Let's Get Dressed with Liv Perez

Episode: What Everyone’s Buying Right Now (And Why) From a Retail Expert
Date: April 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively and insight-packed episode, host Liv Perez sits down with a leading retail expert to decode the current fashion retail landscape. Together, they shed light on spring's most-wanted items, channel checks in stores, the evolving definition of “mall brands,” current hot-sellers (and why they sell), and the enduring joy of IRL shopping. The conversation is rich with tactical retail knowledge, personal favorites, and practical advice both for seasoned shoppers and the style-curious.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Art of Channel Checking (02:00–06:45)

• Definition: “Channel check” refers to in-person or real-world checks of stores—observing shoppers, staff, inventory levels, and what’s actually flying off shelves, rather than just trusting PR or social posts.
• Legging Decline & the Rise of Easy Pants:
  • Leggings are less prominent in everyday style (except workout contexts).
  • “Easy pants”—looser, tech-driven fabrics like the Ruti barrel leg, the Aloe Tech pant, Vuori Tech pant—are everywhere (04:24).
  • Quote: “I see like two or three… then five… and it just keeps multiplying. That’s a channel check in the wild of what everybody’s walking out the stores with.” (Guest, 04:45)

2. Staple Wardrobe Essentials and Investing in “Cookie” Pieces (05:26–07:33)

• Favorite Leggings: The Guest swears by Girlfriend Collective Luxe line—no pilling, no logos, great compression.
• Work Pant Recommendation: High Sport pants, dubbed “the Windex of my wardrobe” for their versatility.
  • Quote: “If you want a cookie, don’t go for the snack-well 100 calorie version… Go for the cookie.” (Guest citing Alison Bornstein, 07:13)

3. Retail Experiences & Store Shout-Outs (07:33–13:09)

• Favorite Spots in LA: Mohawk General Store, Beloved, and upcoming visit to Earl.
• Discovery Moments: Multi-brand stores offer curated, exciting finds not visible online.
• Japan’s Unique Retail Scene: High regard for the Japanese multi-brand, vintage, and archive culture—an “overwhelming feeling of discovery” (12:28).
• Curated Selection Beats Endless Scroll:
  • “If they have like 10 jams out, nobody is going to buy them... Give them three or four edited choice” (12:43).
  • Endless scroll overwhelms online: “End the endless scroll, please.” (Liv, 13:09)

4. The Evolving Notion of “Mall Brands” (14:01–15:44)

• Aritzia—Mall Brand or Not?
  • The definition of a “mall brand” has shifted in the omnichannel, post-DTC era.
  • Brands like Abercrombie, Gap, Lululemon still move billions, even if cultural relevance shifts.
  • “We used to have one shared language… with D2C, now there’s omnichannel, and we have different definitions.” (Guest, 15:09)

5. Data-Driven Best Sellers & The Airplane Pant Phenomenon (16:27–21:23)

• Top Trending Items:
  • Leather and fur jackets have dominated but set to transition with spring.
  • Salomon sneakers newly charting for their versatile, utilitarian style.
  • Essentials making a comeback: white tees, lighter pants, spring dresses, sandals.
  • The enduring bestseller: The Laleen Colby pant (the “airplane pant”)—consistently a top 10 seller.
• Quote: “The airplane pant is one of the most genius fashion marketing tactics of all time.” (Liv, 20:06)
• Pants gain cult status by fitting airport-to-office needs and benefiting from clear, compelling creator advocacy.

