Anthropologie

Anthropologie is such a unique fun place, but so so expensive. The store is very organized considering the plethora of items they carry, and it smells so good in there. My mom and I are huge fans of their amber scented tin candles. The selection is always rotating in the back of the store clearance section. I wish I could afford it all, but it is cool to browse regardless.

I rarely write reviews for stores within a mall but this seriously deserved a glowing one. I went to the Natick Collection early on a Saturday morning just to browse. I didn’t even realize there was an Anthropologie here! So stoked!
First of all, their collection is vast. Second, their sale area is the biggest one I’ve ever seen. Neatly organized too, not a hellish free for all. Third, their staff was OUTSTANDING. I was carrying around 3 dresses, not a hefty load, but was asked politely 4 times if I wanted a fitting room started (by 4 separate attentive staff members mind you). When I finally did go in to try on my items the fitting room attendant wrote my name on the door, checked in frequently, and offered happily to go collect other sizes for me. This is standard fitting room protocol, I know, but this was done with much more genuine enthusiasm, friendliness, and class that any other retail store I’ve ever been in.
What a great experience. AND I scored a gorgeous $ 150 dress for $ 75. Kudos Anthropologie!

Cocktail dress for madmen-​themed party? yes, and the salesgirl said it looked made for me!
Cute flower headband for 40s with 40s party? yes, and purple!
Sad wallet and checking account? well… yes.
I wouldn’t call the pieces here overpriced, since everything is well-​made, and I’ve gotten some great unique items. I’ve also seen the petite-​cut Seven jeans, and a couple other high-​end department store pieces at competitive prices.
And walking into any Anthropologie is like stepping into a retro-​cool beach vacation house or something. It’s always so calming, the décor is filled with cool apartment decorations and bath gels, and I always pull a handful of gorgeous dresses off the rack to try on.
The staff at this particular location always seems friendly and knowledgeable and there’s a kickass 3-​way mirror in the dressing room.

ok. Am REALLY impressed now. I just got a note from Michelle, the person from Natick who tracked down the dress in the size I needed. She just wrote to see if my daughter received the dress and if so, does she love it. Now THAT’s customer service, and it makes me want to drive to Natick right now to buy something else for my wonderful daughter. Am sure Michelle would help me out.

Okay… what is a boring straight-​laced guy doing reviewing a women’s clothing store? Well, this is a place that I have to admit that I frequent whenever I’m at the Natick Mall (I will not call it ‘Collection’). I find it a good place to find gifts that I can not find elsewhere for people… safe, neutral gifts as well as the more unique when I know specifics. The prices are a bit high on some items, but… hidden in the back is a clearance section (walk-​in closet) largely comprised of the random accouturements about, and you can definitely find some bargains there. I’ve gotten an adorable duck creamer for my mother from here, some scarves, and a few other curiosities. The staff has always been friendly to me, getting the gift boxes automatically when I get to the counter. However, none of the people in my life are the type who actually wear the apparel there, but the other wares are always interesting. It’s a good place to just meander every so often, since the selection is constantly changing.

You mean, I can dress up like Pam from The Office and spend tons of money to do it? Awesome!
This store does have some really cute stuff, if you can sift through a bunch of the dowdy items. But the prices are a little ridiculous, and I’ve never had much luck with their sales sections. Nice for a splurge now and then. The housewares aren’t anything exciting — I don’t need a turquoise door knob (that one’s still a head scratcher).
One nice thing is that the website puts some outfits together for you and makes it easy to buy the entire outfit. Great for lazy people like me.