Where Do You Buy Clothes?

Arlyn HernandezAugust 9, 202143 Comments

Lately, I’ve been in a bit of a clothes rut. And by lately, I think it’s safe to say the last several years. I rarely go outside my basic mall go-tos, the likes of Old Navy, Target, Loft, Madewell, Nordstrom. If I’m feeling adventurous, maybe I’ll check out ASOS, H&M or even Everlane (though I’ve never made a purchase, just a lot of browsing). I haven’t been a big clothes purchaser for a while now, but when I do need (or want) something new, I always get stuck. Buying strictly online can be tricky for me since I’m the laziest person when it comes to going to the post office to make a return to something without a brick-and-mortar but I’m willing to do it if it means trying something new.

I’ve tried perusing second-hand markets like Poshmark (there are some gems in there, for sure), clothes subscription services such as Stitch Fix, but I mostly felt like I was getting the same kind of clothes I’d buy for myself at the stores I was trying to avoid or break free from. There are so many amazing boutiques here in LA, but sizing 12+ can be tricky or non-existent, plus…$$$$. While I’m a big believer in buying quality rather than quantity in most things—home goods, shoes, handbags, for instance—clothes…that one is harder for me.

Part of me thinks this comes from a long-held belief that I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on something that might not fit me for very long, you know…because I was going to lose weight, duh. Well, 15 years of being roughly the same size give or take a few pounds mean a lot of waiting around.

So I’m curious. What nationally available retailers do you like for good, stylish, well-made clothing? I’d love to hear if you have any great sources for me to peruse for myself. If not, that’s okay, too. It’ll just give me a mission to dig deep, find some new places, and then share with you.

Anyway, it’s a short one today. Just looking to anyone out there who may have something to share!

See you tomorrow, FOAS.

Project 365

KWu says:

August 9, 2021 at 5:06 am

Nordstroms is my go-to overall, but lately I’ve been trying to find smaller businesses that make quality and interesting clothes. Here are some brands:
Zuri
Pyne & Smith
Conscious Clothing
Tuesday of California (I haven’t bought anything here yet because it’s out of stock in my size, but I’m keeping an eye on it!)
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  August 9, 2021 at 10:28 pm
  
  These are all brand new to me. Thank you so much!! 🙂
Emie says:

August 9, 2021 at 8:32 am

Buying clothing is frustrating and I can understand your feelings of being in a rut (this past year didn’t help). I’m also petite and sometimes that makes it harder to find the right fit. I think it would be easier if I had “a style” like bohemian or classic or something like that to go by. I’ve never had to “dress up” for work so 98% of my closet is jeans, t-shirts and sweats. I’m also clumsy so my clothes get food on them whenever I eat. I’d love to wear a white t-shirt (with jeans). I have unworn white tops in my closet but I’m afraid I’ll stain them. My laundry skills stink but I did find a new show on Discovery+ called “The Laundry Guy” so maybe his tips will help me up my game???? I’m not much help but I can share in you being discouraged. I do have to say I like a good consignment/thrift store though.
1. Susan says:
  
  August 9, 2021 at 1:56 pm
  
  Oxygen bleach for stains – it is great. I used Nellie’s from Australia, which is pricey but so worth it. For white clothes you can use Hydrogen Peroxide poured straight on the stain, preferably while it is still wet, works wonders.
  1. Emie says:
    
    August 9, 2021 at 11:34 pm
    
    Thank you Susan. I used to use hydrogen peroxide when I was working for betadine stains. Goo to kow it works on whites too!
    1. Susan says:
      
      August 10, 2021 at 11:58 am
      
      Good to know it works for betadine! I don’t use it on oil based stains, like salad dressing. I don’t have a good solution for that one.
      1. Suzanne says:
        
        August 10, 2021 at 12:53 pm
        
        Dish soap usually takes out oily stains, especially if you get to it right away.
      2. Arlyn Hernandez says:
        
        August 10, 2021 at 12:54 pm
        
        I’ve lost so much clothing to oil stains (on the first wear of course) that I didn’t get to fast enough.
      3. Emie says:
        
        August 11, 2021 at 1:16 am
        
        My sister swears by diluted Lestoil for oily stains…. you dilute it and put in a spray bottle. It DOES work but I’m not very good at remembering to use the stuff. The smell is very strong. Once washed the smell is totally gone. She also swears by it for getting those coffee dribble stains out too.
2. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  August 9, 2021 at 10:28 pm
  
