In the land of web design, we spend a lot of time trying to make websites reflect the aesthetics and attitude of our clients. We wondered how unified a message some of the big retailers here in New York had between their websites and storefronts, so we sent an eagle-eyed intern out to investigate.

We captured the soul of 53 brick and mortar storefronts as a basis for our comparison. Then we took screenshots each of those companies’ website homepages. Finally, we placed them side-by-side in this virtual coliseum to find out which companies make their stores work hand-in-hand with their websites, and which companies have apparently never seen a modem before.

1. Adidas

Adidas storefront

Adidas.com (USA)

On the storefront side, “gray” or “drab” comes to mind, but we’ll go with “muted.” It’s not Adidas’ fault, however, that gray is “in,” this winter. The lone bright and happy spot is the signage behind the ubiquitous SALE bait. It seems to suggest that Adidas is a candy store where the candy has been replaced by shoes.

On the other hand, we have the website, which is pretty much the exact opposite of the storefront. Its cheerful shotgunning of Skittles-hued apparel and athletic people is visually exciting, if confusing and labyrinthine. Again, we have the candy store feeling, but rather than selling shoes, the website’s hawking the Adidas brand.

2. Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger Storfront

tommyhilfiger.com

Tommy’s hoping that “less is more” in this storefront. We’ve got our requisite gray with a couple of nice fashion ideas to whet your shopping hunger.

Web-side, Tommy’s hoping “even less” is “lots.” Here’s your sale, here’s where you buy. Interesting that the majority of the websites use loads of color, while most storefronts are decidedly gray. Thinking caps… on!

3. lululemon

Lululemon

Lululemon.com

And now lululemon sinks my entire color hypothesis with a beautiful, bright, cheerful storefront swimming in fun shades that beg to take you by the hand and pull you into spring with fashionable athletic gear to get you in shape for summer. It’s an eye-catching display.

The website’s utilitarian layout and style seems less about selling the clothes than selling you on seeing yourself wearing those clothes. I don’t see myself practicing yoga on ice, however.

4. Victoria’s Secret

Victoria's Secret

VictoriasSecret.com

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