STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

theotherjess · Chanel

Good place to work retail?

halleybird · Hermes

you can definitely get a retail job w/o prior experience, but it may not be your first choice. I'd try somewhere like AE or a dept. store, at least until you turn 18. BTW, I don't want to burst your bubble, but the Anthropologie here won't hire until 18...my sister just asked them yesterday. Hopefully yours doesn't have that rule.

Ritz · Dooney & Bourke

i work at anthro part time (in in college) and love it, but i do think maybe you have to be 18- i'm 21 and am among the younger of the employees...

however it seems like urban does not require you to be 18 ( at least by the employees at my local store) so that would be an option- and you get to use your discount at anthro! however, urban's application and interview is intense- lots of questions about what you read, listen to, etc. i remember one was "explain how you felt the first time you entered an UO store?" which i, after having gone through millions more interview for real careers, think is a fairly intense question for part time retail. sorry, tangent!

express will hire you, and is a good way to start out in retail.. also, gap will, and so i would imagine BR would as well... AE is also a good option, esp if you shop there. these retail stores have much higher turnover than anthro, jcrew, even banana, etc. so they are much more likely to hire someone with less experience and then after a few months/when you turn 18 you can apply to better stores!

miss t · Dooney & Bourke

As said earlier try department stores(I started my retail career in high school at Montgomery Ward--I know that makes me old school) or major chain stores or even Target. Also, if you do not have any prior work experience, write down any volunteer jobs, babysitting jobs, or names of coaches or facilitators for any extra curricular activities you did in school, as personal references on your application. At least that is what I tell applicants with no prior work experience who apply in my store. Hope you get the job you want! Good luck!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I would try a department store first...a lot of the "better" stores gave me a hard time in High School for not having work experience. But some of my friends had good luck with Gap. Try Macy's or Penny's- I was offered a job on the spot with both of those and the apps are short. I think you can even apply online.

Put volunteer experience down too. My friend was able to get a waitressing job with zero experience by putting down that she had volunteered as a server at church dinners.

bumblebee · Coach

i think you can work at nordstrom if you are under 18, and it's a really great company to work for.

tara t · Marc Jacobs

i worked at the Gap when i was in high school. i had fun. and got good discounts.

lsubatgirl · Gucci

when i was applying years ago in high school gap would hire at 16 but I remember the limited is 18 (just fyi). I've had friends work at VS and they didn't like how gross it could be there (the whole half naked person in the dressing room needing help thing) so I just wanted to throw that in for you.

ViViDogWear · Kate Spade

I worked at Nordstroms straight out of H.S (17) and on/off all throught out college (both times. it is a great place to work - i started as seasonal cashier help. If you are younger BP is a great place to start!

I've heard horrors from Gap & Old Navy. Worked at AX for a summer under a hellish mgr who did not 'note' 1/2 my hours, worked for 1/2 a shift a A&F ( i DID feel the racial inequality there but i still shop there )

I've heard good things about Express, UO, and Macy's from friends. HTH!

jettie · Kate Spade

I worked at Gap in college. It was fun and I got a good discount. I think there were people under 18 working there too.

Barbie · BCBG

I worked at Parisian's when I was 17. A department store would be your best bet....or you may want to try a local boutique.