  AHAHA we sound very similar Emie. Just tonight, as I slurped on my bowl of pasta with tomato sauce, I had to wipe away like four stains smattered across my chest. Ay!
  1. Emie says:
    
    August 9, 2021 at 11:36 pm
    
    Here’s to people who have drippy food stains down their shirts in the chesty area!!! 😉 😉 😉
Kathleen says:

August 9, 2021 at 9:11 am

Sounds like we have the same go-tos- just switch Old Navy for Marshalls. Have you tried The Odells (based in LA, so you can try on!). I find their styles are just slightly more dramatic or “cool’ than my regular stores. I can only make purchases when they have a big sale (on sale haha).
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  August 9, 2021 at 10:27 pm
  
  I haven’t tried The Odells but I’ve heard of the store! Just went online and spotted some beautiful things. I need to switch my brain a little to the idea of spending a little more on few pieces that I’ll just wear over and over again. $250 on a dress I wear 200 times is far better than $50 I spend on a dress I wear 3 times because it doesn’t fit well, or it was destroyed in the washing machine. Ha
  1. Susan says:
    
    August 10, 2021 at 12:02 pm
    
    This is true. It is hard to bite the bullet, but good clothes last. I used to buy things at Target, but somewhere along the way they stopped holding up to the washer. I always hang clothes to dry, because the dryer kills clothes, so it definitely is the washer. It’s a shame in so many ways.
    1. Emie says:
      
      August 11, 2021 at 1:05 am
      
      “The Laundry Guy” on his TV show says all clothing should be put on the shortest cycle on your machine for EVERYTHING. I\According to him if he would only have one very short cycle on every washer. Here’s his website in case you’re interested in reading more….
      https://www.instagram.com/laundrypatric/ he has a web site also
Suzanne says:

August 9, 2021 at 9:41 am

Mostly Nordstrom, because of ease of ordering when sizes are unavailable in store and proximity to my house, 3 miles. I used to be big on J.Crew, and have and wear a ton of their clothes from the last decade. I keep and wear my clothes forever when the fit and style works. I’ve tried to move toward more sustainable brands, but used in the brands I know work for me is actually easier, because a lot of the small sustainable brands are only online and returning is no fun. In the last few years, I started buying on eBay, mostly to find favorites that were discontinued, for example shorts I love in other colors. I’ve added Poshmark to my shopping locations, but again I buy items I’ve tried before or items I feel there’s a high chance of success based on styles known to work for me (Emily of EHD turned me onto Ulla Johnson, which I’ve only bought used). The Poshmark items have been pricey, but a considerable discount off the full price, because they are higher priced designer brands. I’ve also found multiple colors of a dress my daughter loves for super cheap, so it depends on the brands. I have had some luck on ThredUP, too, but they don’t give enough details about the used items, and on eBay or Poshmark, I can ask the seller questions or ask for measurements of an item. For in person used clothes, Crossroads Trading often has great stuff and it changes constantly. I believe there are Crossroads Trading stores all over California and possibly out of state, too. But like a thrift store, you need to be willing to spend time going through the racks. Finally, many years ago, I tried the Nordstrom personal shopper, and unfortunately, it was a fail. I emailed the shopper ahead of time with brands I loved and inspiration photos, and she got me nothing like I was looking for. I felt pressured, and bought stuff I later returned. My husband has done it before after getting a promotion, and he got a much better shopper. There are better shoppers usually, but what what it taught me is that I know my style and what I want and like, so I focus on buying based on that history. I guess the moral is that you may already know what works for you, snd you may gravitate towards certain brands because of that gut level knowledge. Good luck.
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  August 9, 2021 at 10:25 pm
  
  Yes I have a friend who only shops at Crossroads Trading (I’ve never been). I lack too much patience for digging through store racks for clothing but I do hear very good things. Your experience with the Nordstrom stylist sounds like how I would feel if I used a stylist…pressured into buying stuff that I’d buy…and then return if I didn’t love them (which is why I rarely do those things). Maybe if I set aside a considerable budget, or had a very specific occasion in mind. But you know, maybe you’re right. I know what works on my body, what store sizes fit me well, so I just keep going back for that. I just want some higher quality pieces, and not sure where to look!
Sam E. says:

August 9, 2021 at 10:31 am

Oh, Arlyn, I am so with you on inability to return things. I can’t tell you how much clothing I have right now that I’m going to end up having to sell on Poshmark or the like because I missed my return window! I’ve also found that shopping online as a plus-sized person can be really tricky, because the sizing is so different across brands (and so many fail so spectacularly at actually scaling up appropriately). My current go-tos:

