Mini Rant re: Where I Live - YouLookFab Forum

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Mini Rant re: Where I Live

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I live in the centre of the Canadian Prairies (Winnipeg). Note to fashion retailers: IT'S NOT MARS!!! Two fabulous retailers I would love to give my money to but don't have stores where I live NOR deliver to where I live:

- H&M
- Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft

The ones below will deliver from their on-line stores to my location, but I have no brick and mortar stores available to try on sizes and charge a significant amount for shipping which becomes pricey when you need to return/exchange:

- Banana Republic
- J Crew
- Talbots
- Anthropologie
- Nordstrom

It drives me crazy when Angie and others show lovely items that I have no hope of ever seeing. My local stores are limited to Gap, F21 and Esprit. Pitiful.

This is why I do alot of consignment/thrift shopping because every once in a while I come across something from one of the stores I can't shop from.

I'm going to get a coffee now - THAT I can get here!!!

Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from

rachylou

Veteran

That is bizarre! How can they not even ship to your location?

keruchina

That does sound frustrating! It's annoying to have such limited options. Maybe you need to plan a fabulous shopping trip once per season.

MNsara

Veteran

How frustrating!

Does anyone around you use a US-based shipping service? I don't know exactly how they work, but lots of overseas folk use them to accumulate US purchases and have them forwarded -- or something like that. . .

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Even having a lot of options, I find it tough to find a lot of fab stuff, so I understand your frustration at having such few options.

But that said, I think you have a very fabulous wardrobe. I love every WIW of yours I have seen and you have a great eye for picking out stuff from thrift/consignment stores!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I, too, wish wish WISH Ann Taylor would ship to Canada. Urgh.

I think as a smaller person it is particularly frustrating. It is tough to find good selections for petites.

And like you, I think I thrift / consignment shop partly for this reason. At least it's not the same old, same old and there's always the chance for the "thrill of the find."

But..agreeing with Kirti, here. In a way, necessity has been the mother of invention for you. You always look fantastic even with limited options.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I live in London Ontario and we have almost the same situation you have. Except one H&M store and one Banana Republic store everything else on your list is missing here too! If it makes you feel any better we don't have F21 and our single Esprit store is an outlet which practically does not have anything good in it.
BTW, Banana Republic should ship to you for free if you order more than a certain amount ($50 or $100, I don't remember exactly). Returns should be free for them too.
<<<<HUGS>>>>

Isabel

Veteran

Did you get your coffee ?

I am sorry to hear that. It does stink. Life used to be like this when I was a kid, but my mom sewed beautifully.

We really do forget how easy things are for us in the USA, for sooooo many things.

I have a whole new respect for you now that I know just how difficult it really is for you to dress well and uniquely.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

One large Starbuck's down the hatch - feeling much better now!

Kirti - you're a sweetheart! Thank you for saying such nice things about my wardrobe/outfits.

Suz - nice to hear from you! How are you/your Mom doing? We've missed you around here! You are so right that it is even more limited for petite sizes. And it annoys me that the Gap carries petite sizes in the U.S. stores (for some products) but does not carry them in Canada. I've even contacted Gap directly and they have indicated there is no plan to introduce their petite clothing in my market.

Sveta - wow, I would have assumed you would have so many more options than me! Thanks for the BR tip - I'll have to check that out i more detail. And thanks for the hugs too!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yikes, and I was just complaining that there is no LOFT nearby! Eating my words.

I think you need to come down to LA.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I know how you feel. Really, I do. We have more options than you but Petite sizes are not sold in stores so I have to mail order almost everything anyway. The funny thing is that sometimes even petites are too long for me, so there there are no guarantees.

Sveta is right about BR/ON/GAP!! I posted about it some time ago because I was so excited for my sisters in CA! Free shipping and free returns over $50!!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

You should come visit me in Seattle. I'll take you shopping...really...I would totally LOVE that

For what it's worth, I lived in Montana and Wyoming most of my life, which are similarly fashion-deprived (unless you totally love all things cowboy)

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

PS- You should fly down to NYC when we have another meet up!! How fun would that be?!? We could shop up a storm around here!!

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Isabel hit the nail on the head: "I have a whole new respect for you now that I know just how difficult it really is for you to dress well and uniquely. "

Shopping is just so frustrating for so many people! Yet the overall approach to manufacturing, supplying and buying clothing hasn't really changed in decades. Even less so when it comes to addressing any of the real problems people such as yourself encounter.

I live in an SF Bay Area suburb - retail heaven! However, for a number of reasons shopping is just as frustrating for me. I am nowhere near a standard 'size' (6-8 in hips/thighs, 8-10 in waist, 12-14 in shoulders/bust), so everything i buy has to be altered unless it is a very loose fit or has 5%+ spandex. And a lot of garments just won't support the needed alterations. In general, quality stinks until you get to astronomical prices ($185 for a blouse, let's say). Design is very hit or miss. My favorite colors are rarely in stock.

