"High Street Trends" - River Island & Topshop etc...

InstantAthiest

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it a complete turn off when men or women wear clothes from shops like Topshop and RiverIsland?

It's not so much where the clothes are from but the fact that they see dictate some sort of trends that everyone wants to buy to fit in.

I prefer something more classy - nothing to do with price or look but rather this herd mentality. It feels like people lack some level maturity or identity.... Maybe it's just me but the clientele seem to be getting older.

Anyone else share these opinions?

Usually the stuff is pretty awful, the stock of tops is black or white, and those teeshirts with "funny"/risqué messages a few years back...grim.

InstantAthiest

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Usually the stuff is pretty awful, the stock of tops is black or white, and those teeshirts with "funny"/risqué messages a few years back...grim.

Thankfully my fashion sense is immaculate.

Ubbquittious

Only stuff from shops in Warren street in London for me. Shops you have to call in advance to let them know your Rolls Royce will be arriving

The most depressing menswear can be found in the "Maine" section of Debenhams. For men who have given up on life and want clothes called things like "slacks"...

Earthhorse

I buy stuff from both those places primarily because they do my sizes. Yes some of the stuff in there is a bit too trendy for its own good but they have plenty of tasteful stuff too.

RayM

I get my jeans from Topman because I find that their slim-fit range really accentuate my well-shaped buttocks.

suicide_circus

Ah yes....I remember when i used to fit into Topshop clothing

KungPao

I only wear bootcut jeans, brown shoes, and a tasteful Ben Sherman shirt. A bit of lynx then I'm good to go.

InstantAthiest

KungPao wrote: »

I only wear bootcut jeans, brown shoes, and a tasteful Ben Sherman shirt. A bit of lynx then I'm good to go.

You'll go far!

Ipso

KungPao wrote: »

I only wear bootcut jeans, brown shoes, and a tasteful Ben Sherman shirt. A bit of lynx then I'm good to go.

Pfft. Wrangler jeans, red and black checked shirt, caterpillar boots and a black belt (preferably with a caterpillar buckle). That's style.
If I want to do laid back, maybe tracksuit bottoms and a pair of black slip ons.

ToddyDoody

Yeah they're all a bit stupid aren't they

The most interesting shop is Ralph Lauren in Kildare Village. A wonderful mix of yacht club types, and complete skangers. Though most of the stuff is pretty poor and overpriced, at least they make the effort to try brighter colours instead of drab black or white stuff.

Nermal

InstantAthiest wrote: »

Thankfully my fashion sense is immaculate.

I can smell your fedora from here.

B.A._Baracus

What's really stupid is paying over the odds for say a blank black t-shirt in one of these shops rather than buying one for 2.50 in penny's.

KungPao

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

What's really stupid is paying over the odds for say a blank black t-shirt in one of these shops rather than buying one for 2.50 in penny's.

The 2.50 one's gonna dissolve in the wash though.

B.A._Baracus

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

What's really stupid is paying over the odds for say a blank black t-shirt in one of these shops rather than buying one for 2.50 in penny's.

Cheap teeshirts become a bit...shapeless. You notice it when ironing them, they kinda twist around over time. Now whether that's an issue worth paying 10 times more for is up to the individual...

Robert McGrath

KungPao wrote: »

The 2.50 one's gonna dissolve in the wash though.

Pay 4 quid for one in Dunnes that holds its shape instead

AllForIt

Deleted User wrote: »

The most depressing menswear can be found in the "Maine" section of Debenhams. For men who have given up on life and want clothes called things like "slacks"...

That stuff if for ppl who are a bit maine.

_Dara_

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

What's really stupid is paying over the odds for say a blank black t-shirt in one of these shops rather than buying one for 2.50 in penny's.

They last far longer. I have some classic basic T shirts from Topshop that I got five years ago that are still perfect. No fading or bobbling. I've worn each of them once a week since I've bought them, so approximately 260 times. They each cost around €25.

Penney's stuff would last about a year with the same usage - terrible quality, understandably - and be about a fifth of the price. So about the same, you might say, but I'd rather go for longevity personally. Less shopping involved.

And I am still wearing them regularly and will get a couple more years out of them, I think.

Earthhorse

Deleted User wrote: »

Cheap teeshirts become a bit...shapeless. You notice it when ironing them, they kinda twist around over time. Now whether that's an issue worth paying 10 times more for is up to the individual...

They often start out shapeless too. The cut of a lot of stuff in Penneys would make you wonder who they're making clothes for.

SEPT 23 1989

I have muscle on my legs so those shops are a waste of time

How can someone who attends a gym regularly wear skinny jeans?

