Blog Post #1: Guide to Fashion Week in Ann Arbor

With fashion week wrapping up after a month of runways from New York, London, Milan and Paris, it’s easy to be inspired by all the chaos. Fashion is one of my biggest interests and it’s what I am focusing my studies on now here at the University of Michigan. Having been a stylist for two years now, many of my friends always ask me to put together outfits for them whether they’re enjoying a night out at Skeeps or going to Aventura for tapas. The one question I get asked the most is: Where do you get your clothes? Although I am a fanatic for online shopping, I believe there is an undeniable power to seeing what you are buying in person. Now Ann Arbor might not be one of the fashion capitals in the world but there are a few places in the area that one would be able to find trendy pieces to add to their closet. Here are a few places to check out:

Forever 21:

Although we fashionistas never admit, our love for style can run so deep that we may get carried away with our budgets every now and then. The one thing we love is finding affordable clothes to re-create high end looks. Forever 21 is one of the most affordable sources of fast fashion today and with the world of fashion moving at such a fast pace, it always finds a way to keep up. What’s even better than finding affordable clothes, is when we see celebrities wearing it too. Something about the fact that stars are walking out in stylist-approved outfits wearing a brand such as Forever 21 reassures us that we don’t always have to go over budget on the things we want. Celebrities support of these brands changes our attitudes and influences the consumer to buy these low involvement items (Angell, Lecture, 9/25/17).  

Verbena:

Verbena is a small fashion boutique in the heart of Ann Arbor that offers a diverse, yet a popular collection of clothes. The sales associates are always so helpful and they always to seem to have something that you’ll love even if you weren’t looking for it. One aspect of Verbena that is valuable to consumers is that they are a local single unit store. One’s attitude influences customer’s behavior because it includes our beliefs about people, products, or messages that motivate us to behave a certain way. This internal influence has the ability to affect your attitude which influences value because if consumers feel their purchase is of high value their attitude is positive (Angell, Lecture, 9/25/17). Every time I leave Verbena I leave with a smile, feeling good about myself and the fact that I helped out a local business and gave profit to Ann Arbor’s community.

Pitaya:

Pitaya is a company solely based in the USA that only has 15 store locations. However, it is super affordable clothes that stocks their racks with fresh merchandise every week. One aspect that is very influential to customers, is right when they walk through the doors. Every store of Pitaya’s has the same organization, each rack is color coordinated that gives the store a certain characteristic of likeability and attractiveness which adds value to the clothes. Comprehension is the ideal internal influence in which marketers can communicate with their consumers (Angell, Lecture, 9/18/17).

Urban Outfitters:  

Urban Outfitters is a big brand name that many are familiar with that offers customers a wide range of both men and women’s clothes. At Urban Outfitters you can find any style and numerous brands that are hip to the trend always with an edge or back to the basics with simple key items. Urban Outfitters also offers a plethora of records, decorations for the home and artwork the decorate your walls. This provide consumers with different ways to express themselves with the use of music, art, appearance and brands. Also this is one of the only brands listed that has collaborations with big brand names such as Juicy Couture, Champion and partnerships such as Calvin Klein, Wrangler and Adidas. These different ways to self-express are extremely important to many consumers (Angell, Lecture, 9/20/17).

So now that I’ve given you a guide to Ann Arbor’s shopping there’s only one question that I leave you with. Got style?

Until next time fashionistas!

XOXO,

Olivia