– Madewell: great for plus-sized casual wear
– Universal Standard: I’ve only bought a few things, but they are great quality and I’ve been super happy with my purchases
– American Eagle/Aerie: Shocking one for me, but I love their leggings in particular, and find them good for workout/loungewear
– Target: Still buy things from here on occasion, and my stuff from there actually tends to last
– Eileen Fisher Renew: One of my favorite finds. I love Eileen Fisher but the full-price and even sale price items are INSANE. Because the clothes are quality, however, they hold up really well. Renew is managed by the company so the quality is perfect, and you can get many of their items for a steep discount. Great for high-quality basics that will last, although not exactly “on trend” if that’s your thing.
– Poshmark: I just search for brands I like, especially brands like Eileen Fisher that I know will hold up even used. I’ve only been burned once, and otherwise have been really happy with my purchases.

I’ve been especially happy to buy used clothing of late; it feels more responsible across the board, and it allows me to buy high-quality clothes that don’t exactly fit into my budget.
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  August 9, 2021 at 10:23 pm
  
  Eileen Fisher Renew is new to me. I will have to look into it. I’m not that “on trend” with my clothing. Maybe 10 years ago. Now I just want clothes that look and feel good and withstand being washed numerous times. Back in my in-office days, I felt best in a great blazer, well-fitted T-shirt, and jeans. I normally got a bit more wild with my shoes (I’m a shoe person).
  1. Suzanne says:
    
    August 9, 2021 at 11:29 pm
    
    Arlyn, blazer, tee, and jeans is one of my all time favorite uniforms! It’s timeless by just updating the fits. In the 1990s as a teacher, it was my go to outfit. And I’ve worn it on and over time. Of course, lately, I rarely leave the house, but when I do need to look pulled together while being comfortable and casual, I still have it as a go to look.
Melinda says:

August 9, 2021 at 10:43 am

I shop at all the ones you listed along with J.Crew, Anthropologie, and Macy’s who have great sales throughout the year. Sometimes I’ll buy directly from brands, too, such as Levis and Lucky Brand. Occasionally I’ve found some cute things at Modcloth but the quality can be hit or miss.
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  August 9, 2021 at 10:19 pm
  
  I always forget about Lucky, though I’ve always liked what I’ve gotten from them. My pieces from there have always fit well and washed well (and lasted). I haven’t bought from Modcloth since they were acquired by Walmart (not for that reason in particular, just…it’s been a while).
Susan says:

August 9, 2021 at 2:33 pm

What a fun topic! I like clothes that last and are classic. I take good care of my clothes – I hang most of them to dry, for example, which makes them last forever. I do most of my shopping on-line and returns are definitely an issue.

Eileen Fisher is my favorite. I indulge mostly in her sales, but sometimes I spring for full price when I see a piece that will work with everything. Right now that is a black organic cotton knit shift dress with a v-neck, three-quarter sleeves, two pockets and knee length. It’s cool, chic, and versatile and I am wearing it a lot. If you miss the return date, EF still gives you credit which works for me.

Garnet Hill is another favorite. They carry a limited selection of Eileen Fisher and a fair number of EF knock-offs at lower prices than EF. They used to have EF sleepwear, but that line now is with EF. I sometimes buy EF PJs and wear them as lounge wear or wear the tops as tees/tunics. GH takes returns forever, which is good for me.

Nordstrom is so big that often it’s just too much for me. But sometimes I persevere. it is good for shoes. Amazon is good for shoes, too; and Ross, which sometimes has good brands. Ross is nearby, so pre-pandemic I treated it like the late, great Filene’s basement when I lived in Boston, popping in to see what’s new and popping out quickly if there’s nothing of interest.

And you know we are thrift shoppers. I buy on Ebay, especially Helen Kaminski hats, which are very pricey but the best straw hats ever. I wear them for protection from bright light to help ward off migraines and because they are stylish. So I always have one on. True story – another woman complimented on my hat one day. The next time I saw her she had a hat like mine (but not a Kaminski), as well as sunglasses like mine. She was embarrassed to see me. I was kind, because why not?

