Style Buzz: Why Shopping Feels Different + Anatomy of a Twinned Outfit

Ideas to Inspire Your Style This Week!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Is it me or is shopping not what it used to be?"

I was out scouting clothes for a client's personal shopping appointment and a lovely lady surprised even herself when she asked me this. As a stylist, I frequently hear "I hate shopping!" and the reasons I get are as varied as my clients: "I don't know where to go," or "I don't know what suits me," or "It's just so sweaty"! Outside of the obvious desire to protect against the elements, perhaps shopping fills an unnamed need. Or perhaps it recalls a purpose you had when you were younger and still discovering your style. How it serves us changes over time. But whatever the reason, shopping does feel different now (see below!) which is why I'm here to help you find your style in a shifting landscape.

 xxx rachel

You don't need to do a thing: I'll even carry your clothes into the changing room!

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IT'S NOT YOU: SHOPPING HAS CHANGED

Shopping in person doesn’t look quite the way it used to, and it’s not just nostalgia talking.

Before online shopping became the go-to, stores were where you went to discover things. Now, most people do a little online sleuthing from the settee before heading to the shops, so in-store shopping has shifted from browsing to confirming: checking fit, feeling fabric, and deciding if something is worth it in real life.

As a result, shops themselves have changed. They carry less stock, more edited selections, and often fewer size options on the floor. The in-store experience matters more now and good lighting, decent fitting rooms, and helpful staff can make or break whether you stay longer than ten minutes. Shops are no longer just about selling; they’re about giving you a reason to leave the house, finding a feeling, and aspirational ideation.

Layered on top of that is the post-pandemic shift in how we dress. Comfort didn’t just have a moment. It unpacked its bags and took over and now, casual is no longer a weekend choice. It’s the baseline, which is why you’re seeing more stretch fabrics, softer silhouettes, and pieces that I recommend for errands rather than date night.

The challenge is that the “middle ground” has thinned out. Those reliable, slightly polished everyday pieces - you know, those pieces that are just perfect - are harder to find. Instead, shops tend to lean heavily into either very casual or more obvious occasionwear.

On top of this, many shops have become a little more one-dimensional in their selection. Rather than offering a broad mix, they tend to focus on a very specific look with rails of oversized shapes, or soft neutral basics, or heavily trend-led pieces. It makes the shop feel cohesive, but it can also feel like you’re seeing the same outfit repeated in slightly different versions. I promise, you're not imagining things.

From a retail perspective, this makes sense. With less space and more competition from online, stores take fewer risks and stock what they believe will sell. But from a customer perspective, it often means less variety and more effort needed to find balance.

All of this means that finding your clothes now requires a little more forethought. The pieces are there, but they’re scattered. Unless you're fortunate enough to find a boutique that caters to exactly your style, creating a wardrobe that feels like you often comes down to mixing pieces from across shops, knowing which shops have the best options, seeing the potential versatility in a piece, and identifying what's missing that you need to look for the next time you're out shopping.

And none of this is intended to intimidate you or make shopping even more overwhelming! I honestly believe that slowing down and making deliberate shopping choices - not feeling pressured into buying anything just because it'll do - is the key. There really are options out there for you that can express your own individual style, even when it feels like every store is just a copy & paste of all the others.

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ANATOMY OF AN OUTFIT

This is a peek into my favorite outfit of the week where I break it down for you: why I've put it together and why it works, what elements could be swapped out, things to consider, etc.

I stopped at Costco on my way home from a meeting this week. I didn't mean to, but once I was in there, I realized why I'd stopped (and not just for the roast chicken). I bumped into a client! She's one of my most vibrant, fearless clients and I admire her style as it's so completely bold and unapologetic. So when we realized we were wearing variations of the same outfit, I was really delighted! Pink tones on top, olive pants, contrasting shoe. While she was rocking more of a fuchsia top, my own burgundy and pink were just toned down versions. Plus, I tend to substitute texture like the ruffles for bolder prints. I buttoned the blouse to the neck but left it untucked, floating the cardigan over it with the bottom unbuttoned to let the blouse peek out. The olive pants set off the colors on top, but I was delighted that she'd paired light orange sandals, whereas I'd chosen a neutral cream slide. I love that on paper we got the style memo for the day, but interpreted it in our own completely different ways.

Blouse: Lucky Brand

Cardigan: Loft

Pants: Sitwell

Shoes: Matisse from Miss Meers

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Just a reminder about two upcoming style events:

I'm presenting at the Downtown Athletic Club on "Dressed for Life: Style Outside the Gym" (aka Life beyond Lycra) on Tuesday, April 14 from 5:30-6:30pm. Tickets are free for members, $15 for guests. Click here for more info.

The annual Sip & Seams pop-up consignment shop is happening for two weekends again! The free public sale starts today, April 10-12 and continues next weekend, April 17-19. I'll be there off and on to help style, so if you're looking for some amazing deals on Women's and Men's clothes, shoes, accessories, bags or just about anything else home related, come by!