Super Brand Chic DVD

Reuse, Repurpose, Recreate!

Below is a link to a myriad of upcycle projects.  Get crafty and turn those old DI finds into treasures.

http://www.ehow.com/how_12342973_clever-ways-refashion-clothes.html?utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=freestyle&utm_campaign=fanpage&crlt.pid=camp.mPVXZ7tR7lXC

Shopping Experience

Juniors' Chambray button-up, Women's Blazer, Girls' circle skirt

            When shopping for various articles of clothing, it is important to decide exactly what your budget will be, how many items you want to purchase, and how long you want these items to last.  If it is more important to purchase a lot of different styles and rotate your wardrobe quickly, it may be more beneficial to shop at a discounted store like Target.  However, if you are more interested in spending a little more, buying a few classic pieces which can be mixed and matched to create a myriad of outfits and can last throughout a longer period of time it may be much more beneficial to shop at Macy’s.

            Throughout my life, I’ve mixed my shopping between the two price points.  If I’m looking for a “fad” item, I will generally shop at a mid to low price point, knowing that it won’t be a high-quality piece, but also understanding that it will go out of fashion more quickly.  If I need something that has already stood the test of time, I’m more likely to purchase something from a higher price point.

            When shopping for babies or young children who grow quickly, I am more likely to purchase from a lower price point.  Since children won’t be wearing the same clothing over a long period of time, it’s less important to buy clothing that will last a long time.  However, there is another side to the coin.  Children tend to play harder and will wear out their clothing more quickly.  There can be a value to buying the higher price point if it will last longer during play.

            All in all, I believe the old adage, “You get what you pay for.”

Retail Store of Choice - maurices

One store I visit each time I am looking for new clothes is maurices.  This company employs the best salespeople I've ever come in contact with.  It is a priority for them to make each customer feel welcome and to help wherever possible.  One thing I love about their sales staff is their ability to recognize so easily who is looking for help, and who they should back off from.  Each time I enter maurices I am greeted warmly and enthusiastically told what the current sales are.  The salesperson will ask what I'm looking for and point me in the general direction.  They tell me their name, then back off (unless I request any additional help).  Once I've got a few items in my hands, they'll re-approach me and start up a dressing room while I continue shopping.  I've never been in the store and had to sit and wait, weighed down with all my choices, for a room to become available.

Another reason I love maurices is the price range.  I know that I'm not getting the highest quality clothing, but I also know that what I am buying is worth the price I'm paying.  I still have several fall outfits that have lasted a couple years now, and will rotate back into my wardrobe when the temperature drops.  I buy their jeans almost exclusively.  Again, I know they're not the greatest quality, but they meet my needs.

Finally, I love their selection.  Maurices carries a variety of clothing that fits my various styles.  I love button-up shirts, summer-y blouses, sweaters, lace, etc.  Maurices almost always has what I'm looking for.

Group Summaries - Industry Practice

Style Match

This assignment was fun, and quite surprising!  Based on my measurements, I have a rectangle-shaped body.

I also discovered that my coloring is that of Spring.

Below are two styles that would work well for my body type and coloring, elongating my figure, accentuating a waistline, with colors that enhance my warm undertones.

Long blazer with lapels.  Solid navy shirt with scoop neckline. Boot-cut jeans.   

Diagonal lines coming in at waist, tapering at hemline (ideally just below the knee).
Unfortunately, the coloring on this dress would not be a good fit for me.

Self-Concept

Day One - July 12

            Tuesday I only had one class, so I decided to get myself out in public a little longer.  Instead of just going to one store, I went to the mall and visited a few different retailers.  I wore sweatpants, a plain white t-shirt, and tennis shoes.  My hair was thrown up into a messy bun and I wore no make-up.

            On campus, I felt perfectly comfortable with my appearance.  I have actually, to my remembrance, never worn sweatpants to class, though I have on occasion gone without make-up.  Even though it was below the standard in appearance I usually set for myself, BYU campus has a very relaxed atmosphere (especially during summer term), and is often inhabited by those dressed similarly.  In class I didn’t feel any staring eyes or jeering expressions.  The only time I felt less than great was when another woman, Tina, entered the classroom wearing a very beautiful dress, nylon stockings, and heels.  Tina sits right in front of me, so I leaned over and asked her what the occasion was; her husband was invited to speak at the devotional.  Suddenly, I felt almost disrespectful for my ultra-casual appearance. 

            After class I drove to the mall and arrived around 11:00; I chose not to take a purse.  My sweatpants had deep pockets, so I buried my wallet and keys there and went inside.  I entered near the food court and my first stop was Bohme, where I’ve frequently visited, but never purchased.  The workers there didn’t seem to judge my clothes to the degree I expected.  They were very friendly and chatted with me, not just about their store promotions, but also about working in retail, summer, and other little things.  I was very surprised and their response.

