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Original poster

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

53 replies

hollylicious · 03/09/2014 20:50

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?

OP posts:
SofaCanary · 04/09/2014 15:26

Off duty Britney Spears kind of sums up the Middle America, shopping mall look, bless her.

Has anyone else found that going clothes shopping in the states is like going back to the mid nineties in the UK?
Has anyone else found that going clothes shopping in the states is like going back to the mid nineties in the UK?
wellnowthenmardybum · 04/09/2014 16:06

I agree. When we went to the states dd was excited to pick up some clothes, but came away with nothing and was deeply unimpressed. She did however have a field day in saphora

JuanFernandezTitTyrant · 04/09/2014 16:14

From driving through resi areas in the States even those with inexpensive properties have LOADS more space than most people here, so people have room to store an entire Christmas dinner service for example. Most people here just don't have room for that, let alone Valentines and Halloween and all the other occasions Americans seem to celebrate on Pinterest

bonhomme · 04/09/2014 17:34

Yes, I agree too and Canada is even worse

birdboo · 04/09/2014 17:40

I bought a bikini top from Target in Boston last week and it has pads stiched into the cups not to pad out boobs but so your nipples won't show. I gave up on all forms of clothes shopping whilst out there. The only thing I went to to look was Macy's in Boston and gave up.

SmashleyHop · 04/09/2014 17:53

This has been an interesting read- I struggle so much buying clothes here. It's all a bit too.. glam for me. I'm a California girl. It's all tank tops, jeans and sandals. Casual is king, even going out to a club it's a pair of high end distressed jeans, sparkly cami and killer heels.

I can't wait to get home and fill up on Victoria Secret bras and undies, grab some new Old Navy jeans and tank tops and some much cheaper converse.

fridgepants · 04/09/2014 17:54

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fridgepants · 04/09/2014 17:55

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Itscurtainsforyou · 04/09/2014 17:55

I remember working with an American woman working in the uk who said she loved going back home so she could go clothes shopping - she could never find anything she liked in uk shops Smile

She was lovely, in her 30s, but did dress a bit 1980s (this was in the 1990s).

TSSDNCOP · 05/09/2014 16:58

YY to homeware. They have a particular flair for lighting, linens and accessories. It is that that I buy in SF or Boston. Have found UGG to be v.cheap in Boston too at The Tannery. Agree also that the A&F sales are amazing.

Cosmetics are better value in NY, I like to send DH in as he charms the pants of the salesgirls in Bloomingdales and gets loads of freebs.

The biggest issue, other than stock, is that the visual merchandising is non-existent in most shops even designer in NY. It gets better downtown.

VM is miles better in the homeware stores. I want everything when I see the fantastic holiday decor. IME Americans decorate the outside of their houses beautifully for the holidays! Pinterest does not exaggerate.

Special mention for shitness must go to Filenes department store. Everything from its name to its depressing, soulless interior grates my carrot.

helzapoppin2 · 06/09/2014 08:53

I didn't know Filene's still existed. I shopped there, but some of the stores closed in the recession. Could be a bit of a jumble sale!

Pastperfect · 06/09/2014 10:46

I really don't understand the pottery barn obsession. I like the children's stuff for under 10's. But the other stuff: leather reclining sofas, rustic lamps and a surfit of beige is just overpriced bland, and what is with the obsession with plastic fruit Confused

swingonastar · 06/09/2014 12:41

I don't think I picked up one thing on a trip yo New York a few years ago, and was quite open to shopping to begin with! Went to some giant mall and couldn't find anything in the whole place, while the friend I was with filled her boots?! I think it was almost more for the 'bought it in America' factor than anything else, as I recall that there was a lot of Bewitched-esque denim and logoed jumpers/t-shirts that really weren't worth carting back over the Atlantic.

I took a wander round h&m in the hope of finding at least something, and found that all the clothes in there were a few seasons behind. There were certainly some skirts/tops for sale in the US h&m that I already owned, but had had so long I no longer wore! Weird sense of déjà vu looking at stuff on the rails thinking "I'm sure I used to have that top?".

helzapoppin2 · 07/09/2014 21:23

My favourite shopping moment, a few years back, was being in Brooks Brothers with DH and seeing pairs of mens denims, for the summer, embroidered with crabs!
Now why aren't we that adventurous in the UK?

