Shopping at One Store--Lack of Style?

Hi All!

The Trinny and Susannah thread reminded me of something I read in one of their books. I think (if I remember correctly) they said that wearing an outfit with pieces that all came from the same store shows a lack of style. I have often wondered about this because, as most of you all know, I love J. Crew and LOTS of my wardrobe comes from there, so often times I'm wearing all J. Crew clothing. Not all the time, and it's not something I consciously think about, but I know it happens.

I was wondering what you all thought about this? Do you agree or disagree? The reason I have so many things from JC is that what they are offering is very aligned with my personal style, even more than someplace like Banana Republic, AT, ATL, etc. which I also like and shop at occasionally. So if I get some extra money and want to buy clothes, JC is always the first place I head because I usually have good luck there.

Do you all have one store that you sort of shop at above others, or do you try to spread it around? If so, why or why not?

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Ana, I think it's silly to base a person's style quotient on how many different stores they shop at. If you shopped at 20 different stores, but always bought the same style pant, shirt and shoe and that's all you wore that would be more style deprived than what you do.

JC works for you. Their sizing, their style, their colors. You have beautiful clothes and great style. You pair unusual pieces together and have fun with your clothes. How can that relate to lack of style?

I do find myself drawn to certain stores, especially now that I'm more in tune with what looks best on me. Esprit and NY and Co are my online regular hits. I am also a bargain hunter and I find their pricing and sales more my speed.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Bollocks to T&S's absurd comment and to other fashion stylists who believe the same thing.

Style is always in the wearer. You have a superb little look going Ana, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I’m personally not a fan of “matchy-matchy” style and buying an entire outfit from the same place CAN end up looking this way. But you are not in danger of committing this fashion faux pas. Continue to inspire us with your wonderful J Crew style!

Maya

I agree completely with Nicole and Angie. You obviously shop at J Crew for a reason: the fit and style work for you.

The other day almost my entire outfit came from Anthropologie and I noticed it while I was in the car with my friend, but it didn't bother me. Only a crazy person or a serious shopping addict would notice something like that or CARE about something like that.

This illustrates perfectly why I don't really like Trinny and Susannah. Nothing but commentary that has no basis in reality.

Tanya

I disagree with that T&S statement completely. I used to get a lot of stuff at Express and here and there find myself wearing it from head to toe. So what?

Now I'm more drawn to other brands, for whatever reason I'm currently obsessed with BCBG and would wear it head to toe on purpose if I could afford it.

Ana, I think you have a lovely style and J Crew really fits your personality. Their stuff is cute and well made, so what's not to like (other than the price)? Please continue wearing whatever you like and do not pay attention to some silly statements.

I personally got stressed about their other rule to never wear black with color, and went so far to not even wear black purse or shoes with an outfit that had any color in it ( If I wore anything black, the rest was in shades of black/grey and maybe white). Luckily for me, Angie said that it was OK to do black & color as long as there was another neutral and now I'm more creative with my black stuff and do not dread of wearing top in a color, jeans and black shoes!

Dana

Active Member

Ana,

I was completely kidding with the J Crew mole comment...I think you have great style and you put together outfits from J Crew that are very different from their catalog. You think outside the box that way. I wouldn't ever look at your outfits and guess where they came from. It's more a matter of you wearing their clothes to suit your style rather than basing your style on J Crew. I've enjoyed watching the outfits you create, and look forward to many more!

Ana

Aw, thanks everybody! I actually wasn't worried about my style too much (I don't really agree with what T&S stated above--sorry, probably should have made that more clear), I was more interested in what you all thought about wearing clothing that all comes from the same place, and if there were any stores that were all your personal favorites and what they were. And I totally wasn't offended by the mole comment Dani, it actually made me laugh! I know you guys are kidding with the J Crew comments. I posted in another thread about my husband being from Britain and their "unusual" sense of humor, so I'm more than used to some serious ribbing about my shopping habits. Thanks for all the reassurance though, you guys are so sweet!

Tanya, I never heard that rule of no black with color. As you know, I'm not a huge fan of the color black, but since I've started wearing a lot more bright jewel tones, I've found black isn't too bad and can actually highlight certain colors and make them stand out really nicely--as a matter of fact, this is probably the only way I would wear black. Wearing it only with other neutrals is classic, but just not me.

marianne

Ana, do you read this blog - http://jcrewaholic.blogspot.com/ ?
I saw it while I was searching for one of the items you posted about

I only shopped at J Crew occasionally. I guess I never knew how to use their clothing to put together a complete look. But seeing your outfits made me appreciate their clothing a lot more. Thank you!

Patience

Ana, I think you should just do whatever works for you (which you do already). I mentioned in my who's who post that I feel most comfortable shopping at Banana Republic due to fit, quality and style, although I really haven't bought many pants from them lately. I personally prefer trying to branch out though because I get a little bored with their stuff. I find most stores like BR have a certain number (not too many) of colors that their whole collection is in. (JCrew has soooo many colors that I don't think they count in this generalization.) However, there are plenty of days when my entire outfit is from BR except for shoes and I am extremely comfortable these days. I would actually probably be a jcrew-aholic as well except that I often have trouble with fit. I also think that while I always adore the jcrew looks in their catalog and online, I'm fundamentally a bit more conservative in my style and never feel quite right with the look on me. However, I wouldn't mind winning a shopping spree to buy their shoe and handbag collection. These are always so expensive, I try to wait for sales.

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