            From Bohme I moved to other shops: Bella Ella, Bath & Body Works, and Banana Republic.  Usually my customer service experience is kind of poor at Bella Ella, and Tuesday was no different.  I felt ignored, wasn’t told of any sales/promotions, the salespeople seemed to wrapped up in their work to even approach me, or say more than “hi” and “have a great day”.  At Bath & Body Works I, again, had a pretty standard visit.  The women talked to me, told me about promotions and special coupon offers available via email.  I was greeted warmly and encouraged to try new scents.  For these reasons, this has always been one of my favorite stores in the mall (let alone the fact that I love their candles!).

            Banana Republic was the only store at the mall that I felt that my appearance caused any difference in my customer service/overall shopping experience.  I don’t normally visit the store, so I had only my dressed up experience (which I hadn’t done yet) to compare it to.  When I entered the store, I was greeted, but beyond that, not a single word was spoken to me.  I wandered through their new styles, their clearance section, looking at sizes and feeling the materials.  After spending 20-30 minutes there, I decided to leave.

            Overall, day one didn’t seem to have had much of an impact in how people interacted with me.  I definitely felt more approachable that I had anticipated.  I expected people to snub me, but in retrospect, just like on BYU campus, people seem comfortable choosing fuction over fashion and interacting on a regular basis.

Day Two - July 14

            Thursday I wore a dark blue undershirt with a strappy-sleeve white lacey dress.  Over that I had a tan cardigan.  I accessorized with a belt, strappy sandals, a long chunky blue and peach necklace, dangly blue earrings, and a pearl-esque bracelet.

            Again, on campus I didn’t feel completely out of place.  Many girls wear dresses to class regularly.  In/before class one girl remarked “you look cute today,” which was the only comment I received at school regarding my appearance.

            After class I went directly to the mall again arrive around the same time, where I entered from the same area and went to the same stores.  I started at Bohme.  I didn’t have as much of an interaction with salespeople there.  On Tuesday I spotted a very cute shirt, so I went back to it, pulled it off the rack and further inspected the finer details, and the price.  A salesperson and I talked about it for just a moment, before she had to move on to another task.  Maybe this salesperson just wasn’t outgoing as the girl I talked with on Tuesday, but I felt less important to this new girl.  As a consumer, it was kind of a turnoff.

            From there I went to Bath & Body Works.  When I walked in, I wasn’t greeted in their usual manner.  I wasn’t approached by the sales staff at all, I smelled some candles, looked at their soap prices, wandered over to the opposite side of the store, and then proceeded to leave.  I visited every corner of that store and wasn’t approached once.  This is very unusual for Bath & Body.  In my mind I wondered if my outfit had anything to do with it.  Was my appearance more intimidating to the staff?  Did I give off a sense of arrogance or self-importance?  I doubted this, because like on campus, many women wear dresses on a day-to-day basis and not only for important days/events.

            On my walk between the stores, a lady from a kiosk (you know the pushy ones I mean) tried to stop me to try out her product.  As I walked past, she said, “Oh I love your dress!  It’s so beautiful!”  She then proceeded to ask me over to her kiosk, which I gave no response to.  I try to be polite in these situations, but after getting conned into a worthless, expensive cream once, I have given up even politely declining.

            At Banana Republic I was greeted again, and as I wandered through the store, still no interaction from the sales staff.  I still wonder though if my appearance was a factor in their decision not to pursue me as a client.  Although I was dressed nicer, I still think I was below their standard.  I know that I didn’t have on anything worthy of the store’s reputation to sell.  My clothes all came from other retailers far below their standard.  This time, I felt that if I wasn’t approached within just 5-10 minutes, it wasn’t worth my time to keep waiting.  I left pretty soon after that.

Conclusion

            In relating to chapter 3 in The Dynamics of Fashion I understand that I’m not necessarily in the demographic or psychographic Banana Republic aims for as a consumer.  I’m sure I fall way below the income of their typical customer, however I don’t think that should be a reason to treat someone with disrespect.  I feel as a salesperson, anyone that walks through your door should be treated as though they plan to purchase anything inside.  At the other stores, I know that I’m within the demographic that they normally cater to, and based on my dress, I feel like I am definitely within the psychographic they were looking for, even though at extremes on both ends (casual and dressy).  Bohme I even felt more within their psychographic aim when I was dressed a little nicer, yet that was when I received less attention from the staff.

            Regardless, this experiment gave me insight to understand more of what a consumer might be looking for and how a sales staff is the final deciding point in whether they will make a sale or not.