The Equivalent to Heaven: Praise for Anthropologie

By: Sarah

So we’re all at least a little familiar with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, right? A little girl wanders off in the spirit of curiosity, and stumbles into a magical place full of singing flowers, teacups, and talking rabbits. Well, once upon a time I was that girl, and that place was not wonderland but a store called Anthropologie. While Anthropologie doesn’t sell any bunnies or loquacious foliage, it’s a store that seems to take a piece if wonderland and make it tangible.

Anthropologie comes from the same people that brought us Urban Outfitters. But while UO is a haven for the modern hipster to purchase their elegantly distressed wardrobe staples, Anthropologie is the kind of place that makes the whimsical wearable for every day. The kind of place that women such as Taylor Swift and Zooey Deschanel look to for style inspiration.

Image courtesy of anthropologie.com

The thing that keeps me coming back to Anthropologie and dropping $150 for one item is the uniqueness of their pieces. Walking in there gives you the sense of shopping in a boutique without the exclusive location or the $500 price tags. Granted their clothes are still pricey, but we pay what we have to to look fabulous. Every time I wear a piece from my favorite store, I get bombarded with compliments and inquiries about its origin. The things in their inventory are things I have only ever found there, like elegant, pin tuck blouses and pear printed culottes. In addition to their clothes, the apartment décor is equally beautiful and exceptional. Where else are you going to fine plates with a chameleon on them, or a bottle opener in the shape of a key (both of which I’ve purchased for no practical reason)?

It’s not only the unmatchable quality of clothes they sell, but it’s how I feel when I’m wearing them. I discovered Anthropologie at a crossroads between the emo and hipster phases of my life. I’d gone through a lot of looks in my day; black hair and colored skinny jeans and all, but I had yet to discover that one look I wanted to project to the world. Anthropologie fixed all of that in just one visit. Every ruffled blouse or floral print dress I tried on felt just right to me. Shopping was like playing dress up, and putting on those clothes I became the person who I wanted to be. Anthropologie gave me the tools and the vision I needed to create a style I had always wanted, and in a way, it gave me the sense of confidence and self that I have to this day.

Before this goes on forever, I’ll end by saying that this store is much more than an overpriced hipster haven. You won’t find pieces like the ones sold here anywhere else. The price is well worth it for the feeling you get when you zip up their clothes. After all, Anthropolgie is not just a place, but a lifestyle. Happy shopping!