Shop Ruche Review — Women's Fashion Stores Comparison (2012)

The fashion influence of TV shows can be totally engrossing, especially to teenage girls and women. Think about the sophistication exhibited by Blair Waldorf portrayed by Leighton Meester in Gossip Girl and the eclectic yet subtle wardrobe of The New Girl’s Jess Day portrayed by the bubbly Zooey Deschanel. You just can’t get enough of both ladies’ classic feminine flair -- polka dots, floral prints, laces, asymmetrical pieces, tights, bows and frills. If your fashion sense is a mix of these two, then Shop Ruche is going to be your sanctuary.

Shop Ruche is an online boutique perfect for today's modern vintage woman. The clothing and accessory business, founded by the couple Mai and Josh Olivio in 2008, was just an after-work hobby way back in 2005. The Ruche collections have significantly evolved from vintage beaded sandals, their first ever product on ebay. Now, the shop offers dresses, purses, jewelries, outerwear, tops, shoes, bottoms, swimwear and even pet accessories. I bet Roji, the couple’s furry friend who was there ever since Ruche’s conception, inspired the latter product line.

Online shopping on Shop Ruche is a treat as their web store exactly reflects their products – subtle colors, lacey borders and vintage-inspired details. That day time job as a web developer has really helped Mai integrate the shop’s essence into the site. For easier shopping, the items are categorized as dresses, tops, outerwear, bottoms, jewelry, purses, accessories, shoes, home and office, children, pet, swim, indie, curvy plus, eco-friendly and sale. 

Shop Ruche: What makes it stand out?

Online stores are all over the net, but what does Shop Ruche have that lures in new customers and makes their regular customers come back?

Timely Shipping Details

Because Shop Ruche treats their customers as their friends, they don’t want them to worry about their placed orders. Normally, orders are processed within 1-2 business days, except during holidays or weekends. This Christmas Season, the management has provided specific details about the anticipated shipping as not to add to the holiday stress everyone is going through. See schedule below.

Careful Attention to Sizing Matters

In fashion, each inch is crucial. The perfect fit is the only thing that is acceptable. Shop Ruche provides an apparel size chart and shoe size conversion chart for their buyers. To avoid the slightest measurement error, they have noted that their garments are measured by laying them flatly. Furthermore, if a customer wants to know the precise measurements of a specific item, the staff would be pleased to cater to this query through email.

Shop an Entire Ensemble

Did the entire aura of the model captured your attention? Well then you can own the complete attire from head to toe. Clicking on a lookbook entry will provide you with the details about the blouse, tights, dress and accessories that the model is wearing.

Stylist Assistance

Having a fashion dilemma while online shopping at Ruche? Worry not; you can talk to the company’s very own stylist for advices and suggestions.

Who are Shop Ruche’s Competitors?

Shop Ruche vs. 80s Purple

• Shop Ruche was established three years after 80s Purple. Both companies offer the same genre of garments and that is modern vintage. However, Shop Ruche doesn’t have a fashion line for men and eyewear pieces unlike 80s Purple. On the other hand, only Shop Ruche has pet accessories, random things for children and home and office supplies.
• If you’re the type of woman who is comfortable in showing some skin, then 80s Purple is a better choice as their clothes from 80s Purple are edgier, bolder and sexier. If you’re a dainty dame who would want to integrate a subtle flirtatious flair in your wardrobe, then you can make statements if you buy dresses from Shop Ruche.
• Both clothing stores offer gift cards at the same minimum amount of $10. They only differ on the maximum amount. With Shop Ruche, you can buy gift cards amounting up to $200. With 80s Purple, a gift card can amount up to $500.
• Both companies accommodate domestic and international shipping. Domestic delivery for Shop Ruche and 80s Purple can take 1-9 days and 1-8 days respectively, both with express delivery options.

