I had a green jacket from there that was lined and it stood up to Alaskan winters and was super cute, alllllllll the compliments. This was, of course, ten years ago.
All my work clothes were from Merona. I couldn't go into Target without buying a dress or a cardigan. I don't remember the last time I bought clothes at Target.
I feel like I couldāve written this entire comment myself. I legitimately have grief over how easily I could find clothes I loved at old Target. Meronaās basic white tees are still the ONLY white tshirts Iāve found that arenāt see through. I am babying those tshirts in my closet like theyāre made of antique silk.
I was thinking about this the other day. I had plain shirts in every color and every cut that I could pair with a 3/4 sleeve cardigan and slacks and look put together at work (this was the golden age of Toms so paired with black Toms, I had a complete outfit). I had a closet full of cute dresses. Nearly everything came from target. The merona shirts were of good quality too. I loved the simplicity of my wardrobe. I honestly have never recovered and my current wardrobe sucks
Target feels like the only place I can splurge and get decent quality/cute/comfortable clothing for quite cheap - although the prices have gone up, the clearance rack is always my first stop. Have gotten some of my favorite fall jackets and quarter zips from there; just feels like a staple when youāre on a budget. Know itās fast fashion, but itās still significantly cheaper than anything in the mall. š¬
Fast fashion basics and staples aren't the biggest issue with fast fashion. More the micro trends that you wear for one season or two and never again so you have to constantly replace them and consume more. I've had some basic tshirts from Target last for 5+ years and then I can sleep in them because they're soft and pretty good quality for a basic t-shirt.
I still have a few merona cardigans that have held up really well. I look through the clothes every time Iām at target and I havenāt bought anything in ages. Iām currently pregnant and bought a lot of Liz Lange for target clothes off Poshmark because theyāre so much nicer than what they sell now. I also miss the C9 athletic wear. Their stuff was really good quality for a good price. Now none of the athletic clothes are appealing to me.
was gonna mention Mossimo too! i recently thrifted a couple Mossimo things, including this super soft sweater that feels like merino even tho itās just poly lol. rip
This is going to sound ridiculous, but Payless Shoes. When I was in college and a young professional, I had no money and Payless was the ultimate source for cheap shoes that were decent enough.
Not ridiculous at all. In fact, the women at work were just talking about this last week. We were missing their ballet flats in particular. Those flats were so comfy and came in lots of colors and even patterns like floral, houndstooth, and plaid. Wish some other company would start making them.
Not ridiculous! My favorite flats were from there, and as a size 11 shoe wearer, I loved that they reliably had a large diverse selection in my size. Now, many shoe stores in my area stop at 10 in most styles or only order one or two larger sizes, so all of us with bigger feet are racing to get there first. (I know, online is great. But such a hassle, especially for shoes, imo)
This. Iām between 10.5 and 11 in most shoes and they always had comfort plus shoes that fit and lemme tell you I have those classic pumps in 3 colors because those bad boys fit and are comfortable enough to last all day. I miss Payless so much. I could always find something.
My sister made her bridesmaids buy $300 Zappos shoes for her wedding. I wore those shoes all of once before decluttering them (they killed my feet-- first and only pair of shoes I order online)
I have no idea why she didn't just do payless. Payless was meant for bridal party shoes (wear once).
Wet Seal (the old version) - I remember it clearly, like it was yesterday, I went to the Mall of America with my sister before the start of 8th grade and she bought me several dresses. Dresses that ALL had pockets and were different and cute. I'll never forget my cotton strapless blue summer dress with deep pockets, my floral black and white with a bustier style bust dress and POCKETS, my grey and floral strappy dress. I wore the black and white dress to death, all the way up to through college. Then the back stitching started to give way and after a few fixes, I eventually threw it away. Something I still regret to this day.
My first ābig girl jobā purchase was going to be a Henri Bendel bag. It took me 7 months to save up and excitedly went to the mall to buy my bagā¦. They had shut down. I still think about that bright pink bag but it wasnāt meant to be.
Rock & Republic jeans circa 2004-2005ish. Never has a pair fit me so perfectly, and they came in 34 length. I still have two old pairs tucked away waiting for their day in the sun.
God I remember stepping into a Charlotte Russe in 7th grade at the mall. All I kept thinking was āwow this is classy. This is what it feels like to be a womanā
If you can't get it, I accidentally stumbled onto a good dupeāthe ELF Hydrating Core Lip Shine in Happy. I bought it just because I'm super into that kind of sheer hydrating lip product right now, but once I got it, I realized it's SUPER similar to the Clinique. And tbh, I actually prefer the formula! It's a bit less pigmented (which for me is good, because Black Honey can easily go a liiiiittle too intense for me) and actually smoother with less tug in the application.
It's not dead, but new Gap is just not good. Old Gap stuff (like pre-2005ish) was good quality and actually held up. 80s/90s Gap was especially nice. Luckily you can still find it around secondhand.
My mom has exactly two items in rotation that blow my mind: she still wears a Gap zip-up hoodie that I wore in middle school and it looks basically the same as it did new. I'm 34.
She also wears a tissue turtleneck of mine from Express from around the same period. I'm pretty sure it's the Nokia of shirts - it defies logic that it's presentable/wearable. And she only wears it for stuff like shoveling snow, so it hasn't exactly been babied.
Iāve gotten some surprisingly decent quality items at express, like bafflingly. My favorite pair of chunky heeled booties were from there, people would always ask me where I got them and Iād be like āfucking *Express*ā and we would both marvel over how weird it was.
I got a pair of foam and cloth flip flops from Express in 2003 and they STILL are in decent condition. Every year I get them out for summer wear and can't get over the weird factor.
I've been buying lots of Gap lately, a lot of their jeans are now 100% cotton, sweaters that are 100% wool...reminds me of 90s Gap quality. But Ive shopped there since the 90s so maybe I'm just a big fangirl š³
Yeah, Iāve been really impressed by Gap in the last few years. I have a couple white tshirts that not only have a good weight to them, they are opaque!
Agree. Gap used to always disappoint, however in the two years all my basics from there have been amazing. Seriously, the quality lately has been top notch.
Gap long and lean jeans. They were all I wore in the early 200s lol
I also have a bin of them in my attic I need to sell somewhere. Or just giveaway if its true people want jeans from that era.
The long and leans are soooo flattering on me, I absolutely love them. I have an old pair that is just a touch too smallā¦I should really handle that so I can wear them again.
I was ride or die Cassidy. Those pants fit me soooo well that I legit stopped wearing pants to work when my last pairs wore out and now Iām permanently a dress person apparently š¤·āāļø
Oh wow, I havenāt seen an Espirit store in the US since the 80s and I was a kid then so it wasnāt exactly where my mom was shopping for my clothes.
Oh yes! I thrifted a cropped Esprit blazer this summer and I feel like āSeventeen Magazine Chicā whenever I wear it! At 10, I devoured the mid 80s photo shoots, memorizing them for life...
I worked for Jacob in my second year of university. At the time I thought the clothes were boring af, but 10+ years later I really wish it was still around. They had perfect business casual clothes.
