As a Millennial, there have been many times that the internet and media have dragged us for our fashion choices. This is ironic, considering we’re the ones who made the internet what it is today if you ask me. And sometimes we get called out for being “such a Millennial”.
Millennials are those of us born between 1981 and 1996. We’re a unique generation who had childhoods without social media or mobile devices in our hands 24/7, but we’re tech-savvy at the same time. We also care about the environment and have a slight obsession with avocado toast.
But Millennials have serious buying power, and we are one of the largest generations at the moment. So today I want to talk about where Millennials shop. Many of us had a slight style crisis in 2020 where we updated our style from skinny jeans to straight leg, and no-show socks to crew socks. And this shift caused us to find new stores to shop at. And yes, some of those stores came BACK into our lives like Abercrombie.
Or maybe you’re still struggling with this and are looking for some new places to shop as a Millennial that make sense for your lifestyle. So let’s dive into the most asked question I hear from followers, where do Millennials shop from clothing stores, grocery stores and even home decor.
When shopping as a Millennial, we tend to be focused on two things. Price, obviously, but also values and morals of a company. Transparency is key for us and we appreciate a brand that has a mission, or is sustainable. I mean look at how much we ate up the TOMS shoes. I mean, you did, I avoided those tragic shoes.
But I appreciated their mission as a company and it did make me question if I should be buying into it. And that’s because a cause associated with a purchase is important to Millenials. While not every store or brand we shop for may be perfectly moral in every way, I think it definitely affects how we shop to an extent. Many of us may think twice before shopping fast fashion now that we’re older and wiser. And you’ll see many of the retailers and brands below have some sort of level of eco-concious, B-Corp status, or mission that is an important cause to us.
Since Millennials pretty much made the internet what it is today, it’s also no secret that one of our main shopping habits is that we prefer online shopping over shopping in store. However, I may be in the minority here that I prefer to shop in store and get a full experience and try all the things on. While all of these are online retailers, some do have brick-and-mortar stores that are worth heading into if there’s one near you. Let’s dive into it.
Where Do Millennials Shop
Where Do Millennials Shop For Clothes
Anthropologie
For really interesting pieces, Anthropologie tends to be a great spot for that for Millennials. Interesting dresses and tops, unique jackets and layers. But they also have great denim, shoes and basics. I find their pieces to lean more feminine and boho. This is a retailer that can be great for your business casual office, to your warm weather vacation.
Boden
For a slightly preppier vibe, Boden is a great spot for everyday dresses, and business casual wear. High quality clothing at reasonable prices too. A plus is that if you’re a mom, you can shop here for your kids too.
J.Crew
A staple in the Millennial trends cycle has always been J.Crew. This brand has grown with us over the years and a still a favorite among the generation. From everyday casual pieces, to workwear and even dressier pieces for events or weddings, J.Crew is an all around great destination for Millennial women to shop.
Mango
For affordable trendy pieces, Mango is the place to go. From great coats, jackets, dresses and even bags and shoes, Mango is a favorite place to shop for Millennials. This is one of my go-to places for cooler pieces to add to my closet as they tend to have more trendy options to shop. However, you can still shop great basics like denim, suit separates and even tees.
Shopbop
Shopbop tends to have a reputation for being expensive, but I am here to tell you that is not the case. Shopbop definitely has a variety of price points and it really caters to the fashion forward Millennials. Shop under $100 favorites, to designer pieces, and everything in-between. It feels like a curated fashion editor selection.
Shobop has a lot of brands Millennials love to shop from Pistola, Anine Bing, Staud, SEA and Jenni Kayne to name a few. This is a retailer that offers a really great collection of brands for Millennials at a wide range of price points.
Abercrombie & Fitch
While Abercrombie & Fitch did not technically grow WITH us, they caught UP with us. A staple in the early 2000s, A&F was a favorite among us all. And after a bit of a breakup, many of us are back to shopping at Abercrombie in our 30s. Affordable, decent quality, and usually trendy but not over the top.
Abercrombie has really great denim at even better prices, along with some of my most loved dresses and tops. Their graphic tee game is also strong, as well as swim and active. An all around favorite spot for Millennial fashion.
Nordstrom
The top department store for Millennials is most definitely Nordstrom. And a strong mention for Nordstrom Rack as well. This multi-retailer department store has a wide range of brands and categories. It’s one of my favorite places to shop in store still.
Sezane
This Parisian brand, Sezane, has a strong cult following and many of them are Millennials. With fun prints and silhouettes, and classic Parisian inspired pieces like trench coats and striped sweaters, you can’t go wrong at Sezane. Plus, they are a B-Corp and work with small factories around the world making it a fan favorite for Millennials.
Tuckernuck
For a more polished and classic selection, Tuckernuck is a great resource to shop at. They have their own in house brand, but also source from third parties and have a curated collection of classic, yet also on trend pieces. This is a great place to also shop for event pieces for those weddings, parties and more. As well as shopping for your everyday closet.
Everlane
A minimal aesthetic brand that is on the more eco-conscious side, Everlane is a staple in Millennials closets. We love their well fitting denim, great trenches and even their shoes. The Everlane Way-High jeans are a personal favorite of mine and their cotton sweaters are a must have for those of you who find wool to be too itchy.
