River Island

Oh, River Island. You could be so much better.
You clearly have a sense of style, and an idea of what looks good on a range of people. You don’t specialize, and everything you sell is clearly made to a high standard. You could be purveyors of class and taste, selling clothes that buck the fashionista trend and instead let people develop their own style.
Instead, you are Top Shop’s chavvier younger brother (or sister). You fill your aisles with sequins and skinny fit jeans to attract the howling masses who consider nineteen neon colours on one shirt to be «expression». Those tanned orange lumps clutter up your store, reducing property values for miles around and you happily take their money because hey, money is money, and these idiots don’t know any better.
But you could educate them, River Island. You could show them a new way. Instead, you’re happy to line your pockets with the money they got from working their uncle’s burger van and then spent on vastly over-​priced clothes that are covered in sequins. You’re happy to let them leave looking like a nursery school spilled its art department on their clothes. For that, you get two stars. BAD RIVER ISLAND! VERY BAD RIVER ISLAND!
Although I did buy my favourite hat from you that one time. One extra star for that.

I’m not keen on the clothes in River Island, and despite this stores big size, I actually find this place makes me feel rather claustrophobic!

Yes in answer to you Laura. I find the place fairly expensive and can never decided on just one thing as I’ve fallen in love with half the shop.
I must admit I only visit it about twice a year and always come out with a new shirt/​jumper that becomes my favourite till the next I visit.
It’s one of the few shops that feel they have actually thought about the mens department and not just stuck all their stuff in a dark corner of the shop. It’s nicely spaced out with every on display to catch your eye, it’s really easy to find anything.
I also bought some sunglasses from here recently, and if you knew me you’d find that amazing. I’m so fussy with them I couldn’t actually believe I found a pair I likes. Congrats River Island, take a bow son.

Does anyone else find that River Island is one of those odd places where you go in expecting to find nothing and then find loads you want? And then you go in again, expecting to find a lot this time, but you actually find not a single item?
Well, for me anyway River Island is normally a bit hit or miss but this store seems to have its customer base well understood as there is always a good range of clothes (I almost wrote food, I should really get some breakfast).
The prices are in that awkward stage, though, where they seem to think they can charge as much as Topshop but I don’t think Topshop can charge as much as Topshop so I often leave without. If you have more money than me, though!
I took off one star for the fact that the staff are usually lovely here but once I was semi-​pushed out of the way by an assistant in a rush. I’m sure it’s important but please don’t push me.