Obsession with a retailer/designer - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Obsession with a retailer/designer

Sharon

Veteran

Hi all, haven't posted for a while -crazy life!- and have missed you.

I recently realised that I seem to find a retailer each season who I just adore and love everything they have. Not usually the same retailer, but one of a group of about 5 who seem to get my style. Now, I do enjoy finding a shop where I love all the options, but I also worry about wearing a particular brand head-to-toe. My concern is that could look dated more quickly than a wardrobe chosen from a broader collection and also that it is less interesting and original than a more eclectic outfit.

I suppose this gets back to whether the clothes are wearing you rather than the other way around- does buying from a single retailer stifle individuality and style expression?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think if the retailer or designer speaks to you, it will look like you rather than that retailer/designer when you wear the clothes. How often do you actually go head-to-toe in one designer? Don't you usually mix the clothing at least with shoes and a bag from a different label, for instance? Right there, with that minor change, you are creating a different look.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I have a habit of doing this as well, usually lasts a season or two until they change direction or I do. I have more issues with my fallback retailer, J Crew (I say it's fallback because if I say to myself, e.g., I want pink pants, that tends to be where I look first) than whatever I am excited about for other brands' directional pieces, because I can end up with too many of the J Crew basic pieces in the same outfit. As Firecracker says, it's fine if you find a brand that really speaks to you, as long as you mix in other things that do as well.

shedev

Veteran

I've fallen hard for 2 brands in the last year. I have enough in other brands that dressing head to toe would be unlikely, but if I did, you guys would be the only ones who would notice.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

It definitely depends on how strongly the retailer, or designer for that matter, has a brand identity. Dressing like a J Crew catalog is definitely more of a recognizable thing than a Nordstrom catalog or even a Gap catalog.

Sharon

Veteran

Firecracker, I didn't think about accessories and shoes, but of course they make a difference.
UmmLila, it's finding the other things that is problematic. Given a finite budget, I wonder if it's worth buying things I don't love as much just to "break up" the look.
shedev, you're right, most people probably wouldn't notice
shevia, yes, maybe choosing trendier items can actually work in my favour in this situation

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm really glad you asked this, Sharon. I have a similar question and possible problem. My fallbacks being J. Crew (waving at UmmLila) and also Zara. And the opposite problem, too -- if you don't shop for "outfits" (which often means buying it all at the same place) then it is far harder to get the styling right.

From this side of the pond, all I can say is that you look absolutely like *you* in everything I've ever seen you wear. And loving your clothes as I do, I sometimes browse your Australian purveyers. What I see amazes me -- the same thing happens when I go to Metallicus and compare to Deborah's and Lynn's outfits. You all look about 300 times better than the models in these clothes and your outfits are far more unique!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, and now I want to know this season's love!!

Sharon

Veteran

Suz, I find this too -styling can be tricky in outfits where even small change in proportion are important. My current obsession is ScanlonTheodore, which is where I bought my orange crop (amongst other things!). However, they are very expensive, so buying from there means not buying from anywhere else. Have a look under their sale section - lots of trapeze tops, and a gorgeous cerise one-shoulder top that I could really see you in!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Sharon, in response to your response to UmmLlila above, I just want to say, life is too short to wear things you don't love. At least as a deliberate strategy.
And I'm with Suz, curious about your current obsession!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think I automatically fall into this category as well just because my shopping options are so limited. Gap, Banana Republic, Danier, to less degree Zara (they often do not "get me" with sizing) and JCrew ( expensive shipping policy)...most of my wardrobe comes from them. However as long as you do not dress like their catalog every single day and remix pieces creatively to fit your style persona you should be fine. I think that getting things you love is more important than brand variety.

MsMaven

Veteran

I've gone through phases with designers. In the 80s it was AKII and Ellen Tracy, later replaced by DKNY. In the 90s a lot of my stuff came from the Gap. A few years ago I went through a Theory stage, but now their stuff doesn't seem to fit my expanded waistline as well.

Lately fashion cycles seem to move with dizzying speed. I find some brand I like and whoosh--it's either gone or has changed. Right now I spend a lot of my dollars at BR, although lately I don't find much there, and Nordstrom.

