CLAIRE SHAY
Fashion

Where to Shop: A Breakdown of All Brands and Retailers

Where to Shop: A Breakdown of All Brands and Retailers

This post is a gifted partnership with Discourse Fashions.

Today I’m breaking down the full list of all the brands and retailers that I love and swear by. Are you looking for inspiration on where to shop? LOOK NO FURTHER!

Finding that one brand or retailer that just speaks to you is actually a super exciting to me. I love being able to discover new, beautiful pieces that is worthy of my investment. These are all brands that I would absolutely invest my money (because in the end of the day, you’re investing your money in a brand when you buy clothes from them). I’m always asked who my dream collaborations would be with. My answer? Every brand/retailer I’m mentioning on this post.

My hope is that this post will provide you with a good idea of where to shop. Buckle and strap in because this is going to be a long post! Without any further ado, let’s get started!

first of all, whenever I can, I don’t do fast fashion

There is nothing wrong with clothes at H&M or Forever21, but I don’t shop there for one simple reason: I believe in sustainability and in fair labor.

I have read too many articles and research that shows the harm that fast fashion has on our planet and our society. There was a recent article in The Guardian that sheds light on the poor situation of the workers who make the clothing.

I can’t pretend like I have never bought anything from a fast fashion brand or that I don’t like them or that I don’t need fast fashion. However, I don’t believe in basing my entire wardrobe and style on the fast fashion brands.

That’s why even though I love brands like Missguided, they’re not going to appear in this list because I don’t want to constantly promoting fast fashion. The amount of waste that is generated by fast fashion in general is horrifying to me.

On occasion if I need a $5 tank top, sure, I’ll go online to Missguided. If I’m going to be suggesting brands that you should invest your money in for your wardrobe, no, I won’t be recommending them.

okay, got it: no fast fashion.
then what’s your favorite retailer?

Alright, let’s get into which retailers I will frequent. Think of the Sephora or Ulta of the fashion industry when I say retailers. I also only have one retailer that I truly love: Revolve.

Most of the time, I prefer to stay away from retailers because I find that buying clothes with individual brands is usually better. Brands offer reward points and other bonuses for frequent shopping.

The one retailer I always go back to is Revolve. Sure, I’ll occasionally browse Nordstrom. I also love imagining I can buy clothes from Moda Operandi and Net-a-Porter for the high-end, luxury pieces. However, I always go back to Revolve because of a couple of reasons: they have 2 day shipping, it’s so easy to make returns, and I literally love everything from their carried designers.

First of all, I don’t know that anything beats 2-day shipping. That’s the reason why we all love Amazon so much. Revolve’s 2-day shipping comes at no additional cost, and that’s amazing. The convenience of knowing that your clothes will get here in 2 days instead of sitting around for that 5-8 business day estimate is unparalleled.

I hear you though; free 2-day shipping isn’t a reason to love or recommend a brand. Let me get into the second reason. Their customer service is amazing! Making a return is super simple; simply fill out the form your clothes with, and Revolve processes it with no other questions asked.

I really dislike the brands where it’s so difficult to make returns (brands, you know who you are). Buying clothes online is always tricky; what if it fits terrible on you compared to the model? That’s why having a great customer service, especially with returns, is so key. I also love that Revolve‘s customer service is so easy to reach. I once had an issue with something I ordered. After sending them an email, I didn’t even have to wait a full day and they already got back to me.

That type of service is what makes a consumer go back to a brand or retailer. That is the kind of service that builds loyalty.

Lastly, and probably the most important reason, they have clothes that are super cute and made of great quality that makes it worthy of my investment.

Some of my favorite pieces from my closet since I discovered them are from Revolve. They sell great pieces that are meant to just elevate your closet and your wardrobe. If you have an important occasion coming up and need an outfit, Revolve will have it.

I also love how they have so many different styles. It doesn’t matter if you’re edgy, feminine, city-chic, or casual. Whatever it is you’re looking for that you need, Revolve will have it.

