Retail Binge

Last winter when we were still living in Boston, MA, before moving to sunny Redwood City in the Bay Area of California, I discovered Eileen Fisher Renew. Eileen Fisher, a clothing brand founded by American fashion designer Eileen Fisher, is a highly sustainable brand made with high quality natural fibers inspired by a minimalist design esthetic. You can find sustainable made fabrics like cashmere, alpaca, organic cotton, linen, merino, recycled nylon and sustainable jersey in their collections. Because of this care and attention to providing sustainably made products with high quality materials, this is reflective in the price. Since many items list over $200, this is not sustainable for my budget. That is why I was so excited to discover Eileen Fisher Renew, which sells Eileen Fisher secondhand items at a discounted price. Win win!

After falling in love with Eileen Fisher’s design journey and esthetic, which you can read more about here, I ordered my first Eileen Fisher garment from Eileen Fisher Renew. You can read more about Eileen Fisher Renew here. I ordered a Lightweight Fine Gauge Linen Pullover top in a beautiful blue with its condition marked as good as new for under $50.

I have probably worn this linen top over 50 times since purchasing it last year. I wear it almost every week! It has been my favorite going out top. I have worn it on date nights, to parties and while traveling. I love a relaxed feel when it comes to tops and this top is perfect with a relaxed neck line and short, slouched sleeves with a loose fit. The linen fabric is breathable on warm days and drapes nicely.

Since I was only able to shop for Eileen Fisher Renew items on their website, you wouldn’t believe my excitement when I saw the advertising email that Eileen Fisher Renew was having a pop-up shop located at my local shopping mall in Palo Alto, CA!

When I arrived at the Eileen Fisher store located at the Stanford Shopping Center on September 5th, I was told by a sales associate, possibly the manager, that I was the very first person to seek out their Eileen Fisher Renew racks of clothing that they literally just rolled out to the floor. This was also my very first time in an Eileen Fisher store. Very exciting. The clothing was arranged by color starting with pumpkin reds, black, gray and whites. All in season colors. This Eileen Fisher Renew pop-up included sweaters, pants, blouses, finely constructed coats and jackets, and tees. Prices ranged from $35 to $175. Admiring every piece and feeling most of the fabrics, I came across this black merino wool slouched V-neck sweater with gathered short sleeves. A sales associate started a fitting room for me because then I could try these on!

After trying on a few pieces, I decided that this merino V-neck sweater was coming home with me. I watched as the sales associate folded and tissue wrapped this garment and placed it in a crisp dark gray Eileen Fisher paper tote bag with cloth handles. I rarely go in-person clothes shopping anymore, if not thrifting, and usually bring my own bags, but didn’t bring any on this occasion and once I saw the sales associate open this bag I appreciated and welcomed this bag because it was part of the experience. I know, a lot for a bag but I was shopping in an Eileen Fisher store and I am a millennial and am still nostalgic for that complete shopping experience. I spent $55 plus tax for this finely made Eileen Fisher sweater and was excited to add this into my wardrobe, a staple piece for those cooler Bay Area days.

You can check to see if an Eileen Fisher Renew pop-up is coming near you by checking on the Events page on the Eileen Fisher Renew site or subscribe to their email list.

If you are looking for a quality, sustainable fashion brand that also supports secondhand life, Eileen Fisher is a great brand to invest in for your wardrobe.