Sometimes it can be hard to find basics to trendy items at stores when you need it, and at the right price. I am breaking down all my favorite places to shop and what items I love to purchase from each store. These are also all dependent on the assortment they have in stores each season. Some seasons I cannot get enough of one store, and then the next I am not as impressed with the assortment they carry. It’s all about doing your research online each season and seeing what stores fits your style and budget for the pieces you are looking for.
One thing I like to do every season is clean out my closet and try on anything I am iffy about keeping. This way you start a new season with all your favorite pieces and can purge anything that is taking up space! From there I make a list of any basics I might need to re purchase due to wear and tear, and any gaps in colors and styles that I might need to add this year. I am still a huge proponent of looking at fashion magazines to gain inspiration for a new season, from color palettes to new trends.
Let’s jump into the reasons behind why I love my top 10 favorite stores!
1) Nordstrom: It’s no secret that I am a Nordstrom fanatic. I am always shopping on the app and looking at the new arrivals they have to offer! Contrary to some people’s belief, Nordstrom pieces are not always astronomical in price. Their junior department, which includes favorites like Top Shop, have some great finds at a good price and great quality! Some of my favorite Nordstrom brands to shop are BP, Soprano, Socialite, and Leith. These brands cover a wide variety of needs from work wear blouses to going out and special occasion dresses. I also love Nordstrom for investment pieces, whether that be a new designer bag or a pair of shoes to start the new season. When you invest in pieces like this you will have them for years to come, instead of purchasing a lower quality item and having to replace it each year. Other areas I love to shop at Nordstrom are jeans, and a new discovery, athletic wear. My favorite jeans for so many years have been Paige Denim. They are on the pricey side but they are such great quality and last for years! I truly have not been able to find another brand that beats their fit for my body type. When it comes to athletic wear, I recently have discovered Zella leggings. Zella is a Nordstrom only brand has a great quality leggings that fit amazingly at a quarter of Lululemon leggings price. Can you really beat that?! Lastly, by now I’m sure you have all heard of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I mean if not you must live under a rock. This is my favorite sale of the year where I can stock up on some great fall pieces at a lower price! I would recommend signing up for the Nordstrom card so you can take advantage of the sale next year! If you are hesitant to spend more on some fashion items the sale is a great place to test the waters at great prices that don’t break the bank.
2) J Crew: This does not fall on many people’s favorite lists anymore. Many people view J Crew as only preppy style with button downs and chino shorts. They definitely sill sell these items, and are the bread and butter of the brand, but I have recently fallen in love with their fun graphic tees and jewelry. They have re aligned their pricing structure and most of the pieces I love are usually at an affordable price. If they aren’t I wait until they run a sale (which they do a lot) of either 30-40% off! Their pieces are well made and timeless and can really withstand years as pieces in your wardrobe!
3) Target: I think we can all agree it’s hard to make it out of Target without purchasing one thing. It is even harder to make it out without purchasing clothes are shoes. Target has released so many new fun brands this year! I have been loving its A New Day for their basics. Last fall I picked up some great layering crew neck sweaters for fun and for work. Last week I even found a black lace cami in store which has been such a staple trend item! These brands have been very quick to market with trend items which makes it a win for us to pick up these pieces at a budget friendly price! I think my favorite thing I love to shop for at Target are their shoes. They have such great seasonal shoes, which are usually knockoffs of high end designs allowing shoppers the convenience and accessibility to these designs. For instance I would love to fork over some funds for Gucci loafers but that isn’t always in the cards. Target has a great alternative for a mere $30 and even just released the winter version with faux fur. The assortment doesn’t stop in store either, they have even more options online to chose from!
4) Old Navy: Old Navy is another brand that has really resurfaced the past few years. My friend Liberty and I rambled on in college on how Old Navy was the place to be, and probably would come home with a bag a week of new finds. You cant beat their prices and their sales, I don’t remember the last time I purchased something there full price. My favorite items to purchase are their blouses, pixie pants for work, and their athletic wear. At such affordable prices these items come in so many colors and prints which makes it amazing when building your wardrobe if you find a piece you really love! I do love some of their jackets as well but don’t think the price points are that great, so definitely wait for a sale to pick these items up!