Are Am Eye

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Cheap teeshirts become a bit...shapeless. You notice it when ironing them, they kinda twist around over time. Now whether that's an issue worth paying 10 times more for is up to the individual...

Straight after your greatist post of all time Conor you come in telling us you iron your t shirts

AllForIt

River Island - got some nice things in River Island - a suit, leather boots - but some of their sweatshirts and t-shirt designs are just totally not me. Their jeans can be very nice too. Only ever shop there during the sales as their stuff is way overpriced imo.

Top Shop was good for me in my disco bunny days. And their designs were much better in the late 90's/early 00's too. Wouldn't bother with it all nowadays - all looks very bland to me.

Next - how they manage to stay open I don't know. Prolly the women's section that's keeping it alive as the mens section is never busy. I can't think what type of person would buy from their mensware dept as it's really expensive for very old fashioned designs and not in any way trendy or distinctive.

Nowadays I'm be much more into likely to buy my casual clothes from private retailers that stock good brands rather than from those chain stores.

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

I have muscle on my legs so those shops are a waste of time

How can someone who attends a gym regularly wear skinny jeans?

Stretchy skinny jeans is the answer.

Are Am Eye

I wanted to try out these trends but I took a wrong turn and ended up on the High Way. And not the High Street.

Are Am Eye

Are Am Eye wrote: »

Straight after your greatist post of all time Conor you come in telling us you iron your t shirts

As much as I love her, I wouldn't leave my wife near my clothes when it comes to ironing. She doesn't really get the whole "work shirts need a crisp line along the arm" thing. Even when I lived at home, wouldn't leave my Mum iron my clothes, they don't invest enough care and attention to them...

Jesus Wept

Deleted User wrote: »

Cheap teeshirts become a bit...shapeless. You notice it when ironing them, they kinda twist around over time. Now whether that's an issue worth paying 10 times more for is up to the individual...

Ironing tshirts? Gway with ya.

r3nu4l

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

I have muscle on my legs so those shops are a waste of time

How can someone who attends a gym regularly wear skinny jeans?

These are the guys who forget leg day and sit in the gym doing bicep curls for an hour, imagining that the women will love their 'guns'.

jamesbere

KungPao wrote: »

I only wear bootcut jeans, brown shoes, and a tasteful Ben Sherman shirt. A bit of lynx then I'm good to go.

Is the top few buttons of the shirt open

Irish Guitarist

I wouldn't buy a t-shirt from River Island because they wouldn't fit me. If I saw someone else wearing one I wouldn't have a clue where they bought it nor would I give a shite.

wakka12

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

What's really stupid is paying over the odds for say a blank black t-shirt in one of these shops rather than buying one for 2.50 in penny's.

Well, to a point. Better quality t-shirts at higher price last much much longer than penny t-shirts. White pennys t-shirts go grey and stay grey after just one wear and wash

Are Am Eye

wakka12 wrote: »

Well, to a point. Better quality t-shirts at higher price last much much longer than penny t-shirts. White pennys t-shirts go grey and stay grey after just one wear and wash

They should charge extra for that.
It's like buying two t-shirts.

NinetyTwoTeam

Plain tees from a branded shop will fit better and last longer and are not as dear as the ones with graphics on them. They're good value imo if the fit is good. Penney's t-shirts are disgusting. Horrible cuts, horrible fabric, not dyed properly, won't last. No man should shop there for any clothes really. Unlike most women we tend to dislike being in shops all the time and tend to hold onto clothes longer, worth it to spend a bit more to get stuff that will last.

Someone mentioned next, I concur, their stuff is so overpriced for such dad style average stuff. They have nice jackets sometimes but again overpriced. But one thing I do get from them is boxers. The elastic lasts a good while and they don't put garish patterns or colour in.

River Island does some nice jeans, I also like pull and bear jeans which are pretty cheap. Topman the jeans are basically leggings I like em slim but not nuthuggers so I don't get jeans from there though I got a class denim jacket from there that fits perfect.

I haven't bought any new clothes for almost a year though, I can't afford it

jojofizzio

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

I have muscle on my legs so those shops are a waste of time

How can someone who attends a gym regularly wear skinny jeans?

You need to educate yourself on the "Paul Galvin clothes" thread,my dear man >>>>:)

razorblunt

I use the 2 for £10 tshirts from Next and RiverIsland for holidays, some times you get lucky and they wear well, other times its a lottery to even get tshirts that actually fit the same.

