Why Does ShopBop Have a Catalog?

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We’ve been addicted to Shopbop since high school, but we’ve never actually bought anything until a few weeks ago.

We always wondered who could drop hundreds of dollars on a dress without actually trying it on. But when we searched Manhattan high and low for the Frye boots we desperately needed, and couldn’t find them anywhere, we had to turn to the internet.

That’s when things got interesting:

We bought the boots online. We became an official ShopBop customer.

Then we got a ShopBop catalog in the mail, and we were like, “What?”

Isn’t an online store essentially the same thing as a catalog, but way more environmentally friendly? The thick paper booklet features the exact same images as the ones online - including the photo you all referenced a few weeks ago, when you wondered why their red head model looks like a frozen statue.

We weren’t sure what to do with a ShopBop leaflet.

Are you really going to buy something if it’s on a piece of paper versus online?

—BRITT ABOUTALEB

posted by Olivia

Oct 30, 2007 3:00PM

I loved Shopbop until they started to expand their stock of fur and aggressively market it. I moved on to Revolve who I hope don't go the same way.

I wish that cute model would defect to Revolve though. I miss her!

posted by guest

Oct 30, 2007 4:04PM

I prefer a catalog when selecting items to purchase.

posted by Raina

Oct 30, 2007 4:40PM

That model is from Indianapolis, she used to be the receptionist at my hair stylist's. Incredibly unpleasant personality and more "issues" than the National Geographic. She must be nearing 30, glad to see she can still get work.

posted by jaclyn

Oct 30, 2007 4:46PM

lol @ you criticizing topshop when they have two ads on your site.
i'm sure they'll be pleased.

posted by sooie

Oct 30, 2007 5:02PM

This is less about whether you prefer looking at a catalogue or computer screen, and everything to do with advertising. You come home to a shopbop catalogue, and I bet you automatically flip through it, whereas, you may not visit the site for days or weeks to come.

Personally, if I find something in a catalogue that I like, I go to the internet to order it, when available.

posted by rachael

Oct 30, 2007 5:08PM

oh I love shopbop! activeendeavors.com is getting really good too.

posted by Eva

Oct 30, 2007 5:33PM

HAHA, I share similar sentiments... I got a shopbop catalogue a few weeks ago, I was very shocked and confused, however, upon browsing, I found that I liked the catalogue very much. Pretty much a mirror incident to when I received an ELUXURY catalogue. I don't see too much point in eluxury having a catalogue, I figured it was to compete with saks and neimans, since they mail out such nice things. Regardless, i have to say i love getting those things in the mail, and sometimes i save them like they are magazines.

posted by chick3

Oct 30, 2007 7:20PM

I browse shopbop daily and shop there often. Anyway, I love getting their catalog although I would shop there regardless. One advantage of the catalog... passing it along to friends and coworkers who had never heard of it. As a result, I was rewarded with a shopbop gift card for my b day instead of the standard office cake. Who knew a catalog had so much pull... oh wait, I do. I'm actually in the catalog business ;)

p.s. I actually adore the redhead model.

posted by Ayomide

Oct 30, 2007 7:33PM

Ugh, I can't stand it when stores choose to do such environmentally irresponsible things like that. I mean, I'm not a treehugger or anything, but I do care about my future, and I would love for my future kids to run around in their super cute clothes with huge smiles on their faces, breathing CLEAN air. Not some polluted crap from the shipping of needless calatouges.

posted by Jemma

Oct 30, 2007 8:14PM

I called and cancelled five (5) paper catalogs today... I shop their online retail stores, not the catalogs. Such a waste. eLuxury, Sephora, etc...

posted by stacy

Oct 31, 2007 12:53AM

You managed to find one of the only decent photos I think I've ever seen of her. way to go.

posted by I did it Ebay

Oct 31, 2007 9:45AM

Ebay does this as well. It's brand reinforcement. I additional to calling the retailer directly, you can go to to opt out of catalogs, though you have to name them rather than doing a universal opt-out.

posted by Clar

Oct 31, 2007 10:00AM

I love that model - AKA shopbop girl

And I haven't figured out how to look at shopbop.com in the bath without killing myself, so there's that for catalogs...

posted by Cynthia

Oct 31, 2007 12:39PM

Give me online shopping over catalogs any day. It's so much easier. I much prefer the click and ship service of online shopping. Catalogs I get in the mail don't even make it to bathroom reading material in my house--what a waste of a few trees every week. I'm feeling a bit motivated to call and cancel them.