Where do you prefer to shop? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Where do you prefer to shop?

Susie

Veteran

There seems to be a lot of love on here for the chain stores, like BR, Ann Taylor, Gap, Express, etc. I know it is nice to have a few places that seem to "get" us and can be counted on to have pants or jackets each season that usually fit. And if they don't have a size or color in store, it can usually be found online.

Then there are the lovely department stores like Nordstrom that offer a greater variety and also carry favorite brands that can, again, be counted on to have styles that always seem to work.

When I think about the pieces I've bought for fall, I realized that I don't have a particular go to store. My things have come from a variety- Nordstrom and Dillards, JCrew, Anthropoligie, and a variety of boutiques. I even got a few pieces at stores that I don't think of as "me" like JJill and Coldwater Creek.

Even though the boutiques aren't the best option when looking for something in particular (like "I need a gray sweater"), I think they are my favorite place to shop. I guess because it is easier to find things that seem a bit more unique and that I'm not likely to see other people in the same thing.

What about you? What are your go to stores? And do you have stores that you intentionally avoid?

Shopping

41 replies

Latest reply was from jennifer

Mia

Veteran

I don't really like to shop and experience has shown me that a few stores can usually provide what I'm looking for. Holt's which is our version of Nordstroms carries a wide range right up to designer so having a trusted SA there can save me lots of time and trouble. J. Crew, DKNY and Winners get a lot of my fashion dollars because of decent return policies and the type of clothing they stock. I do like to look at my buys in the "mirror of truth" and play around to make sure the item earns its right to stay and play so even thought I don't return a lot I like the option.

I avoid the stores the stores where I know I can't get a good fit or things aren't generally my style i.e. Max Mara and Anthroplogie.

Finally, I like to shop a bit when I travel because I can relax and just see if something "jumps out at me". If I have "the feeling" it comes home with me.

My dream is to find a boutique that is filled with things that are my style and fit me. Still looking

Thistle

Veteran

I shop at a handful of stores;
Talbots for pants as they "get" me and jackets. Occassionally I find nice tops there.
Ann Taylor for pencil skirts (they have one particular style I adore) and tops.
Zappos and Amazon get some of my shoe budget.
Nordstrom's for darn near anything and everything else! They get a huge chunk of my fashion dollars even though there isn't one in my state

I just don't have a lot of time or love for shopping. I have heard good things about Coldwater Creek, but I haven't had time to check it out. I used to love Banana Republic, but their quality has been SO hit or miss. I am wearing a BR top today that looks lovely. I just donated another one I wore no more than 4-5 times and it looked so tired and worn out. J.Crew looks beautiful, but doesn't get me. No Club Monocos, Zaras, etc. anywhere near me, and unless they have free shipping and returns, just not willing to play.

nancylee

Veteran

Mostly Nordstrom, Zappos, Jcrew BR, some Anthropologie, department stores like Macy's/Lord and Taylor, and sometimes even Amazon.

Like Shannon, I've been doing more Ebay shopping lately. Many of the sellers now accept returns, which makes it a safer bet.

Anonymous

Zappos for shoes

Coldwater Creek, but I do a lot of hunting to find what I like; they have a lot of frumpy stuff as well as colors that don't look that good on me. I can wear a lot of the stuff that reviewers say don't fit quite right, so I'd probably be a great fit model for them, lol.

Ann Taylor - only one item so far but I'm impressed and want to go to the store to explore.

Nordstrom - only two items so far but I'm very, very happy with my acquisitions from there and will most definitely shop there again.

Express - I love my Original Express Editors, flare leg. Unfortunely, the other Editors don't fit the same way, which I find very annoying. I don't know if I will buy from them again or not. I need more reliable sizing, ya know?

QVC every once in a great while, and only for certain accessories (not clothing). I just bought a new Tignanello handbag from there; beautiful cognac color that goes with almost everything in my wardrobe.

Amazon.com, of course.

Glory

Veteran

Based in Canada I find that our options are more limited if we are not willing to xborder shop. In my case unless I am travelling, my shopping has to be done here. I also will no longer shop anywhere that will not do a full refund (not just an exchange). There are many Canadian retailers that do that. I like to try with my wardrobe and think it through so I need that as an option. I like The Bay, Winners, Reitmans, Ricki's, Joe Fresh

rachylou

Veteran

Angie says leave no stone unturned - I shop pretty much every where. But I do divide the stores up into "tiers", visiting some more often than others. Visiting frequency has a lot to do with location and not as much to do with love as one might expect. My very fave boutique, I visit only once a year because it's a trip.