5) Anthropologie: Yeah Yeah I know it isn’t the most adorable brands for any day purchases, but Anthropologie is great for investing in unique and conversational pieces. I wouldn’t go in and just buy a plain white sweater for a high price point. I worked at Anthropologie during college and to this day still wear pieces all the time that I bought when I worked there. The quality is amazing and as long as you take care of the pieces they can really last forever. I must say since I have worked there I haven’t loved their assortments, I always loved the funky and fun prints and styles which they have moved away from in a sense. I just went in this weekend though and fell in love with sooo many pieces, it was dangerous for my bank account. I feel that fall is the best time to shop Anthro, as their sweaters are amazing and really worth the investment!
6) Loft: Loft has newly become one of my favorite places to shop in the past year. I usually shop here mostly for work wear but love picking up some basics that are great to layer with other outfits. I must say what drew me in to the store from the start was the sales they run. Definitely sign up for their email lists and do not buy something at full price! Loft has great work wear and live in comfortable pieces that you can transition from work to running errands on the weekend.
7) Asos: Asos is an endless aisle of options where you can just about find anything you could ever need. Asos really hits 3 main points for me. 1- trendy pieces, 2- fair price, 3-variety. Anytime I am in a bind needing a specific color item I always check Asos first. I love their website and their app, the filtering aspects allow you to narrow your search down to the specifics which really helps when looking for something specific. For example, I turn 25 this week and I am being super extra and making it quarter themed and wearing silver. I knew exactly where to turn when looking for outfits and found multiple great options! Besides the endless possibilities, Asos has a great assortment of special occasion dresses. I have purchased several over the years for formals, etc. Not to mention, they have an amazing return policy so you don’t have to worry about not being able to order multiple sizes at once and not getting a refund. Win Win! On a final note, they have an amazing size range, from maternity to plus and petite, they have something for everyone and I can really get behind a brand that does that!
8) Madewell: So I am not as die hard Madewell fan as the masses. I feel like their customer usually lives and breathes Madewell clothes and I can totally appreciate that! I personally love to curate unique or staple items from Madewell since they are a higher price point. One of my favorite items to pick up are their adorable neck scarfs that make the perfect accessory (blog post coming soon)! I have heard amazing things about their denim and am dying to try it out!
9) Kendra Scott: Not a clothing brand but Kendra Scott is one of my favorite places to grab jewelry. If you don’t want to purchase a brand new outfit, adding a fun jewelry piece is the perfect way to reinvent an outfit! I worked here for over a year, and as expected my collection is a little out of control. There is really an item for everyone here, from dainty necklaces to statement pieces, even pieces you can customize! The brand has truly evolved over the years from a basic oval shape earring to inspired collections that you typically didn’t see in the past. I have been loving the hoop trend and have many from Kendra Scott pairs that are my go to! If you didn’t know, you can go into any store during your birthday month and get 50% off one item! Highly suggest dragging your significant others in during their birthday month as well and taking full advantage.
10) Free People: Last but not least! We have finally reached the end of our store roundup. Free People is my go to for light and breezy boho tops as well as their jeans, they are so comfortable! My favorite pieces to purchase from Free People are their bralettes. They are perfect to layer under v necks and sweaters for fall! Can’t beat comfortable and cute.
***Honorable Mentions: Abercrombie and American Eagle. Never again did I think these would make a top store list for me after Middle and High School. American Eagle for me is still where I purchase all of my denim shorts. I really do not like splurging on shorts unless I really love the fit. I always come back to American Eagle shorts for the fit, comfortability and the price. They have always been my holy grail shorts! Abercrombie has been really resurfacing as a brand. They have some great staple items that I just picked up in their Labor Day sale that I cannot wait to get in the mail!
Top | Jeans | Wedges | Earrings | Sunglasses | Purse
