Retail: a little too hectic - YouLookFab Forum

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Retail: a little too hectic

Anonymous

Is it just me, or is retail at all price points just looking like one big jumble sale atm? I'm glad we have options, and I certainly don't want uniformity, but very little is appealing to me (for my own style) this season so far. Anyone else craving simplicity?

That said, 2 PC dresses are on their way to me

Shopping

36 replies

Latest reply was from

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, it’s all a bit too much for my own wearing preferences. But I am glad others are getting options they haven’t had in a while.

I feel like early spring in retail often is hectic feeling. They’re offering a bit of everything but no one’s sure what’s going to take off.

kkards

Veteran

i'm feeling like its been a long long winter and we shoppers are not quite ready for spring but want to be done with winter and retailer are feeling the same and not quite sure that to offer right now....

nemosmom

Veteran

YES! I find it all overwhelming, yet uninspiring at the same time.... It's very 'meh'...

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have found the early spring retail mostly easy to pass by because so many of the colors are not my jam. Lots of yellow, mustard, mauve, lilac, pink...blech (at least on my coloring — to be clear, I find them lovely on other people). The only things I’ve found that call me so far are neutrals, so I fear this is not my year for color.

It’s a shame because I’m liking the dress and skirt midi lengths that are out now, but the prints and colors are not speaking to me. I’m glad I got my blue printed Preen skirt when I did.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh my word. I'm the opposite. I LOVE IT. Inspired and I'm in retail heaven.

Spring and Summer fashion is my fave though, and I have to keep myself under control. Give myself a good talking too. I'm still very, very picky, and stick to my budget.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Where I shop is still a jumble of winter and spring clothing, mostly winter. I’ll be looking for that sweet spot of very lightweight breathable tops and dresses with 3/4 sleeves with enough color saturation so I don’t look washed out.

Runcarla

Veteran

I was in a mall this week (on business unrelated to fashion) and did a bit of window shopping. If it wasn't ripped jeans, hoodies, motos, and ball caps - it was prom gowns! I figured it was in some part the demographic of the area where the mall was situated.

On the other hand, I'm obsessing over a simple outfit in the window of a local shop - camel coloured jeans, small floral pattern on a navy shirt, with a red Jean style jacket over.

Anonymous

Nemosmom expressed my sentiments.

Anonymous

I finally had time (well, maybe 2 hours, tops) to do some much-needed shopping the other day , and decided I am so tired of the mall/chain stores and their relentless pushing of fleeting street -trends (huge Balenciaga sneaker knock offs, big ungainly sweatshirts, logos and more logos = looking at you, Michael Kors and Browns shoes ) . I don't live in a city big enough and adventurous enough to support better chain stores (like Eileen Fisher ) or really avant-garde and interesting indies. Everything in the indie stores looks the same to me : the same brands doing the same things . UGH. I blew through Aritizia because I really needed to refresh my black -only work wardrobe but even there I was buying re-issues of previous styles . I had more fun at Sephora than at any clothing shop . Oh, I also had fun at Lululemon, which does update colour stories and new silhouettes constantly. Ordering on-line is fine and all, but I like the thrill of discovery - in person. Maybe it's just too early here ? After all, there is still 3 feet of snow on the ground ....

Sal

Veteran

I am liking many of the fashions here this season - lots of great patterns and colour and awesome footwear that is wearable.

I have been sitting on my hands though so far although ready to add a puffer and some new shoes......

Brooklyn

Veteran

I am also liking what I see here. Longer dresses. More colour than usual. I would like to see more non-floral patterns (although I do like floral of course). I’ve just been looking at boots this morning because it’s a very wet day - and I can feel winter coming. And there are lots of things I like!

ST, what did you get from PC? I got these 2 items in their sale and, my word, I LOVE them.

