stores and brands if at a higher pricepoint (going for quality instead of quantity...). It was not easy. I like the esthetics of a brand like Filippa K, but they make clothes for straight figures and are all in all a bit too starkly minimalist. CKS seems popular among my peers but they are too preppy for me, and again, cut for women without hips :).
Angie, when you said 'the antithesis of my style' I immediately thought of Lola&Liza and Didi. I'm curious if you know them.

When I got my first Poetry catalog in the mail, I was so excited, because I loved everything. Then, my first order came, and I couldn't keep a single thing. The fits and fabrics were all off, somehow, and nothing worked the way I expected it to.

I looked through my wardrobe app, and it seems I'm most loyal to my gear brands. Almost all my workout apparel is from Athleta, and almost all my outdoor gear (along with a few uber-casual pieces like t-shirts and utility pants) is from Eddie Bauer.

Other than that. Eileen Fisher, Garnet Hill, and Boden are heavy hitters with 6 or 7 pieces from each, but no one company makes up more than 5 or 10% of my wardrobe.

Most recently-I use to be a "walking ad for Lands End" brand or Talbots
( I cried when local AK & CK closed long ago) . They had great classic basics for work but now that I am retired that is a non-issue and their quality has been steadily dropping so I am more careful.
I never felt I was a walking advertisement for the companies because there were no obvious logos. I know I should not- but I have a real issue with paying "for the privilege to advertise a company's clothing or accessories"-so I don't. If it has an obvious logo, I won't buy it.
There are no real B&M stores in my area so most shopping is done online. But really I am currently just shopping my own closet-when you are a sporty classic it is easy to pair jeans with a button (up or down) with a blazer/cardi and scarf for a polished look anytime.
Some people think it is boring but the look makes me happy and so in the grand scheme of things, that is all that matters.
My thought is- if this brand has clothes you love -in colors you love -get them. If their price point is a little higher either buy fewer pieces or catch sales. But I would not "limit" a great wardrobe because it held "too many pieces" from one store. Life is too short, not to enjoy what you are wearing.

Seeing Angie’s comments, I can always find something in Karen Millen, but sometimes not exactly what I was expecting! Or wanting!

Lisbeth, I know lots of the brands that you mention, actually. Didi is NOT your look. (Don't know Lola & Liza). You should try the Dutch store "Sylvia".

High five, Jane.

Heh, it’s fun to ponder what brands are the antithesis of our style. Mine would be Lily Pulitzer — way too many pastels and too preppy for me. I don’t think there is a touch of black in that store.

over the years, i've had love affairs with so many brands....but i have to admit that often its was just because it was easier to go with what i knew or stick with what was close, and so we often stayed together to long...

Ann Taylor, followed by BR, then the Loft, then JCrew, then Vince, and back to BR....

Ok. Now I have to ponder the antithesis of my style. That’s harder for me: there is no place I don’t believe I’d not go in...

Angie, I will look up that store, thanks for the tip! Btw I never thought that you wouldn’t know European brands, just that referencing them would not mean much to most other fabbers.

Of course, Liesbeth. Try Expresso and Sandwich - two more great Dutch stores. (I really enjoy Expresso).

How about Claudia Sträter?

Thx. I know there’s a sandwich and a claudia sträter in Antwerp but have never been there. Not sure why. Will check them all out!

If money were no object i would only purchase from one designer friend. She gets my aesthetic.

If I were to pick one company, it would probably be Eddie Bauer. Their clothes are sporty and that’s pretty much how I dress. Funny, though, most of my jackets are not Eddie Bauer. I have quite a few Patagonia jackets, and smattering from other companies.

JAileen, I realized I was buying way too much Eddie Bauer when I went in once and the SA said, "Oh hi! Must be time for your seasonal shop?"

Jenn, that’s a sign you have enough, for sure! I haven’t had that happen, but when I go to our Patagonia outlet, I try to wear a Patagonia item. I have some things that are older than the SAs!

For clothing, it's COS, followed by Aritizia for pants. I also like Madewell for summer shirts. I'll buy accessories from anywhere. I prefer b&m shopping only when I travel, and have bought some lovely pieces that way.

