Every student here at Leesville has a unique sense of style and purchases their clothes at different stores. Some students shop at different places because of budget, quality, and style. If someone were to have a more preppy style, stores that they’d possibly shop at would be: Lilly Pulitzer, J Crew, and Vineyard Vines. If someone were to have a more hipster/grunge style, stores that they’d possibly shop at would be Urban Outfitters, Brandy Melville, and Free People.
Lilly Pulitzer: Lilly Pulitzer is known for their bright, colorful floral prints in skirts, polos, shorts, dresses, accessories, and more. Lilly Pulitzer, referred to as “Lilly”, is also widely popular in agendas, tumbler cups, coffee mugs, wristlets, and technology cases. There are various places Lilly apparel can be purchased: Palm Avenue at Cameron Village, Belk department store at Crabtree Valley mall, Lilly Pulitzer at Southpoint mall, and Nordstrom at Southpoint mall.
Nordstrom: Nordstrom is an upscale department store located at Southpoint mall. Nordstrom has expanded its inventory with a wide variety of brands. Some brands are more affordable compared to the luxury brands like Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo and Emilio Pucci. Nordstrom rack, located across the street from Southpoint mall, offers similar brands but at a discounted price. “[Nordstroms] have a wide variety of all of my favorite brands,” Ashley Van Slyck, a junior at Leesville
J Crew: J Crew sells high quality apparel and accessory products for men, women and children. Although they are more well known for their denim, suiting, dresses and sweaters, they also have a collection of wedding dresses. J Crew stores can be found at Crabtree Valley mall and Southpoint mall. J Crew factory is J Crew clothing and accessories at a discounted price. J Crew factory outlet store is located at the Tanger outlets in Mebane, NC.
Vineyard Vines: Vineyard Vines is apparel and accessories shop for men, women, and children inspired by Martha’s Vineyard. Shep and Ian, the founders of Vineyard Vines, first started selling ties which is now their signature item. The popular logo, a pink whale, is often seen as a bumper sticker. Vineyard Vine apparel and accessory products can be found at Vineyard Vines at North Hills, Nordstrom at Southpoint mall, and Belk department store at Crabtree Valley mall.
Urban Outfitters: Urban Outfitters is a multinational clothing corporation with a retail store located at Southpoint mall. Its inventory primarily consists of men and women’s apparel and accessories with some houseware products. Urban Outfitters also manages other popular brands like Free People and Anthropology. The brand could be described as hipster, retro, and bohemian. Products available at Urban Outfitters can be expensive. Occasionally, they will discount apparel from 50%-75% off and only then will you realize how high they really mark up their products.
Brandy Melville: Brandy Melville is known for their soft, comfortable clothing pieces for women. Almost all products are labeled as ‘one size fits most’. Realistically, one size doesn’t fit all body types causing controversy among customers. Unfortunately, there isn’t a Brandy Melville store in the state of North Carolina, but Brandy Melville products are sold at PacSun.
Free People: Free People is known for their bohemian-inspired flowy dresses. Although the parent organization is Urban Outfitters, Free People is drastically more expensive. A Free People retail store can be found at Southpoint mall, but there is also a wide selection of their products in Belk department store at Crabtree Valley Mall. Occasionally, Free People clothing can be found at discounted prices in TJ Maxx or Marshalls.
Bevello: Bevello stores are located at Crabtree Valley Mall and Cameron Village shopping center. Bevello has a full collection of designer women’s clothing including brands like BCBG, Michael Kors, Paige, Max Azria, FCUK, and more. Prices are fairly expensive. Bevello sells accessories, outerwear, bottoms, tops, and dresses. On the Bevello website, there is a ‘Trending’ tab with Bevello exclusives, fall preview, made in the USA and more. “They have many different brands and the clothes are super cute,” said Ashley Zung, a senior at Leesville.
Style for every individual person and collectively, is constantly changing and is subject to change. Although each of these stores stay updated with popular trends, they do have their own pros and cons. Every student has their favorite stores to shop at and purchase their products that cater to their personal style.
