Fall Clothing Selections Got You Down?

Fall Clothing Selections Got You Down? Let’s Go Shop Our Own Closets.

The supply chain collapse is an old story, but I am experiencing it for myself in a variety of ways. I am remodeling a few rooms in my home and struggle to find the materials.  I can’t find what I need when I shop in-store, and it is going to take months to get certain products from my online purchases.  The finish is so close—yet so far.

Thank goodness I hit the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year. Even though I think it was one of the weaker sales, at least I was able to find fall merchandise that was somewhat fresh.  However, most of the inventory reflected items from last year’s Anniversary Sale–the same Barefoot Dreams blankets and Zella workout wear. Nordstrom labels were marked down the most and were the same styles as past years—big yawn. 🥱

Clothing is like a relationship—finding the perfect match can be hard work—but the feeling of slipping into the perfect LBD couldn’t be more rewarding.  If only it were that simple; there was very little on shelves that excited me. 

Sure, there are a lot of sales happening at our favorite big box users, but there is little creativity in the merchandising.  I suppose it is the same supply chain story, with last winter’s sweats and cozy Covid clothing in abundance on the shelves.  Even at 70% off, this merchandise isn’t moving, and it is causing insecurity for our retailer owners, managers, and shoppers.

For now, I am taking advantage of the sales for foundations and workout gear; those items really are not seasonal, and you can get some amazing deals at Macy’s, H&M, Nordstrom, and other outstanding retailers.  Many of the stores worry that once they offer deep discounts, customers will begin to expect it, so get shopping now to take advantage of these cuts before retailers send their supply to storage and wait out the season.

One tip? Experts suggest that you shop your own closet first and find new possibilities that you may have forgotten about.  Last week, I had a fashion consultant come to my home and rework my closet.  He had me put three piles on the bed: love it, maybe I love it, and can live without it.  This made me see my closet in a new light.  He managed to style outfits in ways I would never have considered; he changed my perspective.  It is also fun to do this exercise with other friends during a clothing swap night. Add in a little wine and charcuterie and make it a fun night.

The biggest trend in fashion is upcycled clothing.  With stores like Crossroads, Plato’s Closet, thredUP, FreeStyle, Rentrayage, Broken Ghost Clothing, and so many more, you really don’t have to always buy from the standard department store. 

I recently brought a few bags of clothing to Plato’s Closet and found great deals on Lululemon jackets, brand new Adidas shoes, and a great pair of jeans.  I didn’t make much money on what I brought to the store, but it was a fun way to discover recycled clothing.  I was proud of myself for being patient and shopping at Plato’s Closet because that isn’t my style—but I may be turning into an upcycle freak.

For now, I am proud of the two seasonal pieces I chose from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  I can’t wait to put them together with all my new pieces and a slew of rediscovered favorites from shopping my beautiful closet.