Can shopping at a store that doesn’t actually stock clothes make help people look better and save time? Nordstrom’s thinks so: The upscale retailer is testing the concept through a new clothes-free store called Nordstrom Local. And we’re already envious of local moms who can drop in to have all their “I need a wardrobe makeover” dreams fulfilled in just one stop.


Instead of combing through racks of clothing hoping to find something that A. fits and B. works with your style, shoppers at Nordstrom Local will make an appointment before showing up at the store. Then they get to enjoy a consultation with a personal shopper who can match them with the right fits and styles for their body and aesthetic. And all while enjoying a glass of wine or cold-pressed juice!

The first Norstrom Local concept store opens next month in West Hollywood, California, and according to Shea Jensen, Nordstrom’s senior vice president of customer experience who led the Nordstrom Local initiative, it’s all about providing value along with speed and convenience.

At 3,000 square feet, it is much smaller than the average Nordstrom store (140,000 square feet). But the smaller scale might be great for those who feel overwhelmed when looking at a sea of jeans.

“We know there are more and more demands on a customer’s time and we wanted to offer our best services in a convenient location to meet their shopping needs,” Jensen said in a media release. “Finding new ways to engage with customers on their terms is more important to us now than ever.”

The concept is something that especially makes sense for moms—as most of us know shopping with a baby or kids in tow can be an exercise in futility. First you get everyone out of the car and into the mall. Then you have to find a fitting room big enough for the stroller. And good luck finding clothes that fit before meltdown mode arrives (for everyone).

On top of that, we’re often dressing a body that’s gone through some changes, so we can’t always reach for the same styles or sizes we relied on back when leisurely, kid-free shopping trips were still on the agenda.

While diehard deal seekers may still prefer its cousin, Nordstrom Rack, this new Nordstrom Local may be worth checking out if you’re strapped for time and could use a little professional help picking styles that fit and flatter.

Besides, if you’ve only got a small window of kid-free time to devote to updating your wardrobe, having the help of a personal stylist who can find you can outfit that fits seems a lot less stressful than navigating a sea of possibly ill-fitting styles on typical retail racks. And research shows that’s the kind of tradeoff that really does make people happier, after all!