Victoria's Secret target clientele

[Lola Love]

[reinventing_sara]

Welll, since I became a bra fitter at a department store, I can't tell you the countless of complaints I hear from customers who come over and complained about not being fitted right. It's not that the store is too sexy, they say it's that their bras are over-priced for the average customer. Moreover, the quality is poor.

Another complaint is that their bra sizes only go up to a double D (if I am wrong, please correct me). What about the voluptuous woman who's an 36H? She wants something simple and/or fun, too!

Victoria Secret's need to cater to *ALL* women, whether it's the teenager looking for fun sleep wear or the simple woman who just wants a black and nude bra for everyday wear. They need to listen to their customers, improve their bra-fittings, make her feel at home.

Lastly, me being a customer... when I use to go there, I do not get ask for help, I do not get a warm greeting. Now, the only time I do go there is to pay my bill.

Don't get me wrong... they still have cute stuff. One of the VS stores carries Betsey Johnson and Anna Sui perfume. I just wish they'd open their eyes as well as their ears.

[bodymagazine]

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10967209761
We know how underwear works. Now tell us how it SHOULD work.

BODY Magazine, the premiere trade publication for the intimate apparel industry, reaches more than 12,000 retailers, wholesalers and buyers of lingerie, sleepwear, loungewear, dancewear and accessories every month. Brands like Princesse Tam Tam, Mimi Holliday, Victoria's Secret, Chantelle, Aubade, Ed Hardy Intimates, Eberjey, Cosabella and Paul Frank and stores like Sak's, Macy's and Bloomingdale's are kept in the loop by our scoop.

With an office just steps from Fashion Avenue, we go directly to the showrooms to get the goods.

Now we want to reach out to the industry’s most important player — you.

We've started a Facebook group where we poll people every month on various intimate apparel topics. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10967209761

This month, the topic is VICTORIA'S SECRET underwear. If you're interested in participating in our poll, please visit the group and send us a message, or email us at bodymagazine@gmail.com.

We're trying to be more aggressive with the industry, and we need your help!
_________________
BODY Magazine
Fashion Market Magazine Group
617 W 46th Street
New York, NY 10036

[Erica Lang]

I stopped buying VS panties because they always ran too small...some styles were cute but did just not fit properly....and I mirror a few above comments about their pink lines...yes, they are bringing in a young young target audience...not me! So I will stick to the Elle and other high class wares sold at Nordstroms or other high end botiques...alas, I have "out-grown" VS..........

[james36DD]

I still like VS for their uniqueness, but I also use Barenecessities, they have a big selection of more adult like lingerie for me.

[AnnMarie]

I started this topic almost a year ago and thought I should somewhat modify my views regarding VS cliental and merchandise.
What caused me to do this is today's post by Kelly re the dutch super model who had just been branded an "angel", which you can see here:

http://www.the-lingerie-post.com/2008/08/doutzen-kroes-a-new-victorias-secret-angel/


So, I have to confess that I have purchased couple of VS pieces lately, both are shown in the pictures on Kelly's post, and like them a lot.

The first one is the Angel's Teddy which is shown hanging on the rack behind the two models, on the upper left corner of the picture. It is not the an ordinary design, and may not fit into the "super sexy" category, but I found it to be extremely comfortable and pretty. It is great for warm summer nights as well as for longing. I like the loose elastic band on the hip, and the polyester fabric is nice and soft and doesn't require high maintenance as it can be machine-washed.
The only issue I had with this piece is that it doesn't have a crotch opening. I was tempted to wear it under my clothes few times, and while it is nice and comfy it can be a real challenge if you need to use the bathroom.

The other piece is the short chemise, or "Angel's Slip" as it is officially called, and you can see the newly-angeled Dutch lady wearing a pink version of it while laying on the couch.
It may be no coincidence but I only got it last night(!), as a silvery version of it was on sale in a local VS store in my home town. It fits and feels great, and seems to be made of the same fabric as the teddy. I got it because I believe this to be a very versatile piece. It's great on it's own but can be also worn under dresses,blouses, sweaters, etc. And due to it's relatively short length, thin material and no lace on the bottom it can be also tacked under your pants, maybe even panties, without leaving any trace and still feeling so comfortable. Looks like a great, all season, inexpensive chemise/camisole!

So here is my update and sort of apology to VS. I hope they will continue to accommodate women of all ages, not only the youngsters, and I look forward to see and possibly also wear some of their new Holiday Season designs.

[RobotMan]

My GF and I started a tradition of getting a new set of lingerie each month (her awesome idea). Being naive, VS was my first stop. Of course, it was the wrong one!

