Yesterday I was on a misson to return a pair of shoes and come straight home to avoid town traffic and the hustle and bustle of afternoon shoppers. But as I was walking through the shopping mall I made the mistake of stopping to talk to a friend, because while I talked about last weekend I spotted a beautiful pink and white striped top in Primark's window.
The Middlesbrough store has recently expanded and I hadn't been in since the re-opening. I had to go in and consider the top. As I wasn't paying 100% attention when I glanced at it, I completley missed the "Childrens Wear" sign, but once I was in it was too hard for me to leave.

* Recent Primark Experience *
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After realising I had been a fool, and that a childrens 6-7 would be just a tad too tight I went to the "Womens Wear" in search of a top. I came across a black lyrca-ish one that was £6, I wasn't too keen on the top itself more the metal belt attached to it with the letters P, U, N, K clipped on. For £6 I thought I could remove the belt and attach it to a top I preferred, so I put it in the basket on the floor next to me, picked it up and continued in my search.
The next piece of clothing I gazed upon was a black cotton cardigan/jacket. I wear these all the time with jeans or comfy bottoms. They're thin enough to wear on top of a t-shirt and still feel cool, while covering your tum and bum, which has to be a good thing. The cardigan/jacket attracted my attention because on it's black canvas was a bright pink zip that trailed off to the left side. Excellent. A diaganol pink zip the same shade as the star on my black bottoms. And it only cost £5. What a bargain. It joined the top in the basket.

I continued searching the rails and seeing what others had in their baskets, thinking, how did I miss those? When I got halfway through the shop I realised I only had half an hour left before I got picked up, so I dashed towards the fitting rooms to try on my tops. I was almost there when I spied a coat with my name on it. (My name wasn't actually on it, I mean metaphorically, because it was my style and perfect or me)
I have called this coat a puffel. Why? Well it's a bluey grey tone, with white fake fur round the hood, bright orange inside padding like a Parker jacket, and big old fun Duffel fasteners. The Puffel was beautiful, so I put down my basket and tried on the size 12. I was shocked when it didn't fit, but in true Primark fashion the sizes were all to cock. So I tried the 14 on and that was even smaller than the 12. I thought one of the assistans must have swapped the stickers round just to show me up. I ended up getting the 16, 2 sizes too big by ordinary standards, but just right by Primark's.

I took it with me to the fitting room and tried it on over my top. It fitted just right, as did the tops. I got changed back into my clothes and went to the desk, picking up a pink handbag with chains attached for £2, some pink and black wrist bands for £1, and a pack of 40 multi-coloured hair bobbles also £1.
I only had to wait for 1 person infront of me to be served, as there was around 5 tills operating. Next please. I handed the girl my items and tried to add up how much it would come to, I hadn't even looked at the price of the coat, so I thought uh-oo here comes a whoppa.
"£21.00 please"
£21.00. Surely she made a mistake, so I asked her how much the coat was, and she told me £10. I was so suprised, and filled with excitement that I was living up to my bargain hunter status.
I carried my two bags away and ran to the car, only too glad to inform everyone of my purchases.

* The Store *
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The outside of the store is completely made up of windows to tease you with their clothes (whether they fit or not), and the Primark Logo is above the door.
Inside the store every wall and shelf is white, which is good, you can cleary see the sign telling you the areas of clothes "Womens Wear", "Mens Wear", "Underwear" etc.
There is always at least one member of staff in each area at a time, me and my friend noticed this. No matter where you're looking there'll be someone there to help you.
As for how the clothes are displayed, well they are hung on rails around the store where you can see them. The aisle's are wider now so there's no risk of being rammed by a pushchair, which is a such a relief when you're looking for the right colour or size.
The store is well laid out, clean and easy to shop in.

* Sizes *
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This is the one problem I have with Primark. I don't think I've ever just took a size 12 to the changing room and it fit right. It will either be too big or too small, or mishapen. You're always best taking the size above and below, just ot save your legs. That's if you can find the size at all. Primark's clothes are such value for money that they can just dissapear from the racks. My advice is if you see it get it, because if you leave it until tomorrow it will be in someone else's wardrobe.

I was dissapointed in their bra sizes. It seems obvious to me that someone who needs 38+, will require a bigger cup, so where's the sense in racks full of 38B and no 38D? This is one area I can never get what I need.

* Cost *
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Primark is value for money. There's no denying it. I mean my coat cost £10, ten British Pounds. I think that's great. It's well made and even if I wear it just a couple of times in winter, I'll have had my money's worth. At Primark prices you can afford to wear things just a couple of times and get something new. Although, that doesn't mean they'll be unwearable.

* Quality *
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Overall the quality of Primark's clothes are good. You don't neccaserily get what you pay for, Ive had a pair of jeans from there for 2 years, they cost me £10 and are still going strong. However on some occasions you may come across out of shape items. I once got a pair of black trousers and the hips were near the knees, it's always best to try things on, then you'll be safe.

* Variety *
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The variety of items is great. There's comfortable, sophisticated, sporty, evening and nightwear. A wide range of boots, shoes and trainers. Racks of jewellery and accessories, and a wide range of Underwear if you're lucky enough to find the right size.

* Overall Rating *
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Primark is one of those shops you don't like going in because you know it's going to be packed, but you have to go in because you know there's going to be someone for you.

I like Primark because it's handy to get to, it's great value for money, and there's a variety in styles of clothes, that will suit me and whoever I'm going in with. They're really good with returning items and their fitting rooms are clean and don't smell of sweaty feet.

Great value for money. But do try before you buy!