For over 10 years, Forever 21 has been my fashion lifeline. My go-to store for every wardrobe refresh, spontaneous shopping spree and last-minute outfit rescue. 

I’ve built my entire wardrobe from clothes on their racks, finding pieces that helped me define my personal style. Since I was ten years old, Forever 21 has been the guide to my fashion journey. 

But with its recent bankruptcy filing and store closures, I find myself wondering what will I do without it?

The downfall of Forever 21 is undeniably heartbreaking for loyal shoppers like me. But it isn’t entirely surprising. The company unfortunately made several mistakes that contributed to its demise. 

One of the biggest was its failure to keep up with the rise of online commerce. 

Brands like Shein and Temu built their names on fast, affordable and easily accessible fashion, while Forever 21 has been slow to adapt to the new trends.

By the time the store tried to put serious effort into online sales, customers had already moved on.

Another major issue was the company's over-expansion. Forever 21 opened a huge number of retail locations at a time when mall popularity was declining. 

These stores came with high operating costs. And, as foot traffic dwindled, the financial strain became too much. 

The brand also failed to evolve with some customers. Many people who grew up shopping at Forever 21 were looking for more mature options as they got older but the store continued catering only to teenagers. (If you are looking for more sophisticated options, Dillards is waiting with open arms.)

Despite these missteps, for people like me Forever 21 will always remain a beloved brand, a store where a spontaneous shopping trip could turn into a new wardrobe for less than $100.

It was one of the few places that balanced style and affordability, making fashion accessible to those of us who can’t afford designer labels but still wanted to feel confident.
 

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Now that Forever 21 is closing its doors, I can’t help but feel like I’m losing a piece of my identity. The store played a significant role in my personal style evolution and I know I’m not alone in feeling this loss.

While the future of fast fashion remains uncertain, one thing is clear - Forever 21’s closure marks the end of an era.  Although I may have to find new places to shop, Forever 21 will always hold a special place in my heart and my closet.

Forever 21, you may be leaving but you will never be truly gone. Mostly because I’ll still be trying to find a way to wear your clothes in my 30s.