"Why are sales suffering at so many women’s stores? They made bad clothes." - YouLookFab Forum

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"Why are sales suffering at so many women’s stores? They made bad clothes."

Banoffi

Veteran

Interesting article from the Washington Post about how many mid-price women's clothing retailer are suffering from declining sales. This is due to poor quality clothing, styles that don't resonate with their customers and clothes that don't fit properly.

https://www.washingtonpost.com.....many-women

Shopping

56 replies

Latest reply was from Barbara Diane

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Interesting read. I was in Anthropologie recently, after having visited a high-end boutique, and I was struck by the low quality of the fabrics in the Anthro blouses and dresses. They didn't feel good against the skin. It was quite stark after having petted some beautiful silks, soft cottons and drapey rayons, and immaculate wools at the boutique. I used to admire a lot of the pretty things in Anthro, but not so much this season. This article explains why that might be the case, with retailers having to maintain the cycle of 30% (and more) off sales in order to sell their stock.

jenanded

Veteran

I find the same in Australia. And its not as if the garments are cheap to buy. It is getting hard to find decent clothes these days. As you may remember I got some key basics made from a good fabric so at least part of the outfit is up to par.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I can't wait to show this to the SO, who thinks I spend an absolute fortune on individual clothing items. I prefer natural fibers, and J. Crew in particular
now offers far fewer garments in luxurious wools and silks than it did in the past. My tastes have become more expensive (Vince, EF, etc) *as a result* of the decline in quality at the stores I once shopped at. Even I notice this decline, and I onky discovered J. Crew in 2012, when customers then were already lamenting the decline in quality and the "good days" of J. Crew design/quality. Allowing online reviews on their website in the last two years (?) has revealed the extent to which people are unhappy with clothing.

I wonder how men's clothing sales have fared, and whether comparable shortcuts have been taken in manufacturing and design.

chouette22

Veteran

Interesting read and comments after the article. Thanks for sharing!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for sharing. No surprise to me -- I've noticed some awful turns in fit and fabrication lately. And styles seem to be either over saturated on trends (boho), or either too young looking or too matronly. Or just plain boring. Even most shoes lately are boring to me (what has happened there???).

avicennia

Veteran

Thanks for posting. I still shop at AT but its nothing compared to how it was 10 or 20 years ago.

Minnie

Well, I'm glad to learn it's not me.
I thought that maybe I was just getting cranky and naggy as I get older.

Joy

Veteran

I think the article nailed it. We don't want to but poor quality, throw-away clothing, especially at high prices, but are willing to pay more if we can find what we want. Some of the retailers mentioned have limited color pallets for their lines and sometimes those color choices are unfortunate.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

This really resonates. I've noticed it, everyone's noticed it. I've been shopping high-end sportswear and Uniqlo lately, because they're the only places I seem to be able to find halfway decent clothes at high-street prices these days.

(I've also gone back to stalking vintage, but that might just be because old habits die hard.)

shannon

This article is quite timely as I was expressing these same views earlier this week. I bought a white button down on the JCrew website only to return it to the store. The quality and fit were not terrible, but not good enough to justify the $90 price tag. When I shop fast fashion, I know I'm likely to sacrifice quality and fit in favor of price. JCrew and other mid-level retailers seem to want it both ways (high prices AND poor quality).

It also seems that retailers are struggling to grasp the concept that many women in their 30's and beyond simply don't have a need for ultra trendy, "club fashion" type clothes. And with the relaxation of dress codes in most work environments, most of us don't really have much need for suits either.

always trying

Veteran

another reason may be many women don't need so many clothes other than really casual is everything is getting more and more casual. One can go almost everywhere in jeans these days. and one can wear the same clothes they wear running or to the gym all day for grocery shopping to errands, kids functions, etc.

SW Ann

Veteran

I think it's about time that retailers start taking notice....if they have, though, I have not yet seen the "turn". I don't think they have a clue as to what to do. One of the most puzzling things for me is the "ignoring" of the entire segment of over size 10 women who want to dress fashionably and currently. We have to REALLY work hard to find clothes that are well made, current, and fit. I don't mind the work, but sometimes (often) it's really frustrating for me to see something really that fits my style, but find out it only comes to size 10. REALLY?? Why would you purposely ignore such a huge segment of the population? Sometimes as I walk through stores here in my area (Tucson AZ) I just think.."huh?" Who are buying these clothes? ....and several months later, there it is on the discount rack. I don't think they are learning.,

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I walk through the nearest Macy's and wonder how the heck they stay afloat. Overstuffed racks of clothes that seem dated, overworked, cheap, or matronly. I occasionally find something good in the accessories there (my striped poncho last year is the last thing I bought from them), but it's pretty bad. Nordstrom has taken an odd turn lately as well. The good thing about this is that my enthusiasm for shopping has chilled lately.

Anonymous

This is not a surprise to me, but it is certainly vindicating.

JAileen

Veteran

I've noticed the decline in quality, too. Trying to find a 100 percent wool coat is very difficult. Looking at Nordstrom's website, for example, they might show a wool blend coat that is 40 percent acrylic. In this example I can think of two possibilities: First, that people expect to pay a certain amount, and that to meet that expectation they have to use inferior fabric. Second, maybe the cost of natural fibers has gone up more than the rate of inflation (for some reason), so they are forced to use a wool blend or no one could afford the item. I bought the NAS Pendleton coat but I'm not enthused about the low amount of wool (only 56 percent, along with polyester and acrylic). I've looked at Pendleton's website and their fall things are trickling in. Usually their things are 100 percent wool, so the NAS coat is surprising. I bought it fully aware of the fiber content, though. I was swayed by its cuteness.