Anyways, I always find fantastic things at Blu, a boutique. These finds are always, however, serendipitous.

I love H&M. Go to Ross and Marshall's a lot. Always stop in the Target clothing department. Rainbow is cute. This is a lot to do with they're being nearby and a cheap fix, but they also have come through for me a lot in a pinch.

Nordie's and Neiman's I cycle through maybe four times a year. And also Macy's (although I don't love the store experience). I find them good for anchor pieces (but not necessarily statement pieces) to sustain a season's look. There are some local boutiques in this category, often with four letter names like "Sway."

Once a year stores because they're so difficult to get to in someway: Zara's, Bloomingdales, Barney's, Sunhee Moon (boutique), All the shops in Haye's Valley.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I always have go-to shops. I almost never shop online. I need to try stuff on. In recent years, they include Fluevog (naturally), J. Crew, Holt Renfrew (a Canadian department store) and a local boutique called Smoking Lily, which is marketed toward the "mature" hipster (if such a thing exists). A decade ago I bought clothing almost exlcusively from a row of boutique shops along fourth avenue in Kitsilano, which included some surf/skate shops, shops selling mostly jeans, and some funkier women's shops marketed toward 20 to 30-somethings. I dress differently now -- well, still a lot of denim, but not quite so casual.

I also occasionally buy stuff from Brooks Brothers, although the vibe is a little preppier/more formal than what I'm usually going for. But they make nice shirts. I've also bought the odd thing from Banana Republic and Club Monaco.

I avoid local malls. If I go to the mall, I go downtown. Even in the downtown mall, I avoid shops that have window displays with wild patterns, bright colours, gaudy jewellery and flimsy fabrics -- whether those displays are for shops geared toward teenagers or frumpy women in late middle age.

Geez, this makes me sound like a snob! But I'm shopping for both my age bracket (early 40s) and my natural sartorial preferences, which are involve quiet colours, quality fabrics and not a lot of embellishment. Well except for shoes. I like footwear with personality.

DonnaF

Veteran

Nordstrom online mostly; it is easier to get markdowns that way. I return to B'n'M stores, and while I'm there I check out stuff I've seen online. I find shopping and B'n'M stores more stressful and time consuming; I still end up returning if the item doesn't play well with the rest of my wardrobe due to color or proportion issues which weren't apparent in the store.

I've found and bought stuff successfully at other places including Ross, Talbot's, AT, Macy's, etc. but due to service and certain brands *getting* my body, Nordstrom is my go-to place.

For service and due to my fussy feet, Zappos and Nordstrom get most of my shoe dollars. Zappos has given me stellar service. DD's boot zippers broke after less than a season; first one that triggered a $35 repair, and then the second zipper. Zappos sent out a (defective) replacement, then overnighted a third pair after I reminded them again that DD was flying back to college in two days.

For bras, since their returns are free Amazon has gotten my most recent $$$ since I seem to measure out as a 28" band. I just ordered a couple of 30" band bras from Nordstrom since they were on sale and returns are so easy, but I'm not holding out too much hope.

Today, I saw a gorgeous arty jacket in a boutique. . . .Thank goodness the store was still closed when I walked by. . .The sleeves kinda rolled up so it wouldn't have been such an issue for a shorty like me. It is not like I really need a third (or is it fourth or fifth?) black and white jacket! Love boutiques, but not their prices so probably a good thing stuff rarely fits me. . .

Ruby Redlocks

I probably shop Nordstrom Rack, TjMaxx, and Jcrew the most. Occasionally Gap, and recently rediscovered White House Black Market.
WHBM makes some great sweaters that don't pil as quickly.
Love Anthropologie, but shop there rarely. Same with Zara.

Wendi1984

Nordstrom Rack, Gap online, Downeast Basics, Target, Ross, Kohl's.

If I had a bigger clothing budget, I'd spend a lot at Anthropologie and Boden.

Niefern

I avoid stores and boutiques that I know have high prices, I do not even look there. Other than that, I do not have any favourite stores and I buy everywhere if I find a nice item at a good price. I buy often at Zara, Mango, New Yorker, El Corte Ingles, among others, including flea markets. Now that I think of it, I rarely buy from boutiques, I tend to avoid them because I feel 'observed' by the boutique owner and I feel I do not have the freedom to leisurely look at all clothes, etc. which is one of the major pleasures of shopping.