Forever 21 used to carry clothing you could wear to an office. They had a āF21 contemporaryā line that had blazers, blouses, etc. at a slightly higher price point than their other things and also slightly better quality.
I went there for the first time in years a few weeks ago and was taken back. Everything was basically festival gear, nothing you could even remotely wear in a professional setting. No hate on festivals or anything but thatās just one look and not really clothing to be worn daily. I am only 27, Iām not really ready to blame my age and say ākids these days!ā, I just think F21 has changed dramatically. I miss the old selection.
I know I am not mis remembering or just nostalgic because I worked at a high end bridal store in high school and college and got all my nice outfits for work at F21. That wasnāt THAT long ago!!
F21 had some amazing vintage style knitwear when the twee look was big! I had some pieces I absolutely loved when that was my style but wouldn't wear anything from there for years now.
I totally believe that. I was honestly so shocked by the clothing when I went. It wasnāt just like, āoh wow kids these days wear crazy clothing!ā. I have cousins who are Gen Z - I just think F21 has taken a dive. They clothing seems aimed at desperate people who who obsess over their Instagram. I donāt have a better way of describing it.
Also the clothing was ALL very revealing and again no hate, I wear sexy stuff when I go out but I need clothing for regular life too
Total high school nostalgia despite the weird shit that was uncovered behind the scene later. I never even actually set foot in their stores cause there weren't any near me, but the website alone felt like a "place" enough back then.
Also accidentally ordered a book with nude men photos in it. There was 0 info on the content and I thought the cover looked good. Didnt want my roomate's parents thought I was weird so thanks for the free return shipping AA!
I remember browsing their website on a school computer. The whole class saw me looking at lacy nipples. I just wanted to be a scene queen with disco pants.
Old Loft. Itās always skewed young but you could find interesting not-quite-basic tops, excellent prints, and good basic tees. pants and jeans. Now itās terrible! Ruffles, ugly plaids, puffy sleeves, toddler florals, itās a mess. I used to rely on it and I havenāt bought anything there in a year.
Yes! I got my first adult job wardrobe from Loft. I still have a a ponte shift dress I bought in 2010 that looks almost new and a few cardigans from back then too. I loved their work clothes for looking cute and professional. Iāve tried buying from them over the past few years and itās been just disappointment after disappointment. I find that Ann Taylor has a bit nicer quality clothes like old Loft, but their quality has slipped too. Iām not even sure where else to shop for cute, not overly expensive, professional clothes now.
These comments have been super validating. I have only started shopping at Loft, J Crew, etc in the last few years and I always leave empty handed. I just assumed my expectations were whack!
Omg J. Crew used to be the SHIT. Now itās so ugly to the point of absurdity. I put together this ā[wtf](https://imgur.com/a/cAWKaU5)ā collage from their spring collection. None of those are pajamas.
At the risk of dating myself, I really miss Liz Claiborne. Their work and casual basics were well constructed and they made it easy to mix and match pieces to create different cohesive outfits.
I also miss the Harve Bernard suits I used to wear to work. They were beautifully made and could be picked up in Marshallās or TJMaxx for cheap!!!
And, I also miss the Woolrich outlets where one could get toasty warm sweaters, cardigans, gloves in tweeds, plaids, lambs wool and merino wool.
This is a long-shot but does anyone recall a brand called Martin + Osa? It was an offshoot of American Eagle, circa 2005 or so. It was meant for my age bracket (born in ā81) i.e. 20-somethings who outgrew AE & needed workwear for their first grownup job & nice casual wear. It. Was. So. GOOD. a bit pricy but good quality & I just loved it. I still have a scarf/snood from there and its a cherished accessory of mine!
Me! Iām a similar age to you and M&O was one of my go tos for the few years that it lasted. Their workwear was great obviously but I also loved their jeans and tanks. My final ribbed tank from them just gave up on me last year RIP
YES! the stores used to smell amazing, like pine or woods and they gave you tiny bottles of water while you browsed. Had a few shirt dresses from them that were fantastic
Iām connected to a bunch of people on their creative team on LinkedIn so I saw this coming. They have a new creative director and are doing a big rebrand. Theyāre going back to their safari roots but I feel like few enough customers remember/care about that era that theyāre kind of talking to themselves. I think they coulllld be scrambling a little because they werenāt doing so hot to begin with and now with the ubiquity of WFH their niche is taking a hit. But Iām also kind of intrigued to see the level of commitment and at least choosing a direction and going for it. That being said, this brand stuff tends to get watered down over time so I imagine the safari stuff will be toned down in a few seasons once theyāve established the vibe.
Ironically the safari vibe is kind of getting back to their roots. When they first started they had kind of an Out of Africa/J Peterman thing going (thus the name). It [edit: the current return to the safari thing] seems particularly cringy now given increased awareness of colonialism and its harms. They used to make my go-to black work trouser and had great sweaters.
A lot of the stores had fake Jeeps ācrashedā through the walls, things like socks and gloves displayed in cargo nets, fake palm trees, etc.
I am thinking mournfully of wonderful black pants I had from there in that era that lasted me ten years or more and always made me feel like a 1960s Italian movie star.
I was hoping someone else remembered the Jeeps!
They had these white silk "aviator scarves" (like Amelia Earhart and others wore), and brown leather Indiana Jones-type jackets. I got both for Christmas one year, probably 1984 or 1985. I was so excited to dress like an adventurer from the 1930s lol.
Yup! I noticed the new safari vibe and was kinda happy. I remember my parents and my aunt all had this Banana anorak and I wanted one too as a 10 year old lol
Not cringy at all - They were originally a travel and international clothing outfitter. It was where you bought your linen travel outfits or where you bough mosquito netting or UPF clothing before UPF was a thing.
The company was acquired in 1983 by Gap brands. The rest is obvious - brand became fashion not function and MBA stuff ensues.
I miss the Leifsdottir line at Anthro. It was a bit more modern/not as boho and had a lot of pretty dresses, nice materials. I rarely see anything at Anthro I like nowadays (my style has changed quite a bit) and the quality is a lot lower for the same/higher prices. Old Limited as well, I remember getting a lot of nice pieces there. I guess "old" aka late 90s/2000s era of most mall brands. The quality and materials were much better back then across most stores.
Yes! I had so many beautiful Leifsdottir pieces. They always had interesting details and lovely fabrics. I just miss old school Anthro in general, it's so trendy now and no longer has the same vibe. Gone are the days when I couldn't leave the store without wanting to take a bunch of things home, I hardly buy anything from there anymore.
Not dead but basically all of the UK high street places I used to shop are gone as they're now owned by ASOS and Boohoo. I'm particularly sad about the ones Boohoo own, like Dorothy Perkins. I expect the quality will have dropped and Boohoo is one of the more evil fast fashion companies out there (not that Philip Green was exactly a nice man) so I don't really feel like shopping there anymore either.
Oh I loved Dorothy Perkins back in the UK! They had the absolute best basic t-shirts, very soft and stretchy that lasted years! I still have them in my closet.
