In my twenties, I used to fly home to Chicago and go straight to H&M at Woodfield Mall. Back then, Chicago was the first city outside the East Coast to get an H&M, and I made it my priority.
I never went looking for a specific thing. I went in looking for the feeling.
I’d walk in and there it was, floor to ceiling, rack after rack of pieces that looked like they belonged somewhere far more expensive than a silver rack with a $19.99 price tag.
I would stand in there and feel something crack open.
Cocoon dresses. Coats with whipstitched edges. H&M gave me every reason to be dressed to the nines.
The clothes have changed, but the feeling hasn’t. It’s always the thing I look for when I choose where to shop.
Where do you go for the feeling?
Now that I moved from Boston to farmland in Maine…shopping was quite a shock. The only store under 45 minutes away is Walmart. You introduced me to Joyspun pajamas, Scoop by Brandon Maxwell, and Better Homes and Gardens for my little farm house.
Online was The Rack or TJMaxx. I cannot believe how much prices have gone up at T.J. Maxx this year. However, my biggest shock was driving over two hours to the Rack in Portland. Oh my God, the whole store looked like the clearance section in any T.J. Maxx. It has come so far down in quality and just overall standards, it was shocking There were so little to choose from; and it’s not the fact that it was in Portland. I had been there about three years ago and it was still The Rack I remmbered.
I now rely on Quince for several of my shoes, bags, cashmere and the skirt selection is fabulous. The matte pleated skirt and their cigarette slim skirt are outstanding. I adore some of their merino wools. I was greatly disappointed in their Mulberry silk collection. Some of the blouses looked very structured with buttons and pleating. However, once I receive them, they were so thin, you could fold them and put them in a pocket like a pocket square. It’s one thing to use Mulberry silk, but quite another to use such a thin weave.
I just received the bold buckle Italian leather sling back flat and simply love it however, the first time I walked in it, I realized I needed quite a bit of breaking in. I will return the black when I receive them. One pair is more than enough. I have their healed ankle boot in three colors and wish I could afford to get the brown suede that just became available. They are so comfortable and so versatile. The horse bit mule is divine as our their version of the Birkenstock. The sweet is so soft and the cushioning is everything for my wide., blister brown, now arthritic feet🙄.
One item you recommended has changed my entire life and it is the cloud comforter I never expected to be so heavy, but it’s not just a comforter. It’s an experience. It’s a different environment is like a cocoon. It will be so appreciated for Maine winter except for one thing! I do not know if it will be much too warm once we start the woodstove. we heat almost exclusively with wood as most of the farmhouses do here. I would almost prefer the house stay cold just to crawl into this bed with this comforter it is everything.