Nicole D

Veteran

I'm in Canada too, so I do like Reitman's, Ricki's, Le Chateau for fast fashion and basics. Also The Bay. My town doesn't have a Holt Renfrew and I only live an hour from Toronto which has every shop imaginable - but just hard to make a day of it with my lifestyle. Used to hit Olsen Europe several times a month but I have been avoiding lately when I noticed how many of their pieces I am passing on to others or consigning.

There are two or three gorgeous boutiques in my town, but I don't go to them unless I have a big wad of blowable cash in hand (once or twice a year). Somehow, I feel pressure to buy in a boutique setting and am often delighted with my purchases, but have ended up with a few expensive orphans, so I guess I just can't trust my own judgement. Or else being in the same room with some of my fave elusive labels is just too tempting (Iris, Periphery, Basler, Cambio).
Online I adore Shopbop, Simons.ca, troll ebay quite a bit (but don't buy more than about once a month), of course BR and Gap. I look at Peacock Parade and Beyond the Rack frequently, and of course eluxe.ca, although lately their selection has been a bit lackluster for my taste.

Whew! Makes me want to get browsing!

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Online shopping works best for my lifestyle. My go to stores are mostly those that carry petite sizes (and quite often the petite selection is better online) - I can do a lot of online shopping at these stores because I'm familiar with the fit and quality, they have great sales and reward programs, and it's easy to make returns in a nearby store - Ann Taylor and LOFT, Banana Republic, Gap, Nordstrom, J. Crew (no reward program that I'm aware of). I do shop at other stores, these are just the ones that get most of my business.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Nordstroms is at the top of my list due to the excellent customer service (I never have to worry about not being able to return something) and the generally excellent selection of items.

Ditto with Zappos for shoes.

My local fabric store for clothes still in my imagination.

I do quite a bit of shopping online, since I can't usually find pants in tall sizes in Brick and Mortar stores (why??? they all seem to have petite sections! why not tall too?)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Nordstrom gets most of my shopping dollars. Anthro does pretty well with me too. Department store-wise, I also find things here and there at Lord & Taylor and Macy's. I love Bloomingdales but there isn't one very near me, so I rarely get to go there.

As for the big chains, I do get the occasional thing at BR, JCrew, Gap, Zara, etc. But I tend to enjoy smaller, independent boutiques. I just have to be careful with those because their return policies don't tend to be terribly generous.

I enjoy taking a spin around the markdown stores like Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, TJMaxx, Loehmanns, etc. They're not usually helpful if I'm searching for something specific, but I have stumbled upon some serendipitous finds (like that Belstaff jacket at Neiman's Last Call!).

I do some online shopping too -- Amazon, Shopbop, Zappos, etc. Yeah, I basically subscribe to Angie's dictum of leaving no shopping stone unturned.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Where I shop has changed dramatically since moving back to New Zealand. In London I stuck to the High Street, H&M, Uniqlo, Gap, Top Shop and Zara dominated my wardrobe.

Since moving back, now almost 2 years, the higher quality High Street items remain, but in New Zealand I am shopping more and more from New Zealand designers and also Australian ones. Most recently, I bought a dress from Kilt and a skirt and top from Veronika Maine. I do think that NZ designers have a slightly different take on fashion and I am really enjoying that aspect of living here again. I am spending slightly more, but buying less.

What has changed dramatically in NZ since we moved overseas is internet shopping. With ASOS delivering free and the high NZ dollar, it is more affordable to shop online. I have a huge wish list currently on ASOS and I have my eye on a pencil skirt from Banana Republic if I can't find something similar here.

This access and the use of the internet to see what is on the catwalk for the Northern Hemisphere Spring/Summer 2014 means that you can feel out of touch if you where what was current for the NH spring/summer just been. A lot of people seem to mix and match or march to their own beat!

deb

Veteran

I shop everywhere. High end like Sak's to low end like Target. Boutiques, also, if I walk past them. Things have to catch my eye first so I suppose I am a marketer's dream customer. I do not like places where I have to dig through rounds or where the clothing is all mashed up together. If I see a nice window display or something interesting from the door, I will walk in. But, the minute I see that I need to dig, I am out of there.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Thrift store? I enjoy digging for a bargain when I'm in the mood, so I don't mind thrift stores and discount stores; in fact I enjoy them. I do have go-to brands whether I'm getting them first or second-hand, but that's mainly because I know how they fit and how the quality is.

