River Island (Shop)

...- nor did even my River Island halter neck – don’t think his grandparents would appreciate a flash. It was time, I decided, to yank myself away from the world of Ciao, pull myself out of bed, and hit the shops. For me, there was only 1 place to go...yes, you've guessed it RIVER ISLAND! So I’ll tell you why, for me, River Island is the first, and often the only shop I venture in to.

ATMOSPHERE
River Island has ...
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SIZES
River Island sizes are truly truly amazing. Their sizes primarily range from 8-18 though they stretch to a 6, perhaps moreso lately than ever before. However, the sizing is friendly – what I mean by that is, hmm, say you’re an 8 but after Christmas you’re verging on 10 – you will always fit the 8 in River Island and have enough room to breathe and take in that extra pudding (though I’m not advising ... more

Well, a couple of months ago my boyfriend uttered the dreaded words 'fancy meeting the rest of the family?' (His Cousin's wedding reception). Well, we've been together since about February 2003 altogether (first date was Valentines - altogether 'awwwwwwww!') and I've met his immediate family, and his father's side. I can quite honestly say, in my heart of hearts, my experiences in this field were the worst I've ever had in my life (even bearing in mind the terrible conversation - about toilets being a sign of wealth - with an exes mother)! Now as I hope you recognise by now Ciaoers I'm an incredibly outgoing person - love new experiences and new people yet they were quite the opposite - they weren't loving the experience of me and they certainly weren't loving me! Anyhooo, I digress! So I was in turmoil - to go or not to go? To be hated or not to be? Eventually I decided I would. I gave it very little thought through May as I studied for exams and very little through June as I got sorted - and then the end of June came and the day loomed. As I flickered aimlessly through my wardrobe I was hit with a stark realisation - what on earth could I wear? My Jane Norman tops didn't seem too appropriate - nor did even my River Island halter neck – don’t think his grandparents would appreciate a flash. It was time, I decided, to yank myself away from the world of Ciao, pull myself out of bed, and hit the shops. For me, there was only 1 place to go...yes, you've guessed it RIVER ISLAND! So I’ll tell you why, for me, River Island is the first, and often the only shop I venture in to.

ATMOSPHERE
River Island has a lovely atmosphere – those blue cinematic lights in the floor, stone set floor, parts tiled. The title is also incredibly funky – it changes various shades of blue to red to pink to purple and so forth. My local branch plays fairly recent music though at a nice volume so it isn’t too loud as to spoil a relaxing shopping experience. What I like predominantly about the atmosphere is that it truly is so relaxed. Its modern, giving it that appeal, but it also isn’t too over-the-top where you’d feel uncomfortable even picking the clothes up. Yes, it’s a high street store. Yes, it feels like a major league department store. No, it isn’t intimidating.

SIZES
River Island sizes are truly truly amazing. Their sizes primarily range from 8-18 though they stretch to a 6, perhaps moreso lately than ever before. However, the sizing is friendly – what I mean by that is, hmm, say you’re an 8 but after Christmas you’re verging on 10 – you will always fit the 8 in River Island and have enough room to breathe and take in that extra pudding (though I’m not advising you to ladies because one always…leads to another!). Not only this but the trouser lengths are perfect – small, regular, and large. Regular is possibly defined as about 5ft5/5ft6. Small and petite cater for any height beneath that. The sizing also has ‘skinny’ boot cut jeans, or baggier jeans. The sizing at River Island ensures you will almost always, I guarantee, find a size to fit you almost perfectly and if you’re feeling a little self-conscious they give that confidence builder that you will always fit into the smaller size if you are between 2 sizes. The fact the sizes are friendly shows River Island don’t skimp on material so they most likely wont skimp n quality either. Also, if you do put on weight and move up a bit of a size the likelihood is you will most probably still fit into your River Island clothes so you don’t need to feel too worried about dieting to fit into your old clothes, or even worry about buying new clothes!

TROUSERS
I don’t know about any of you darlings out there but I find it so incredibly tiresome trouser shopping. I’m about a size 8 in most shops with a 24 inch waist but my thighs are incredibly huge (though I wouldn’t trade them in of course – I’d last longer on a desert island than if I had skinny thighs – more fat and meat on me :D). I also have about 36 inch hips and while that’s in proportion I often find some companies don’t take the hip to waist ratio into consideration enough. I’m about 5ft 4 inches which is not tall enough for most regular sizes but not small enough for petite. Lets just say – life is hard. I find it so demoralising when I have to yank jeans past my hips to see they fit fine on my waist but I can't buy them because they’re simply too tight around my thighs. Anyway, I also cannot wear hipsters because of my thighs (with my height they make me look stumpy) and my immense arse (sorry!). In River Island, this is completely different. The lengths are perfect – just long enough to go perfectly with shoes or flats and they also elongate the legs because the tighter trousers have a slight bag and aren’t skin-tight, almost making the legs look thinner (now all I need is a quick fix cure for my bum!). The sizings, again, are also perfect. However, the great thing about River Island is their range of jeans and trousers. At the moment they have various ranges of cropped jeans (just past the knee) or longer jeans. They mostly have a variety of boot cut, turn-ups, cropped, distressed, baggier, glittered, special diamante belts – you name it, River Island have it. They also stock a good supply of combats and regular trousers – from white to cream to pinstripes though the range is pretty much the basics and I wouldn’t go expecting to find some exquisite original trouser designs – they’re pretty average. However, the odd little detail can set them apart I admit! One aspect I wouldn’t recommend is the shorts – a pair of hot pants for about £20 – erm, I don’t think so, just cut up some old shorts!