Anonymous

In addition to the decline in quality and hefty price tags, we petite women are ignored. All I ever see in the petite departments of B&M stores are matronly clothes. I have to shop online, which robs me of the ability to inspect fabric and workmanship, and to try things on before buying. And the issue of wide width shoes? Don't get me started. I have to shop online for footwear, too, and again can't inspect and try on before buying.

Peri

Veteran

Now I feel a little proud of women in general. If the stores are suffering it means we aren't lining up to just accept what is being offered. If enough of us are balking, voting with your dollars might start to mean something. I hope.

Lyn D.

Veteran

I have noticed it too, especially when shopping for jeans that aren't more like shiny,grippy tights than real denim!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting!

I find that my issue with most retail chains is that clothing seems to be made for a very slim teenager who hasn't developed hips or breasts yet. It's a rare day I find something at Anthropolgie that fits both. Despite being a petite or standard 4 these days.

So when I go look for clothing made for an adult woman who doesn't want to wear one of those lampshade dresses, or wants a summer top or dress that I can wear a bra underneath... the design is invariably a little 'off' or the materials are kind of cheap.

I second Janet on Macy's. When I walk through the shoe section, I'm amazed at how little leather there actually is. Is there a shortage of cows? Genuine leather shoes are expensive, and the faux is basically plastic with an $89 price tag.

Windchime

Veteran

I came so close to purchasing a tunic shirt at Anthropologie recently. It fit well, was offered at great sale price, and others shoppers were complimenting how it looked on me. But what gave me pause was the fabric, which was scratchy. And I just didn't want to settle for uncomfortable fabric. So I left it there.

Banoffi

Veteran

BC - I completely agree with your sentiments on retailers ignoring both petite woman and wide feet!

Gigi

Veteran

I agree with the posters who mentioned being disappointed in Macy's. The petites' section is abysmal. It's either cutesy stuff, drapey oversized stuff, or super-boring stuff (plain button-down, plain cardigan, etc.). The only things I look for at Macy's are accessories. I recently got a really nice handbag there, and I have a nice belt from Fossil from there too.

I like boho-style clothing, but there aren't many places I can find it without the preteen twist that makes the clothes look like I'm trying to dress as a twentysomething (I'm in my forties). The clothes I see in stores look fine on a twentysomething--they're not trashy--but I need a little more "gravitas." I'm very grateful for Topshop, which has some trendy but not too "young" items in petites'.

Since I'm very small on top, I sometimes shop the juniors' section (and there are a lot of smaller, older women shopping that section from what I can see--probably in the same boat as me), but even if I find something that fits and that is age appropriate, I'm reluctant to buy it because the material is cheap. But that's the juniors' section for you.

I think that there is a lack of interesting fashion for all of us on the ends of the sizing spectrum, both the larger sizes and the smaller sizes
(0 and below), and for those who are short. I think that with the ability to check multiple retailers online, we have become pickier in what we buy, and retailers are feeling the effects of that.

Sal

Veteran

Here local retailers are suffering partly because of online international shopping. I do agree that the mid price retailers seem to be offering lower quality- and even some high end. I think people are often not really prepared to pay for quality, so compromises are made. And with so many drops of stock now, there is pressure to keep moving stock along.

shannon

Macy's recently announced that they are closing a number of stores.

The article describes many Macy's stores as "distressed and dispirited" which is my exactly my take on our local store!

http://http//money.cnn.com/201.....00-stores/

elpgal

Veteran

I have to say though that Express and Limited have remained consistent in quality; they weren't very high brown to start with mostly poly stuff.

Like Gradfashionista, I find myself going to more expensive brands in search of natural materials.

Runcarla

Veteran

Well, as a 5ft 7in, 145 lb woman, I don't think I'm freakishly large. And yet, I often find myself sized out at stores. I couldn't find size 8 shorts, or an 8 in a skirt I liked at JCrew in April when I Thought the spring/summer stuff might be available. Frankly, most JCrew stuff goes 0-4 and then it is a cr#%*shoot to find anything in a bigger size. And, the SA at BR had to scrounge to find a recent Angie pick top in the size 12 I needed to fit my shoulders.

I don't want to come out of a shopping expedition feeling bad about myself. I can agree with spending $ on a trip or an experience. I've never felt bad after travelling abroad!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I agree with all of these factors. It seems faster fashion has totally confused places like Gap, BR and JCrew and they haven't figured out how to contrast their offerings rather than compete with Zara or H&M. The lack of sizes is just ridiculous and a something I hope begins to be addressed.

rachylou

Veteran

You know, I think the problem may be larger than fashion retail and manufacturing. The zeitgeist is rather a lack of one. I think the world has an identity problem. There's no driving hopeful dream. No transcontinental railroad to build, no edge of the world to sail to, no moon to fly to. Nothing to create A Market. People are really slogging it out right now. $5 per gallon of gas is a shoe waiting to drop. Careers are a thing of the past. Even professionals are day laborers now. Apple inc. is sitting on a mountain of cash and doesn't know what to do with it, etc. etc. Uncertainty is hugely high and people don't like to say, but it is.

tulle

Veteran

I have been complaining about this decline in quality for years, to the point of feeling "cranky and naggy," as Minnie said. Thrift and consignment shopping helps--the difference in quality is palpable in 5- or 10-year-old items from the same manufacturers--but there is another secret: within almost any brand's line, you can find a few pieces showing much more attention to detail and better quality fabric & dye, than the bulk of their merchandise. I'm not sure why this is so. You have to hunt for them, feel fabrics, check hems & buttonholes, etc., but they are out there. Of course, that one beautifully draped silk shirt, heavy cashmere sweater, or silk-lined jacket may not be available in your best color or size, but somehow it's reassuring that it exists at all!

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