There are some brands, like J. Crew, Anthro, etc., that are never going to fit my body, and some that don't fit me anymore now that I've lost weight, like Chico's and Eileen Fisher.

When I am shopping online I tend to be less adventurous, and just buy basics and/or from brands that I know will work for me. In person I've gotten really good at eyeballing fit and am a big tryer-on-er so am a lot more adventurous.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I enjoy Anthropologie a lot, especially 2008 to 2010, so I hunt down my favorite pieces on ebay really; I rarely order Anthropologie from Anthropologie because of the cost and I don't really like most of their newer items.

I frequent H&M a lot for inspirations, more than actually shopping. For workwear basics, I go to our local Ricki's when they have good sales - I usually can get stuff for at least 40% off; so if I really like it I will pay full price but I have to REALLY like it.

I like accessories and blazers from RW&Co because they tend to fit me quite nicely across the shoulder, and they also have usable pockets for holding my gizmos and gadgets when I am on call.

For watches and purses, my loyalty is divided towards Coach and Fossil - I like the outlets for both of the stores; and I always like a good deal. Their stuff has also held up pretty well.

I also hit up online (usually eBay) for boots, I stick to Doc Martens or Born for most of my footwear.

Online, I usually go for Dorothy Perkins from the UK; their esthetic is very much like mine :3 And they sell Closet UK much cheaper than Modcloth.

Vildy

Veteran

hah! Rainbow. I thought I was the only one who knew about them.
They were fast fashion before everywhere was fast fashion. I don't buy much retail and mostly only buy from their frequent clearance racks but some of my favorite stuff has come from there. I got a black cotton jacket with zipper opening and zipper pocket detail that is my GoTo summer jacket that I've had for years now and get continual compliments on it. It's very curve skimming and so it's kind of utilitarian hourglassy. Paid ten bucks, which is high for their clearance racks. Also got some exceptionally well-fitting blazers for five bucks. They're tricky on size because their xs-xl are junior sizes and not misses. And they don't stock deep. I take a L or XL there but occasionally will get a 1X from the plus department. My favorite summer dress for unbearable swampy heat is from there. A loose white with brown moire print from a substantial cotton that never wilts in the heat even when I am.

ETA: and speaking of in a pinch. I needed something for a funeral that I knew was going to be in an unair-conditioned church and then outside in perishing heat. I found exactly what I wanted there: a pretty but decidedly non-sexy black dress, thin and floaty with some pin tuck details. I had to keep going up in size because I needed some thigh coverage for modesty - and I'm only 5 feet. I found that the plus sizes kept getting wider and only a little longer. I wound up with a 4X and it was perfect. Floaty and extra nice to wear, thoroughly modest but pretty, not sexy or attention-gettingly dramatic in any way. And could be worn all summer long anyway because I love black in the summer. And practically free.

Deborah

Veteran

I follow Angie's mantra of leaving no retail stone unturned, so I kind of shop everywhere. I can't say I really have an regular faves at the moment. In in Australia and one of my go to stores for many years was Jacqui E, however over the past three years I think I have bought one item from them. I seem to have moved on from them.

I was very excited when Zara opened here, but sadly I was not that impressed with the quality versus the price. We have a outlet complex near where I used to live in Melbourne that has a vast array of fashion stores from the aforementioned Jacqui E, to Laura Ashley, Esprit, Portmans etc and I often travel back to Melbourne to shop there. In fact I heading there this Friday to celebrate my sister's birthday with a day of shopping and lunch by the beach.

MsMaven

Veteran

I've seen many, many favorite little boutique stores come, establish themselves in my shopping heart, and then go. Currently I shop at Nordstrom, BR (right--quality is inconsistent but I can usually find something to fit my body), Stanford Macy's, and once in a while J Crew and Nieman Marcus, which DH can't resist calling Needless Markup.

I have shopped at White House Black Market and Ann Taylor, usually finding something worthwhile, but not in the last couple of years. I hesitate trying out a new boutique type store--I'll get hooked and then when I go shopping the next time they are gone.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Thinking about this more: I suppose my favorite places to shop, in terms of pure enjoyment, would be either a thrift store or a department store, because there is a wide variety of merchandise to look at. Someplace like BR or AT would be less of an adventure, more straightforward - I'm more likely to either find something or not in pretty quick order. I think this is also because places like BR are more trend-driven than Nordstrom, or only go with one trend or two at a time as opposed to Nordstrom that will have different trends in different departments/areas.

