More Random Thoughts On Retail

Angie

I've done a lot of in-store shopping with clients the last few months - and these are some random thoughts. Based on retail the US:

Fully stocked stores for the first time since Dec 2019! WOOHOOOOO

Red - the IT colour of the season - yet there's not too much of it. Expected more.

LOTS of browns and earth tones. No stopping the palette several seasons in. Lots of chocolate brown too.

LOTS of sequins and metallics everywhere.

Plenty of jewel tones and black. Not much navy.

J.Crew items generally fit and look better on more body types, (and seem better quality) since Jenna Lyon's departure. More of my clientele are shopping there again. I've bought more at J.Crew the last few years, for sure.

Talbots wins most size inclusive brand. BEST petites department hands down - no contest. An underrated retailer that deserves more love!

Marks & Spencer wins my award for best classic merino wool knitwear at a price. I have three that cost below $60. No pilling, non-scratchy, and fab fits and colours. Launder well too. Two seasons in.

Banana Republic has lost me as a customer (for now....). Their new direction and palette does not work for my style. Some of my clients love it - so I'm in there frequently nonetheless!

Anthropolgie is looking better than ever. I am buying more and more there!

WHBM, Macys, and Zara are ALWAYS worth a look.

Macy's new "On 34th" house brand is AWESOME, and quite size inclusive.

Lots of mohair and alpaca in knits - I'm looking at you COS! - and I can't wear any of it because it greatly irritates my skin, eyes, and nasal passages. Bypassing lots of fab knitwear because of it. Oh well! Next.

Cashmere is UBIQUITOUS. It's everywhere at all price points. Lots of goats in the world

Faherty (NY brand) and Marine Layer (San Francisco brand) are doing some great casual things!

Essential Antwerp's colour combinations launch me into orbit

It's a mega skirt season, yet I can't find a single skirt that is the right colour, length, fabric, and price point! Maybe next year....

I LOVE Ralph Lauren Polo. Their stand-alone stores are a favourite. Pricey though.

Wit & Wisdom does excellent trousers and jeans at more affordable prices - and are always worth a look.

I am a devout department store gal thereby consistently loving Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. They don't get all my budget, but a fair bit of it. Their items have become more expensive unfortunately - and I've become better at nabbing items on sale, and OFF season, fortunately!

Over to you.

All thoughts welcome xo

ETA:

Sezanne (Paris brand) are doing great things too. Not too pricey, comparatively.

5 months ago

Shopping

65 replies

Latest reply was from Liz

Runcarla

Veteran

Thank you for this! I’ve noticed Faherty as well.

5 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, Angie, I am laughing at the idea your thoughts could be "random" when in fact they are thoroughly researched.

Shop with this woman and you know she is soaking up information like a thirsty sponge. She walks in, gets the gestalt, and then hones in on all the details faster than her little dogs can trot. Every time she picks up an article and looks at the seams, every time she peers at a mannequin, every time she watches a client or anyone else try something on, she is making mental notes about fit, fabrication, quality, practicality (or lack thereof) and they all add up!

I finally got the Wit and Wisdom sale trousers (yay!) and wow, what a great work from home or go anywhere pant. I got them in charcoal and in blue and they are both brilliant. On me they are a perfect full length -- can wear with sneakers or boots. I can see why Angie made them a top pick at the sale and even at the non sale price they are an absolute steal. I'm wearing my charcoal pair now, as I type.

Nordstrom

Wit & Wisdom 'Ab'Solution Skyrise Wide Leg Pants

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Nordstrom

Wit & Wisdom 'Ab'Solution Skyrise Plaid Wide Leg Ponte Pants

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5 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Carla, yes! I can see you in Faherty items, and my pleasure.

Suz, HAHAHA! Thank you!!! I can't help it, I guess. It's in my DNA after 31 years in the industry. I've had lots and lots of practice.

Soooo glad you love the Wit & Wisdom pants as much as I do! They are excellent travel pants for long flights too. Fab for WFH, and like dressy athleisure pants, IYKWIM. My clients are smitten with them. I have the brown plaid and navy. At the new shorter full length on me. Not cropped.

Waving at my pants twinsie!

Nordstrom

Wit & Wisdom AbSolution Skyrise Wide Leg Pants

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Nordstrom

Wit & Wisdom 'Ab'Solution Skyrise Wide Leg Pants

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Top Pick

5 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Here is one item from Faherty I have my eye on. It is eye-wateringly expensive in Canada, though...so I might have to wait for a sale.

Custom Find

by Suz

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5 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz, I know that top! It's extremely polished and well made. Pic does not do it justice. It can layer beautifully under a blazer or other type of jacket too.