I am thrilled to learn about EF Renew from Sam E and shopping for Ulla Johnson online from Suzanne. Oh joy!
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  August 9, 2021 at 10:18 pm
  
  Yeah the big stores (Nordstrom, Macy’s) overwhelm me, unless I’m looking for something very specific. In general, I think shopping online is just harder to connect with any item…even though I do most of my shopping online. I technically prefer shopping in person, but not as of late and probably not for another while. Lots of love for Eileen Fisher around here today.
  1. Susan says:
    
    August 10, 2021 at 12:12 pm
    
    EF has a lot of classic styles. I love “the system” pieces which rarely go on sale, but last forever. EF also has a lot of trends which don’t last. EF is fairly socially conscious and is moving into organics and has moved a lot of production out of China and to the US and Canada, which I appeciate.
Pamela Turner says:

August 9, 2021 at 3:12 pm

I’ve moved to be less and less of a shopper overall and some of it is driven by having less need. The work wardrobe evolved to be more casual over time as the culture relaxed, so I could make a trek to a shopping center 10 minutes from my previous work site at lunch time and scour Talbots, Loft and Banana Republic if I needed something to refresh my closet. Nordstrom’s and Max Mara were the places I’d hit if I was in need of something for special occasions. I had a good experience with two different personal shoppers at Nordstrom’s, so that could be hit or miss. Lately I’ve been perusing a site called Bohme (https://www.bohme.com/) for summer skirts and tops, but haven’t made any purchases, yet. I can’t speak to any of these being socially or environmentally conscious if that is a priority. And other reasons I’m less motivated to shop is similar to some of the views shared in an NYT article about Covid’s impact on the author I’ve included a link for anyone who might be curious. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/opinion/culture/shopping-retail-therapy-covid.html
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  August 9, 2021 at 10:17 pm
  
  Oh! This Bohme looks right up my alley in terms of style, price point and comfort level. Elevated basics. I’m going to peruse tonight! I sadly can’t read the NYT articles (don’t have a subscription) but intrigued nonetheless.
  1. Pamela says:
    
    August 10, 2021 at 6:32 am
    
    Glad Bohme appealed to you. I think the clothes look comfortable as well as cute. Sorry to hear you aren’t able to access the NYT article. Sometimes they’ll allow one freebie access to entice you to subscribe. (If worth your time and trouble, you van Google the title keywords and might capture it that way.)
wally says:

August 9, 2021 at 7:11 pm

I love Anthropologie – and have been using their rental program (nuuly) – but paused it bc all the cute summer dresses are constantly rented. I like target a lot and old navy for pjs, sweatshirts, and jeans.
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  August 9, 2021 at 10:15 pm
  
  I’ve only just heard of Nuuly from someone on Instagram. I need to look into it. I’ve never tried the idea of renting clothes.
  1. wally says:
    
    August 10, 2021 at 3:53 am
    
    It helped me find a dress style I LOVE from anthro – but unfortunately I tried it in too large of a size and the smaller size has been rented out all summer. It also let me try some coats and jackets I have been drooling over. The larger problem for me now is that I work from home and now with delta and not really leaving the house much, so no real need for anything other than comfy clothes – or clothes that look good on zoom. I will unpause in a month or so and then snatch up the summer dresses I liked while everyone is getting fall stuff! Some of the stuff I have gotten has been new with tags. Everything has been in very good shape.
    1. wally says:
      
      August 10, 2021 at 3:55 am
      
      Currently drooling over this collection too – though it is not in my price range, nor I imagine is anything avail in my size: https://honestlywtf.com/style/alix-of-bohemia-pre-fall-2021/
Mimi says:

August 10, 2021 at 5:09 am

I really like COS, super impressed with the quality of materials and mostly seem timeless rather than trendy. For me at least, they seem to run huge in sizing, just be prepared to size down.
1. Kate says:
  
  August 13, 2021 at 1:44 am
  
  Yeah. And H&M’s Premium Selection and Conscious lines are also VERY good. Superb quality and easy -peasy delivery/return policy.
Alison says:

August 10, 2021 at 7:57 am

Thrift stores. Classic old school in person ones – no phone/online thrift shopping! (This feels like a slippery slope to me and just replaces looking through fast fashion shops.) I keep a list of items I’m looking for in my phone (“black cardigan”, “dark blue jeans”, or “fancier dress for a wedding”). I think sometimes scouring the racks pulls me out of the zone/rut of where I would normally shop (I ALWAYS find brands I’ve never heard of whether they’re high or low items) and it pushes me to think more about how pieces fit into my existing wardrobe – they’re not trying to sell me a coordinated outfit by any means, lol! Granted, I don’t buy much by many people’s standards – maybe 3-4 pieces maximum in a year and usually when something wears out that I can’t fix anymore or if I realize I have a specific need (hiking clothes). It keeps me from shopping online and just browsing all of the time – thus feeling like what I have already isn’t good enough. With not going anywhere for this past year (zoom work!) it’s been VERY apparent that I have enough already. But, I love the satisfaction when I do find something second hand and get to think about the life it already lived and also about keeping it from reaching a landfill for so much longer.