I tend to have items, not brands, that I fall in love with. Go to brands are more because they carry my size and I am somewhat likely to find at least one item that I’d take home. After trying on 20-30.
As a result a lot of my clothing is from Talbots Outlet and some from Talbots. Recently from J. Jill, although time will tell if they are mistakes or keepers. I’d like my clothing to read slightly more interesting but I finally added an interesting pair of shoes and another pair is on it’s way. I like my jewelry, which is a mix of purchased and items I’ve made.

I have a few brands that I love. They fit me well and I like the style. For many years I wore Mexx. I am still grieving over the end of Mexx. Some years I would buy lots of Mexx if the colour and style were right. Other years not as much. Sandwich is another brand that works for me. I haven't bought much from Sandwich lately but I still have lots in my wardrobe. Sarah Pacini is another that I love. And Crea Concept.

I like the look of Joie but have never bought any. That may change.

If I found a brand/store that consistently fit and flattered my body and had an aesthetic I liked, I would certainly stock up to the extent I was able. Such a unicorn! The aesthetic or colors may not suit you down the road and/or the fit model may change.

I can think of a few brands/stores likely to fit me, but the clothes don't flatter me in the way that I would like or don't have an edge. Or something.

I haven't clicked on your link, but I doubt that most people or any would think of you as a walking ad. And if they did, who cares? You would be a fabulous one!

In a perfect world, I would love to have my clothing come from many different places. But the truth is, I am hard to fit, and I am very particular about things being just right style-wise. So I do rely on a handful of retailers to get items that feel like "me" (Anthro, WHBM, Topshop, Free People).

But when I start feeling bored, then I know it's time to start digging around in other places. Shopping at large department stores can be helpful because they carry so many different brands, and I can easily search by size. This helps me expand my selection of brands in a more painless way.

I wouldn't recommend getting huge amounts of clothing from a single line because our style can change. And if that happens, you will be stuck with a bunch of clothing that you don't enjoy. I would buy maybe several pieces over some months and then see how you're liking them. You might find that your style changes slightly as you wear the items, in which case you may want to start looking elsewhere for what is tickling your fancy.

I just discovered COS a few months ago and dropped SO much cash because it felt like “if my brain created a store, this would be it.” Trying to put the brakes on thisblosdoming obsession, though, because it’s a little too formal for my actual life (dry cleaning, ironing etc).

Interesting question. Sometimes there is clothing I love but it does not fit. Other times a line may only come in unflattering colors it just neutrals when I want color. My first favorite line was the now defunct Junior House. Another time I loved Carole Little. I have several favorite pieces that are Eileen Fisher and I still look there first. Most of my newest items are from The Loft. The store moved out of the nearest mall, so I need to find another store or order online.

There are some brands that often work for me and I put an eye towards those first, but as none of them have local stores, I also keep my eyes open for other brands or designers.
When I do have an opportunity at a store, or online, and the shopping is good, I will stock up. It doesn’t bother me if several items are from the same place. I mix up my wardrobe. I don’t think I look like a walking advertisement, but if I do, well that is ok. I don’t intentionally promote specific brands. I am who I am. I’m good with that.

Liesbeth - it's an interesting question. I think different designers "get" different parts of my style. Like constructing a diamond each may represent a facet. Blazers and suiting - Theory, Veronica Beard, Smythe, Michael Kors Collection, Helmut Lang, Eileen Fisher. Dress Pants - Vince. Dresses- Max Mara, Theory, Vince. Jeans - the gap. Tunics, sweaters, tops - Eileen Fisher, Everlane. Leather jackets - Madewell & Allsaints. Boots/booties- EF, Ariat, Aquatalia, rule. Different designers are stronger in different areas. I think it's in the mix that our individual aesthetic is found. Clean, minimal, luxurious, elegant with an edge.

Well, I echo Sterling in that I have a fantasy of walking into a “ collection “ of items where tops & bottoms coordinate and I could walk out wit a capsule or 2. This is because I would like more versatility where fewer items went together. It’s not because of ant brand loyalty.
BUT that doesn’t happen! One brand pants may fit sometimes, another jackets.
Apropos is thevLink love in wardrobe building.