I’m a curious person and like to know what people think and what their habits are. I find it interesting that shoppers can be very rigid in their shopping habits; they may never set foot in Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus. They don’t buy from catalogs because of returns. They only shop at certain retailers because they think they can’t afford or won’t find anything in a boutique or higher-end store. I say, don’t limit your choices. There are possibilities everywhere!
I like seeing clothing on models as it’s easy to visualize the outfit on my body, so catalog or on-line shopping is good for that. The larger retailers have made returning items very easy. You usually have a return label and an amount is deducted from your credit. When I calculate time and gas, the amount to return the item is less than what I’d spend on the streets. Just be sure to try on the items right away, keep the original packaging, carefully repackage the item and return as quickly as possible if it doesn’t work. It is worth it to me when the stores I’m ordering from are further away or “on-line” has sales.
I enjoy going to the boutiques on Oak Street in Chicago. They are fun to visit and there’s a limited amount of square footage, but you’ll find items there you won’t find elsewhere. If your time is limited, I’d go to Nordstrom or Saks, Macy’s, Bloomingdales. They have your favorite designers under one roof. When visiting Chicago, I plan my time carefully with boutiques and department store shopping. While some labels are out of reach for the average consumer, it’s an adventure to touch and see the fabrics and designs. Believe me, you will see that filter down to your price level in a different fabric, but it makes you aware of what is out there and a better-informed consumer. Try on different brands and designers to find what works for your body type. Also watch for the “clear it out” sales – I’ve made great purchases at 75% off!
