Madewell is running a spectacular deal this weekend — get details and picks here! — and their Spring collection is chock full of happiness inducing delights.
Gotta love items that mix and match so well…
photos: Bekka Palmer
Unfortunately denim is excluded from the promotion but all the other Madewell items I’m wearing here made it in. The Northward Cropped Army Jacket ($110 + up to 30% off) has been particularly wonderful for me, I regret missing it in the dusty clay color that sold out so quickly. You can see another recent Madewell OOTD in this post, and get all my promo picks in this one. More Madewell outfits are on the horizon too! They’re just so light and easy right now, and everything goes together. What more do you need?
Have you checked out their Spring line yet?
Roxy I just cannot stop laughing at all those comments about the hammer time diaper pants! I'm still reading through it all and it's really made my morning, thank you so much for the link! Also, I agree with every single comment haha:D I have to think Anthro is laughing at us sometimes thinking we'll all buy just about anything they have to offer. I do still find some good things but definitely not like before when I would be absolutely craving and saving for something that's for sure!
Oh I almost forgot, I was at the store yesterday and of course didn't find anything I liked except for the embroidered tank top by Maeve as I was about to walk out. I saw it out of the corner of my eye and tried it on. The material is surprisingly thick and the embroidery nicely done and I think it's very cute in person and TTS.
Author
You're welcome, I grabbed it from a comment here while I was away!!
Oh boy those pants are hideous!
For me it's a combination – I always do find things I love at Anthro when I go in, even one shirt, but everything is SO EXPENSIVE now.
It really should no longer be standard that I see a shirt for $88 and think it's the cheaper end of the store.
Author
I struggle with this one, because I don't mind expensive per se but I *do* mind expensive for inferior quality.
I still tend to find at least something that I like at Anthro (especially in the home section), but nothing like before. I used to walk in Anthro and LOVE and WANT pretty much everything I saw. Yes, what's up with the major price hikes? I almost put this lovely belt in my cart, until I realized how expensive it is. Weren't these belts typically between $58-$78 in the past?? Why so much now? This seems to be a trend. The quality has gone way down, yet the prices have increased. I've also noticed that although customer service is still good, its nowhere near like it used to be.
https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/kissing-fish-b…
Author
Agreed Sherry, I think that is the difference for me as well — still stuff to like but not like the days of yore when I'd dog-ear page after page of the catalogue!
It's doubly depressing for me that I cannot find anything cute at Anthropologie because I need petite size clothing and now I have one less store to shop at. Does anyone know where to find cute petite clothes? The options seem to becoming less and less. I mostly shop at Loft right now but miss the cute, unique options that Anthro used to offer.
I'm with everyone about the weird styles, poor quality, size discrepancies, damaged goods upon arrival, no break on shipping, and rising prices. What is making shopping at Anthro untenable is not just that they are chasing trends, it's that trends define the vast majority of what they offer. With trends, Anthro goes ALL IN. They double-down. I don't have the inclination to go to the website and count, as I have in the past, the number—to take just one example—of cold-shoulder tops. But I know they dominate the offerings in “Tops.” This has been true of peasant tops, kimonos, “important” sleeves, moto jackets, bomber jackets, etc. In all of these trendy categories, I might purchase ONE item. Therefore, I do not need 60 examples of cold-shoulder tops to choose from. Instead, give me a collection of 10 gorgeous, well curated, beautifully flattering cold-shoulder tops, each one of them a winner. Then I might buy something.
Author
I agree! This raises a great point that we've made here before — Anthro has too many items overall and not enough wearable interchangeable combinations.
No..not just you..agreed! lol
( I said the same thing in another thread)
Author
Sadly it seems to be the case, though I was able to populate a whole post this morning! So they haven't completely gone off the deep end — just very, very close to it.
Author
LOL!!
I remember reading an article once where one of Anthro's brand gurus talked about how they only sell “happy clothes”….that's how they referred to the general vibe of their clothes…things that make you feel happy, not sad or serious or too cool for school. I know that's very vague, but somehow it always resonated with me.
But the last fall and winter collections were downright dour and even though this season seems to be all about colour, the weird way they are colourizing and modelling their product online is under-selling it, plus they totally cheaped out on their last catalogue, so even if they do have good things on offer, they're hard to find.
Their pricing, as others note, makes no sense whatsoever. They were always pricey, but you'd get your money's worth. In fact, I remember paying fairly high prices there and still thinking I was getting a deal because the item was so cool and unique…
Really looking forward to the post-call post!