Shop Ruche vs. Rice and Beans Vintage

• Shop Ruche and Rice and Beans Vintage both sell vintage clothing, but the latter includes a designer vintage line of products. Among these brands are Pucci, Valentino, YSL, Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Hermes, Fendi and Missoni.
• The Rice and Beans Vintage collection spells classic sophistication, while garments from Shop Ruche conveys a coy, coquette lady. If you’re a brand-conscious person, then the former will be favorable to you. But, if you’re trendy and can pull anything off, then Shop Ruche is a great place to shop.
• The products sold by both online stores are almost similar. These products include dresses, blouses, shoes, jewelry and home décor. Shop Ruche’s unique product line consists of the pet accessories, while that of Rice and Beans Vintage is its Vintage Fur Salon merchandise.
• Rice and Beans Vintage promises that all purchases will be delivered 3-5 days from purchase date. Items may be shipped on the same day as the order was made. To do so, just contact their staff. On the other hand, Shop Ruche domestic deliveries can take 1-9 days.

Shop Ruche, 80s Purple and Rice and Beans Vintage have common fashion items that can measure up to each other. The shop items were carefully picked as to make sensible price comparisons. Please refer to the table below.

Since Rice and Beans Vintage sells branded items such as Dior, Gucci and Chanel, expect the price range to be on the higher scale than those of the other two online stores. In exchange, you get authentic and fashion forward pieces from them.

Shop Ruche has the least expensive product prices when most of the selected fashion item categories were compared. The Betsy Johnson Maggi dot pump platform heels from Shop Ruche is one of their high-end shoes, thus the higher price. Normally, Shop Ruche shoes cost anywhere between $30 and $100, while those from 80s Purple are up for grabs from $30 to $220.

The Ruche owners have stayed true to its word when they said, “As Ruche grows we will always keep our prices reasonable and strive for fun and friendly service.”

What Shop Ruche Customers Have to Say

Most of the customer reviews for Shop Ruche are on the positive side. What the customers loved the most are the exceptional customer service and the affordable prices. To quote one customer,

“I am so very pleased with Ruche (http://www.shopruche.com) that I want to shout it to the hills!!!  I recently received one of my many daily emails, in which they mentioned Ruche.  It led me to check out their website, and I am so glad that I did.  They have BEAUTIFUL feminine clothes that are modern, but with a vintage-y look. Their items are not over-priced, and everything is priced very reasonably.  You can look great, and not have to break the bank to do so.  I am also very happy that they also carry plus-sizes (Whoo-hooo! , I hope to find them carrying even more styles in plus sizes the future).  They also have wonderful jewelry, accessories, shoes and gifty items for your friends.  I made my first purchase (2 dresses, a necklace, and a set of bracelets) - and I absolutely LOVED everything that I received.  The dresses fit perfectly and looked great, and the jewelry was so eyecatching and pretty!  I am happy to report that I am keeping everything (no need to return one single thing)!  I will definitely be checking back on their site and become a more frequent customer.” –Tiffany L, New York, NY

Of course, no company is perfect. Shop Ruche had their fiasco, but find out why the affected customer still wants to purchase from them again.

“I received a defective hat when I purchased it online, BUT there was EXCEPTIONAL customer service on their behalf despite my faults, and I am definitely a fan and will purchase from them again in the future. Their responses are quick and efficient and their clothing and accessories make me want to buy the whole site! I love it!” - College Station, TX

Apparently, this one customer has a negative comment about the company. Read her story.

“I  was rather pleased with the items I received. The quality was good - not amazing - but still good. I bought a dress and two shirts. One shirt was far too big on me, the other was manageable, and the dress fit decently. I kept the dress and a shirt, and sent the larger one back. I received a refund and an email from customer service, explaining why there was a 15% restocking fee taken off my refund. Apparently the shirt I had returned smelled of smoke. It came from a smoke-free home and I put it back in it's bag right after I tried it on, so I'm quite irritated about that.

Apart from that, another dislike would be the fact that they have very few extra-small options, as a majority of their supplies do not offer clothing in that size.” - B F,  New Hazelton, BC