Deborah

Veteran

Well you know my obsession is with Metalicus! They get me. I see their clothes and they "look like me" not the other way round. And I don't try to wear them like the models, I wear them like me:) I think that is the case for you and your preferred designers

rachylou

Veteran

Actually I miss having a favorite designer. I used to be all over Marc Jacobs, but his current stuff isn't me. I sometimes think I've gotten too old for his little girl details, but I have old things of his that still work for me. So I don't know.

elation

Sticking with favorite brand has other merits, like consistent fit or material quality which is especially beneficial if ordering online. I think if a brand has sizing that fits you really well, it goes a long way in making you feel your best.

rute

Veteran

Me too!! When I like a collection I get obsessed easily, but also because I have limited size options, portuguese size is bigger And the smallest size of the store is to Big for me, so I like to go to spanish brands. Last year was massimo dutti but as they tend to repeat certain cuts, Colors and sizes, this year I'm loving Zara and mng collections.

Summer

Veteran

I'm only too pleased when I find a retailer that gets my style and fit. I usually have a handful of stores that I fall back on, knowing that there will always be something for me. As I can only buy a few pieces each season, usually across the board, I don't have to worry about a "top to toe" look.

My usual gripe is, having found a store/designer that really "gets me", they suddenly go out of business or change their style. That is so frustrating.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have a few designers that I like but I rarely wear their pieces head to toe. I like Sarah Pacini, Sandwich, Stills to name a few. I use to like Mexx and Jacob but sadly they have gone out of business.

I can't imagine anyone would notice if someone wore a designer head to toe. Most people are not that fashion savy IMHO.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sharon, I wouldn't worry about it. As long as you love and feel great in what you buy - it doesn't matter where the items came from or what the brands are.

That said, it could become expensive if you keep on falling OUT of love with the stuff you bought the season before. But if constant wardrobe churn floats your boat - go for it. Focus on building a wardrobe that works for your lifestyle, closet space and budget instead of trying to fit it into a prescribed number of items. And have fun with fashion.

retailgirl

Veteran

I usually go with one or two labels or stores. In the 90's, it was Jones New York and Talbots, then In the early 2000's it was Ellen Tracy and Garfileld Marks, (also Faconnable and Classiques, that was when I worked at Nordstrom...:-). Then it morphed into Lauren Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers, which is where I am today. And I always find things at Talbots, although I think their quality is much less than it used to be. I've never shopped J Crew, not sure why, it would fit my style and I'm a tall rectangle so the fit would probably work. I'll have to check it out.

Carla

Veteran

Sometimes a designer 'gets' you, and sometimes a store develops a 'look' that has resonance, so I don't see a problem with leaning heavily towards a favourite label. It can make shopping easier.

My preference is to shop a dept store where you can roam the departments putting outfits and capsules together from different lines. Unfortunately with malls, and even 'boutiques' within department stores (where they don't let you take items outside the boutique), that becomes difficult.

I recently tackelled a big mall, but I had a list that I stuck too - 7 different items from 6 different stores!

Anonymous

I'm with Suz on this one. Try not to dress like the catalog, and be sure to add your own touches. My loyalties change like the wind, because it's not just about fit (even though that's a biggie) but also about color. Sometimes a store just doesn't carry colors I like or can wear, so I avoid it. This is the first year I've shopped for Spring clothes in God only knows how long, simply because of the colors.

tulle

Veteran

Last year I became a bit obsessed with Isabel Marant, but her prices make dressing head-to-toe in her clothes impossible! I did manage to snag a pale gray-blue cropped jacket with gold buttons (and a silk lining!) on sale. Later I bought pants in the same fabric, also at a great price. Both mix well with other things I own. Every time I wear that jacket (most often with white cropped pants and a platinum silk charmeuse top) I get compliments, so it was worth the hunt and the wait to find it. When a designer or store really speaks to you, it seems only sensible to listen!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'm more of a variety shopper, although there are definitely brands I keep coming back to over time. I've never bought 'real' designer lines and my trendier stuff tends to come from no-name brands, but I definitely can fall in love with one particular collection, like I did with Violeta's fall/winter line.

There are some stores I am loyal to because of fit, like AT/Loft and Eddie Bauer for jeans, not because they're doing something oh so revolutionary with pants.

Sharon

Veteran

That's a really good point, Angie. I specifically DON'T want constant churn.

I think that because I had to replace most of my wardrobe in one hit, I had stuff that I didn't really love, but that worked OK. This summer, I have got to a place where I love all my clothes, and I'm hoping to get to the same place with my winter clothes. The pieces I loved last summer are still in my wardrobe and I still love them, just not quite as much as my newer things! I will be interested to see how I feel about them next summer.

Thank you to all for giving me lots to think about!

Lyn D.

Veteran

Thanks for the link Sharon- ST boutiques look so lovely, and I could see you in that 'Geo print dress' in the sale section
I love Metalicus at the moment, especially as you can mix and match , which leads to variety in itself.
Also as most is 1-size fits most- each body looks a bit different in a particular piece.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

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