Are you stuck in a style rut? If so, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common complaints I get from women about their style. We are all just zipping through our days, doing life, and often, when we get a second to stop, we realize we have been the same clothes/hairstyle/lipstick for 10 years.
Life took over, and we didn’t stop or take a moment for a style refresh.
The truth is, most of us don’t live for style. Style (or our wardrobe) is both a functional necessity and an extension of our personalities, but it’s not our main focus. And, unless you’re a stylist, it probably shouldn’t be. And so we find our store or our hairstyle and just rinse and repeat.
And there’s nothing wrong with having a go-to store. It can simplify life, and let’s face it, we all need certain things we can dial in and just forget about. Life is crazy enough without overcomplicating things further.
However, when your go-to’s stop working, or stop feeling like you, or when you simply want an alternative that has a similar aesthetic and the same dependability you’ve come to love from your favorite brand, that’s when you are going to need options.
In today’s video, I give you options and updates for your go-to stores, new sources for fresh finds that can get you out of a style rut or simply broaden your shopping possibilities for spring.
If You Like Talbots, You’ll Love Boden & J. Crew
Looking for that crisp, classic, colorful and slightly preppy aesthetic that Talbots reliably delivers, seasons after season, but from a different perspective. Boden might just be your answer. The British company has its own take on preppy style staples, from striped tees to button-down tops and crisp pants in fun colors and neutrals. The brand is known for its fun, signature prints. I think of it as a British counterpart to J. Crew, which offers wardrobe staples like tees, button-downs, and sweaters season after season, all with a modern preppy aesthetic. You can find these items right here.
Chico’s
Chico’s has a well-traveled, detailed, boho style that many women respond to, and many of the pieces are unique and memorable as well. If you love this eclectic and interesting aesthetic, than you’ll probably like Anthropologie. Anthropologie features it’s own brand of this worldly, chic, boho look, with more of a feminine and European take on the style. Another great source, The Sundance Catalog, offers this same aesthetic with a more Western-inspired flair. You can find these items right here.
J. Jill
If you have a more relaxed or natural style personality, you’ve probably made J. Jill a go-to over the years. The brand features relaxed pieces in natural fabrics like linen and cotton, and often in a soft and subdued or neutral color palette, perfect for the woman with a natural personal style. Many of the items at Garnet Hill share the same aesthetic, with high-quality, relaxed, and very wearable pieces for the entire family as well as the home. You can find these items right here.
LOFT
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t shop at Loft sometimes, It’s a go-to for half of the U.S., it seems, and definitely for women over 30. With its accessible, feminine, and fresh style, it’s an easy source for seasonable updates and fun finds. Spanish brand Mango offers fun trend-forward pieces at prices that are similar to Loft, and although the offerings are broader and more eclectic, the store still has plenty of options for the bored Loft-lover. You can find these items right here.
H&M
H&M is possibly the most popular source of fast fashion in the U.S. (and around the world) for women 35+, and it’s a great (if often unpredictable) source of updated trend pieces and fresh seasonal finds. It’s also a reliable source of staples and professional wardrobe essentials. For a step up from H&M in terms of quality and prices, its sister company, & Other Stories, offers an elevated take on many of the same pieces. You can find all of these items here.
Eileen Fisher
The Eileen FIsher woman loves quiet luxury, natural fibers, and an elevated relaxed sense of style. The brand is largely known for high quality relaxed pieces made with luxurious fibers. The minimalist, neutral, and slightly oversized aesthetic is matched by COS, an international retailer known for its minimalistic and slightly edgy style. You can find these items here.
White House Black Market
Feminine, embellished styles and interesting essentials with signature details have made White House Black Market a go-to for many American women. It’s the place to go fro a distinctly feminine take on staples like jackets, blouses, and jeans. Boston Proper is an online store with a similar aesthetic: Detailed, interesting pieces for women who want their staples to make a little bit of a statement.
Banana Republic
A go-to for American women for decades, Banana Republic features suiting, denim, and other wardrobe staples at a reasonable (department-store level) price point. With its roots as a brand for explorers and adventurers, there is always an exotic element to the store’s collections. L.K. Bennett is a British retailer that offers equally practical and useful pieces for professional women, with a slightly more refined and less eclectic point of view.
Did one of your favorite go-to brands make the list? And have you tried one of the alternatives? Let me know in the comments!
Nada Manley says
Ooh those are good ones! I might have to dive deeper into those, but for New York & Company I would honestly look at White House Black Market or Boston Proper. There is a similar aesthetic in my opinion. But let me look into some other options as well. For Ann Taylor, I would totally look at Boden, or even J. Crew. And maybe a little M.M. LaFleur also. I will think of more options as well and maybe put them in a future video. 🙂
Terry says
What alternatives would you suggest for Ann Taylor and New York and Company?