STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bex · Chanel

Forever 21????

sfclinevandy · Coach

I shop there with 2 methods. Either I know what I want, usually some sort of trendy item, and I go on a mission to find it. OR I just walk in and start searching. Forever 21 definitely requires you to hunt through the mess... I personally think that's part of the fun but most of my friends hate picking through everything and give up.

lynnie · Chanel

sometimes the store makes me want to pass out with all the bright lights and soo much clothes. I have to be in the right mood for it. However, mine isn't really all that messy. Maybe you could go on a weekday morning or weekday and shop around when you have an hour or so. I usually just go in and look for the "hidden gems"- things that I don't think scream "forever 21" and are decent fabrics/quality. I try to stick to cotton and natural fibers. i also like the plain clothes- a black skirt with an interesting cut for example, or a white polo with little heart pointelle detail, because I can mix them with nicer clothes and they look just as nice.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I usually find the best stuff on the rack by the fitting room (where people put stuff that doesnn't fit right or whatever) or on the first few racks in the front. The side sections are usually worth a skim, but I find that it is usually the cheaper stuff that looks like it will fall apart or has been there for way too long.

splash · Kenneth Cole

I agree with lynnie that you have to be in the right mood. They're somewhat consistent about which area of the store has what. But for the most part, I'm just looking for fun, cute going-out tops, which they have a ton of, so I go when I'm up for looking through most of the store.

Lilykind · Hermes

I'm not very good at shopping at Forever 21 myself. I really do have to be in the mood to dig around (which I'm usually not). Also, I agree with sticking to natural fabrics and also being careful about broken zippers and unlined pants. It feels like half the stuff is destroyed to some extent so it gets discouraging, but when you make out with something it does feel that much better.

I do tend to have luck with the jewelry, though. Since I can't afford to have super-expensive stuff and I'd wreck it anyway, I'm bound to buy F21.

KaffeeKlatsch · Marc Jacobs

Hahaha...I let my two year old son do the digging for me! Seriously, since he is always with me when I shop! I'll be looking at something and he'll grab a clump of other things and inevitably there is something in that clump that I end up liking. Weird, huh?

Sometimes the best bet is to take a look at what the mannequins are wearing.

bex · Chanel

leah_leanna wrote:

Sometimes the best bet is to take a look at what the mannequins are wearing.

i do that but then i can never find what the mannequins have on in the store! and they won't let you take the clothes off the mannequins either! i asked once b/c i couldn't find a shirt i really liked and the SA said "no, they are not allowed to take the clothes off the mannequins until Thursdays"

well, i guess i'll just save F21 for days i feel like digging and the BF is not along (he HATES F21 more than anything and this is coming from a boy who will faux shop for expensive items with me worse than my best girl friends!)

thanks for the advice on how to tackle this store!!!!

halleybird · Hermes

I have a lot of stuff from Forever 21. My theory:

1. There are nice Forever 21's and gross ones. Also, certain stores carry less "skanky" stuff than others. I never used to shop there when I lived in Tucson, because it was a gross store. But they opened one in my crappy local mall and it's really nice -- very clean, big, and bright, so that makes it a lot easier to find things.

2. Since I have been there so often, I know the layout of the store, and I know the areas I usually find things.. They used to organize my store by color, which drove me NUTS, but now they organize by style (i.e. clubwear, workout wear, work stuff) and it's much esier. I usually find stuff in the section where they have "basics," and also the area where they have button-down shirts/blazers.

Ritz · Dooney & Bourke

BEX-

what i do, since i imagine you typically go to easton:

-i try to only go in when i want something specific- a top for a party, etc. b/c i buy cheap stuff i don't wear otherwise.

-if i am with boys, regardless of if they like to shop or not, they go to the mojoe lounge on the 2nd level and get a drink. i feel HORRIBLE for guys in that store.

-depending on my mood, i go there first. for example, i can't go there after a day at work, b/c my store is so nice and calming and forever 21 is so chaotic. the only exception is if i need ideas for outfits for something, then i would go in arden b, bebe, etc. first, get ideas then find cheaper versions at F21. i personally can't spend that much money on going out clothes so f21 works for me.

-i like to walk around the store first and get an idea of what is there, otherwise it just takes me too long and i end up with too much to try on. i find that at easton, the best sections are the one right by the mall entrance (along the wall) and the one at the other end of the store by the outside entrance.

-lastly, and i am still working on this, if i don't know what to wear it with or where to wear it, i don't buy it. it doesn't matter if it was cheap if it hangs in your closet with the tags on.

good luck!

bex · Chanel

Ritz wrote:

i find that at easton, the best sections are the one right by the mall entrance (along the wall) and the one at the other end of the store by the outside entrance.

thanks! i usually made a loop around the store and by the time i got to the back i was so frustrated that i just quit! i'll look at the two mall entrances first next time and see if that makes it better.

the easton store is just such a mess all the time that it drives me nuts! it makes me want to throw everyone out and reorganize it just so i can tell whats there and whats not!!!!

twinkle · Coach

Only go first thing in the morning right when it opens. After that it becomes a NIGHTMARE, imo. In the morning its nice and clean and organized.

jlear · Kenneth Cole

We just got a Forever 21 at our mall. Cute stuff and everything is so far organized...we'll see how long that lasts!

honey · Gucci

i don't have much to add to what's already been said. it does depend on the store. the one by house is small, so it doesn't get that much traffic, nor does it get that junky. the one near my job can be a zoo, but they have more stuff and a better selection so if i go i go at off hours. the things to keep in mind there are the same as with every other store but TRY EVERYTHING ON. their return policy sucks so it's really worth it.

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

i always think of forever 21 the same way i think of ross or nordstrom rack--there are amazing deals to be had but you have to be in the mood to hunt. it's also like a sample sale, in an all sales are final, every gal for herself kinda way.

jaymiek · Coach

halleybird wrote:

I have a lot of stuff from Forever 21. My theory:
1. There are nice Forever 21's and gross ones. Also, certain stores carry less "skanky" stuff than others. I never used to shop there when I lived in Tucson, because it was a gross store. But they opened one in my crappy local mall and it's really nice -- very clean, big, and bright, so that makes it a lot easier to find things.

I agree with halleybird. There's a Forever 21 at my local mall, and it's big and I usually find good stuff when I dig through all their merchandise. But, there's another one that's close to my work called Fashion 21 but the entire store sells Forever 21 stuff, and I never find anything no matter how much I sift through all the racks. I think the bigger stores at the more "popular" locations get better merchandise somehow.