Author
I love that idea…we only sell happy clothes! What brand could go wrong with that ethos?
My kids were looking at the latest catalog and dying of laughter at the MC Hammer pants and this number…wth.. http://bit.ly/2mPFd64
Author
Just wanted to let you know I fixed your link (which wasn't working) and swapped in a non-affiliate link.
I'm a twenty-something crocheter, and I make garments… but I would never make or wear that top. Gives crocheted garments a bad name…
Except… to be honest, if this was a dress I would probably wear it. Might look kinda cool. Ha.
“looking better then on the hanger”. – LOL that reminds me of an old joke by Rita Rudner, where she went into a store and the salesgirl was trying to convince her that it “looks much better on”, to which Rita replied “On what – on fire?”
I would actually say that about Anthro these days.
Maybe there are still a few gems to be had, but I'm not going to be drawn into the store to hunt down that rare item that isn't awful – that's a waste of time for me. I used to go into the stores because I had a wishlist full of clothes that I was dying to try on – not to mention all the things I found while in the store. Then came the difficult process of trying to figure out what I could afford to buy, what I had to put off for a bit, and what I had to wait for sale on. While I've been in the store a few times recently to do returns, I have not been there to shop or even browse since early February. I've no desire to go.
The love is pretty much over for me. If it was just a matter of a few seasons of ugly clothes, they could lure me back with one good collection. But they've lost my trust, and that is very hard to get back. I don't trust that I will find something that I like, so I stay out of the stores. If I do see something that I like, I don't trust that it will be good quality, and I'm holding back on purchasing even things that I do like because I don't trust that the price I'm paying today is going to be the price they are going to charge tomorrow. All those things together leave me with a bad feeling about shopping there. I haven't found one store to replace Anthro, but find that I'm drawing from lots of sources. And I'm fine with that. I might pick up one thing here and there, but there is so much they have to fix to get me back at this point.
Lastly, I'm wondering if the vast changes have anything to do with them growing their brand. When you are small, you can afford to be a niche market. But when you are aiming big, you really have to try to be as many things to as many people as possible. I've seen other stores do it, and it's painful to watch. They never catch who they are going after and they lose their long-devoted clientele in the process.
Author
I am sure you're right Anthropolitan. I wonder though if growing the brand really requires more product or selection though? If you're abandoning all the things that made you successful in the first place isn't that evidence that your business idea either isn't scalable or that you've lost faith in what made your business great?
I'm a musician and I've seen it happen in music too – the bigger the success, the blander the music becomes (sometimes, not always, of course). I think they just kind of lose faith in who they are, and need to become something that everybody loves (or try to).
It might also come down to talent. It could very well be that they had a few lynchpin-type people who truly embodied, believed in, and brought forward the original brand (creative, unique, cultured, quality), and now they're gone.
I agree totally about the trust issue too. It's so fundamental for an aspirational brand like Anthro that really depends on its cred with core customers.
I have read a similar story sooo many times (and it's mine as well). People loving Anthro but not being able to afford it (or afford much) and finally when they can afford it Anthro changes everything. If they'd just stuck to what they were good at, they would probably have been able to have grown the brand organically. Now they are chasing mist and shadows.
Author
They have for surely changed buyers, and many designers too.
Author
Oh no, no no no Free People!
Author
A couple of years ago that was one of my favorite past times too. =) At this point I've acquired nearly all I want to (or can find) though there are still a couple of old pieces I'd love to hunt down…
Author
I kinda agree with the SA, there are items that look better on the body, yet I cringe that that has to be said or that it's a fact!!
I've been doing the same; scouring ebay for those rare pieces that “got away”. Like Roxy, I've pretty much found all except one gem that got away. If only I can find this beauty in a size medium!!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pinterest.com/am…
I discovered Anthro in 2008/2009 and would LOVE for them to go back to those special unique pieces. Now, if I miss out on an item; I no longer consider it an item that “got away”. The
Anthro forgot what it was all about.
Here is Barron's explanation of the article I posted a while back from February 7, 2017 (reposted below if anyone didn't see it):
http://www.barrons.com/articles/more-trouble-at-t…
http://us.fashionnetwork.com/news/Anthropologie-l…
Tomorrow should be interesting to say the least!
At the top of the Barron's article, they have a pic from inside the store at least several years ago, you can see cuter items!
That top looks like it belongs on Roseanne Connor's couch.