As far as percentage of items purchased and/or worn, the spread is different: I have a lot of items from women's chain stores - my personal picks tend to be BR (not so much these days), AT and Loft but never Express or Limited. Not much Chico's or Coldwater Creek or J Jill these days either. My thrift and consignment finds tend to include those brands but also some outliers I've never heard of. I am a big fan of Eddie Bauer still, and not just for jeans, but I wish their closest store to me hadn't closed. I used to buy a lot from Lands' End and LL Bean but their styles are a little gear-y for me these days (except for actual gear, of course). Lucy for workout wear, and Dressbarn on occasion. I used to buy a lot from Gap but I think their quality has gone downhill in the last couple years - I'd rather just get something from Old Navy, at least it'll be cheaper even if it falls apart quickly.

I want to like Zappos - the service and selection are great - but I end up browsing a lot and purchasing very little. To be honest, I like surfing trends online and seeing what's new but I'd rather shop in person for clothes/shoes if I could.

By the way, what exactly do you ladies mean by 'boutiques'? Something that's not a chain? Or something that's a chain but higher-end? Maybe we just don't have many boutiques around here...

rachylou

Veteran

Interesting! I don't go to AT, Express, or the Limited Anymore - the shape of the clothing has changed over the years and no longer fits. I also never go to Saks anymore nor Talbots. I never see anything that's me in Brooks or J. Jill or Coldwater Creek, J Crew or Banana Republic, but I occasionally take spins through. TJ Maxx is very out of the way for me. I also don't to Chicos. It's slightly laughable, but I go in and think they're too rich for my blood - although I will put down a hunk of change elsewhere.

I have to stop myself from going to Dress Barn. I like to go in and buy things, but the colours are really wrong for me - and I never wear what I buy there.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

My interpretation of a boutique is a shop selling locally designed or made clothing, which would be Wellington or New Zealand. Price point will probably be higher-end because of higher costs involved in local manufacturing. It may stock clothing made by one designer or by many designers. The designer may or may not be known overseas.

So for larger countries like USA and UK, I would say that the local element would be the town or city, rather than country.

K. Period.

Veteran

I shop at small, arty boutiques where they don't put the prices on the tags. Of course, since we're talking about my fantasy life (oops! forgot to mention that), those items end up in my fantasy walk-in closet furnished with French antiques after a brief trip to my villa in my Jaguar E-type. AKA in my imaginary mind closet via my imaginary car for my imaginary life. ;-P

Actually, the boutiques with the no price tags drive me bonkers! I want to run for the hills when I stumble into one.

In real life, I shop a huge range too. For the big dept. stores, I always go to Nordstrom. I'll stop in almost any store, but the ones with fits that work for me are where I focus my energy: J Crew, the triplets (BR, Gap, Old Navy), Ann Taylor Loft, H&M, Target. Sometimes I find something somewhere else (American Eagle!) but it is more a pleasant surprise than part of the routine hunt.

Susie

Veteran

Thank you for all of your responses; it's interesting to see the variety, isn't it?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I mostly shop online by necessity. When I can get to stores, I tend to like the discount places like Ross or The Rack. I like items organized by category for me to look through - all shirts in the same place etc - instead of searching through separate departments at dept. stores.
Online I do at least half eBay and Amazon and the remainder ends up being Target, Old Navy, Gap, Express type places for basics. EDIT: Once in a while Zappos or Nordstroms, but usually they are too $$$ for my budget. Oh, 6pm is a winner a lot of time.

Windchime

Veteran

I enjoy checking out thrift and consignment stores and cycle through several of them every few weeks.
I also stroll through Nordstrom Rack and Target about once a month.
Within the last year I discovered New York & Company and Ann Taylor, both of which carry the long pant length I need. A couple of weeks ago, due to YLF's influence, I placed my first mail order to Nordstrom. (The nearest one is a couple hours away.) The order arrived ahead of schedule, and I've enjoyed wearing both items. I also went into a Dress Barn, for the first time in decades. Interestingly, they were showing more on trend colors and styles than other stores I'd recently visited.

12