The Way We Wore Makes a Comeback

2020 was a very challenging year for the global retail and fashion industries. COVID-19 lockdowns left companies without brick-and-mortar revenue for over several months. On top of that, lootings from organized crime taking advantage of civil rights protests were also detrimental to businesses, particularly independent retailers who didn’t have billion-dollar revenue streams and large insurance policies to cover them. For independent retailers who managed to survive 2020, they truly were the little engines that could.

The Way We Wore, owned by president Doris Raymond, is a true gem in Los Angeles. Known for its vintage retail finds, their clients range from those who just love thrifting a good vintage piece to luxury consumers looking for vintage designer goods. They are also popular among L.A.’s costume designers and stylists as a go-to for vintage pieces for movies and photoshoots. Despite its popularity, The Way We Wore had a very tough 2020, but of course, like other retailers, was dealt a blow by COVID-19, and even worse, was heavily looted during the 2020 George Floyd protests, leaving Raymond unclear as to when she’d be able to open and return to business for several months.

“My initial reaction when I learned about how COVID-19 was becoming a global pandemic was compassion,” Raymond said. “I didn’t imagine we’d have the circumstances we did where we would have to shut down for short periods of time. I’m generally an optimist, I knew things would work out.”

Doris Raymond has survived lootings, COVID-19 restrictions, and is still winning in L.A’s retail scene

Raymond’s most detrimental hit to her business in 2020 came not from COVID-19, but from the lootings that occurred during the civil rights protests. “In my 67 ½ years on this planet, the night of looting was the most traumatic night of my life,” Raymond said. At 9:30 p.m., she got a call that the windows were shattered, and for the next three hours, she kept getting calls from the burglar alarm company letting her know what zones had been broke into. In total, the looters stole over 500 items.

“While I realize I’m a victim in these circumstances, I am still absolutely behind those protesting [for civil rights],” Raymond said. “Looting wasn’t the act of protesters; this was organized crime.”

Raymond found herself in a lucky position because she had a significant nest egg she put aside that she described as a “tithing for herself”, which helped keep her and her business afloat. She said her most important lesson after 2020 was, “Put your money away and not spend it all.”

Prior to 2020, Raymond also relied heavily on her brick-and-mortar sales, but since reopening her store after the looting she’s built her digital presence and has a newfound appreciation for e-commerce.

“I’m a dinosaur, and I’ve always resorted to analog sales,” Raymond said. “I have a much higher appreciation for digital now and I’m really getting on board with the rest of the 21st century.”

Once Raymond officially reopened, customers were slow and steady to return. It took them a while to realize the store was reopened, but using social media they were able to bring customers back. The windows on the store were also boarded up for months and only just came down in August after the verdict from the Chauvin trial was reached out of fear that another looting would happen.

Now that she’s back in business, Raymond says that one of the big trends she sees on the horizon for fashion, especially owning a vintage shop, is a return to minimalism.

“With more of an awareness towards Mother Earth, people are starting to go more minimalist with their wardrobes,” she said. “I’m hoping we actually don’t end up repeating the last roaring ‘20s because that was followed by a Great Depression. I’m hopeful the wheels are turning and we’re heading toward better times.”