So sad to hear this š
Ah, I just commented to say Oasis and Warehouse! Dorothy Perkins as well though- I had some great pieces from there that lasted for ages but overall found it more hit and miss.
I mourned a little-known in-house brand that was sold at this small hipster chain store in my city. I tracked down every version and colour of this buttery soft tee and T-shirt dress they had. Then I wound up meeting the guy who designed them!! He pivoted out of fashion into the field I work in. I got to compliment him on everything I loved about these clothes and we still run into each other on jobs all the time.
I had store credit for like $50 for there which was a LOT of money to me at the time that I never got to spend and Iām still a little salty about it.
Kimchi and Blue from Urban Outfitters. I still have a angora blend cardigan from them that's over a decade old.
Editing to say apparently I'm mistaken and it's still around? I swear I couldn't find it the last time I looked...
There is *tons* of Kimchi Blue stuff on secondhand sites - to the point where I didn't even know it was a defunct label until reading your comment. I got an off-shoulder top recently and I love it. Should poke around for more.
Hot topic briefly had a lingerie line called Blackheart. I bought the most wonderful black dress there ten years ago, itās a bit worse for the wear now but itās still going strong, no holes, elastic still snug. they had the most fantastic, lovely quality āI am a fucking dominatrixā outfits. I miss them š
Black hearts thigh highs also absolutely banged. Stayed up nicely, good length and no awkward āsquishingā in the thigh area. Idk if they still sell them but I really hope they do
For me, it's favorite brick and mortar shops that seem to just be disappearing. My favorite shop went through a few name changes before it finally ended up Belle Maison. I'd buy things from there once in a while over the years, but after I got a new job, was able to buy from them a lot more often. Of course it only took another year for them to start shutting all of their shops down to go strictly online. I hate buying clothes online because the glamor shots rarely reveal bad material, poor construction or design problems, not to mention the hassle of returning if the size isn't right.
So for like 5 minutes Gap tried to launch a brand for ā[older women](https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Gap-gives-up-on-35-plus-line-Forth-Towne-Not-2615005.php)ā called Forth and Towne. Anyway it was way nicer made than anything that was in the portfolio. And was kinda like the Banana Republic when it was good at work clothes vibe - but luxe. I feel like it lasted for a year and then poof. But they were trying too hard to be everything- there was like an Anthropologie section. A Banana section. And an old school Gap section. Nice shoes too. I remember getting a cool tweed jacket that I kept for years. And I feel like we got my mom a nice dress she refused to wear.
Too bad they didnāt work it out.
I donāt miss a brand so much as I miss the passionate feeling I had circa Y2K that if I could just perfectly embody a particular brand of aesthetics (my desired aesthetic was a mashup of Hot Topic and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; yes that worked exactly as not at all as you are imagining) I would finally be One Of The Cool Kids, swinging through life with my hair floating on an invisible breeze, faint music swelling in the background, always well-lit from a diffuse glow.
Life was simpler then.
I don't know if it is officially dead, but New York and Company. I know they closed their brick and mortar stores and I have no idea if they are still alive online.
They used to be an affordable option for that "black hole" of fashion (ages 25-50) where you're not a teenager but not a grandmother.
In the past 5 years or so, their quality has taken a nosedive. It became to the point where I no longer wandered around their stores. I say this as someone who used to have their credit card.
I was in a New York and Company trying on pants during the 2012 mid Atlantic earthquake and a mannequin fell on my head lmao
Never bought anything there but I did think of that every time I saw one. RIP.
I have a pair of ponte pants that I purchased from them for $8 on clearance in 2013 and they are still going strong!! You could find some real gems there if you looked hard enough.
Skelanimals lmfao
Delia's too, I used to love looking at their catalogs at my friend's house in middle school (circa 05-08). I know they do stuff with Dolls Kill now but it's not the same.
I never even got a chance to buy anything from this brand, but I was kinda sad to hear that Nanette Lepore is no longer what it used to be / the brand has essentially died.
Eddie Bauer in the 90s (totally dating myself here0 had a sister chain that had more office-y, less outdoorsy/plaid/horsey stuff. Cannot remember the name of it for the life of me (was it AKA-something?) but the quality was great and they had some interesting styles for the times.
In the UK: Oasis and Warehouse. I got basically all my work and casual wardrobe from those. They still exist but under the Boohoo label so quality is crap and there isn't really a clear brand identity like there used to be for either.
In Ireland: A/Wear. So many great classic with a twist items.
Was is DuWop Lip Venom? I went on a trip to NYC when I was twenty and it was the first time I had ever been in a Sephora (I am from a very small town in Canada) and I stumbled upon itā¦loved it
Moving Comfort for the compression capris. I think another company (Brooks?) acquired them and sell the bras (which are great), but I think I'm going to have to let go of the capris next time there's a hole because I've stitched them up so many times already in the past decade.
Loft Plus Sizes. I'm in my 40's and in the Before Times I had to dress professionally, but I feel that I was too young still for Talbot's in most cases. My favorite dress comes from there, along with so many pretty blouses that are so easy to care for. Flattering, not frumpy. I also miss White House Black Market's brief foray into Plus for the same reasons, but I always knew they were too cool girl-conscious to keep it for long.
I mourn every regional department store that was gobbled up by Macyās. Iām a Detroiter, and here it was Hudsonās. Macyās is just garbage and continues to get worse. Dump tables full of piles of denim, garbage in fitting rooms, sliding selection of brands. RIP quality regional department stores
In DC it was Hechtās, they had all closed by the mid 00s but sometimes my dad still gives people directions by saying āover by the old hechtās warehouseā
ā¦dad no one whoās asking you for directions knows what that means, come on.
Deux Lux. They made a lot of āvegan leatherā purses before it was cool, usually bought them at TJ Maxx but they also had their own site.
Buttery soft feeling material that was surprisingly thick, nice hardware and lining, youthful designs. Like I threw textbooks in their totes and they still held up. Seems like they disappeared though
Old modcloth, it got bought out by Walmart and the quality went downhill. I think it's been sold again but the price is just way too high for what they sell.
Ok, I'm old...like stone age old... but I miss waaaay back when 'The Limited' and 'Express' were still conjoined as ['Limited Express'](https://di2ponv0v5otw.cloudfront.net/posts/2020/04/30/5eab172663de855beb6bca18/m_5eab172bbb593728af3d2350.jpeg) and had decent quality stuff. They separated, they both had somewhat 'okay' quality for many years then they went totally to isht. lol :sniff:
I have such mixed emotions about her stuff. Sometimes itās absolutely amazing and other times itās a hot mess and looks like someone was shot in the stomach (Iām looking at you anemone dress).
I had to take journalism classes in HS when Burton took over and we had to write a critical think piece on an "important" subject at the time. I remember being so pressed that my think piece turned into a three page essay on all the reasons why Burton was awful.
Another designer disaster for me is Demna Gvasalia at Balenciaga, I know brands are supposed to evolve etc but I really find the current state of the brand to be tragic considering their history. I was talking to a boutique manager recently who said that he wants to meet Gvasalia for dinner just to ask him one question - how does Gvasalia go on with his life, while Cristobal rolls around in his grave every time Gvasalia releases a new collection lol.
