Has anyone else found that going clothes shopping in the states is like going back to the mid nineties in the UK?

[hollylicious]

We have recently been to the states, and apart from the designer stores, I found that all the 'womens' fashion' shops were like nineties throwbacks, with lots of bootcut jeans and cropped backless clubbing tops. Even the music played was often mid 90s clubbing tunes.

I wasn't impressed at all really with the shopping, I have to say. Even the clothing in the big supermarkets was very dated.

Has anyone else found this?

[ProfessorPickles]

I've noticed it a lot on American tv programmes/films!

And that is all I have to contribute

[hollylicious]

Actually come to think of it we watched America's Got Talent one night whilst we were there, and all the acts and presenters on there looked a bit '1990s' too!

[TSSDNCOP]

Particularly shoes.

Leisure wear, specifically golf they ace at.

Top end designer check.

But no Brit High street equivalent at any price with the exception of Banana Republic at a push IMO.

[BrianButterfield]

Agree, no good for anything 'fashion' or edgy. Great for leisure stuff (A&F etc), sports gear (the outlet stores are ace and dirt cheap), work clothes.

[BOFster]

I can understand the fashion in films and TV being as bland as they can get away with- I think it's to do with them trying to keep re-runs as saleable as possible without looking too dated. I hadn't realised though that it was much the same in the shops.

[revealall]

I think the enormity of the country befuddles them. We have S/S and A/W but what do you do with sub tropical Florida and cool Continental New York at the same time. Very tricky being a chain store I would imagine.

[hollylicious]

I found that even the make up was very dated; lots of garish eyeshadows, and dowdy old fashioned packaging, and brands that were defunkt in the UK years ago!

I think you have a point there, revealall. It must be hard for chain stores to cater for all weathers and environments. I noticed too that the quality of clothing is poorer there; in Walmart they have the George range that we have in Asda, but it's all thinner more faded fabrics with loose threads.

As a Topshop/New Look/Primark fan, it's made me appreciate the UK high street even more!

[Cherrypie32]

In NY I found high street shops just same as at home, Gap/H&M/Zara/Mango/Uniqlo etc nothing unique or different. I remember the first time I went there about 8 years ago I was living in London and thought shopping didn't measure up at all. Infact I don't think I've been to any other country that offers the choice we have here.

[Saurus72]

I used to live in the states, and bought most of my clothes at Banana Republic. But now, when I go shopping (usually to Regent street), BR is the last place on my list. I love Scandi stores (Cos, & Other Stories), and when I compare those clothes to BR's they are a zillion times sleeker and appealing. The US 'high street' is less 90s IMO, than just bland. I agree London is one of the best places in the world to shop.

[santamarianovella]

Its not just the high street, even major department stores like bergdorf Goodman,and saks are depressing, souless and just weird, you can't even begin to compare them with selfridges or liberty ,they will just lose on every single level : layout,presentation, individuality, creativeness.

London is in a league of its own, Its truly not fair to compare it with any other city in terms of shopping or dining,

I've moved recently, after spending almost 13 years,and I miss it terribly, you Brits are lucky and you don't know it!

But the one thing they do better,is places like William Sonoma and sur la table, the equivlent of divertimenti and Lakeland but loads better,

[MATB1]

Totally agree!! Australia is even worse!

Their housey stuff shops are better though...

[AtlanticDrift]

I had friends from the statesstaying in the summer, they loved the shopping here. Couldnt believe the range of colours in jeans for example. Like wise my neice is on work placement in the USA and had to get her mum to send stuff over

[Primrose123]

I'm not into clothes or shopping at all, but we went to Florida recently and my teenage DDs enjoyed shopping in Aeropostale and American Eagle. They weren't expensive and seemed to be the American equivalent of New Look and Top Shop.

[F0ssil]

agree, i was living in london when i went to boston and new york. in the outskirts of boston my friend took us to lots of outlet shops filled with bargains (i suppose) but they were all so boring I couldn't be bothered buying anything. I did prefer new york, but I agree with santamarianovella, I did feel when I was in ny that it was pointless wasting time wandering around shops when the shopping in london /england is so good.

[grumblepuss]

Yes.
I spent a week in NY a few years ago and bought no clothes at all.
It was just boring or heavily logoed.
I was hoping Vegas might be better? But sounds like its going to be the same issue.

[HamAndPlaques]

Yep, I have to agree. I like American Eagle and Old Navy for cheaper, casual stuff, but there's really only Banana republic to find smarter, work-appropriate stuff. I can't think of an American equivalent to our higher-end high street stores like Jaeger and Whistles.

That said, I am really jealous of the preponderance of Sephoras. I've never understood why it didn't take off here when it's so big in France and the USA.

[Floisme]

I've only been to New York but I agree. It's great if you can afford designer but their high street is shite. The first time I went, I was suprised at how conservative most people looked: I saw teenage girls dressed like their mothers.

What they do have in NY though, are excellent consignment (second hand to you and me) stores: wall to wall labels in really good condition, not quite cheap as chips but great value.

[ggirl]

Totally agree , Canada is crap for shopping as well. Dd travelled a lot in her gap yah and on her return proclaimed she could never live there as she'd miss the British high street fashion too much.....not shallow at all

[helzapoppin2]

I lived there for a few years and totally agree!
I still have some bits from Ann Taylor Loft and Old Navy, but otherwise it's all been replaced by British stuff. I found tastes to be quite conservative.
I blame it on geography. We are a small country, so trends can spread quicker.
SantaMaria is dead right about housewares! though. My favourite was Crate and Barrel, but Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma are all great!
The point about music, going back to the OP, is that in the States "music is music". I don't think the trends come and go as much as they do here, and so rapidly.
DS turned on the car radio and Dire Straits were booming out! Now that's ancient!

[BecauseIsaidS0]

Yup, I'm never too impressed with shopping in the States. There are some exceptions, like yoga wear (you couldn't find anything decent here until a couple of years ago) and I disagree with santa about the dining: London has improved a lot but IMO nowhere near as good as NY yet.

[BecauseIsaidS0]

Ooh I just remembered Sephora. I love Sephora!

[Bonsoir]

Sephora is a French shop!

[BecauseIsaidS0]

Ha ha I had no idea! I've never been to any big city in France

[F0ssil]

Interesting abuot their house stuff being nicer. I'd agree with that. They have bigger ranges. they are so house-proud and we are more clothes-conscious.

[carrie74]

I think the UK is excellent for translating fashion onto the High St, but I still always come home from the US with an extra bag of stuff: jeans (tend to buy higher end, which are cheaper), Victoria's Secret underwear, outlet goodies (never know if you'll find anything, but have done well in DKNY, Crocs for kids, Sam Edelman, etc etc). H buys up stock in A&F, as he likes the fit of their shirts on him, and cheaper than Superdry. Sales are miles better if you're lucky to be there on promotion days.

If I wanted Primark/H&M type clothes, I wouldn't be buying in the US, I'd just buy them here.

Agree home stuff in the US is delectable, but so difficult to bring home :(

I also bring loads of food home (generally various flavours of M&Ms).