ETA:

Sezanne (Paris brand) are doing great things too. Not too pricey, comparatively.

5 months ago

Helena

Veteran

Interesting! The last few times I was out shopping, I wasn't really too inspired - but perhaps I was catching the lull between earlier fall and holiday season, and granted our local mall is not huge. The scene in Canada is pretty desolate though on average, sadly

BR has been hopeless for me too lately - it's definitely moved in a direction that is not very relevant to my lifestyle. I can imagine it working really well for a certain style though - they've definitely gone more luxe, at least visually.

I don't have a go to store right now, which is a bit annoying, although I also don't really need anything, so maybe it's a good thing! I will keep my eye on Zara. How are Canadians feeling about Uniqlo lately? They used to always have something that appealed to me but lately they've been a dud for me (great on the men's side though).

I feel like that last time red was the colour, it was also hard to come by - I wonder if the strength of the colour makes it a tougher sell, even when it's on trend? Yay for chocolate, which I've been craving lately (the food as well as the clothing colour lol). Boo for no navy.

5 months ago

cat2

Veteran

So funny, I was just staring at my email and marveling at all the sequin offerings. I think someone who loves blue should get the Talbots blue sequin front tank.

5 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

cat2, I saw that Talbots top, and it's gorgeous! On discount too:

https://www.talbots.com/sequin.....E&

Helena, thanks for your thoughts! And for making me laugh Fascinating.

We tend to see a lot of red at the end of the year. anyway - but strangely, not this year in the US - and it's THE colour! Maybe it's on its way......or it's not a good seller? Who knows!

As for Uniqlo, the items are great! The collaborations too. I have yet to find something that works for me from Uniqlo - (other than Heattech thermals). Yet my clients and friends do well

5 months ago

Roberta

Veteran

I just returned from the mall and can vouch for Talbots! My only "complaint" is that I wish they carried more flared pants. Their tuxedo velvet flares are sooo beautiful (can't make a find because of their formatting). Currently on sale, but they would need hemming, so I am deliberating. And the matching blazer is very good as well.

I also saw appealing things at Nordstrom, including this sweater and these PERFECT gold pants. They have a five pocket version as well. There were many sparkly shiny things calling my name.

Nordstrom

Halogen Contrast Stitch Sweater

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Nordstrom

Halogen Metallic Faux Leather Trousers

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5 months ago

slim cat

Veteran

I see a lot of coated denim, faux leather, some velvet and corduroy but I'm being asked by my customers about more basic/classic offerings - like straight dark jeans, velvet trouser pants, skinny jeans in variety of colors/washes which is not in stores much ( more on line ).
So - lots of options but still not enough .

5 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, Roberta -- what a nice sweater! And great metallic pants, too. There are also some fabulous silver pants and skirts out there this season. I got my Zara ones and they are probably all I need.

I've noticed that a lot of the retailers are clever with their metallics this year -- some of them are what you might call platinum. Looks silver in one light, goldish in another light. A really smart plan since the colour could work for those who prefer either metallic. Take a look at the BR skirt below. In person it looks less yellow and more platinum.

I also saw that Talbots tank and was sorely tempted, but I have an older black sequin cami from J. Crew that I wear when I want sequins and I add blue elsewhere in the outfit. Still...if it goes on super discount after the holiday, I'll be more tempted -- thinking ahead about formal wear, don't you know.

Also, don't you think RunCarla would look great in that tank????

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5 months ago

Ket

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Angie, you are the Mary Poppins of the style world: showing us all how to make it work with stick-to-it-ness and delight!

Love having some new retailers to explore. Or at least, some old ones I haven’t visited in ages. I honestly had abandoned Anthropologie some time again due to quality and sizing. I may revisit again. I used to love their items so much, especially in the 2010s.

My find is Chic City.The quality is on par with Lane Bryant. They perpetually run 60% sales, making them less expensive than other mid to high end plus size retailers. They’re new to me, and I’ve had about a 50% success rate with their styles. Very glamorous style overall. I actually like it better maybe than Lane Bryant. CC feels a bit more youthful and fresh, despite offering somewhat similar styles. Great curvy cuts. Sizing on point with size chart so far.

5 months ago

Bonnie

Veteran

Thanks for sharing your impressions. I haven't been in a store for awhile but with Christmas coming soon, I'll be shopping for gifts and this list will be helpful.

5 months ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I always enjoy reading about what is going on in the retail world. I have not been shopping in B & M in ages. Banana Republic is calling my name for the first time. There is a denim jumpsuit that I love, and their footwear is so me. Often, they have olive suede boots, which are rare.
I seem to order from Aritizia because they carry Citizens of Humanity jeans.

