HER Style Podcast Episode 297 Summary
The Women's Clothing Stores I'm Loving Right Now (and How to Find Your New Favorite Brands)
Hosted by Heather Riggs | December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Heather Riggs digs into a common but under-examined issue: most women are stuck in a style rut because they keep shopping at the same stores, even when their needs, bodies, or tastes have changed. Heather shares her current favorite women’s clothing stores and, more importantly, her actionable process to help listeners discover new go-to brands that match their unique style, body, budget, and lifestyle. By shifting from default shopping habits to a more intentional, item-centric approach, listeners will gain practical tools to curate a wardrobe with joy and confidence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Problem: Shopping on Autopilot

• Many women only shop at the same two or three stores out of habit, even when their life, body, or style evolves.
• “Comfort isn’t the same as compatibility. Familiar doesn’t automatically mean that it’s flattering.” (03:00)
• This autopilot approach leads to boredom, frustration, and a closet full of clothes but “nothing to wear.”

The Solution: Item-First, Brand-Later Shopping

• Old Habit: Starting shopping journeys at “favorite” stores and hoping to find something that works.
• New Approach: Start with the exact item you need, specify details (color, shape, fabric, price), and then do the research to find brands that offer the best version of that item.
  • “When you shop this way...you end up settling more often than not.” (05:35)
  • “Flip that process around...instead start with the item that’s on your wishlist first and then find the stores and brands that make the best version of that item.” (06:05)

The 7 Filters for Evaluating Brands

Heather introduces her seven-step framework for assessing whether a brand is the right fit for you:

1. Body Compatibility
   • Does the brand cut clothes for your specific body type? (e.g., curvy, petite, tall, athletic)
2. Lifestyle Alignment
   • Are you buying for the life you actually lead or a fantasy version of yourself? (10:10)
3. Aesthetic Match
   • Does the brand’s style (classic, feminine, natural, creative, alluring, etc.) match your goals?
4. Budget Awareness
   • Know both your overall seasonal budget and comfortable per-item spend. (12:58)
   • “You might have the funds, but you might not want to spend that much on your pieces.”
5. Material Preferences
   • Only buy materials your skin and lifestyle enjoy. (14:00)
6. Personal Values & Preferences
   • Consider sustainability, inclusivity, ethical production, or any value-based shopping preferences.
7. (Bonus) Flexibility
   • Don’t search for the “unicorn” brand. Stay practical and refine as you go.

Heather’s Recommended Stores & Why She Loves Them

(17:20)

• Banana Republic

  • Accessible, great local availability, excellent quality, polished basics, and beautiful tailoring.
  • “Their fabrics feel elevated…Even their basics have a nice refined polish.” (17:40)

• Anthropologie

  • Special, unique accent pieces and accessories, outstanding quality, and individuality in designs.
  • “I drool over their jewelry collections…Beautiful little pieces that feel special.” (18:25)

• Nordstrom

  • Variety, exceptional customer service, easy shipping/returns, ability to compare brands side-by-side.
  • “Their customer service is truly unmatched. Their shipping and returns make trying things so much easier.” (19:10)
  • Heather’s tip: Uses the Nordstrom credit card for accumulating rewards (“notes”) to save on purchases.

• Favorite Daughter

  • Modern, clean aesthetic that’s casual but elevated—especially suited for Heather’s mom/lifestyle needs.
  • “I have been loving their sweatshirts…just need some casual pieces that still feel put together.” (20:40)
  • Playful comment: “Who doesn’t want to feel like the favorite daughter?” (21:15)

• Cezanne

  • European, feminine, romantic vibes; special, beautiful knitwear and blouses that stand out.
  • “Their knits and blouses are so dreamy and everything just feels special in the best way.” (22:05)

• Nuuly (Rental Service)

  • Let’s you try trends without commitment, adds variety, sustainably freshens wardrobe without over-buying.
  • “It’s one of my favorite ways to…bring in a few new pieces to spice things up every single month.” (23:05)

Actionable Exercise: Create Your Brand Rolodex

(24:15)

Heather walks listeners through a hands-on, repeatable exercise to build a personalized shopping directory:

1. List your top five most-worn items (actual favorites, not aspirational pieces).
2. Research 3–5 additional brands that are known for those types of items.
3. Check reviews and influencer recs—make sure they match your body and preferences!
4. Run each brand through Heather’s seven filters (body fit, lifestyle, aesthetic, price, materials, values).
5. Organize and save your shortlist (notes app, Google Doc, etc.), sorted by clothing category if helpful.
   • “This list is going to start to become your personalized shopping directory.” (26:25)

By returning to and updating this “Rolodex” each season, you’ll stop settling, shop with intention, and break out of wardrobe ruts.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Comfort isn’t the same as compatibility. Familiar doesn’t automatically mean that it’s flattering.” (03:00)
• “You’re looking for modern needs inside an outdated shopping pattern.” (04:50)
• “Flip that process around…start with the item…then find the stores and brands that make the best version…” (06:05)
• “If you hate synthetics, it doesn’t matter how trendy a blouse might be.” (14:00)
• “You might have the funds, but you might not want to spend that much on your pieces.” (13:10)
• “You do want to revisit this from time to time and make sure that the places that you’re looking are still really resonating for you.” (24:56)
• “You’re not going to default to stores that you’ve outgrown, and you won’t waste money on pieces that don’t feel right.” (27:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] – Why women feel stuck in their shopping habits
• [06:05] – Switching from store-first to item-first shopping
• [08:55] – The seven filters for evaluating a brand
• [17:20] – Heather’s current favorite stores and brands
• [24:15] – Build your brand “Rolodex” exercise
• [27:30] – How this strategy breaks the shopping rut

Summary & Takeaway

Heather Riggs empowers listeners to break out of their shopping ruts by shifting the shopping process: define what you need, then find the brand that does it best, using practical filters. She shares her own favorites with clear explanation, but the emphasis is on building YOUR own resource list. Listeners are encouraged to regularly update their “brand Rolodex” and shop with intention, ensuring every purchase aligns with their body, lifestyle, values, and budget.

For further style support, listeners are invited to take Heather’s free Personal Style Quiz or join the HER Style Collective community.