I'm fortunate to live next to an upscale mall. It's close and I walk to it. Although I buy most of my female clothes at thrift-stores and discount shops like Kohl's, Marshalls and Fox's, it's fun to look at higher-priced fare in a tonier setting.
My favorite new haunt is Anthropologie. They sell cute housewares and pretty clothes. While their normal prices are beyond my reach, they have a big sales rack with deep discounts. I've found and bought a few beautiful items there.
I'm also a fan of Urban Outfitters which is lower-priced and full of hip, young clothes. They're building a new one in my mall, where there's also an Anthropologie.
In today's business news, I was surprised to learn that Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters are owned by the same company. The company also owns Free People.
Do you know these stores? What are your favorite places to shop?
My favourite stores are Canadian chains -- Le Chateau, Ricki's, Smart Set, RW&Co. I rarely buy from the stores... but I always like finding their tags when thrifting!
ReplyDeleteYep! I knew they were all owned by the same people. Did you know Anthropologie's actual target market is 40+ upper (middle) class women? They were one of the stores I researched when writing a paper on corporate cultures.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite place to shop remains Goodwill, but I'm very excited to shop in my own store. We get really great quality stuff in. It's higher than Goodwill, but still cheaper than retail!
I didn't know that about Anthropologie but I certainly see it to be true in looking at their merchandise.
DeleteAnthro is a little steep for my blood but I do think it's lovely. UO is a little hipster for my tastes but I have purchased things from there as well. I do the majority of my shopping at Goodwill and other thrift stores. When I do shop retail I do most of it online (where the tall sizes are) at Gap/BR/Old Navy because they seem to fit my shape well. And Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack are much loved by my closet.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like Goldilocks! Anthro is too hot; UO is too cold...
DeleteAnthro is out of my price range, but I do like to go in there and gawk. My favorite places to shop are Kohl's, New York & Co, and the Goodwill. When I go there I always look for JCrew and Banana Republic because their stuff fits me well, but it's also out of my price range for retail. Heather
ReplyDeleteI also love both these stores! Unfortunately there are no Anthropologies where I live so whenever I'm in the States I make sure it's one of my stops! As for Urban, I have some very cute pieces from there but wait for the sales! I also really love Gap, probably because I worked there in High School so I have fond memories!
ReplyDeleteUgh I love all of those stores, but honestly all of them are out of my reach. I mean on sale I'll buy some UO stuff, but yeesh...I can't afford but one item every few months.
ReplyDeleteare they in the UK? they could be, I tend to buy online as I have a love of 50's style dresses, sometimes and very occasionally I can get something on the high street (and charity shops)that I love, Modcloth makes me quite giddy though x
ReplyDeleteFor online, I'm a fan of Modcloth, too. My close friend knows the couple who own it.
DeleteI think I have just fainted........!!!
DeleteI love anthropologie but I stopped shopping their when I learned that the owner gave money to Rick Santorum's Presidential campaign. And UO has done things that I also disagree with like the controversy over this card: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/19/urban-outfitters-tranny-greeting-card_n_1364589.html
ReplyDeleteI prefer to shop at smaller stores, buy vintage or used clothing or locally made stuff.
I do enjoy Anthropologie items - but I can't afford them new. I have been lucky enough to score at the thrift store/consignment shop a couple of times!
ReplyDeleteMy favorites really are thrift stores and consignment shops, but I have a weakness for Target - you go in for one thing and then there are shoes and jewelry and clothes and well, you get the idea!
I love, love, love Urban Outfitters and Free People, as well as Anthropologie ! Unfortunately they aren't here where I live (Italy)...I remember when I went to New York I spent hours into those shops, and came back with a new luggage full with my shopping, many things were bought there and some others in Forever 21, quite cheap and another shop I can only visit online from my country ! Have a nice day :-)
ReplyDeleteFashion and Cookies
We don't have any of the stores you are speaking about in South Africa. We also do not have a lot of thrift shops so look for the cheaper retail alternatives (like Mr. Price, Jet, Ackermans).