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Anonymous

Quick chime in since its chore day-and will respond more later- but thanks all! I think it probably is due to all the leftover winter and the new spring-summer things all jumbled together. Too late to buy winter stuff, too early to wear summer stuff...and yep too many logos and colors that don't suit me.
But happy update re: PC dresses (Inez and Sultanabad) They arrived yesterday and I Love them so much It's just not warm enough to wear them this week yet.

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Anonymous

They are beautiful, Suntiger.

Brooklyn

Veteran

High five ST! I have both those too! PC is fantastic.

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ok, I’ve just gone down the rabbit hole looking at dresses on Peruvian Connection thanks to you guys. How is their sizing?

Sal

Veteran

I had a quick look - those Peruvian Connection dresses are lovely!! A nice balance between classic and interesting - and perfect for lots of occasions.

I also find early in the season a bit hit and miss - sometimes there is great stuff but sometimes it is a hot mess.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Sally, I wish we had something similar here.

Janet, I tried on half the store when I was in NYC and I found their sizing a bit variable. In their more bodycon cotton jersey items that are fitted around the hips, I had to size up. But in their less fitted items like the Inez dress above I got my regular size. Because the dress has some draping/ease around the hips, it fit me fine. In the teal curator dress I also got my regular size because it is quite roomy around the hips.

jussie

Veteran

I’ve never heard of Peruvian Connection. Hmm going to look right now...

Anonymous

I've only tried these (so far), Janet, but went with my usual small. The ones that are just cotton I'd probably size up, since they wouldn't have stretch. One way or the other, their fits in general look hourglass friendly.
Hopefully they make this same dress in my sunset colors later!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the info, ST and Brooklyn. I'm tempted to try ordering a couple, because the prints appeal to me and they look casual enough. It's so hard to tell when ordering online, since the models' bodies bear absolutely zero resemblance to my own. And the lengths of a couple are borderline for me (I prefer to cover the knees), and I'm unsure whether the fabrications suit our humid, hot summers. Hmm. Will ponder.

Anonymous

They're covering knee length on me. I'm shorter, but my legs are long hip to knee. Climate wise definitely. We're more or less same climate and my rule is sleeveless, skirts, and sandals

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Great, suntiger, that really helps! Generally I need a dress length of 40" to cover the knee, and a couple I'm looking at are shorter than that. But if I size up for the hips of doom, perhaps I get a little more length that way.

Anonymous

Could always add a bit of lace at the bottom to add length too!

Helena

Veteran

I agree! I find retail mostly uninspiring and rely heavily on my personal style filter, and great advice from YLF

RainB

The PC dresses look beautiful suntiger. The print, the colours, the cut...everything. If they were sold here I would buy them too!

Gretchen

Veteran

PC is challenging for me. I love the cuts of the dresses — with actual long sleeves! But the coloring is often too muted for me. I picked up the dress and earrings in their Presidents Day sale.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I didn't realize PC did more than heavy wool things.

I'm not having a hard time at retail right now. There were a couple of sweaters I ordered that got returned to sender because I never saw a notice to go pick them up. I like them, but can't get myself to order them. Just don't want to spend the money. Soon it'll be time to pull out spring /summer things, and that will be a change--without spending money!

Style Fan

Veteran

I have only gone to the big mall once in Jacksonsville but I liked what I saw. The colours were mostly earth tones and there were lots of nice looking shoes for people with regular feet (that would not be me). Not sure why I torture myself looking at shoes I can't wear.
There were lots of cropped wide-legged jeans and pants in the stores at every price point. I am mostly covered in that area but it was nice to see something other than skinny jeans.
Of course, there were lots of skinny jeans and distressed jeans.

Anonymous

I've been considering Ainsley too, Gretchen-but may be impractical in my bipolar climate
@Rain, they say these are based on Turkish rug patterns! I've always loved Mediterranean influenced patterns.
@FashIntern, yep, I bet you're quite sorted for warm weather dressing I'm suspecting Germany is much less humid though!

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