Topshop on Oxford Street



I was excited to go to Topshop. I went there a few times when I was in the UK in 2001 while studying abroad, and was excited when they opened one in New York and when Toronto's Jonathan+Olivia started carrying Topshop.  However, the prices in these stores are a bit higher than in London (and knowing London's prices for their non-British brands...Topshop was definitely worth checking out).  I had looked at the website before, and had a rough idea of what I was planning to buy. 

On my first full day in London, I checked out the flagship on Oxford Street.  I knew the store had a petite section and was excited to see what it had to offer.  Sadly, the selection was very small for the size of the store (it was not much bigger than the petite corner at Next, and this Topshop was probably twice its size.  It was a FLAGSHIP for goodness sakes!  And the one jacket which caught my eye was only available in one size.  Seriously....every single jacket (and there were at least 15 of them) was in a UK size 12 (US 8). The standard size was fine, though. 

I don't know if it's just me or not, but I didn't find TopShop as appealing this time around.  Though there are pieces which I'd purchase and some of the things do look good online, I think I'm getting a little too old for the place.  I know that there are plenty of girls my age (31) who are still into funkier looking clothes, but that's just not me.  I'm for things that are just a little more lady-like and sophisticated (which sadly, many women don't seem to care that much about anymore). I don't want to look like I'm about to hit a club that plays nothing but music that would give me a headache. 

Of course, this isn't to say that the Topshop flagship was BAD.  It's an affordable brand in a place where almost everything else is very expensive, compared with even New York.  And if you're interested in funkier clothes, then this is definitely the place to go.  If you're more conservative, like me, then you'll need to look very carefully for pieces that spice up the classics just ENOUGH. :)  

Anthropologie Faves!

I've been looking at the Anthropologie website and am IN LOVE with the following outfits.  Some of them, especially the non-denim outfits which are available in petites are going to be an uber-splurge (thanks so much taxes and duty charges), though...

In The Trees Skirt

$188 CAD

(Available in petite sizes 0P to 14P)

Frill Force Jacket

$228 CAD

Sizes 0-14 (regular and petite sizes)

Soft Scallop cardigan

$138 CAD

XS-XL (regular sizes only; 2 colours)

Puckered Hydrangea Blouse

$88 CAD

Sizes 0-14 (regular only)

Tweedy Leaves Dress

$188 CAD

Sizes 0-14 (regular only)

From-the-Poles Jacket

$148 CAD

Sizes XS-XL (regular sizes only; in four colours)

There are many more that I like, but there are too many to list!  Stay tuned for more for more!!

Fashion industry and size

A recent New York Times article mentioned the fact that model Coco Rocha is being booked less this season because she is now a size four and considered "too fat" by industry standards. WTF!!!! Really, it's up to the designers to make changes. We can complain all we want, but there won't be any changes unless the designers change.

Note: A similar post (with this very video) is up in Prospere Magazine as well.

Update: Coco Rocha has a post about this very topic

Banana Republic Petites and Bayview Village

I was at Bayview Village the other day and found out that their petite section has disappeared. It turns out that it had moved - to the store at Shops at Don Mills (note: the store there is only sells women's clothing, so it makes sense for them to sell petites). According to a salesperson at the Bayview store, they just didn't have enough inventory for four stores. What do you think of this? I don't think there's necessarily a lack of demand for petite sizes there - they wouldn't have put petites there in the first place (unless it was supposed to be a temporary location until the store at Don Mills opened). There are a lot of Asian people who live in the area, many of them who are young and petite. The population can also afford Banana Republic. Of course, WANTING to purchase Banana Republic is another thing too...