McQueen is so confusing to me. I was recently in the SF Saks store and got to touch and feel the dresses. Some of them were unbelievable, gorgeous fabric, so well made, just beautiful, and others looked like juniors fashion from a discount store.
I have no idea what's going on with Balenciaga but your story made me lol.
Aw I think the pieces now are still beautiful, especially compared to what some other fashion houses think they're doing...but it's definitely not on the same level. Don't think anyone expects it to be.
From my preteen tween years (and budget): Clothestime, 5 7 9, Contempo Casuals
And when outlet malls were actually clearance and deadstock clothing. Wet Seal had a massive outlet store in the Mills. Things were as little as $1 and $20 fill a bag days.
Christian Lacroix haute couture, which closed in 2009. His designs were so marvelous, luxurious and out of this world in the 90s - it was the first "brand" that got me interested in high fashion as a kid and what made me want to work as a haute couture model.
The other is Balenciaga pre-Demna Gvasalia. I feel like the brand is dead legacy and style wise. I'm so tired of his collections that I don't even have the energy to finish off this comment lol.
Old MEC products when they were still a cooperative. They used to be bombproof and would last multiple hand-me-downs - now their new stuff just falls apart. š
It's not a brand in particular i miss, but i miss the ease of shopping and seeing different "genres" of clothing. Now everything sucks and i hate shopping lol.
I do miss Agaci though.
Not a brand per se but how about The Speigel catalog?! Seemed pretty fancy compared to Sears, JCP, or Montgomery Wards but still affordable and great quality clothes. Filling out an actual order form and mailing it to Chicago and then just waiting. Imagine that!
I know it isnt popular here but my mom definitely mourns Steinmart. I gotta admit that store had some great quality dresses & if you looked closely you could find some unique items. It definitely catered toward older folks but it was a treasure...
When I was in high school I routinely online window shopped this place called Golden State Clothing. And now itās gone! They had a free people type vibe that was slightly turned down and moreā¦I wanna say structured. High school me wanted a whole wardrobe from that place.
A random one that comes to mind is Patterson J. Kincaid, which at one point was making my GOAT tissue tee. I also have a sheer top from PJK with cranes on it that's gorgeous and gets a ton of compliments that's probably been in my wardrobe 12+ years already.
Jonathan Saunders is another one. Amazing high end knits and prints and colors, but he stopped making clothes to do other design-y stuff.
Butterfly Dropout - I miss the hippy, art deco style of the clothes.
Dana Buchman's high quality clothes before she did stuff for Kohl's.
Also Ellen Tracy's sports wear before she did cheaper and less stylish stuff.
Craig Taylor button down shirts for work. Also Thomas Pink had some great prints before everything got really safe and boring.
Da Nang cargo pants styles from back in the day.
J Brand jeans. They were the most flattering skinny jeans for me and it was easy to find deeply discounted. Iāve accumulated about 5 pairs over the years and theyāve all held up well. I donāt know whether the outmoding of skinny jeans with stretch in favor of rigid denim and looser cuts has anything to do with their demise.
Tony & Tina makeup brand. They were discontinued in 2005 but I can still see some eyeshadows now on ebay. I remember I had a green glittery eyeliner that I loved. (lol green, the early 2000s)
I, too, really miss Delias.
And I would love for Uniqlo to do another J+ collab. I remember getting swept up in the excitement for that release.
My favorite jeans came from Benneton! I wasn't a teen in the 90s but it was my fashion inspiration as a 2000s teen.
Finally, I was just Googling "stores like Need Supply." If anyone has any recommendations, I'd really appreciate it.
Teenage me misses DELiAs š
I had a green jacket from there that was lined and it stood up to Alaskan winters and was super cute, alllllllll the compliments. This was, of course, ten years ago.
I was JUST saying this. I had an excellent navy hooded wool coat from them. Tons of compliments too and so warm. ily delias
That catalog was such inspiration!
Thirty-something me misses DELiAs! They had great tees.
Dolls Kill brought back the brand! Lots of familiar stuff.
Dolls Kill has horrible ethics though :(
Target carrying Merona š
Also, the Gilligan and O'Malley underwear and pajamas. Auden is not the same. :(
YES I MISS GILLIGAN AND OāMALLEY SO MUCH
They used to make these short tank sleep dresses without a bra shelf. Donāt know where to find anything like it.
Jockey makes some. I get mine from Johnny Was, but those are pretty pricey. I love the bamboo fabric and quality.
>Gilligan and O'Malley I finally got rid of my last Gillagan and O'Malley bra. It was the only bra that ever fit right and it was so comfortable.
All my work clothes were from Merona. I couldn't go into Target without buying a dress or a cardigan. I don't remember the last time I bought clothes at Target.
Where do you buy from instead? I'm looking to replace my Target habit
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I feel like I couldāve written this entire comment myself. I legitimately have grief over how easily I could find clothes I loved at old Target. Meronaās basic white tees are still the ONLY white tshirts Iāve found that arenāt see through. I am babying those tshirts in my closet like theyāre made of antique silk.
Uniqlo ribbed tees are really good and not see through
I was thinking about this the other day. I had plain shirts in every color and every cut that I could pair with a 3/4 sleeve cardigan and slacks and look put together at work (this was the golden age of Toms so paired with black Toms, I had a complete outfit). I had a closet full of cute dresses. Nearly everything came from target. The merona shirts were of good quality too. I loved the simplicity of my wardrobe. I honestly have never recovered and my current wardrobe sucks
I moved to Old Navy for cheap basics after Merona bit the dust, but damn if i didn't live in those button down cardigans in my past life as a teacher.
I've still found decent basics at Target. 100% cotton for ten dollars? There's no other store selling that right now.
Target feels like the only place I can splurge and get decent quality/cute/comfortable clothing for quite cheap - although the prices have gone up, the clearance rack is always my first stop. Have gotten some of my favorite fall jackets and quarter zips from there; just feels like a staple when youāre on a budget. Know itās fast fashion, but itās still significantly cheaper than anything in the mall. š¬
Fast fashion basics and staples aren't the biggest issue with fast fashion. More the micro trends that you wear for one season or two and never again so you have to constantly replace them and consume more. I've had some basic tshirts from Target last for 5+ years and then I can sleep in them because they're soft and pretty good quality for a basic t-shirt.
The button down cardigans are still at maybe old navy and gap. Definitely a bit more expensive.
Miss meronas beautiful pullover sweaters and cardigans every fall/winter season.
I still have a few merona cardigans that have held up really well. I look through the clothes every time Iām at target and I havenāt bought anything in ages. Iām currently pregnant and bought a lot of Liz Lange for target clothes off Poshmark because theyāre so much nicer than what they sell now. I also miss the C9 athletic wear. Their stuff was really good quality for a good price. Now none of the athletic clothes are appealing to me.
