tops.co.uk > Reviews (25)

I just had a nosy through other ops for tops.co.uk or topshop.co.uk, I noticed that some were quite old, although a couple were modern, but the older ones were somewhat unfair, as the site has been redesigned since then. As I use the site regularly I just want to give a more recent opinion of the shopping experience.

Anyone who has read other reviews of mine will be well aware that i like to shop. I like handbags, shoes, clothes, make-up. i'm the ultimate girlie-girl, and when it comes to my clothes I like to be a little experimental. My love of buying things never leaves me, and even while i'm sitting at university... doing work... i'm still secretly shopping on sites like topshop.

*** THE SITE ***

Type into your browser and you are immediately taken to a flash intro. This says that you may need to download the flash plug in etc... but most browsers will have this already. The site loads quickly and you are presented with an image of a model wearing "this week's" clothes. this photograph changes every week. it's alway's quite edgy and modern though... just like topshop's philosophy.

There is a horizontal menu bar with the titles: new, shop, collections, boutique and info. If you rollover any of these, a drop down menu appears with further categories you can choose from. for example, If you click on "new" the drop-down menu lists the sub-categories: new in, objects of desire, lingerie collections, half term events, and new gen. clicking one of these will lead directly to the desired information.

I tend to visit "new in" first, as it only shows the new clothes. When you click this link you are led to a new screen with a big picture of an item in the middle, and 12 thumbnails of other items to the right hand side. Clicking one of the smaller items leads it to replace the bigger item, so that you can get a better look at all the details. When an item is displayed in the "Big section" you are also given the price and a brief description.

To see more objects you must click on one of a series of squares. This is the navigation button, although i do not feel it is intuitive enough. It resembles decoration, rather than a forward button.

The design is mostly consistent throughout the site, with a few different layouts of pages. For example if one clicks SHOP, then FASHION TOPS, the items displayed are bigger. running in two horizonal lines. Clicking on an item displays a large GIF and information about the item. Here you can also choose your size, and add to your shopping basket.

When you do add something to your shopping basket, an information box is generated in the right hand corner of every screen, telling you what you've chosen to buy.

*** THE CLOTHES ***

I won't go into tremendous detail about Topshop's clothes, as most people know the shop quite well. Basically Topshop's clothes are very modern and at times can be quite extreme. They are on the cutting edge of fashion for young women. The clothes are of a good standard, and in my experience wash and wear very well.

Size wise i find their clothes big. I am typically a size 10, but always choose a size 8 in Topshop, especially with trousers.

Whatever is in fashion at the moment, and whatever may be in fashion in the future will be available in Topshop stores throughout the country. But at this stage i must state that not every item you find in the shops will be available online: it just wouldn't be possible. Instead a limited selection of the most popular and fashionable items are added online each week.

It may be worth noting that if you live in a town where the Topshop is of the "smaller" variety, then you wont be able to buy all the special designer ranges that Topshop stocks each season. These are limited editions, and thankfully Topshop.co.uk makes these clothes available to everyone (not just Londoners!)

The sections: Fashion Tops, Basic Tops, Knitwear, Trousers, Bags, Skirts, Mini Skirts, Dresses, Jeans, Coats, Sno, Accessories, Shoes, Lingerie, Underwear, Swimwear, Petites, Tall Girl, Jewwellery, Vouchers. PHEW!!! It is worth noting that there is a fairly good selection of all of these!

*** THE SERVICE ***

For the record, Topshop.co.uk is powered by Zoom, who also run other store websites. I'll now talk you through the purchace procedure. Click on your basket icon and you are shown the usual form to fill in your datails. You can choose between Standard (£3.95) or Express (£4.95) delivery i think these are a little hefty, price-wise. But that's the breaks! Delivery for me has always been hassle free, and returns are free and easy.

I have never personally had to deal with any problems with the company, and i am content to continue using topshop online- ideal for the lazy girl's shopping!