The only light i see on the horizon is a few made to measure services popping up at more reasonable prices. It's not all cash, either - sometimes i'll 'shop' without looking at price tags and realize that i don't find anything even then. Oy, it is discouraging! i'm just glad i learned to sew! steph

Beth Ann

Veteran

Equal Rights for my Canadian Sisters! Solidarity and Fashion for All! You need an International Shopping Trip -- maybe we should have YLF cruise!

Meredith1953

Veteran

Wow Shannon!
I don't know what I would do if I didn't have either free shipping/returns or a free return brick and morter store to go to. I would probably never order again if that was the case! You always look so well tailored I am amazed you deal with this. I just assumed you had all the big stores locally. If you go to the YLF meetups where those stores exist you could just bring the things along and either trade or return in town?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Hmmmm....maybe I'll have to consider a "YLF Cross USA Tour" and include LA, NYC and Seattle! Might have to take a leave of absence from work...

Anonymous

I'm sorry to hear that but I think you make do fantastically. You have quite the wardrobe.
I have offered before and I will offer again. If you or anyone else ever need for me to pick up anything, please let me know. I already do that for plently of friends overseas. I'm accustomed to it... no worries!

DragonflyJane

Well I'm amazed - I love your style & think you always look really together.

I just sort of presumed that there were loads of great stores where you are.
I'm very surprised that stores don't deliver to your area in this day & age.

I can sympathise though - the town I live in would be great if I wanted to wear horribly cheap clothing, leggings & knock-off Uggs with everything - eek!

MsLuna

Veteran

@Shannon: Hello fellow prairie girl! (I'm from Alberta but live in Toronto). Although there are a lot of stores here in Toronto (You should come visit Helen and I!), I know what you mean. That's the frustration I have with shoes. I have problematic feet and I really REALLY REALLY want to try out Earthies shoes before I buy them, but it requires going to Planet Shoes or an online retailer with massive amounts of shipping and duties.

it's really very frustrating

Kim

Veteran

I kinda like to think how much money I *havent'* spent because these store are not available to me...

Silver lining, maybe? Makes my trips to the U.S. so much more fun though! LOL

krishnidoux

Veteran

I feel your pain. I'm with Suz here. Same frustration. I used to live in a more remote part of Canada (store-wise) and felt very impeded by this. I would thrift like mad and alter, embellish my own things furiously with funny buttons, embroidery, etc. But there is only so far you can go on pure imagination. At one point you must make regular trips to a larger centre not just to "get your fix", but also to get real new clothes made for a petite. I think it's the only way not to drive yourself completely crazy.

Jem

Veteran

I know, Canadian shopping is terrible. At least we have Talbots and BR, although I almost never shop there because the are too expensive. It's pretty much always alot cheaper in the US. Also, they put in an Anthropology in town, but I haven't been there yet because it's way across town. There is a Zara in that same mall, so I've been meaning to take the trek. How far do you live from the border? My Bro-in-law has a PO box just over the border that we can use to take advantage of US shopping, but it's still not as convenient as living in the US. It's true that you can order from BR/Gap and ON (combined if you want) and get free shipping both ways within Canada. I noticed that in the US, they charge 6 dollars return shipping. Also, sometimes the prices at ON is cheaper here than in the US. Only thing is there size selection isn't as good. Anyway, I'm lucky I get to go to the US fairly often because I'm from there, but I'm super jealous of those living in the US.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I wonder why it is so hard for retailers to cater to niche groups and populations in other countries. Surely the cost of doing business in Canada isn't so high that people wouldn't be able to buy the merchandise?

I get similar issues trying to find plus-size stuff in the UK. The selection is just a lot more limited than back home, unless I just don't know where to shop.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Nice to know I'm not alone in my frustrations!

DonnaF

Veteran

And to think I was a bit peeved that Cleo Petites is strictly a Canadian company! Shannon, you do an amazing job of styling yourself given your constraints. Many b&m stores don't have the full selection of petite offerings available online, but I guess I shouldn't complain about the hassle of mail order because at least I don't have to pay duty which can be extra aggravating if it turns out to be a return (which I do a LOT).

FWIW, the H&M clothes I've tried on are cut for a slender limbed European body type so nothing has fit other than accessories. Even my teen daughter who is short but a more junior body type has had trouble with fit -- so maybe H&M wouldn't be your Mecca. But it would be nice to find that out personally, wouldn't it?

anchie

Veteran

I don't have your problem currently, but I lived in areas with very limited shopping opportunities. But it had it's advantages. Shopping was actually much easier, I did not get so overwhelmed and I could focus more on the few things that were on offer and always managed to find something.

Jem

Veteran

Look Shannon, I just found this article: http://www.canadianbusiness.co.....anada-next There is hope for us yet! J Crew is already opening a store soon. Although, I don't kow if will help you specifically in Winnipeg? I think it will get better over time, though. It's already alot better than it was when I first moved here 20 something years ago.

Anonymous

I'm so sorry Shannon! I had no idea how hard shopping was for you. Your fab boots and incerdible thrifting finds kept me distracted. Like Kirti said and Suz reiterated, you do an amazing job with your style and the dearth of shopping seems to only enhance your creativity.