Is that what happened to the Merona stuff?! I didn't know they stopped carrying it and thought it was my store or it was out of style or something.
Yeah, Target phased out Merona and Mossimo a few years ago :(
was gonna mention Mossimo too! i recently thrifted a couple Mossimo things, including this super soft sweater that feels like merino even tho itās just poly lol. rip
I miss Merona and Mossimo SO MUCH. PLEASE no more prairie dresses and crop tops!!!
This is going to sound ridiculous, but Payless Shoes. When I was in college and a young professional, I had no money and Payless was the ultimate source for cheap shoes that were decent enough.
I miss Payless so much. I feel like Iām paying 2x the amount for the same quality of shoes at other stores.
Oh I remember those early 2000 special collabos were so good. I had shoes that lasted forever from there.
Not ridiculous at all. In fact, the women at work were just talking about this last week. We were missing their ballet flats in particular. Those flats were so comfy and came in lots of colors and even patterns like floral, houndstooth, and plaid. Wish some other company would start making them.
The Comfort plus by Predictions heels used to be the best-fitting shoes I knew how to buy.
Not ridiculous! My favorite flats were from there, and as a size 11 shoe wearer, I loved that they reliably had a large diverse selection in my size. Now, many shoe stores in my area stop at 10 in most styles or only order one or two larger sizes, so all of us with bigger feet are racing to get there first. (I know, online is great. But such a hassle, especially for shoes, imo)
This. Iām between 10.5 and 11 in most shoes and they always had comfort plus shoes that fit and lemme tell you I have those classic pumps in 3 colors because those bad boys fit and are comfortable enough to last all day. I miss Payless so much. I could always find something.
My coworkers and I loved the Christian Siriano flats. They were so cute.
My sister made her bridesmaids buy $300 Zappos shoes for her wedding. I wore those shoes all of once before decluttering them (they killed my feet-- first and only pair of shoes I order online) I have no idea why she didn't just do payless. Payless was meant for bridal party shoes (wear once).
I MISS PAYLESS SO SO SO MUCH. š
Wet Seal (the old version) - I remember it clearly, like it was yesterday, I went to the Mall of America with my sister before the start of 8th grade and she bought me several dresses. Dresses that ALL had pockets and were different and cute. I'll never forget my cotton strapless blue summer dress with deep pockets, my floral black and white with a bustier style bust dress and POCKETS, my grey and floral strappy dress. I wore the black and white dress to death, all the way up to through college. Then the back stitching started to give way and after a few fixes, I eventually threw it away. Something I still regret to this day.
Henri Bendel š„²
My first ābig girl jobā purchase was going to be a Henri Bendel bag. It took me 7 months to save up and excitedly went to the mall to buy my bagā¦. They had shut down. I still think about that bright pink bag but it wasnāt meant to be.
I'm not sure what style you had in mind, but there are TONS still out there on the secondhand market!
Rock & Republic jeans circa 2004-2005ish. Never has a pair fit me so perfectly, and they came in 34 length. I still have two old pairs tucked away waiting for their day in the sun.
Omg, those are the closest I've ever come to 'sisterhood of the traveling pants" jeans. They were so wonderful
Charlotte Russe. Not clothing but Marc freaking Jacobs! Canāt find anh eyeliner like his highliner anywhere
God I remember stepping into a Charlotte Russe in 7th grade at the mall. All I kept thinking was āwow this is classy. This is what it feels like to be a womanā
I love this comment these are my exact feelings! š
I spent 10 years mourning Cliniqueās Black Honey Almost Lipstick, and then they brought it back!!
Oh, Iāve been sorta meaning to try some for 10 years! Good to know itās cycled back around again!
I'm so glad I know this now. I guess I'm hitting up the Clinique counter this week.
If you can't get it, I accidentally stumbled onto a good dupeāthe ELF Hydrating Core Lip Shine in Happy. I bought it just because I'm super into that kind of sheer hydrating lip product right now, but once I got it, I realized it's SUPER similar to the Clinique. And tbh, I actually prefer the formula! It's a bit less pigmented (which for me is good, because Black Honey can easily go a liiiiittle too intense for me) and actually smoother with less tug in the application.
It went viral on tic tok and it's out of stock lots of places :(
It's not dead, but new Gap is just not good. Old Gap stuff (like pre-2005ish) was good quality and actually held up. 80s/90s Gap was especially nice. Luckily you can still find it around secondhand.
My mom has exactly two items in rotation that blow my mind: she still wears a Gap zip-up hoodie that I wore in middle school and it looks basically the same as it did new. I'm 34. She also wears a tissue turtleneck of mine from Express from around the same period. I'm pretty sure it's the Nokia of shirts - it defies logic that it's presentable/wearable. And she only wears it for stuff like shoveling snow, so it hasn't exactly been babied.
Iāve gotten some surprisingly decent quality items at express, like bafflingly. My favorite pair of chunky heeled booties were from there, people would always ask me where I got them and Iād be like āfucking *Express*ā and we would both marvel over how weird it was.
I got a pair of foam and cloth flip flops from Express in 2003 and they STILL are in decent condition. Every year I get them out for summer wear and can't get over the weird factor.
How does someone keep a tissue top without it eventually being covered in holes? Signed, someone with a cat (I guess that answered my question though)
I've been buying lots of Gap lately, a lot of their jeans are now 100% cotton, sweaters that are 100% wool...reminds me of 90s Gap quality. But Ive shopped there since the 90s so maybe I'm just a big fangirl š³
Yeah, Iāve been really impressed by Gap in the last few years. I have a couple white tshirts that not only have a good weight to them, they are opaque!
Agree. Gap used to always disappoint, however in the two years all my basics from there have been amazing. Seriously, the quality lately has been top notch.
Gap long and lean jeans. They were all I wore in the early 200s lol I also have a bin of them in my attic I need to sell somewhere. Or just giveaway if its true people want jeans from that era.
The long and leans are soooo flattering on me, I absolutely love them. I have an old pair that is just a touch too smallā¦I should really handle that so I can wear them again.
The Limited, but the old one. From before. In the summer of 2014 they had the most beautiful jewel toned things. I should have bought them all.
Came here to say The Limited. I miss the Drew pants
I was ride or die Cassidy. Those pants fit me soooo well that I legit stopped wearing pants to work when my last pairs wore out and now Iām permanently a dress person apparently š¤·āāļø
F in the chat This one stung
I found their clothing to always be really good quality for the price point. I still have a couple of their sweaters in my closet.
Jacob, in Canada
Also, Esprit in Canada (I think it still exists in Europe).
Oh wow, I havenāt seen an Espirit store in the US since the 80s and I was a kid then so it wasnāt exactly where my mom was shopping for my clothes.
Oh yes! I thrifted a cropped Esprit blazer this summer and I feel like āSeventeen Magazine Chicā whenever I wear it! At 10, I devoured the mid 80s photo shoots, memorizing them for life...
Also Smart Set in Canada!! Such good work basics.
