For the last 15 years, Ricki’s Canada has given me my entire closet. In short, I need to replace this icon with something else and I’m grieving. I’m going back to work in two months as my mat leave is ending and I need to update/change/refresh before I go back. Pregnancy changes the body :/
Their sister store, Bootlegger, has been purchased and is being refreshed, but doesn’t have enough professional clothing. Typical office setting. I’m also in Alberta, Canada, so no US-only stores. And no cheating with “but they ship to Canada!” I need a physical store.
My short love letter for why I will miss this place: Famous (to me) for their “10 things 10 ways” they inspired me to be mindful of my fashion choices, so I could easily spend $400 every six months and feel confident that I was getting an actual wardrobe refresh. The nice part for me is that I would often make an afternoon of it. They had quite the variety in a single store, organized by color, so I could go in and try on 30 items to try different outfits and be sure I was spending money wisely. I made sure I loved the item, and that it went with a bunch of other clothes. They also had a sweet sale section of last season’s clothes and I’d usually find a thing or two.
As for style: Their jeans had elastic in the waistband and were made for curvy butts. I layered like a master – cute shirts and work appropriate tank tops with soft sweater-like cardigans. Some cardigans actually looked like business jackets, which was awesome because if I can’t move my shoulders I’m not wearing it. Their sizes were the same across all items. I was a large in everything, so shopping online was easy if I had to do it. I have issues with the texture of some fabrics, so I would often go into the store and “pet” the clothing to make sure it was ok to wear for a full day. Even their dress pants had a legging-like feeling to them. Their empire waist and A-line dresses are so flattering on me.
Fast fashion is awful. I got fooled into SHEIN once and couldn’t wear 80% of what came. Looked great online and sucked in person. Then I found out about their ethical practices. Ick. I’ve filled a basket with bloomchic and halara which are marginally better but I can’t pull the trigger because of my terrible experience with SHEIN. I’ve been tempted with eshakti because I can put in my measurements and really customize the dresses, but for the price tag I’m hesitant to try it (see previous online only experience).
Are my choices really just Mark’s and Reitmans? Or could someone give me faith in online shopping? Currently I’ve got comfortable camisoles and plain Amazon Basics tank tops (purchased online due to their great return policy) and Walmart scrubs pants or old jeans as my mom uniform. Might make a tshirt order later, because those are safe fits online.
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Honestly reitmans has been super cute lately and based out of Montreal. Ordering online is easy, free ship over $50 and free returns. Visit a store first to sus out sizes is my best suggestion. Hopefully they have one in Alberta.
Old navy/gap is also nice and BR if that works for you on the higher end
They were bought out by Putnam group (same crowd that owns Northern Reflections) and are still operating. But they have closed (or plan to) a lot of stores. I’m assuming they may have closed a store near you? If that’s the case, the website is still up and running and shipping. The current collection may be a bit off as with the bankruptcy not everything will have shipped as planned. But you may still find some things you like. Go forward though I’d say for however long they remain in business it will be as a shadow of its former self. As for alternatives – Zara, the Gap, Uniqlo. They took most of their current inspiration from places like aritzia and Sezane, if either of those shops are within your price range.
I’ve always found Suzy Shier to be pretty comparable to Ricki’s for office wear. Their styles do skew a little bit younger, though.