I can't believe no one has written an opinion on Hennes & Mauritz yet! Despite loving my labels I simply love this place! The main strength is it's ability to offer catwalk trends quickly and at bargain basement prices.
The Ranges
Contemporary - This is the cutting edge range. One ... Read review
Advantages: Hip clothes at bargain basement prices! / best changing rooms Disadvantages: Get your clothes free if you find a member of staff anywhere apart from the checkout / trousers are HUGE / some items are bad quality
...have a few items from H & M which i wear all the time and are great quality. Also the range of trousers which are always available with a slight tweak or another look like they will last forever.. so follow the guidelines & you'll be fine.
Caution
One general statement is that more outrageous does NOT mean more fashionable. Remember minimalism... although this has largely been replaced it's philosophy stil has many merits! ... ...kitted in head to toe H & M everyday of your life!
Also be wear when i am in store, as i will wangle my way past the sales assistant who gives you a tag indicating how many items you have, and proceed with two sizes of everything i like in every colour. And i will probably come out & not buy anything!
Layout
The layout is great. I've been to several stores & they all tend to be spacious & well lit. Only ... more
I can't believe no one has written an opinion on Hennes & Mauritz yet! Despite loving my labels I simply love this place! The main strength is it's ability to offer catwalk trends quickly and at bargain basement prices.
The Ranges
Contemporary - This is the cutting edge range. One of its strengths is often managing to have versions of designer items whilst they actually ARE still in fashion! Catwalk trends such as quilted / padded clothing were available impressively quickly. The velcro fastening shirts i thot were spot on & saved me spending money on a designer version. The Prada trousers with 3D knee detail were not bad either. Though items such as the Gucci biker jacket took a while & was... well... just cheap & nasty! And i can't help but think some of the other items such as the sarongs will be on those rails for another year, no matter how many red reduced stickers get stuck on them... However what shocked me
Cromwell
Not much to be said except that this range is the 'sensible' more mature range. Personally it does not even warrant a look, an opinion that is shared by many. But i guess everyone has their own tastes & if u are an older man looking for something conservative it is not a bad choice. But that said i'd advise going somewhere where the quality is higher.
Rocky
This is waht i'd describe as the fun / 'indie kid' range. It is worn by many students & is trendy in a different way from the contemporary range. It is my favourite range and features all the happening streetwear & i find it to be the most 'in touch' out of all the ranges. If you are a lover of combats then there are plenty to choose from here, though if you want a pair that lasts forever stay away from the flimsy ones & choose the ones which look like they will last.
The jeanswear is definitely cool, with ones that are flared / bootcut to the trendy? 'worn-look' coloured ones. I'm sure they even had a version of the embroidered Gucci ones... though my amnesia prevents me from sure.
Accessories
Previously menswear accessories were pretty pathetic with just a few bags & underwear. But in the last two seasons it has greatly expanded with flip flops, jewellry, hat etc. Most of them are trendy & wearable, not to mention sturdy & long lasting. My friend got one of those diagonal strap bags on sale for only £5 & it looks set to outlast my Prada version by years... though this is also because i overstuff the thing & because he does not care about trends & will happily use it till it breaks like the one it replaced.
This season, make sure you look out for the winter accessories. Those gloves are trendy & functional, as are the cool range of scarfs... buy several! Last year i bought one of those quilted scarfs as i thought it was pretty cool & only £3.00 & what do you know Prada only release it in Europe this year!
Quality
Well yes plenty of this stuff won't last more than a few washes, hence why this opinion calls it disposable clothing. The best thing is to buy those utlra-fashionable items which you know will not be 'in ' for more than a couple of seasons... why waste your money on the designer version (unless you have the money of course - if this is you, why on earth are you reading this?). Here are some general guidelines:
- excessively thin & flimsy 'shirty' material items usually comeout the washer creased beyond recognition & are unironable... - the scratchy woollens are best avoided as they will annoy you & probably give you a rash - the really thin & soft knitwear & alot of the cotton tops / t-shirts need to be washed carefully, otherwise they will get shorter & wider with each wash... - and make sure you stay away from any items which look even remotely like bin liners & look carefully at spangly shiny items which will look even more camp in a club... [but this goes for any shop]
Still i have a few items from H & M which i wear all the time and are great quality. Also the range of trousers which are always available with a slight tweak or another look like they will last forever.. so follow the guidelines & you'll be fine.