5 months ago

Irina

Veteran

It’s been a few months since I shopped in real stores. I only dropped by Uniqlo in September when C collab was released. I got 4 things and 3 of them are in rotation already. The last one is a summer dress.

I liked the dress in all three available colors and could not decide which one to get. So, I bought all three, took home and asked my DH
If I didn’t have a sizable collection of summer dresses, I would’ve kept two.

I also went to Aritzia to return a part of an online order. I looked around and wanted to buy all cashmere sweaters in sight But I didn’t.

Will go to COS later this month but other than that, I’m set and really not that interested.

5 months ago

Anonymous

I've been enjoying BRs direction for a while, though the prices are definitely steeper. Big yay for skirts, reds, earth tones, and black- though I do want some warmer toned navy things too. Not happy with all the itchy knits- but at least there have been lots of cotton sweaters available too.

I'm off shopping for clothes now, cause I bought sooo much this year, but onto skincare and spa services

5 months ago

Joy

Veteran

I agree. Retail has been disappointing this year.

5 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone!

Roberta, YAY for Talbots! I know the items and am vouching for them too. Gorgeous! Saw the Halogen gold pants in stores, but haven't seen them on a body yet. Will soon.

Joy, I've generally found retail exciting this year! I wonder if you need to look at Talbots?

Suz, good observation on metallics!

Slim Cat, retailers can't please everyone, right? Sigh!!! And skinny jeans live on....

Ket, YES! City Chic is doing great things! And please revisit Anthropolgie. Lots of YOU stuff there!

Bonnie, glad this was helpful!

Irina, Aritzia is ALL your palette! Husbands can be very useful too

Style Fan and Suntiger, makes perfect sense that Banana Republic has won you over as customers. Your palettes!

5 months ago

Jaime

(website)

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I have no idea what is going on in retail, but your report is very interesting. I am especially intrigued by brands like J Crew and Banana Republic that I have known for decades. Agree about mohair - so itchy!
I can say that based on the quantity of donated stretchy skinny jeans I sort, they are definitely not in style. Are they still appearing at retail?

5 months ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

Interesting. Just to add a southern hemisphere perspective, here are some random thoughts on what I’m seeing here:

Lots of dresses with cut outs or one shoulder or in strapless styles

Lots of shirt dresses (longer and shorter), many in utility styles

Skirts tend to be very long or very short. Long skirts tend to be straight, a-line or single tiered (fewer multi tiered). Short skirts tend to be a-line. I’ve even seen some skorts (which are a bit of a unicorn item).

Pants are long and wide and either full length or the new shorter full length. They are commonly styled with a waistcoat, halter neck top or one shoulder top. Or long jacket.

Jackets are long and tending oversized

Tops are cropped

Lots of halter neck and one shouldered tops

Lots of crochet

Lots of metallics

Lots of white and off white

Lots of blue

Lots and lots of pinstripe. I think it’s THE pattern of the Summer.

Not seeing a lot of pattern generally and most patterns tend to be larger scale and graphic (contrasting). The ditsy prints of previous seasons seem to be gone. There is not much floral at all (which is surprising). And not much of the more abstract, blurry prints that I like.

Also seeing skirts, dresses and tops with very long fringes and pants, dresses and skirts with see through parts. Seems to be a thing.

Fewer ruffles and tiers than previous seasons. Fewer earthy colours. Less pattern. I would say a less exuberant, and more neutral and streamlined look is on the rise here.

I’m glad I prepared early because I don’t think this is “my” Summer. I’m into the metallic trend but so far most of the other colours and patterns (or lack thereof) don’t grab me. I also prefer my Summer skirts to have some volume (not necessarily tiers but not too straight). I’m not a shirt dress fan. And I have no use for cut out, one shoulder or halter neck items.

But I did manage to find a dark floral skirt (shown in Finds), so yay for that!

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by Brooklyn

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5 months ago

Suz

(website)

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Wow, Brooklyn -- I see some 90s influences there for sure. SO interesting to see what spring looks like in Australia!

5 months ago

Jenni NZ

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Hmmm. Not too sure, I guess I’m not looking enough?
I did wander through our small mall 2 days ago and a bigger one last weekend. Only saw one item that appealed enough to try on (pic below)- scratched my itch for bronze but sleeves cut in too much so bra straps showed. Next!
Otherwise the only thing I noticed was a heap of cobalt! One of my fave colours, but I already have plenty.