TOPS
I love the designs of River Island. I find them both pretty, original, yet they can also be sparkling, dazzling and eye-catching (which is what every girl wants and needs – eye-catching outfits!). I particularly am a fan of their nighttime attire as it’s all blacks and silvers and reds – sparkly, glitzy, and full of diamante – so if you’re like me and like to shine, choose River Island! What’s noticeable is that the cheaper high street stores copy their designs from River Island – shows how great they are. What I do find to be a disappointment is the top sizing. I’m a 34dd - that won’t mean much to any men who read this – but to the women I find it difficult to buy tops – I once had to buy a size 18 bikini string top and size 8 bottoms – the sales assistant looked at me with a somewhat queer expression when I bought them! Anyhow, I find with River Island that their tops don’t account for these features. In this day, it seems generations are growing taller, and growing out – in weight AND bust size (something in the water) yet you’d think shops would account for this. What I find about River Island is if I buy an 8 top, its too tight around the bust but a size 10 top ends up yanking up toward my bust and bagging around my waist – it certainly doesn’t flatter like clothes are meant to! The bustiers also do not account for any bust bigger than a B I would say. While I think a B is a lovely size I feel somewhat letdown by the fact I cannot wear the same tops as some of my friends – am I meant to wear baggy t-shirts just because tight ones don’t hang right? SORT IT RIVER ISLAND

ACCESSORIES
I personally don’t buy accessories from River Island. However, I would absolutely love to. The accessories reflect the clothes I buy – bling bling, sparkly, yet sophisticated. However, they cost as much as the clothes I buy. A ‘bling bling’ bracelet cost £20 – as much as a skirt I was buying and I find it a waste of money when I have numerous pairs of earrings at home. If you aren’t a struggling student like me, I would advise you to check out the range as it is beautiful, superb, and most of all sparkly. However, for students, the budget is a bit too high! Accessories available: belts, earrings, bracelets, belly bars, rings, necklaces, watches, handbags, purses, shoes, underwear, vests, bikinis, hats, ‘love’ gifts at Valentines!

RANGE AND VALUE
Spectacular…is the only word to describe the range of clothes at River Island. At the Summer Collection, there is a range from night attire to vests to skimp bikinis – all in bright colours to blacks. While each season has a basic focus – military or pastel or such there is great range within and unlike some other shops, River Island doesn’t entirely focus all their clothes around a particular theme – so it suits all tastes. I cannot boast enough of how good value it is. While the silks and the sequins are undeniably more expensive than I would be willing to pay (! – I’m a student!) most of it is pretty good value and lasts wash after wash. I’ve worn my tops time after time and they still come up beautifully – almost as good quality as my designer clothes! For true value for money and style – River Island is the only way to go!

STAFF
I’ve always found the staff to be helpful and fully prepared to assist you – for example if you would like to try a different size in the waiting room they’re fully prepared to go and get it for you. Often in some stores, the younger staff don’t really seem approachable or as if they can be bothered. A smile of a greeting that you receive at River Island I believe makes all the difference in providing a pleasant shopping experience you look forward to repeating.

WAITING QUEUES
One of the more negative aspects I’ve found are the queues. I know I know it’s a business, its bound to be busy but it can be so slow and the queues are incredibly large. While this means you’re fashionable and keeping up with the trends and are buying what society ‘approves of’ its good to avoid River Island on Saturdays and Friday nights and ESPECIALLY before Valentines Day – there were at least 50 guys wandering around (that sounds good doesn’t it – however…) buying presents for their girlfriends!

INTERNET
River Island have a very helpful website where they display most of their clothes and accessories though the stocks vary store-to-store. I have found the website so incredibly helpful and extensive. Before I used it I found it so tiresome searching rack after rack, holding and scrutinising top after top, whereas now I can flick on the website and gain a good indication of what tops I’m intending to look for when I go to the shop. You can also buy off the Website and can order catalogues though I personally would advise against it as the way it looks on the models may not be the way it looks on you. One complaint I have about the website is the SKINNY models. River Island is a high street store which caters for sizes 8-18 and I find it a bit off putting having models display the clothes – models that can't be any more than a size 6! They should reflect the sizes they cater for and show that society should accept people of all sizes.

Well, well, well. I found the top I needed that would cover the most skin but still suit my style (hey, no man or his family will EVER change me!). I was satisfied with my shopping experience, my purchase, and ermm, lets just not mention the rest. Needless to say, I hope you’ve gained some insight into my passion for fashion and love for all things River Island! Tell me what you think of it!

 

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