MC Sports

1615 East Empire Street, Bloomington, IL 61701

Throughout this visual blogging process, I've noticed that a lot of the sports retail stores have some of the most unique and interesting way of displaying their product. Depend on the sport, there are many items that are needed in order to play better and comfortably. In this window display, MC Sports features 3 different types of sports attire along. They include the clothing, accessories, shoes, bags, and even protective gear. The three mannequins are placed proportionately in the window case, and they have their separate aesthetics and signage behind them.

The Limited

1615 East Empire Street, Bloomington, IL 61701

The Limited's window displays are always so simplistic and classy.

The signage says "Soften up and play to your strengths." In my opinion, based on the signage and merchandise being displayed, The Limited wanted to portray that less is more. Find what you want to show off or accentuate, and go for it.

The other pictures and slight display of color scheme gives the customer an idea of what garments and accessories look good together.

CJ Banks

1615 East Empire Street, Bloomington, IL 61701

CJ Banks did a great job at displaying their new merchandise for the spring season.

The white flower globes provide a spring vibe along with the light clothing selection within the window display.

The signage is letting the customers know their size range, which can be helpful especially for the older demographic.

Although the window is small, CJ Banks used the perfect amount of symmetry/asymmetry. The two mannequins on the left have one flower globe above them, and the one mannequin on the right has two flower globes. It provides an even flow and proportion to the display without overcrowding and overwhelming the space.

Week 11: Taking Up Photography, Maybe?

Again, no new clothing purchases this week. It was a hectic one for sure. Half of the week, I was helping out with the AMDA Fashion Show (which was totally worth my time). And the other half of the week, I was busy with homework, of course.

Yesterday, I made a hefty purchase and bought a nice camera. (I had a coupon - old habits die hard.) It's not super fancy, but it's better than my phone's picture quality! Just a beginner's camera. Since we've had to blog so much this semester, I kind of want to continue with it, so I figured a new camera would be a good place to start. I didn't spend as much as I would have liked to for a good camera, but what do I know about photography? I thought it would be best that I start small, and if I actually make use of my purchase, I can save up for a better one.

Week 10: Sustainable Fashion

I wouldn't say that this particular shopping sabbatical blog has taught me anything specifically. It has definitely made me more aware of my spending habits though. In most of my classes this semester, sustainability has been a big topic, so I've been more immersed in the sustainability conversation.

Since January, I have been volunteering at the Ecology Action Center, putting together the Renewable Fashion Challenge with six other fashion students at ISU. It has been a very interesting experience through learning about "going green" in the fashion industry. This whole semester has given me a meaningful knowledge about sustainability that I can tie into my future career.

White House | Black Market

303 Veterans Parkway #100, Normal, IL 61761

In this window, White House | Black Market focused on the merchandise that customers could wear to work. The proportion of the window is asymmetrical, but it works well with the hanging merchandise and signage. The sign above the merchandise says "Master Pieces: The pieces you can't work without." WHBM is smart about this because they display the clothes on hangers as if they were hanging in your closet, and they also displayed the clothes on the mannequins. This is smart because some women have a hard time picking what to wear to work, so this display really communicates to the customer that you can most likely wear all of these items together. Showing customers the difference between how the clothing looks on the hanger and on the body is such a clever idea.

Chico's

303 Veterans Parkway #130, Normal, IL 61761

Chico's had quite the variety in their window display selection! Their merchandise directly relates to the new season and warm weather.

"New Style Adventure" is the theme as they present many different styles for different occasions. From daywear to evening wear to beach wear, Chico's has it. They did a great job in displaying these different styles together.

The mannequins and signage were evenly placed within the dimensions of the windows. Besides the adventure theme, Chico's displayed a couple graphics of models wearing some of the merchandise behind the mannequins, which might give a customer a better understanding of how the item would look on an actual person. Their windows were huge! The bigger the better, and Chico's used the space well.

Francesca's

307 South Veterans Parkway #515, Normal, IL 61761

Francesca's always gives me a younger (and cheaper) Anthropologie vibe. Their soho chic styles and unique trinkets are so adorable, and their merchandise is clearly presented in their windows.

As Easter is quickly approaching, Francesca's decided to add a few Easter bunny ears to the windows. Little details like these can make a customer smile by simply adding a humorous aspect relating to this holiday.

As far as proportion and symmetry goes, the two mannequins on each side of the main focal point is a good way to split up the customer's viewing of the window. The main focal point provided a few trinkets that could be found within the store, which could be great Easter basket gifts!

J. Jill

303 Veterans Parkway #110, Normal, IL 61761

J. Jill's window display at College Hills immediately caught my attention with its bright spring colors. I am slightly obsessed with watercolor artwork, so I was so excited to see that J. Jill used a couple pieces of artwork as the background of their window display.

I also loved their even proportion and symmetry. Four mannequins were evenly placed within the space, and the two pieces of art were displayed evenly between the mannequins. It was very pleasing to the eye.

Their signage had a simplistic design and message, "Welcome Spring." Spring has definitely arrived, and it is now time to shop!

Week 8: Last Hurrah of No Shopping

I made it! I survived. I can proudly say that I didn't buy any clothing items this week. Even though it was my birthday week, I kept myself busy enough. I had plenty of temptation because of the many birthday coupons I received through emails, but I restrained myself. Sometimes I would rather have a good meal than a good clothing purchase. So of course on my birthday I spoiled myself with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Starbucks! I have a major sweet tooth. It's a problem.

I did accept a couple gifts this week... Shania Twain tickets! How could I ever turn those down?!

Overall, it's been a pretty good month. I went home for spring break, I finished a season on Netflix, I turned 22, I kept myself busy at school, and I kept my shopping to a minimum!