I agree with all the comments. As Roxy notes, they have too many items, and it seems less and less of the great in-house brands they used to carry, and more one-off pieces by designers. These pieces don't make a cohesive collection and are through the roof expensive. I know designers leave, but I miss some of the old in-house brands that seemed more in tune with the style of Anthro customers. I found some old dresses at a discount store and they were silk and cotton and lined. I almost forgot that this used to be the norm.
Agree with all the above.
Retail goes through tough cycles, and this is one. Anthro isn't the only one, but I think their over-expansion has also hurt since it means filling store space with lots of low quality 'stuff'.
On sales, in an article on UK retail woes:
“Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos, a consumer and business psychologist at UCL, says the constant discounting can lead to a “dilution of trust” meaning shoppers come to believe goods are overpriced to begin with. ”
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38812925
I agree with everyone that its so depressing to walk into your favorite store and HOPE to find one thing thats fun and unique…I feel like the ugliness has also crept into home goods…where are the happy pretty plates/mugs, etc? Nothing wrong with art fair type pottery but that is not what I am looking for at Anthropologie
…and the guys can wear these…haha. http://metro.co.uk/2015/06/29/apparently-men-are-…
Author
LOVE!
Love your post! That Chloe bag is SO SO gorgeous!!!
Xx, Julien
Author
Thank you, it was my work bonus treat. =)
Dying over your bag!!
xo Laura Leigh
Author
Thanks Laura!
Too funny, I do the same. My pick may be a peloton bike though……
Author
That would be a very fun way to go!
Such a versatile spring jacket – just placed my order today!
Author
Awesome, can't wait to see what you got!
Ditto! It's too versatile to pass up. 🙂
Very cool outfit!
Where is all the spring weather coming from in NY? We're still solidly winter here in Boston!
You look great Roxy! Blue and green is probably my favorite color combo.
Wow!!! Absolutely Love ur handbag ?? And ur cool look. Thanks for sharing Roxy!!
Author
Thanks lady!!
Such a cute outfit! I especially adore those heels!
Author
Thank you! They are super comfy. I have them in three colors now.
I like those colors together! Does anyone have general advice on Madewell fit for bottoms? I am eyeing the Langford crop pants and indigo side button skirt.
Author
It depends, it really varies from item to item. I know that's not much help. In general, the jeans and bottoms tend to stretch except for the high cotton content ones, which I size up in.
I am loving Madwell these days! Prior to the promo I ordered Madewell's Apron Tank and the black embroidered top through Nordstrom. I just “chatted” with a CS rep and she was able to give me a price adjustment for both items of 20%. I always order through Nordstrom because I love their customer service and this time was no different.
Author
That's so awesome! Nordstrom is great about stuff like that.
Perfect spring look! Love those cropped flares!
Author
Thank you Heidi!
Ok! I love the outfit! Right up my alley! Gorgeous!
Author
Thanks Amelia!!
What a great spring transitional outfit! I love that little bag too, so cute!
Author
It's on heavy rotation for me right now. Thanks!!
i love those jeans!
xox- megan
Author
They are pretty comfy, and have a cool hem. 🙂
I love those jeans and this outfit is so perfect. xo ~ Megan
Author
Thank you!
Such a great collab! I’ve always loved Roxy!
xx Leah
Author
Thanks Leah!
That bag is amazing!! Love the navy and green together. I wore a similar combo to work last week!
xo Amanda John
Author
Lovely! They go together so well.
Such a cute look! You are lucky to be able to enjoy the sunshine!
Author
Today was another gorgeous day!
dying over your sunglasses I LOVE THEM!!!!
xoxo
Victoria
Author
Thanks Victoria! I love mirrored frames right now too.
Such a great utility jacket!
xo Jessica
Author
Thank you!
The army green looks great on you! You styled the jacket perfectly!
Author
Thanks so much Jenn!
The perfect fatigue jacket for spring transition!
Author
Thanks Alex! I agree.
You look amazing, as always! I love this blouse with this fabulous jacket.
Author
Thanks lady. <3
cute cute bag!! i love it. XOXO, Elena Michelle
Author
Thank you, me too!!
This olive is amazing!
Author
Agreed! It's a great jacket color.
That cropped jacket is such a great piece for spring!
Author
Agreed! It's a beauty.
Love this whole outfit and your bag! 🙂
Author
Thank you! My new bag love.
I'm obsessed with the hem on your jeans! Such a fun detail
Author
They are so fun with that double released hem!!
I've ben wearing Roxy forever it seems like! Love this!
love a military jacket over anything!
Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins