Colored Basics

Store: Ann Taylor Factory Store | Location: Chicago Premium Outlets, Aurora, IL

I loved this display because it was one of the few windows I saw and liked that wasn't holiday themed for once. Not that I don't like seeing holiday spirit in all of the window displays. I think it's just that since this wasn't really a holiday themed window, it caught my attention more.  

I think the use of colors in this display are what drew me to it. I love that they showcased basic sweaters in the variety of colors that they come in. I think this is smart advertising because customers are able to see what the store has to offer and that there is a little bit of something for everybody. Although this display is fairly simple, I think it still makes a really good first impression on what Ann Taylor is trying to showcase with their brand. You get different proportions with the two hanging bars and a bit of rhythm and emphasis from looking at all of the different colors of sweaters they have to offer.

Best Winter Ever

Store: J.Crew | Location: Chicago Premium Outlets, Aurora, IL

This was another window from J.Crew that I really liked. However, I think that the two sides are meant to be separate themes, so initially I was a bit confused as to how the right side tied in with the left side because I was looking at the window as a whole. I think it would've been helpful for them to put some sort of divider between the two, that way it would be easy to distinguish them as two different displays. 

But regardless, when you do look at them individually, they are both really great displays. I love that the kid's theme on the left has a giant snowman and snow, which help to give off a very playful vibe. The theme on the right side gave off a very home vibe, and I think that the lights that are wrapped around all the fixtures/stands really add an extra touch to the entire thing. Both themes were proportioned and had a clear emphasis. With both displays, neither the outfits or the props overpowered one another. Each display had just the right amount of everything.

Best Holiday Ever

Store: J.Crew | Location: Chicago Premium Outlets, Aurora, IL

This is one of the cutest holiday windows I've seen this season! The entire display just gives you a really cozy, home vibe and I can't help but think 'nothing beats being home for the holidays'! I think this display showcases J.Crew's aesthetic and lifestyle very well. The focus isn't just on the clothes; the display portrays an actual lifestyle and really shows who the J.Crew customer is, or who the customer wants to be.

Everything about this display was perfect and spot on (at least in my eyes!). From the socks hanging over the fireplace, to the outfits, this display is definitely going to grab your attention. It's proportioned, balanced, and has enough in it to keep your eyes traveling. I do think that they could've added some sort of rug or carpet though because the floor is a bit bare. But other than that, still a really great window. I personally think that the socks hanging over the fireplace are the emphasis of this window just because of how colorful they are. They're actually the first thing that grabbed my attention when I came upon this display, and so I was intrigued to get a closer look. I think I could honestly stare at this window all day. I thought it was that cute!

A Green Christmas

Store: Zara | Location: Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL

I'm so glad to be home for Thanksgiving break! I've only been home for two days but I've already managed to go to the mall! I was excited to see what Zara has done with their windows for the holidays and I was not disappointed when I saw this one! It's so magical and very holiday themed without it being so in your face and cliché, which is what I love about it! They played with different shades of green for the outfits, which I thought was new and refreshing because I never would have thought to pair dark green with pastel green. They definitely showed that it can be done well! 

In terms of the principles of design, I sort of feel that this display was all over the place. To me, it isn't very balanced and nothing is placed symmetrically. The two mannequins on the left are kind of just hangin' out in the corner over there, and I'm confused as to why they put the one mannequin behind the lights. I did however find that emphasis was brought to this display through the color scheme, as well as the fairy lights. The lights are definitely what made me want to stop and just stare at the windows! The placement of the Black Friday signage was a bit odd to me though because it was kind of difficult to read. But it was still smart of them to advertise that they would be having sales on Black Friday. Interestingly enough, my sister and I asked what their Black Friday deal/promotion was going to be and they told us that they aren't allowed to say. Talk about exclusive!

Sparkle, Shine, Celebrate

Store: Express | Location: Eastland Mall, Bloomington, IL

This display definitely caught my attention because of the big Christmas tree that's in it! Seeing it made me that much more excited for Christmas! 

I think this display definitely did a good job of promoting Express as a place to go for holiday outfit shopping. However, I just think that there's so much going on in one window that it's kind of overwhelming...and in a bad way. It just feels so cluttered with the tree, the sparkly boxes, the mannequins, and all of the different signage in one tiny window. I did think that it had rhythm though because you are constantly looking at every last corner of this display. I think if they had more space, this window definitely could have been executed a lot better. I still give it an A+ though just because it makes me happy for the holidays!

Black and White

Store: H&M | Location: Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL

I have quite a few posts on displays from H&M, so if you couldn't tell, it's one of my favorite places to shop. I loved this display because of the black and white color scheme, so it automatically gets an A+ from me. I love that they alternated the black and white stands for the mannequins. It adds visual interest and makes your eyes travel, so there is definitely rhythm in this display. I also liked how the two big posters in the back contrasted each other and were opposites (one is white with the model wearing black, and vice versa). Like I said in the previous H&M post, the posters in this display also help to tie in the whole display and really emphasize the black and white theme.  

This display was very balanced and proportioned. You can't really tell since this picture was taken from an angle, but trust me, everything was perfectly centered and symmetrical when looked straight at it. My only criticism about this window is that it feels a bit cluttered because of the black and white squares on the bottom, but other than that, I think this display proved to be very successful and showcased the principles of design very well. 

Fall Fashion

Store: H&M | Location: Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL

I love this display, but there are also a few things that I don't like about it. I'll start off with the positives. It's hard to tell in this picture, but I loved the color scheme of the outfits. The color palette consisted of black, olive green, and blush/ballerina pink. The woman in the huge poster on the left was also wearing olive green, so it really helped to tie the whole display together. I loved this display because it was fairly simple, but still impactful. The way the mannequins are aligned grabs your attention because they almost form a sort of mini army of mannequins. I think also since they are so close together, it makes the color scheme very clear (just wish you could actually see the colors better!)  

What I didn't like about this display was that it wasn't balanced. I'm all about perfect symmetry, so having the small "Fall Fashion" signage on the bottom right throws everything off. I did however just notice from looking at this picture that the backdrop behind the mannequins is further back than the poster with the woman, so it gives the display some depth. In terms of proportions, you can definitely tell that the window is very roomy, so I liked that they were able to fill it up but not make it look cluttered or crowded. As I've said in my previous posts about Zara, I like how they have some of the prices displayed in the window because it not only informs people that are passing by the window, but it also may push sales if those people choose to look for the item in the store.