Reformation
A go-to destination for beautiful dresses, Reformation has been a Millennial favorite for years. With their eco-friendly mission, this is something us Millennials prefer and look for when we shop for clothing. Reformation used to feel like it was just for dresses, but they have denim, trousers, shoes and bags, and lots of great cashmere too. I find that Reformation retail stores don’t carry a huge selection, and there aren’t a ton of brick and mortar throughout the country, so shopping online is usually best.
Loft and Ann Taylor
For the Millennials still heading into the office with a business casual dress code, these two retailers are really great for fulfilling that need. I find that Ann Taylor is a bit more elevated and not as business casual as the sister brand, Loft. Loft can also be great for everyday pieces. I personally love the Lou & Grey line at Loft which is their casual lounge collection and it is so comfortable and soft.
Gap
A classic that we grew up with our entire lives. And you can still shop this brand for the entire family too. Gap is a great destination for closet staples, but they always tend to have one or two really trendy pieces that seem to be a hit every season. Also shop their Gap Body collection for bras and underwear which are a Millennial favorite.
Target
There is one retailer that is in every category here, and it’s Target. The Target apparel collections have been top notch at Target. From everyday casual clothes, to pieces for your 9-5 and even some of our most loved swimwear and shoes. They really do have it all and it’s a great place to find trendy pieces and also closet staples at a great price and inclusive sizing.
Where Do Millennials Shop For Shoes
While many of the above multi-brand retailers carry all the shoe brands I love to wear as a Millennial, here are a few brands to consider. Marc Fisher is a favorite for dressier nicer shoes like boots and heels and they always have more trendy styles. Vince Camuto is a classic, but I personally prefer Schutz for a more elevated shoe. Schutz makes beautiful pieces from stunning knee high boots, to sexy heels and even comfortable flats. Sam Edelman would be a great brand to put in that category as well with Schutz.
For more affordable options, head to Target for on trend pieces at a fraction of the cost. Madewell and J.Crew also have great options for shoes and are terrific quality. Steve Madden are hit or miss as I feel like they’ve become so trendy that us Millennials feel like we’re maybe starting to age out of it, but you can still find some good pieces from them.
For more designer options, Veronica Beard, Loeffler Randall and Khaite seem to be a splurge for Millennials. They all make beautiful pieces but are going to be a bit of a higher price point. Eventually, many of the most trending styles will end up at lower price point brands like Marc Fisher or Target.
Where Do Millennials Shop For Groceries
Trader Joe’s
What Millennial woman doesn’t love a good Trader Joe’s meal? With so many great frozen foods, to pantry items, and snacks, this is a go-to grocery store for Millennials for many reason. You can easily shop ready to make items that don’t feel too terrible, while also getting your regular groceries like produce, dairy and meat making it an (almost) one-stop shop.
Whole Foods
Millennials are often into wellness and Whole Foods is the ideal destination for just that. It’s really a shopper’s paradise of quality meats, produce and baked or prepared items. Whole Foods can be a bit pricy, but when you shop smart you can usually make it work.
ALDI
For the budget Millennial, ALDI is a top choice. But regardless of budget, ALDI is a fantastic spot if you’re hosting. I love their meats and cheeses for charcuterie boards when having guests over.
Target
Millennials love to browse Target for anything and everything. But shopping for groceries is a top favorite for this age group. Why not get all your things off your list (and then some).
Costco
Whether you’re a family of five or single Millennial like myself, Costco can definitely be worth it. Costo has great prices you just can not beat. And who doesn’t love the $5.99 rotisserie chicken? Wort the membership alone for that and gas.
Where Do Millennials Shop For Furniture
West Elm
I think West Elm was the introduction of nicer furniture for us Millennials. When we were getting our first jobs and finally buying a nicer piece of furniture, we loved West Elm. The mid-century modern vibes were strong, and the price points were a bit less painful than say Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel.
West Elm also offers everything for the home from linens, to furniture, kitchenware and more. This is still a favorite retailer of mine that I always go back to and love.
Anthropologie
The furniture at Anthropologie is top tier. So unique and different, and every piece just feels really special. Anthropologie is also a go-to for Millennials to shop for kitchen essentials. No Millennial’s kitchen cabinet is complete without a mug they got from Anthropologie.
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A minimalist style furniture and decor retailer. They have a bit of a minimal selection too to match their minimal style. I love the slightly mid-century vibes here, and simple details. I recently purchased a desk from here and absolutely love the quality and look.
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn is a staple furniture store and if you have a more classic aesthetic, you’ll really love Pottery Barn from their couches, to their decor, and linens. High quality pieces, with a higher price point, but you’ll be investing in pieces you will have for years to come.
Crate & Barrel
Another high quality and higher price point retailer, Crate & Barrel is a fantastic place for Millennials to shop for things from their bedroom, to living room, and even their kitchen cabinets. C&B is full of quality pieces that have a bit more of a trendy feel to them, without going overboard.
CB2
For the trendier Millennial who likes edgy pieces, modern twists and more, CB2 is your place. They offer really fun and funky pieces, but they somehow feel like they will stand the test of time. With great kitchenware, furniture, rugs and more, you can fill your home with CB2 for every room.
Target
A favorite among Millennials, Target furniture is actually pretty damn good. While the price point is more attainable, you’d think that the quality would waver. But it doesn’t. From great arm chairs, to console tables, desks and more, Target is a staple for your home. Plus, their home decor is some of the best for the price. You can update your home seasonally on a budget with the help of Target.
I know every Millennial has their own sense of style and budget, so I’d love to know, where do YOU like to shop? Drop your favorite retailers below.