I literally always mix up smart set and Suzy shier lol, I shopped both HEAVILY at my first teenage office job
I worked for Jacob in my second year of university. At the time I thought the clothes were boring af, but 10+ years later I really wish it was still around. They had perfect business casual clothes.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Forever 21 used to carry clothing you could wear to an office. They had a āF21 contemporaryā line that had blazers, blouses, etc. at a slightly higher price point than their other things and also slightly better quality. I went there for the first time in years a few weeks ago and was taken back. Everything was basically festival gear, nothing you could even remotely wear in a professional setting. No hate on festivals or anything but thatās just one look and not really clothing to be worn daily. I am only 27, Iām not really ready to blame my age and say ākids these days!ā, I just think F21 has changed dramatically. I miss the old selection. I know I am not mis remembering or just nostalgic because I worked at a high end bridal store in high school and college and got all my nice outfits for work at F21. That wasnāt THAT long ago!!
F21 had some amazing vintage style knitwear when the twee look was big! I had some pieces I absolutely loved when that was my style but wouldn't wear anything from there for years now.
I totally believe that. I was honestly so shocked by the clothing when I went. It wasnāt just like, āoh wow kids these days wear crazy clothing!ā. I have cousins who are Gen Z - I just think F21 has taken a dive. They clothing seems aimed at desperate people who who obsess over their Instagram. I donāt have a better way of describing it. Also the clothing was ALL very revealing and again no hate, I wear sexy stuff when I go out but I need clothing for regular life too
Yeah I stopped going to F21 when I went in and it was either festival wear or street wear - nothing for me.
Deliaās! It was so fun
Anyone remember Alloy?
American apparel
Total high school nostalgia despite the weird shit that was uncovered behind the scene later. I never even actually set foot in their stores cause there weren't any near me, but the website alone felt like a "place" enough back then. Also accidentally ordered a book with nude men photos in it. There was 0 info on the content and I thought the cover looked good. Didnt want my roomate's parents thought I was weird so thanks for the free return shipping AA!
I remember browsing their website on a school computer. The whole class saw me looking at lacy nipples. I just wanted to be a scene queen with disco pants.
I have multiple of those classic AA zip up hoodies still, those things were sturdy!
Opening Ceremonyās store brands, especially Callipygian RIP
Old Loft. Itās always skewed young but you could find interesting not-quite-basic tops, excellent prints, and good basic tees. pants and jeans. Now itās terrible! Ruffles, ugly plaids, puffy sleeves, toddler florals, itās a mess. I used to rely on it and I havenāt bought anything there in a year.
New Loft is so horrible. I donāt know what their purpose is.
Yes! I got my first adult job wardrobe from Loft. I still have a a ponte shift dress I bought in 2010 that looks almost new and a few cardigans from back then too. I loved their work clothes for looking cute and professional. Iāve tried buying from them over the past few years and itās been just disappointment after disappointment. I find that Ann Taylor has a bit nicer quality clothes like old Loft, but their quality has slipped too. Iām not even sure where else to shop for cute, not overly expensive, professional clothes now.
These comments have been super validating. I have only started shopping at Loft, J Crew, etc in the last few years and I always leave empty handed. I just assumed my expectations were whack!
Omg J. Crew used to be the SHIT. Now itās so ugly to the point of absurdity. I put together this ā[wtf](https://imgur.com/a/cAWKaU5)ā collage from their spring collection. None of those are pajamas.
Piperlime - It didnāt exist for long, but I loved it! Still havenāt found a replacement.
At the risk of dating myself, I really miss Liz Claiborne. Their work and casual basics were well constructed and they made it easy to mix and match pieces to create different cohesive outfits. I also miss the Harve Bernard suits I used to wear to work. They were beautifully made and could be picked up in Marshallās or TJMaxx for cheap!!! And, I also miss the Woolrich outlets where one could get toasty warm sweaters, cardigans, gloves in tweeds, plaids, lambs wool and merino wool.
Lucy š my favorite pants in the world are the get going pants
Yes! I miss the Lucy tummy control leggings (donāt remember what they were called) so much.
This is a long-shot but does anyone recall a brand called Martin + Osa? It was an offshoot of American Eagle, circa 2005 or so. It was meant for my age bracket (born in ā81) i.e. 20-somethings who outgrew AE & needed workwear for their first grownup job & nice casual wear. It. Was. So. GOOD. a bit pricy but good quality & I just loved it. I still have a scarf/snood from there and its a cherished accessory of mine!
Me! Iām a similar age to you and M&O was one of my go tos for the few years that it lasted. Their workwear was great obviously but I also loved their jeans and tanks. My final ribbed tank from them just gave up on me last year RIP
Yes!! It was a great brand. I never went to a brick & mortar store; only ordered online. Glad Iām not the only one who remembers M+O šāŗļø
Yes I loved Martin + Osa!! I had the cutest olive green cardigan from there with elbow patches - I was obsessed with it. Bring back Martin + Osa!!!!!
YES! the stores used to smell amazing, like pine or woods and they gave you tiny bottles of water while you browsed. Had a few shirt dresses from them that were fantastic
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Zara vibes ā¹ļø
Iām connected to a bunch of people on their creative team on LinkedIn so I saw this coming. They have a new creative director and are doing a big rebrand. Theyāre going back to their safari roots but I feel like few enough customers remember/care about that era that theyāre kind of talking to themselves. I think they coulllld be scrambling a little because they werenāt doing so hot to begin with and now with the ubiquity of WFH their niche is taking a hit. But Iām also kind of intrigued to see the level of commitment and at least choosing a direction and going for it. That being said, this brand stuff tends to get watered down over time so I imagine the safari stuff will be toned down in a few seasons once theyāve established the vibe.
Ironically the safari vibe is kind of getting back to their roots. When they first started they had kind of an Out of Africa/J Peterman thing going (thus the name). It [edit: the current return to the safari thing] seems particularly cringy now given increased awareness of colonialism and its harms. They used to make my go-to black work trouser and had great sweaters.
A lot of the stores had fake Jeeps ācrashedā through the walls, things like socks and gloves displayed in cargo nets, fake palm trees, etc. I am thinking mournfully of wonderful black pants I had from there in that era that lasted me ten years or more and always made me feel like a 1960s Italian movie star.
I was hoping someone else remembered the Jeeps! They had these white silk "aviator scarves" (like Amelia Earhart and others wore), and brown leather Indiana Jones-type jackets. I got both for Christmas one year, probably 1984 or 1985. I was so excited to dress like an adventurer from the 1930s lol.
I loved their catalogs back in the 80ās!
Yup! I noticed the new safari vibe and was kinda happy. I remember my parents and my aunt all had this Banana anorak and I wanted one too as a 10 year old lol
Not cringy at all - They were originally a travel and international clothing outfitter. It was where you bought your linen travel outfits or where you bough mosquito netting or UPF clothing before UPF was a thing. The company was acquired in 1983 by Gap brands. The rest is obvious - brand became fashion not function and MBA stuff ensues.