Caution
One general statement is that more outrageous does NOT mean more fashionable. Remember minimalism... although this has largely been replaced it's philosophy stil has many merits! Just because there is an imitation of a 'must have' designer item also does not translate into 'must buy'! This is a sweeping statement but often the imitations are 'supermarket economy' versions of the real thing so use your judgement! That said, there are plenty of pieces i'd happily wear.
Bad Points
Some of the items are just unwearable, be it because they simply too outrageous, of disgusting colour, non-exsistent quality, shapeless, crossed the line between cutting edge cool to 'strictly for the catwalk'...
Because of its popularity this may not be the place to get your choice of clubbing gear as invariably, not only will someone else be wearing it, several others will be! And of them some will look better in it than you!
Another is that because this place is soooo cheap you are in danger of coming out kitted in head to toe H & M everyday of your life!
Also be wear when i am in store, as i will wangle my way past the sales assistant who gives you a tag indicating how many items you have, and proceed with two sizes of everything i like in every colour. And i will probably come out & not buy anything!
Layout
The layout is great. I've been to several stores & they all tend to be spacious & well lit. Only the flagship store in Bond St in London is a bit crowded, made even worse by the hordes who descend upon it, turning he place into a tip quicker than staff can tidy it. Also i find that staff are a bit lacking too, one person on a till when there are big queues isn't just stingy but plain frustrating! They could do with more changing rooms but i think this place has better changing rooms than any designer boutique i've been in. The range of mirrors are strategically placed so you can see what the clothes look like from any angle! Well Done H & M.
Sizes
The tops come in all sizes so complaints here. The trousers are bit ambiguous though. Size 28 here is about 2 sizes bigger than anywhere else!
Oh yeah, this is pretty safe for shopping when with a female. Although the womenswear will be double that of the menswear it is manageable & most females will not browse it all as each section as the styles are very particular.
Despite all the gripes i've pointed out all i can say is that i will still shop here. There is not other place which is as stylish & cheap which can replace it! I mean given that it is so cheap you really cannot expect too much, yet there are plenty of pieces which are trendy & cheap whichi happily wear next to my Prada. Go & grab a bundle of clothes for a pittance NOW!
Advantages: Cool, Cheap Disadvantages: Some dodgy clothing
H&M is a fashion store containing clothes for both men and women aswell as children. It can be found on the high street in most cities in the U.K. and in large shopping centres.
What I like best about H&M is that they have their own designs that aren't 'run of the mill' like the clothes at Top Man, Next and Burton.
They have lots of variety, and aren't afraid to sell more risque clothing to the public!
Don't be suprised to see lots of pink clothing ... ...Much of the clothing would be restricted to friday nights only, but there is plenty of groovy gear for the day time also. It is all of a reasonably good quality, and lasts well.
If you're thinking 'this sounds great, but how much is it all going to cost?' don't despair - prices are superb! A trendy shirt will only cost you about £20.
They accept credit / debit cards and cheques.
H&M is by far the best high street fashion store for blokes, style ...
MattSlat 15.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of H & M (Shop)
Advantages: Saves the lives of our Feline Friends. Sells more sweets to children Disadvantages: Dispells the "1000 years" myth
When I was a child, the younger of 2 boys, my parents didn’t have a high combined income. We had enough for the basics in life, like a 20p mix every Monday on the way home from school (no bubblegum though. It takes 1000 years to digest, and is made from the floor sweepings of all the leftover sweets in the sweet factory apparently. Did it ever occur to your parents feeding you this information that 1000 years was about 900 years longer than would ... ...who swept the floor in a sweet Factory?) Plus simple luxuries like camping holidays in Cornwall. It only recently occurred to me how cheap these holidays actually were. 14 days holiday, deduct 1 full day driving to and from the campsite from our home in Manchester equals 12 days site rent. The long car journeys were filled with games like “Who can make their fruit pastille last longest without chewing it?” which is subtle adult tactics for “Play ...
Muffin_the_Mule 28.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of H & M (Shop)
Advantages: You can still find some goodies Disadvantages: tooo trendy and small
I was first introduced to H&M by my girlfriend. When we got together she decided my wardrobe needed a bit pof updating (though I loved my lime greem tanktops, she was not too keen). So we went to Oxford Street and I stood aghast at the array of different styles, fabrics, designs and prices to choose from. H&M does not cater for the higher brand of any market, but it does (or should I say did) cater for a lot of different tastes. It was like a big ... ...of a 'trendy' feel. I thought that I was in clothing heaven, cheap clobber and I could wear my lime green tanktop with pride, as H&M made my girlfriend realise that I, unlike her, do not follow trends, but set them.
