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Style & Beauty

US clothing worth a look

22 replies

wowfudge · 06/09/2016 21:47

We'll be going to the US on holiday in a few weeks. I've lost quite a bit of weight recently and rediscovered my love of clothes. Does anyone have any suggestions of US stores/brands worth a look while I'm there?

I'm thinking of stuff we don't get in the UK (if it exists!), maybe things you can only get online/mail order here, but I could try instore there.

I'm short, pear shaped and a 12-14. Might be smaller by the time we go. I will check out TJ Maxx - got some great trousers there a few years ago.

OP posts:
CointreauVersial · 06/09/2016 22:06

We just got back from the US a couple of weeks ago. Clothes are expensive! I think it's mainly down to the exchange rate, but if you compare prices for (say) Gap, it's cheaper here.

Having said that, we did have some successes. I really liked Old Navy (Gap's cheaper little brother), and bought quite a few bits from there. Madewell is worth a look. JCrew a lot better value than here. Target was a little bit like George at Asda, i.e. polyester-heavy. If you like TJ Maxx, try Marshalls - same concept, with discounted branded stuff at good prices; DH bought a lovely Ralph Lauren shirt there.

There are also loads of outlet malls if you are after bargains. Each one seems to have a Nike, so DS was in heaven. We went to an outlet mall outside LA that was so vast we had to drive to the far end of it.

wowfudge · 06/09/2016 22:10

Thank you!

OP posts:
burnishedsilver · 06/09/2016 22:11

Try Loft.

SerenDippitee · 06/09/2016 22:14

J Crew - the UK prices are extortionate.

YY to Old Navy. I also like Banana Republic but you can get this in the UK now. Ditto American Eagle . Also Anthropologie. Again, it's here but USA is much better value.

And of course Sephora!

Sunnydaysrock · 06/09/2016 22:19

We buy tons of clothes when we go to Florida. They are outlet malls mainly, but am sure they have them all over the place. I love Aeropostle for tracksuit bottoms, hoodies etc. Banana Republic is great out there, also Forever 21 (I know these are both over here now, but v cheap in US). Other places we shop in (me, DH, DCs) include Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Khols (department store), and one called Polo ASSN. Have fun, can't wait to get back there.

Jaimx86 · 06/09/2016 22:21

I like Club Monaco.

snowman1 · 06/09/2016 22:31

Hi, Kate Spade is another one, lovely homewares, bags, and beautiful dresses. I would second Anthropologie and I'm roughly the same size as you. For sportswear, I would check out Lululemon (canadian) and Lole if you can find it. Good quality hoodies. You don't say where you are going, but up north the winter wear can be brilliant. North Face is often quite a bit cheaper too, despite a poor exchange rate. Excellent quality hats, gloves and ski wear. I would also mention Tommy Bahama, lovely dresses, matching swimwear/coverups/dresses. Their menswear is a bit more colourful as it can be a bit drab here for men (they are all still in double pleats fgs).

SingaSong12 · 06/09/2016 22:47

Depending on budget there are department stores like Nordstrums or Macy's - they do have sales and they are in outlets and clothes I hadn't seen. I take short so it's great for me that there are large petite sections. Note in some brands petite in US means a body frame not just height (so you can get petite short but also petite long)

wowfudge · 06/09/2016 23:26

Ooh - lots of suggestions. I'll have a look at some of those online. Thank you.

OP posts:
AppleMagic · 06/09/2016 23:28

Nordstrom Rack is like a slightly more upmarket tkmaxx.

Terramirabilis · 07/09/2016 00:37

Oooh an S & B question I can help with since I am a British expat in the US. My suggestions are maybe overlapping with some above:

Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Brooks Brothers, Free People, Last Call Neiman Marcus, LL Bean, LOFT, Lucky Jeans, Madewell, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Saks off Fifth, White House Black Market.

If you have big feet the selection of larger sizes is much better here although you say you're short so probably not. Perhaps it's equally good if you have teeny feet? In general there seems to be more tall/petite/plus/less popular sizes catered to.

Note that depending on region/size of city not all stores will be available.

Generally clothes are cheaper here in my experience but I don't know what the exchange rate is doing right now.

J Crew has been getting more and more shite and overpriced as the years go by. Macy's is crap for clothes in my view.

KARMAisaBtch · 07/09/2016 00:38

Ralph L. - shirts
Nike - shoes

Victoria's Secret for lingerie.
Michael Kors bag/watches

Kate Spade Smile

LastAnni · 07/09/2016 00:40

Modcloth! My absolute favourite brand ever. Have a look at their website in advance and order a whole lot of stuff to be delivered to your hotel, then send back what you don't like.

sycamore54321 · 07/09/2016 01:51

Express do really great quality office trousers that wash brilliantly and last for years. They also do great opaque winter tights, the best I have ever tried. I even have some still from two winters ago.

sycamore54321 · 07/09/2016 01:53

Large department stores like Macy's will also give you a visitor or overseas discount of around 10% if you present a foreign passport.

OlennasWimple · 07/09/2016 02:00

Terramirabilis's list is good, I'd add Nautica, Converse, New Balance, Levis and Victoria's Secret to it.

Marshalls and TJ Maxx are owned by the same people, and tend to have similar stock - in some cases it's identical to what you would find in your local TK Maxx. You might luck out on a bargain find, but not sure I would spend precious holiday time flicking through the rails in the hope of finding a gem. Ralph Laren and Calvin Klein are more like high street names than designers over here - good for underwear, suits and kids clothes.

If you are serious about stocking up, look for an outlet village - for example, our local Gap Outlet is always about 60% cheaper than the main store, but it's not necessarily different to what you can get at home. Ditto JCrew, Victoria's Secret etc.

wowfudge · 07/09/2016 07:01

Thanks for all the suggestions. More to look at! Do Century 21 have any stores outside NYC?

OP posts:
Oblomov16 · 07/09/2016 07:28

We are going to Florida and for dh buying clothes is a very big thing. So thanks, reading this with interest.

Oblomov16 · 07/09/2016 07:30

I too am very short and will be looking for dresses and posh clothes and jeans rather then tracksuit bottoms and hoodies.

FlindersKeepers · 07/09/2016 11:07

Athleta (BR/Gap's sport brand) is the same quality as LuluLemon, but lots cheaper. They also do fantastic casual dresses and great petite so and tall ranges.
White House Black Market, Loft, BR, J Crew, Brooks Brothers for well priced formal workwear and dresses. Always check the brand website, the discount code my also apply instore.
Check blogs like Corporette or Racked for workwear or discounts.
Nordstrom Rack often has DvF wrap dresses at dream prices.
Nautica similar to Gant, the men's wear is great.
Jones New York, especially Eva Mendes' line, is great for dresses!

KatharinaRosalie · 07/09/2016 12:04

Basically what you want to google is outlet malls near your destination. I'm going on a business trip next week and have planned it so I have an entire day to spend in one of those. Bigger ones will include all or most brands mentioned here.

I always buy somehting from Calvin Klein and Lululemon. Hilfiger and Lauren for DH and Carters for DC.

Thisismynewname123 · 07/09/2016 17:09

Not everything is worth getting over there. Jeans are cheaper, although Gap is more expensive. Exchange rate isn't on your side at the moment. The places already mentioned, such as J Crew and Banana Republic are much cheaper. Also Victoria's Secret. American Eagle - usually cheaper, but then my husband bought a pair of jeans there and then found the same pair cheaper here.
I like Express for casual stuff & Loft for smart casual work stuff. I know you asked for clothes, but I like getting smelly stuff from Bath & Body Works. If you have any tween girls, Justice is a dream for them!

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