Has anyone else felt the demographics of this store has changed? It was my favorite store until about 3 or 4 years ago. I found most of the clothing fresh, youthful, great mix of styles and textures. I loved poring over the catalog, especially when that one model with short, dark, sassy hair was on it. Loved Chicos.
Now, although the quality of the clothing is still very good…it looks like they are catering to the 65 to 75 year old crowd. I swear, every time I go in there, im the youngest one at 56. Nothing seems youthful and trendy anymore. I still like the basic tank each season. I still love their jewelry…I think it’s some of the best statement pieces out there. I don’t buy a lot because it’s so expensive.
However, I had a $45 gift card and am a passport member. Everything is 40% off now and I needed a statement necklace to go with black sweaters and dresses…I got this for less than $10, which included the tax! Would have been over $95…which I never would pay. It’s longer, which I needed…I think prettier in person. Anybody got any steals lately?
I’m wearing a pair of Chico’s jeans right now with one of their long sleeved tops that come in so many colors. I still like them and I am not a senior. (I like their simple things, though. They have too many tops and pants with ‘bling’, sparkles, fringes, fake fur and other such things which are not to my taste.)
I am still a Chicos shopper at the tender age of 57, but I have noticed that the shoulder seams are getting wider, the bust area is getting roomier in many of their tops and I have to drop down a size for the longer vests. I probably return 50% of what I order.
I am a long time fan of the Karina long sleeve top. I cannot say enough good things about it.
@conmama - That necklace caught my eye as I was leaving the store on Sunday. I almost stopped for it, but I was at the Mall of America and was ready to get out of Dodge!
I have noticed that many of the women who shop at my local store look like a Chicosadd from top to bottom. For some reason this brings a smile to my face.
Sometimes I wish I wasn’t a passport member. The free shipping and constant barrage of 40-50% off is too tempting.
I used to like Chicos much more than I do now. I Agree it’s an “old lady store” more now. I was never fond of Coldwater Creek. I have shopped some at J Jill lately, and it’s not bad. But I used to spend a fair amount of money at Chicos, and buy gifts from there. I’m disappointed.
I’m so disappointed, too. I still have some great jackets I bought from 10 years ago that I still wear and get compliments on. I still think the clothing is pretty and there is a wide variety of color and different styles…but I’m glad I’m not the only one who has noticed the change in the clothing. I think the basics still seem the same. I don’t have a go to store anymore.
@kajon…did you see some of those huge statement necklaces at $190…wow!
H and I were just talking about stores that have gone downhill fast. The winner in this category is Macy’s. The stores are dirty, dimly lit, old-fashioned looking and the merchandise is just shoved together. There is no customer service. I can’t decide if they are a step above or below Target.
I have some Chicos clothes that I love and still wear when I need to make professional presentations, but now that I think about it, they’re all clothes that my mom bought for me when I was in my late 20s/early 30s. At 47, I look at what’s there now, and think it’s not for me. It looks much older than I am, and wealthier than I’ll ever be!
I get most of my clothes from JJill and Eddie Bauer these days. I used to buy from CPShades too, but they closed their retail stores some years back.
I find good staples at Chico’s, and I’m mid-40’s. My mom does the bling-ier stuff. I really love a certain skinny jean I got there. When I go, I do feel a little out of place because most of the ladies look much older. Then again this IS Boca.
There’s a funny line in the movie This is 40 - where the female lead (Leslie Mann) laments turning 40 - sobbing that she’ll have to start shopping at Chicos!
I’m not quite 50 and I get some things there, no animal prints, glitter, feathers. I often joke it looks like maude could shop there. Remember that show from the 70s. My mom lives that store. I needed pull on no button no zip dress pants and their so slimming brand helped me out. Jjill is another place I shop but sometimes I feel like that place is just a non pregnant maternity store.
I did just tour Chicos’ website, and while what they promote looks like stuff guests at my mom’s dinner parties would wear, I do see some things on their inner pages that look nice. I think I have a gift card buried in a drawer here somewhere - maybe I’ll go check them out.
And @eyemamom - LOL about JJill - Yeah, I can see that. I can wear jeans & tshirts to work, though, so it’s a step towards elegance for me. I clearly need fashion guidance.
I buy a few outfits per year there for my 88 year old Mom. Their clothes fit her petite frame well and she likes the styles. I would not shop there for myself - the clothes all look like they are for little old ladies. I’m always the youngest one in the store. Someone upstream mentioned “Maude”- I’m thinking along the same lines- “Golden Girls”.