Coumarin · 07/09/2014 21:52

Crab pants! Grin

Deathraystare · 09/09/2014 14:08

When my friend came back from a holiday in US she explained most of the clothes were outdated there and I did not thik much of the stuff she brought back. I was surprised that she really had to hunt for outsize clothes in the US!!!!!!

MrsStatham · 09/09/2014 14:15

Tommy Bahama's always makes me laugh. It's the ideal shop for embarrassing Dad's to shop in. Abercrombie is sooo much cheaper over there, ditto Ralph Lauren but i couldn't see much Denim & Supply anywhere. Came home and ordered that online. I always do well in gap over there for the kids, massive selection and apparently better quality.

I love Crate and Barrell, Pottery Barn and all there homewares stuff.

But best of all is their incredible service. I'll take US service and delivery over ours any day of the week.

MrsStatham · 09/09/2014 14:16

Sorry, my there and their appear to have become interchangeable.

Vintagebeads · 09/09/2014 14:30

I lived there for ten years and found the same.
The male uniform seemed to be dockers and oxford shirts for smart casual and cargo shorts.
The womens basic cottons were good but no cheap fashion shops like home.I did love forever 21 and Charlotte Russe and Express cheap fashiony shops like our new look.
I loved Crate and Barrell,Bed bath and beyond and Pier imports and I loved the service there even if it feels alot to start with I soon got use to being waiting on.I miss being told to have a nice day Grin

FreiasBathtub · 09/09/2014 14:47

I'm out there fairly regularly to visit family and would agree that the shopping isn't terribly inspiring on the whole BUT:

J Crew. I forgive them everything for J Crew. The best-fitting jeans I've ever found, beautiful wool pencil skirts and really comfy stylish flat shoes. It's much cheaper out there than over here, plus usually has sales, plus outlet stores. Lovely stuff.

spamm · 09/09/2014 15:42

I live in the US, and shopping is fabulous, except for women's clothes - they have certainly gone downhill in recent years. Macy's used to be great, but it is just crap right now and seems to be getting worse.

Some exceptions that keep me sane are:
J. Crew - nice clothes and handbags
J. Jill - beautiful summer trousers
Anthropologie
White House/Black Market

But it is funny how I find myself more and more dressing like my neighbors. However, unlike them, I do not own a wardrobe full of Dansko clogs - that is real suburban woman wear.

The big news on the radio this week is that they have opened a Top Shop in one of the malls here. Maybe I should go and check it out!

In the meantime, I will continue to peruse the Pottery Barn website for outdoor lights for our new porch - yummy!

Ludways · 09/09/2014 15:48

I lived there for 6 years in the 80's and it was like going back in time even then. When I had visits back to the UK I'd clear the shops out. When I got back out to the states my mates would unpack for me so they could get a good look at what I'd brought. I was at uni so we shared loads of stuff, I'd see people out and they'd be wearing my clothes, lol

helzapoppin2 · 09/09/2014 15:52

Dansko clogs, eh? Striking them off my shopping list now.

SisterNancySinatra · 09/09/2014 15:57

I am over 40 and a size 14/16 , I went to Las Vegas last year and could not buy a swimming costume there or bikini or a pair of shorts . It's crazy cos I can walk to
My local tescos or sainsburys now and buy those items and fairly decent stuff. It seems parts of America ( out of town malls included) do not cater for anyone over 40yrs who isn't high end designer and size 8 or absolutely obese . If you watch Honey Boo boo you may get what I mean , I think those teenagers and the mum have moulded into their clothes.

santamarianovella · 09/09/2014 17:03

I'm a huge fan of US denim brands like R&b and current Elliot and they do decent tees and casual dresses, James Perse is great too,but to be honest that all I can think of worth getting from US, clothes wise that is.

A friend of mine goes to the US regularly and I ask her sometimes to get me denim ,last time I asked her to get 2 pairs of R&b jeans, a Current Elliot short trench that I've wanted forever