I do need to note that the prices on Revolve clothing are a bit more expensive. However, you just can’t get something of lasting quality for $10. Sorry, you just can’t. When I mean lasting quality worthy of investment, I mean that these pieces don’t get worn down, they’re always going to be in style, and that they’re well-made. Not to mention, if something isn’t as well-made as I expect it to be, their return policy is GREAT for this.

some of my favorite outfits with Revolve clothing:

the brands that I love and swear by

I like to divide up the brands I love into a few separate categories depending on what occasion and purpose I am buying it for. So let’s break down the full list!

I am deliberately leaving off where I get my bags, accessories, shoes, and athletic wear from this list because I want to dedicate a separate post to them! This post is already insanely long as it is.

When you put the brands I listed above (Express, Discourse Fashions, Vici, Good American, and Lily Pulitzer) with Revolve as my favorite retailer, you have captured 95% of my closet. These brands are consistently tagged in my #ootd posts on my Instagram stories because they are the brands I would recommend to anyone wanting to know where to shop.

Why I Love Express

Express is one of those brands that I didn’t expect to love so much, yet I do. I also mean this in the most positive way ever. When I was growing up, Express had all of the cute office clothes. Everyone would walk out of Express looking super chic and professional.

When I started my life working on the bottom rungs at my corporate finance/banking job, I naturally went to Express to buy all of the work clothes I needed.

What ended up happening was that I slowly started to discover new basics that I could add to my closet that have become such a staple. I didn’t have to only wear Express clothing to the office. They also worked great with an outfit I’d wear out on a weekend.

Primarily, I recommend shopping at Express for cute basics. If you’re confused on what closet/wardrobe basics are, then I recommend reading this post I have on my blog on basics you need in your closet. It essentially breaks down how to start building your wardrobe by attacking it from a capsule wardrobe point of view.

Express pieces easily become key staples that you can then build up your wardrobe around. Need cute tank tops that go great with anything? Do you want a super cute top that you can transition from work to happy hour? Express has got you covered.

Why I Love Discourse Fashions

Discourse Fashions reached out to me a while back, asking for a collaboration. I am so picky, having turned down several opportunities because I don’t believe in ingenuine partnerships. There are also several brands that approached me unprofessional asks (free posts in exchange for a discount code on my order? no).

When Jessica Yuhouse reached out to me, I was so surprised to learn she was the actual designer of the line. We got lunch, and I absolutely loved her vision for Discourse. You know that I’m huge into sustainability, and Jessica was right there with me. We basically bonded over our hatred of the waste that fashion produces. Jessica started her line because she wanted to create those pieces that are a timeless classic in your closet, but they’re not boring at all. I mean, LWDs (little white dresses) are everywhere, but this dress (called the Jane Dress) is a classic!

All of the clothes are made in New York City by people who get paid a fair wage. No more wondering whether your super cute outfit was made in a sweatshop by people who make next to nothing. The fabric, quality, and thought that Jessica puts into her design is absolutely amazing. Their summer collection is filled with super cute staples, and I absolutely can’t wait for their Fall collection!

If you live in NYC and want to check out their clothes in person, Discourse is one of the designers a part of Flying Solo, a group of independent fashion designers who basically get together to take names and kick butt. Their store is located in SoHo!

If you either don’t live in New York or prefer online shopping, I GOT YOU COVERED WITH A DISCOUNT CODE! Enter in the code missclaireshay20 for a 20% off discount on your order. Also, I feel the need to add that I am not getting commission off of this. I genuinely believe in good quality clothing that will last for ages in your closet. I am so glad to have discovered Discourse Fashions because I just know that they’ll do great things in this industry!

Why I Love Vici Collection

I always love supporting boutiques and small designers. It’s the same concept as supporting small or local business compared to your big corporations like Walmart. When I discovered Vici on Instagram, I remember vaguely seeing their name around when I was still living in Southern California.

I love Vici for a couple of reasons: quality clothing and cute new trends. Of course, having the latest clothing that fits the latest trend isn’t my number one priority. However, it doesn’t hurt to find those pieces that make you feel extra chic when you know you’ll be re-wearing it so often. That’s what I love about Vici. They have these super cute pieces that feel super on-trend, but they’re made with good quality materials.