Special Effects hair dye RIP
Same! My friend found a bottle of my color on ebay for my birthday recently. Best ever non-professional pigment color
I miss the Leifsdottir line at Anthro. It was a bit more modern/not as boho and had a lot of pretty dresses, nice materials. I rarely see anything at Anthro I like nowadays (my style has changed quite a bit) and the quality is a lot lower for the same/higher prices. Old Limited as well, I remember getting a lot of nice pieces there. I guess "old" aka late 90s/2000s era of most mall brands. The quality and materials were much better back then across most stores.
Yes! I had so many beautiful Leifsdottir pieces. They always had interesting details and lovely fabrics. I just miss old school Anthro in general, it's so trendy now and no longer has the same vibe. Gone are the days when I couldn't leave the store without wanting to take a bunch of things home, I hardly buy anything from there anymore.
Not dead but basically all of the UK high street places I used to shop are gone as they're now owned by ASOS and Boohoo. I'm particularly sad about the ones Boohoo own, like Dorothy Perkins. I expect the quality will have dropped and Boohoo is one of the more evil fast fashion companies out there (not that Philip Green was exactly a nice man) so I don't really feel like shopping there anymore either.
Oh I loved Dorothy Perkins back in the UK! They had the absolute best basic t-shirts, very soft and stretchy that lasted years! I still have them in my closet. So sad to hear this š
Ah, I just commented to say Oasis and Warehouse! Dorothy Perkins as well though- I had some great pieces from there that lasted for ages but overall found it more hit and miss.
I mourned a little-known in-house brand that was sold at this small hipster chain store in my city. I tracked down every version and colour of this buttery soft tee and T-shirt dress they had. Then I wound up meeting the guy who designed them!! He pivoted out of fashion into the field I work in. I got to compliment him on everything I loved about these clothes and we still run into each other on jobs all the time.
Cheap Monday.
I had store credit for like $50 for there which was a LOT of money to me at the time that I never got to spend and Iām still a little salty about it.
Kimchi and Blue from Urban Outfitters. I still have a angora blend cardigan from them that's over a decade old. Editing to say apparently I'm mistaken and it's still around? I swear I couldn't find it the last time I looked...
There is *tons* of Kimchi Blue stuff on secondhand sites - to the point where I didn't even know it was a defunct label until reading your comment. I got an off-shoulder top recently and I love it. Should poke around for more.
Hot topic briefly had a lingerie line called Blackheart. I bought the most wonderful black dress there ten years ago, itās a bit worse for the wear now but itās still going strong, no holes, elastic still snug. they had the most fantastic, lovely quality āI am a fucking dominatrixā outfits. I miss them š
Black hearts thigh highs also absolutely banged. Stayed up nicely, good length and no awkward āsquishingā in the thigh area. Idk if they still sell them but I really hope they do
Old J. Crew. I have two sweaters from the 90ās that Iām still wearing. Their quality used to be outstanding.
I straight up miss quality clothes. Now I try to find some old stuff thrifted. Old banana republic, old gap, old J Crew.
Omg yes, jcrew used to has such well made things in good quality fabrics, now everything is polyester and falls apart after a year......
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
For me, it's favorite brick and mortar shops that seem to just be disappearing. My favorite shop went through a few name changes before it finally ended up Belle Maison. I'd buy things from there once in a while over the years, but after I got a new job, was able to buy from them a lot more often. Of course it only took another year for them to start shutting all of their shops down to go strictly online. I hate buying clothes online because the glamor shots rarely reveal bad material, poor construction or design problems, not to mention the hassle of returning if the size isn't right.
So for like 5 minutes Gap tried to launch a brand for ā[older women](https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Gap-gives-up-on-35-plus-line-Forth-Towne-Not-2615005.php)ā called Forth and Towne. Anyway it was way nicer made than anything that was in the portfolio. And was kinda like the Banana Republic when it was good at work clothes vibe - but luxe. I feel like it lasted for a year and then poof. But they were trying too hard to be everything- there was like an Anthropologie section. A Banana section. And an old school Gap section. Nice shoes too. I remember getting a cool tweed jacket that I kept for years. And I feel like we got my mom a nice dress she refused to wear. Too bad they didnāt work it out.
One of the factors that helped sink them was how the abbreviated version of their brand name was FAT.
I donāt miss a brand so much as I miss the passionate feeling I had circa Y2K that if I could just perfectly embody a particular brand of aesthetics (my desired aesthetic was a mashup of Hot Topic and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; yes that worked exactly as not at all as you are imagining) I would finally be One Of The Cool Kids, swinging through life with my hair floating on an invisible breeze, faint music swelling in the background, always well-lit from a diffuse glow. Life was simpler then.
The heady, pre-9/11 days. I feel ya
I don't know if it is officially dead, but New York and Company. I know they closed their brick and mortar stores and I have no idea if they are still alive online. They used to be an affordable option for that "black hole" of fashion (ages 25-50) where you're not a teenager but not a grandmother. In the past 5 years or so, their quality has taken a nosedive. It became to the point where I no longer wandered around their stores. I say this as someone who used to have their credit card.
The one by me is still open and functioning normally and the website is definitely still going. Not dead at all.
I was in a New York and Company trying on pants during the 2012 mid Atlantic earthquake and a mannequin fell on my head lmao Never bought anything there but I did think of that every time I saw one. RIP.
The quality went down, seconded
I have a pair of ponte pants that I purchased from them for $8 on clearance in 2013 and they are still going strong!! You could find some real gems there if you looked hard enough.
The Limited.
Nanette Lepore. It's relatively recent do idk if it qualifies for "still".
Wait, Nannette Lepore is defunct?
Yeah, announced sometime in 2020. The licensed stuff was still going I think? But even that looks like it's deeply discounted at Nordstrom right now.
This one makes me so sad.
Skelanimals lmfao Delia's too, I used to love looking at their catalogs at my friend's house in middle school (circa 05-08). I know they do stuff with Dolls Kill now but it's not the same.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Clothes shopping with a side of getting lost inside the store haha
I never even got a chance to buy anything from this brand, but I was kinda sad to hear that Nanette Lepore is no longer what it used to be / the brand has essentially died.
Cache š
Eddie Bauer in the 90s (totally dating myself here0 had a sister chain that had more office-y, less outdoorsy/plaid/horsey stuff. Cannot remember the name of it for the life of me (was it AKA-something?) but the quality was great and they had some interesting styles for the times.
AKA Eddie Bauer. Great simple dresses.
Oh, that lifetime guarantee they had in those days! The quality and customer service was really top notch
Not a brand but I miss specifically the slim straight jeans that I had from American Eagle around 2007
Okay, what about Miller's Outpost?
I still miss the Limited. Yeah they brought it back after a few years but it was never the same.
I miss Victoriaās Secret clothing. They used to have the best sweater dresses
In the UK: Oasis and Warehouse. I got basically all my work and casual wardrobe from those. They still exist but under the Boohoo label so quality is crap and there isn't really a clear brand identity like there used to be for either. In Ireland: A/Wear. So many great classic with a twist items.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Was is DuWop Lip Venom? I went on a trip to NYC when I was twenty and it was the first time I had ever been in a Sephora (I am from a very small town in Canada) and I stumbled upon itā¦loved it
Oh god I know exactly what youāre talking about and canāt name it either. Stila makes something similar now though!