If you’re looking to follow new/sustainable fashion, I get a lot of inspiration from Marielle Elizabeth’s instagram.
1. Emie says:
  
  August 10, 2021 at 9:47 am
  
  THANK YOU Alison for the IG account for Marielle Elizabeth’. I just went to check out her account and WOW!!! I LOVE her!
  1. Alison Manthei says:
    
    August 11, 2021 at 9:40 am
    
    She’s seriously become one of my favorite people on the internet! So inspiring 🙂
Ann Z says:

August 10, 2021 at 9:28 am

This year, I got into clothing rental subscriptions (Rent the Runway or Nuuly) and I LOVE it. Rent the Runway is pretty size inclusive (although, pretty much everywhere could be better), too. The reason I love it so much is it allows me to try styles and designers that I might not normally. I’ve rented SUCH fun pieces that I’ve enjoyed wearing two or three times, but wouldn’t buy because they’re too trendy or not versatile enough or whatever. I also like to use Rent the Runway as a test run; it allows me to try certain styles or silhouettes and see how I like it, and then I’ll either purchase it directly from RTR or search Poshmark for a dupe. I probably legit sound like an RTR brand ambassador, but I’ve just genuinely really enjoyed it .
Susan says:

August 10, 2021 at 12:45 pm

This was so informative and fun! I’m throwing out a couple of additional places:
Massimo Dutti, which is Zara’s more sophisticated big sister. Great sophisticated clothing, but not inclusive about sizing. I haven’t bought anything here yet, but I am drooling. Queen Letizia of Spain and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge both wear pieces from this place.
Poetry another site with beautiful basics at good prices.
Etsy has people who make custom clothing at great price points. There are several in Thailand with extensive collections of designs, beautiful linens, cotton and silks and rave reviews. If anyone wants names, let me know and I’ll check my Etsy cart.
Suzanne says:

August 10, 2021 at 1:18 pm

Since a few of us mentioned sustainability, I thought I’d mention two sources I’ve used to look for new brands and to assess brands I’ve bought before. Good On You (https://goodonyou.eco/) rates brands all over the world. You can search by brand name or look in a particular clothing category. You often need to do some more investigation to see where the brand is located and where they ship. The website is slowly adding more details about this, and some brands are also available at major retailers. The other website I recently discovered is Remake (https://directory.remake.world/home-directory/#/). They don’t rate as many brands, but they have their rockstar picks, as well as looking at individual lines in certain brands. For example, they explain why certain denim lines from Levi and Madewell get their approval. And both websites highly rate Eileen Fisher, so that is good news for those who mentioned her. The other thing I’m learning about sustainability for me is that 1. I need to buy less, 2. I need to buy used, 3. I need to buy what I will wear, which means I might not be able to find a sustainable brand that works for me in all cases. Clothing purchases from a sustainable brand that just sits in the closet or gets donated right away doesn’t seem as sustainable as something I’ll wear 200+ times (like my Citizens of Humanity Emerson jeans I’ve had for 10 years).
1. Susan says:
  
  August 10, 2021 at 8:57 pm
  
  Thanks for the resources on sustainability, Suzanne. You’ve hit on the rub re sustainable clothing – so much of it just is not “me-ish,” as my niece says. I continue to hope that more manufacturers will offer sustainable and organic alternatives.
  
  Thanks for the tip on oil based stains!
Susan says:

August 10, 2021 at 8:57 pm

Thanks for the resources on sustainability, Suzanne. You’ve hit on the rub re sustainable clothing – so much of it just is not “me-ish,” as my niece says. I continue to hope that more manufacturers will offer sustainable and organic alternatives.

Thanks for the tip on oil based stains!
Diane from Boston says:

August 11, 2021 at 9:58 am

I’m late to the party. Boden is my current favorite. Once you find something that fits, they generally have ton of variations in prints, color, etc. Just a huge variety. Plus their dresses all come in petite, regular, and long, and they give you the exact dimensions of each garment. I luuuurve Boden.

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