It’s really like Vici has this super hard screening test that’s the fashion equivalent of trying to get into Harvard (read: super hard). I have never bought something from Vici and been disappointed with the quality (a feeling that has happened to me before when I have bought Forever21 and H&M clothing).

If you’re into boutiques and local shopping, check out Vici! They’re really killing it!

Why I Love Good American

To find a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly is seriously such a struggle. I love Good American because they actually do cater to women of all shapes and sizes. Are you curvy but short? They got you covered! Do you have amazing legs? They got you covered.

Good American is constantly trying to break the mold that somehow, jeans can only be made in a few sizes and a few styles. I have never found a good pair of jeans that accentuated my curves but also catered to the fact that I am a size 00 and short. With Good American, I have found my perfect pair of jeans. I wear the style Good Waist that is in the cropped style. They recently came out with a 26″ inseam so that us short girls don’t have to settle for buying the crop style and can actually buy the short. They accentuate the fact that I do have a waist for being so petite, and their pant length is so perfect that I’ve been asked before whether the jeans were tailor made (answer: no they’re not).

Good American is also made in Los Angeles with premium fabric. Once again, that also means you can wear your jeans safely knowing that the people who made your jeans are making a livable wage and not a wage of next to nothing.

Why I Love Lilly Pulitzer

I saved Lilly Pulitzer for last because if I can only wear one brand for the rest of my life, it would be next to impossible for a brand to beat Lilly Pulitzer. They are my OG and the reason that I realized that there was more to fashion than a sorority shirt, flip flops, and ripped denim shorts.

Their prints are classic, and they transport me to my own version of paradise. I wear one of their dresses, and I’m no longer in the bustling city of New York that never wants to sleep. I’m transported back to my quiet and peaceful hometown of Palos Verdes that sits on the coast of Los Angeles. To me, that’s why I love Lilly Pulitzer. Each one of their prints reminds me of a different time in my life, and nothing is more my style than these bright, bold colors.

They have dress styles for every occasion, tops for every occasion, and pants for every occasion. Whatever it is you’re looking for, if you want to be bold and be out there, then Lilly Pulitzer has you covered.

If you have been following me on Instagram for a while, then you’ll know that I mean it when I say that Lilly Pulitzer is the reason why I love fashion. All of my outfits on Instagram started with Lilly Pulitzer, and really, if I have a chance to wear Lilly Pulitzer, you bet I’m taking that chance and wearing it!

Just to give you a taste of how often I wear Lilly Pulitzer, every single outfit in this gallery below is taken from this year, 2018, and we’re only in July!

I mean, these photos also don’t capture how often I wear Lilly Pulitzer in my day to day life when I’m not shooting. For example, I haven’t shot a photo in the Lola Pants from Lilly. BUT I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT THEM! If you want a pair of pants that is more comfortable than sweatpants and looks ten times cuter, go buy the Lola Pants.

we made it to the end!
do you know where to shop now?

If I had to do it all over again, erase all my debt, and start my wardrobe anew, I would still choose these brands. I would reinvest my money in these brands because I believe in them.

I hope that this was helpful to you in knowing where to shop clothes and get the return out of your investment. I know I keep saying the words “investment” over and over again, but that is really how I think of shopping. Knowing how big Apple is now, would you go back in time and invest your money in Apple before they got big? The answer is yes. Knowing how United Airlines treats its customers and their pets, namely dogs, would you invest your money in United Airlines? The answer is no.

I think of fashion in very much the same way. Knowing now that when you buy a shirt from H&M, you’re essentially supporting a sweatshop, how does that make you feel? The answer for me is super freaking uncomfortable. That is why I decided that when I’m buying new clothes, I’m going to keep it mostly to the companies that I believe in.

However, I’m not going to be all high and mighty and act like I don’t buy clothes from Missguided. I sure do. Sometimes, when you have limited funds, that is the only option available to you. But remember, a $50 shirt that you can wear and rewash 50 times is going to be much better than that $5 that you can only get 2 or 3 wears out of.

That is it for this post! I know it’s a long one, so thank you for sticking with me until here!

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