However, I was wrong. H&M went through a 'peak' phase where fashion magazines noted their clothes as being a worthy alternative to all other high street stores, where their clientel became a versitile group of men and women all concerned ...
r-rackham 21.01.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of H & M (Shop)
Advantages: Some good clothes, Cheap Disadvantages: Lots of the clothes look a bit dodgy!
I first came accross H&M last year, in my first year at uni. I originally walked past it on my way to Sports Soccer. Looking in the window I saw pink fluffy jumpers and though, girls would look really nice in that. To my horror I saw it was a male statue. Thus, I hurried into sports soccer not beleiving the cheek to put a gay store on the high street!
Only did I ever venture near again being dragged by a female friend. In avoiding the embarressment ... ...my surprise I found some good stuff. Just ignore all the boy bandy, David Beckham stuff and there is plenty of good clothes, it lasts well and is cheap too. Ideal for us uni students.
My conclusion is that H&M is a good shop, despite the dubious name and appearence. Us Straight blokes can find some good clothes but be careful not to waunder in to the G.A.P section! ...
rjs26 15.12.2000
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The other day i was looking for a pair of jeans at H&M, size 38 and I couldn't. They do not have garments for "big" blokes!! What discrimination!!…Jesus…Even the XLs are smaller than they meant to be!! Imagine that I’m not that fat…I’m just tall and all of their clothes are short for me. My girlfriend likes it because it’s cheap but I don’t as nothing seems to be ok 4 me. Another point is that many items ... ...the clothes there. Ok not all of them but some trousers, shirts well yes they are 4 gay I reckon. Btw I do not want to be offensive. Probably H&M policy is to make clothes like that..i don’t know… sorry for the gay audience I don’t meant to be offensive. I don’t have anything against gay but my prob is deeper. I came from Greece where there is a lot of menswear as well womensware shops evenly spread all around Athens. I don’t ...
theo0221 27.01.2002
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Value for money
Layout & presentation
Selection & range
Waiting / queues
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Advantages: Affordable, gorgeous clothes Disadvantages: There isn't one in my hometown of Colcheste
H&M is my favorite clothes shop ever. Every girl has her fave, and this is mine! There aren't many shops where I am pleased with the prices, customer service and shop conventions equally, but H&M sure knows how to reel customers in and make them buy things.
The clothes are of really good quality. I've never had something break from there, even though I often wear H&M clothes over and over again. You can tell the clothes are made well just from the feel of them, though basic they may be. That's probably why the clothes are so cheap, because many of the things they sell are plain tees, plain trousers, plain shirts, etc. All the money has gone into the qualiy rather than fancy things!
However, they do have lots of nice, going-out clothes as well. I recently brought a really lovely polkadot shirt from H&M costing me £10.99, and a pretty ...
Stephoohla 19.08.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of H & M (Shop)
Advantages: affordable fashion Disadvantages: average for long lasting
H & M is one of the best Highstreet stores i have come accross, not only for myself but also it is most definatly the best store for childrenswear.
They are up to date with wats going on in the higher end of the fashion business, but are resonably prices so even though the quility is not what you would get when shopping at a higher end store you get so much value for money that your able to change your wardrobe with the season.
H & M are huge stores so it sometimes takes a while to find what you are looking for,however they are well layed out and the window dressers give good idea as to how you may team items together.
H & M have a huge range and have normally go all the sizes they have available on the shop floor. ...
humf1 04.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of H & M (Shop)
Advantages: prices, ease of return, quality of clothes. Disadvantages: Not in all towns
As it was my day off today and also my friend's day off we decided to meet up in town and do our shopping and have a coffee.
Living in Coventry, we have just had a small new undercover arcade of shops built and one that has already opened is H&M. Now I don't normally buy myself that many clothes, but am slowly treating myself to some new ones after having 6 years off work to look after my son.
We decided to go in H&M and have a look as my friend (who buys considerably more clothes than me, often from Bicester Retail Village) had heard that they were good value.
First impressions of the shop were favorable. Big shop, good lighting, quite natural and airy. The gents and the children's section was downstairs and the ladies (as per usual) was upstairs.
We headed upstairs first and had a browse. We were both instantly taken ...
anjib 18.03.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of H & M (Shop)