The RI "trend" gear I avoid, but they do have decent Oxford shirts and some of their tshirts are definitely decent for casual wear so I always end up with a few of them in the wardrobe.

seachto7

jojofizzio wrote: »

You need to educate yourself on the "Paul Galvin clothes" thread,my dear man >>>>:)

As someone said: "Look at yer man, with the clothes bate onto him"

B.A._Baracus

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

What's really stupid is paying over the odds for say a blank black t-shirt in one of these shops rather than buying one for 2.50 in penny's.

Used to think the same till my brother visited and left some clothes because he didn't have room in his bags.. I'd never spend $50 on a plain t-shirt but love the ones he left. They're just better.

sbsquarepants

Earthhorse wrote: »

They often start out shapeless too. The cut of a lot of stuff in Penneys would make you wonder who they're making clothes for.

What species even sometimes!


I have a simple method that has served me well - if I need clothes, I go and have a look, if I like it and it doesn't cost the earth - (I seen a t shirt the other day for €85, would you fúck right off) I buy it. I couldn't give a toss what the name of the shop is or whether it's on trend or not.

Dramatik

How come H&M hasn't been mentioned? It has to be the most generic of the lot, you buy something in there walk out of the shop and you almost always spot someone on the street almost immediately wearing the same item you've just purchased.

_Dara_

Dramatik wrote: »

How come H&M hasn't been mentioned? It has to be the most generic of the lot, you buy something in there walk out of the shop and you almost always spot someone on the street almost immediately wearing the same item you've just purchased.

Well, H&M does a lot of basics, that's one of its things; that's why you'll see a lot of people wearing stuff from there. It always seems less trend-driven to me than other high street shops. I like the place. It's a great alternative to Penney's if you are on a budget. It's just a bit more expensive than Penney's but the clothes are better quality.

Lux23

I don't like anything that is overtly branded or has a silly slogan on it, don't really care where it is bought from to be fair though.

Canard

Who says anyone is following a trend by buying clothes in shops you can find easily? I'd find it weirder if someone went out of their way to avoid them.

Most of them have the same clothes anyway, I got a lovely jacket in River Island on sale when the exact same one was three times the price in Topman. But RI stuff is waaaay overpriced, sales and reductions are the way to go.

topper75

KungPao wrote: »

I only wear bootcut jeans, brown shoes, and a tasteful Ben Sherman shirt. A bit of lynx then I'm good to go.

Be careful now - all the gay hipster lads will be mad after you.

I mean they will slate you on here.

But secretly they will be mad after you.

Vinculus

I get all my clothes from Clotheslines.
Their styles are so random you never know what you will find from one day to the next.

_Kaiser_

I've never been particularly fashionable and I'm OK with it. The price of some of the stuff is ridiculous.

I spend most of my week in "business casual" clothes of jeans and a shirt and that's fine with me. Besides, I find I'm more comfortable in a suit than say a tracksuit (which I don't even own any of). Ditto shoes rather than runners.

Had a girlfriend though who decided I need a new look, and suggested we go shopping and I went with an open mind, but the stuff she had me trying on had me looking like a 20 year old (I was mid-30s at the time). It was all explained though when I met her ex as he wore the same stuff.

Kimbot

KungPao wrote: »

I only wear bootcut jeans, brown shoes, and a tasteful Ben Sherman shirt. A bit of lynx then I'm good to go.

Marry Me???? :pac:

valoren

Haven't worn a pair of Jeans since my early 20's over 15 years ago.

fizzypish

InstantAthiest wrote: »

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it a complete turn off when men or women wear clothes from shops like Topshop and RiverIsland?

How do you tell what shop they bought their clothes in? I recognize those names. Zara, thats another one. Couldn't tell any of them apart though.....

222233

InstantAthiest wrote: »

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it a complete turn off when men or women wear clothes from shops like Topshop and RiverIsland?

It's not so much where the clothes are from but the fact that they see dictate some sort of trends that everyone wants to buy to fit in.

I prefer something more classy - nothing to do with price or look but rather this herd mentality. It feels like people lack some level maturity or identity.... Maybe it's just me but the clientele seem to be getting older.

Anyone else share these opinions?

Loads of classy pieces in RI and Topshop. I love both stores, they carry looks for everyone and I find the fits immaculate. I have an abundance of Topshop jeans that cost probably 50 euro from 5 years ago that are still perfect, I don't see why one wouldn't shop there.

I don't see herd mentality as being a thing, fashion trends change all the time, they follow the trends but they also stock basics and statement pieces.

HalloweenJack

I'm not bothered by what other people wear and I don't feel any pressure to wear the clothes that "trend-setting" shops push. If I like it, I'll wear it. If I don't, I won't.

Clearly, there's a big market for that style of clothing so that's why it exists. Noone is forced to buy and wear the products they supply. It's perfectly easy to just walk past these shops and not give them two thoughts.