5 months ago

rachylou

Veteran

All those stores have disappeared around me, but there are an Anthro and Marine Layer. I’ve never been in the latter and it’s been a long time since I’ve been in the former. I should try to find a moment. I’d like to go in search of browns - perhaps they have some?

5 months ago

kkards

Veteran

I was at the mall over the weekend and I was also wondering where the red was. Everything and everyone I read on the fall 2023 trends said red, red, red…but very little in the mall stores.

Stocked stores , sort of…more than in the last 2-3 years, but at my mall much much less than I would have seen in 2019. More inventory control is think.

Talbots closed in the major mall here 2 years ago, and in the prime city shopping neighborhood back in 2018. So I only get into their stores when I’m out of town, and I find shopping them On line really hard, because their styling skews so classic, I have a hard time figuring out if it will really work for me. Also I’m sometimes a petite and sometimes the regular missy size works better.

I found Jcrew to look better than I’ve seen in a while, but the quality to be very inconsistent. The cashmere felt terrible but the denim looked great.

5 months ago

Staysfit

Veteran

My random thought s about your random thoughts: I pulled out my red leather jacket, belt and sneakers and have been wearing them. Also wearing my matte silver sequins trimmed merino wool j crew vest, it’s old but the sequins were well sewn and it has been very durable.

Love hearing that stores are well stocked and am looking forward to getting some time so I can go shopping….

5 months ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Interesting observations!

A lot of stores near me have gone away. The closest J Crew, BR, or Nordstrom are all a half hour + away, and it’s further to go to a Bloomingdale’s or many other retailers (and you’d have to deal with the DC beltway, which I’m not inclined to do just for shopping). So I’m not doing much department store shopping these days. Maybe if I go to NYC.

Our local mall has…Macy’s, which is ok, but I’m always been unimpressed with it. Maybe the local buyer is too traditional for my taste, and it always feels a bit overstuffed. But I’ll check out the new line if it’s there next time I’m in the mall. Zara is there as well, and it’s a small but organized Zara, so I do find occasional gems there. There’s a very cute black sequined vest there now that I bet would be perfect for someone’s holiday capsule! H&M has some occasional good stuff if I have time to pick through. There’s a WH/BM which is ok but not usually my style. There is also Ann Taylor, Loft, and Talbots, all of which are not super relevant to my style. Free People is a little too young. So…my trips to the mall are rather short these days.

I have better luck at a couple of local boutiques (two of which are in a shopping center with Anthro), and a nearby strip mall that has Athleta, Gap, ON, and Nordstrom Rack.

I’m seeing holiday stuff out there — some silver and gold metallic, sequins and shiny fabrications. Colors seem more varied and saturated than in recent years — there are more jewel tones, yay! High waisted everything still seems to reign - I’m still hard pressed to find anything mid-rise in pants.

I haven’t tried JCrew in years because the fits have mostly been too straight for me. I kinda gave up on them really, as even the styles stopped appealing to me. Maybe I’ll take a look again.

There is a lot of cashmere out there, but not a lot of *great* cashmere. Some of it feels thin and itchy. And I’m so with you on no mohair! OMG I’m itching just thinking about it! LOL

5 months ago

RobinF

Veteran

I have never been a big Talbots shopper but I like to support companies that provide a lot of petite sizes, maybe I need to check them out.

I haven't done a lot of B&M shopping in a while. I did wander through Target last night and didn't see any holiday bling at all. I thought a sparkly sweater or top would be fun but nothing.

I agree about mohair and alpaca, can't wear it at all. Lots of merinos and cashmeres are too itchy for me too.

5 months ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes to Talbots petites! The very best fit. I bought a striped tee with an owl applique a few months ago. Cute! Also in petites (and in more muted color palettes than Talbots typically does), I've been finding work shirts and casual tops from Liverpool and Democracy. I find those brands in store at Dillard's. We don't have Bloomie's here and only one Nordstrom but we have two good Dillard's that are much better organized and staffed than Macy's.

I like the vibe of Free People but the items can run massively huge with exaggerated long sleeves so it's very hit or miss for me. Still, I got a pair of FP barrel jeans while shopping with Kyle and I've worn them a ton. They're heavy, non-stretch denim, but because they stand away from the body, they aren't too hot to wear in our Arizona fall and winter.

What about Boden, Angie? Are you still a fan? I received the gold/pearl necklace yesterday. Not too heavy and killer gorgeous! Striking!

5 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone! Reading them with great interest

Laura, YES! Love Boden. Did much better with them in Summer though. See what I got below My Autumn and Winter budget went elsewhere. Glad the pearl necklace worked out! I bet KILLER on you.

I'll be back.....family is calling.....