6. Under-the-Radar and Resale Trends (21:38–25:17)

• Emerging Brand: Still Here (denim), praised for silhouette expansion; founder stories add retail depth.
• Resale’s Impact: Platforms like The RealReal dominate guest and host shopping habits. Buyers are happy to wait for pieces to enter resale at better prices.
  • “If I love an item, I will love it forever… if I do not buy it the season it comes out, it'll still be there for me later.” (Guest, 24:12)
• The joy of lived-in, pre-loved pieces—“Fashion is meant to be worn.” (25:15)

7. Path to Retail Expertise & Newsletter Growth (25:22–31:23)

• Guest’s background: From sketching dresses in fourth grade to studying at Syracuse, working every side of retail, and building a dedicated fashion newsletter audience.
• Power of niche: Finding a strong point-of-view leads to wider industry opportunities and audience trust.
• Quote: “I'm such a believer in niching down… I stand ten toes down on niching down.” (Liv, 32:08)

8. AI & The Retail Future (32:08–36:08)

• Back-end Roles: AI will excel in logistics, merchandising, improving search with automated tagging.
• Limitations: Styling recommendations aren’t there; AI lacks the nuance of personal taste and trend unpredictability.
• Quote: “Now we’ve got these TikTok algorithms or trends that things pop up… AI can get you there if it follows a pattern… And as we know in life, things never follow the same pattern.” (Guest, 35:23)
• IRL Shopping Joy: Both host and guest agree tech shouldn’t erase the human, tactile experience: “I hope that stores stay as much of a human experience as they possibly can. Shopping is joyful. Like, I love IRL shopping.” (Liv, 36:08)

9. Advice for the Overwhelmed Shopper (36:35–37:36)

• Key Takeaway: “Find what you like… don't yuck somebody’s yum… My style is also not for everybody, but as long as I’m comfortable…” (Guest, 36:51)
• Shopping should be enjoyable—not a source of stress.

10. Audience Q&A: First Business Meeting Investment Piece (37:36–40:53)

• Best Advice: Both agree a great blazer is the top pick—a versatile, long-lasting item that can be dressed up/down, bought via resale, and fits most settings.
• Other luxury blazers mentioned: Kate, Veronica Beard, Dior Bar jacket.
• Shopping Wisdom: “You put it out into the world that you’re going to have fun shopping for this item… at some point you will find that one that is perfect and then you'll have this story to tell about how long you were looking for it.” (Guest, 40:30)

Memorable Quotes

• On discovery:

  • “That is a channel check in the wild of, like, that's what everybody's walking out the stores with.” (Guest, 04:45)

• On investment dressing:

  • “If you want a cookie, don’t go for the snack-well 100 calorie version… Go for the cookie.” (Guest (via Bornstein), 07:13)

• On “airport pants” marketing:

  • “The airplane pant is one of the most genius fashion marketing tactics of all time.” (Liv, 20:06)

• On resale:

  • “If I love an item, I will love it forever… if I do not buy it the season it comes out, it'll still be there for me later.” (Guest, 24:12)

• On niching down:

  • “I'm such a believer in niching down… I stand ten toes down on niching down.” (Liv, 32:08)

• On shopping joy:

  • “I hope that stores stay as much of a human experience as they possibly can. Shopping is joyful.” (Liv, 36:08)

• On advice:

  • “Don’t yuck somebody’s yum… My style is not for everybody, but as long as I’m comfortable…” (Guest, 36:51)

Segment Timestamps

• Channel Checking & Legging Decline: 02:00–06:45
• Wardrobe Staples & “Cookie” Principle: 05:26–07:33
• Store Experiences & Curated Shopping: 07:33–13:09
• Mall Brands Debated: 14:01–15:44
• Best Sellers & The “Airplane Pant”: 16:27–21:23
• Rising Brands & Resale: 21:38–25:17
• Retail Expert’s Journey: 25:22–31:23
• AI & Future of Retail: 32:08–36:08
• Advice for Shoppers: 36:35–37:36
• Investment Piece for Big Meetings: 37:36–40:53

Final Takeaways

• Curate Over Accumulate: Favor high quality, versatile pieces over trend-chasing—buy the “cookie.”
• Wardrobe Trends: Looser “airport pants,” blazers, and investment basics are dominating shopping carts.
• Shopping Should Be Joyful: Whether you dive into resale or love the thrill of retail discovery, find your lane and embrace it.
• Stay Human: Both the tactile pleasure of in-person shopping and thoughtful, individualized advice still resonate despite technological advances.
• Trust the Data—But Trust Yourself First: Let top-seller charts inspire, but let your comfort and taste lead.