ReplyDelete... and the thrift shops we do have are mostly filled with junk ... the only two good ones are just down from where your MIL used to live ;-)
DeleteYUP, I've loved UO, Anthropologie, and Free People for a long time now. I had at least 10-15 items of clothing from Anthropologie in high school, and to this day I don't quite understand how I could afford it, unless their prices have increased dramatically in the past 5 years. I do like UO because they're cheaper, however I feel like their styles have gone down hill recently. Free People is also in the "too expensive" category.
ReplyDeleteI honestly mostly shop for clothes at JC Penny and Sears now days, along with the second hand stores. I really like a lot of the stuff at Wet Seal, but it can be cheaply made.
ReplyDeleteI have SUCH a love-hate thing going on with Anthro! When I go in, I touch absolutely everything and then a single tear slides down my cheek when I realize that the most amazing sundress I've ever seen, which I've just fallen in real "I-want-to-marry-you" love with, is $200. I did pick up a sweet little ceramic egg-carton thing on sale for $10 once, and I use it to store my earrings :)
ReplyDeleteI hear ya; I've felt the exact same way. Looking at the price-tag was painful.
Deletei love anthropologie for houswares and cute things like aprons. i know its silly and i NEVER wear aprons but they are so darn cute!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.walkoffashion.com/
I am ALWAYS tempted to buy an apron there. You're right -- they're adorable.
DeleteI'm obsessed (understatement) with Free People and I like Urban Outfitter a lot. Anthropologie NO. I try to avoid the mall because I always see a ton of stuff I want and I'm so materialistic I get upset when I can't have it. So I avoid!
ReplyDeleteI know the names of these stores from visiting American blogs and their online stores and due to my addiction to InStyle Magazine ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe have some lovely stores here ... my favourites are Poetry, Truworths and Edgars. Of course, there are some interesting boutiques, but our of my price range. My favourite low cost store is Mr. Price www.mrp.co.za
Hope you're doing fabulous and enjoying your spring/summer so far.
Hugz
Wends
Similar to you, I recognize the names of your SA stores (even though they don't exist here) from reading your blog!
DeleteI LOVE both of those stores! They are so evil though, so pricey. I like the clothes from Urban more, but I adore all of the house stuff at Anthro. When Bunheads was on last summer, one of the character's wore a shit ton of Free People and now I just want to own everything by them. I also like Thread and Supply, Clara from DW wears a lot of that.
ReplyDeleteCan we just be shopping buddies now?
I live out in Podunk USA so i've neither of them nearby. Our mall has the typical Sears, Penneys, Macy's , etc.
ReplyDeletei never go there, though. I prefer thrifts and consignments almost exclusively these days with an occasional foray into Kohl's, Ross , Wlamart or Kmart.
(in a thick Texan accent) we ain't got none of them fancy stores round here. (In normal voice) I saw an Urban Outfitters in NY and really, really really wanted to go in but my husband was about to explode after I drug him and the baby through H&M for an hour so I didn't get to go. Shopping here is terrible!!! You'd have a better chance finding something cute to wear at Walmart than any of the crap thrift stores here.
ReplyDeleteThose are awesome shops! I know them from when I lived in Toronto and they are finally arriving in Vancouver, so happy about that!
ReplyDeletexo
styleontheside.com
I know both stores and I have never bought anything at Antho because it is pricey - but i must admit they have some amazing items.
ReplyDeleteAs for UOutfitters I do not like their cuts and fabric, i feel too old for those clothes.
When in the US I always visit Marshalls and TJMaxx, Forever 21, Zara and JCP.
Oh And of course H&M!
ReplyDeleteI like high street shops like Dorothy Perkins and H&M but most of my clothes are from charity shops and swapping nowadays
ReplyDelete