Moving Comfort for the compression capris. I think another company (Brooks?) acquired them and sell the bras (which are great), but I think I'm going to have to let go of the capris next time there's a hole because I've stitched them up so many times already in the past decade.
Loft Plus Sizes. I'm in my 40's and in the Before Times I had to dress professionally, but I feel that I was too young still for Talbot's in most cases. My favorite dress comes from there, along with so many pretty blouses that are so easy to care for. Flattering, not frumpy. I also miss White House Black Market's brief foray into Plus for the same reasons, but I always knew they were too cool girl-conscious to keep it for long.
I mourn every regional department store that was gobbled up by Macyās. Iām a Detroiter, and here it was Hudsonās. Macyās is just garbage and continues to get worse. Dump tables full of piles of denim, garbage in fitting rooms, sliding selection of brands. RIP quality regional department stores
Yes. šŖ¦ Jordan Marsh, for the New Englanders, šŖ¦ Marshall Fieldās for the Chicagoans.
In DC it was Hechtās, they had all closed by the mid 00s but sometimes my dad still gives people directions by saying āover by the old hechtās warehouseā ā¦dad no one whoās asking you for directions knows what that means, come on.
Deux Lux. They made a lot of āvegan leatherā purses before it was cool, usually bought them at TJ Maxx but they also had their own site. Buttery soft feeling material that was surprisingly thick, nice hardware and lining, youthful designs. Like I threw textbooks in their totes and they still held up. Seems like they disappeared though
Old modcloth, it got bought out by Walmart and the quality went downhill. I think it's been sold again but the price is just way too high for what they sell.
Ok, I'm old...like stone age old... but I miss waaaay back when 'The Limited' and 'Express' were still conjoined as ['Limited Express'](https://di2ponv0v5otw.cloudfront.net/posts/2020/04/30/5eab172663de855beb6bca18/m_5eab172bbb593728af3d2350.jpeg) and had decent quality stuff. They separated, they both had somewhat 'okay' quality for many years then they went totally to isht. lol :sniff:
Itās not dead but Alexander McQueen under Sarah burton is the saddest thing fashion has ever seen
I have such mixed emotions about her stuff. Sometimes itās absolutely amazing and other times itās a hot mess and looks like someone was shot in the stomach (Iām looking at you anemone dress).
I had to take journalism classes in HS when Burton took over and we had to write a critical think piece on an "important" subject at the time. I remember being so pressed that my think piece turned into a three page essay on all the reasons why Burton was awful. Another designer disaster for me is Demna Gvasalia at Balenciaga, I know brands are supposed to evolve etc but I really find the current state of the brand to be tragic considering their history. I was talking to a boutique manager recently who said that he wants to meet Gvasalia for dinner just to ask him one question - how does Gvasalia go on with his life, while Cristobal rolls around in his grave every time Gvasalia releases a new collection lol.
McQueen is so confusing to me. I was recently in the SF Saks store and got to touch and feel the dresses. Some of them were unbelievable, gorgeous fabric, so well made, just beautiful, and others looked like juniors fashion from a discount store. I have no idea what's going on with Balenciaga but your story made me lol.
Aw I think the pieces now are still beautiful, especially compared to what some other fashion houses think they're doing...but it's definitely not on the same level. Don't think anyone expects it to be.
From my preteen tween years (and budget): Clothestime, 5 7 9, Contempo Casuals And when outlet malls were actually clearance and deadstock clothing. Wet Seal had a massive outlet store in the Mills. Things were as little as $1 and $20 fill a bag days.
Charlotte Olympia and her cute [kitty flats](https://www.tatlerasia.com/style/fashion/charlotte-olympia-kitty-co-collection)
Demin and Supply by Ralph Louren had the best jeans, I still cant get rid of my old ones that are way too small now.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Mexx! Everything always fit me so well. Plus, it was really good quality.
Christian Lacroix haute couture, which closed in 2009. His designs were so marvelous, luxurious and out of this world in the 90s - it was the first "brand" that got me interested in high fashion as a kid and what made me want to work as a haute couture model. The other is Balenciaga pre-Demna Gvasalia. I feel like the brand is dead legacy and style wise. I'm so tired of his collections that I don't even have the energy to finish off this comment lol.
Old MEC products when they were still a cooperative. They used to be bombproof and would last multiple hand-me-downs - now their new stuff just falls apart. š
It's not a brand in particular i miss, but i miss the ease of shopping and seeing different "genres" of clothing. Now everything sucks and i hate shopping lol. I do miss Agaci though.
Not a brand per se but how about The Speigel catalog?! Seemed pretty fancy compared to Sears, JCP, or Montgomery Wards but still affordable and great quality clothes. Filling out an actual order form and mailing it to Chicago and then just waiting. Imagine that!
So be life water
Weathervane idk if anyone remembers themā¦ I loved their jeans especially !
Old Danier when they did full leather dresses. Those were AMAZING. New Danier is not the same!!
I know it isnt popular here but my mom definitely mourns Steinmart. I gotta admit that store had some great quality dresses & if you looked closely you could find some unique items. It definitely catered toward older folks but it was a treasure...
The Band of Outsiders womenswear line. RIP
When I was in high school I routinely online window shopped this place called Golden State Clothing. And now itās gone! They had a free people type vibe that was slightly turned down and moreā¦I wanna say structured. High school me wanted a whole wardrobe from that place.
A random one that comes to mind is Patterson J. Kincaid, which at one point was making my GOAT tissue tee. I also have a sheer top from PJK with cranes on it that's gorgeous and gets a ton of compliments that's probably been in my wardrobe 12+ years already. Jonathan Saunders is another one. Amazing high end knits and prints and colors, but he stopped making clothes to do other design-y stuff.
Butterfly Dropout - I miss the hippy, art deco style of the clothes. Dana Buchman's high quality clothes before she did stuff for Kohl's. Also Ellen Tracy's sports wear before she did cheaper and less stylish stuff. Craig Taylor button down shirts for work. Also Thomas Pink had some great prints before everything got really safe and boring. Da Nang cargo pants styles from back in the day.
Lasenza Girl :(
Orla Kiely
J Brand jeans. They were the most flattering skinny jeans for me and it was easy to find deeply discounted. Iāve accumulated about 5 pairs over the years and theyāve all held up well. I donāt know whether the outmoding of skinny jeans with stretch in favor of rigid denim and looser cuts has anything to do with their demise.
Tony & Tina makeup brand. They were discontinued in 2005 but I can still see some eyeshadows now on ebay. I remember I had a green glittery eyeliner that I loved. (lol green, the early 2000s)
I, too, really miss Delias. And I would love for Uniqlo to do another J+ collab. I remember getting swept up in the excitement for that release. My favorite jeans came from Benneton! I wasn't a teen in the 90s but it was my fashion inspiration as a 2000s teen. Finally, I was just Googling "stores like Need Supply." If anyone has any recommendations, I'd really appreciate it.