They DID push the most expensive bras, which ended up not fitting (we returned them both) and now (just months later) some of the panties are fraying. Never again will I make that mistake.

Now it's either boutiques or online for finer things... In Houston, we recently discovered the Glossy Apple and La Mode http://www.lamodelingerie.com/. So if any of ya'll have any advice on other retailers that out serve VS, feel free to pass them along.

Cheers,
RobotMan

[AnnMarie]

Hello RobotMan. VS is not exactly my first choice when it comes to lingerie, and should not be viewed as the standard bearer. Rather, it is a chain that helped popularized lingerie in general and extended it's demography of cliental to a younger crowd. Their prices reflect the general quality, although you can get some good deals if you're patient and know where to look.

Looks like the Houston store you mentioned carries some designers that I personally like very much, such as Leigh Bantivoglio and Chrisitine's. So if you're willing to spend that money you may look into
www.nancymeyer.com
which has great, yet pricey collections. I don't know much about their on-line return policy. Luckily I live in the Pacific NW and can visit the store in person (and often get frustrated and wish I had all the money I needed to get such gorgeous lingerie).

Another online retailer I had discovered less than a year ago is Soma
www.soma.com
They may not be as flashy as others, but they're generally inexpensive and have great fitting bras and other garments. I was told they will have some more silks and fancy stuff towards the Holiday Season, they had quite a few last year, and look forward to see them. I've checked the store locator on their site and it looks like they have three stores in Houston.

Nordstrom is also a good choice and should have more upscale merchandise in the next few months.

And if you want to go further away and don't mind the overseas shipping than you may want to look into some British retailers. Fortunately their lingerie is much better than their food, and some of them offer better than listed prices for US customers, since they don't have to charge VAT.

Glad you and your girlfriend find a common interest in lingerie and hope you'll enjoy your future purchases.

[BOYshorts]

I went into VS a while ago to use some free panty coupons (if anybody has any for VS or pink you dont want, mail them to me!). I'm not inexperienced when it comes to lingerie. I know what my girl wants, and what I want if I feel like buying some panties for me. Ive noticed they moved the sexier stuff to odd parts of the store (corner, back, ect.), and moved the more plain, teenage stuff to the front. This is definitely a marketing gimmick to get the younger crowd in. I do like the panties they have in the PINK bin tho, usually some sexy ones for cheap. Regardless, it is obvious that they are shifting their business model toward the younger crowd. Cant say that I wouldn't do the same. If you ran a business, and you could make more money selling something targeted at a crowd that buys more, wouldn't you? Keep in mind Victoria's Secret Stores are in malls predominantly, and who's in malls? Teenagers. Teenagers who have no need for a sexy teddy, but do need panties and bra's.

As for the bra sizes, they are bad to say the least. Those same coupons can get you 10 dollars off any bra. I had to dig through the store to find something in my girls size, and was still a rip off. I will say that that new bra they have out with the VS embroidered name is sexy.

This one:
http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=9E-227402&cgname=OSKEYBRPZZZ&rfnbr=5435

Here is another thing about Victoria's Secret. Have Ya'll seen the catalog? its like 3/4 about pants and sweaters lol. "Hey wanna go to Victoria's Secret? Yea I need some pants!" I think is the direction Victoria's Secret is headed.

It may be lame, but at least they aren't our only source of lingerie.
(send VS or PINK coupons?)
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Male into Lingerie.

[Kelly]

On VS's defense (a position I don't take too often!), they do send out seperate catalogs. Some are more lingerie-focused with just a couple pages of clothing, and others are clothing-focused with a few pages of bras and panties mixed in.

I passed a VS by my house last weekend and noticed that they've now bought out the store right next to them. The new store is now simply named "Pink" and has all of the Pink collection inside, and the old store looks to be all more adult VS fare. I didn't have time to go in, but it looked like the two stores did connect at one point after you'd gone through the doors.

VS is trying to get a little classier and ladylike, though. We've talked about this on TLP:

http://www.the-lingerie-post.com/2008/03/victorias-secret-too-sexy/

http://www.the-lingerie-post.com/2008/08/the-new-ultra-feminine-victorias-secret/

So it seems they are trying (at least a bit) to veer away from the very sexy and very young looks. The new designs are a bit scaled back, and at the very least many stores are separating the Pink section into a new storefront.
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Lingerie is the poetry in a woman's wardrobe.
-Ellen Lewis

[BOYshorts]

yes most of the VS stores I see have a separate PINK store attached. I do see the more lady oriented designed. They will always be sexy to me tho.
_________________
Male into Lingerie.

[Krista]

but it is so confusing when they say they want to get away from such a sexy image, but their ads claim they are the sexiest brand in the world. i think they are having an identity crisis!