White Stuff

White Stuff pegs itself as one of that breed of shops that trades on how quirky it comes across, and in a world where Primark has more floorspace than the local castle, quirkiness can be good. They’re of the same ilk as Hobo’s and those kinds of shops. Specifically, White Stuff pegs itself as a shop concerned with the environment and looking to introduce a touch of multiculturalism into the fashionista consciousness, giving the impression that the business owners were a group of hippies who lived through the 60s and 70s, saw the rise of capitalism and thought «that doesn’t actually sound too bad…»
And normally, that would get right on my nips. That pseudo-​ethnicity that some businesses lay claim to that says «we’re just foreign enough to you to seem interesting, but not foreign enough scare you» is terrible. It’s a horrible, calculated thing that transforms an entire culture into a marketing commodity. However, where White Stuff scores points is in the fact that this doesn’t come across as a ploy. The company takes steps to hire backpackers and travelers as staff in order to get people with experience in these cultures. It’s a dedication to an ethos that is distressingly rare nowadays.

I don’t ever claim to be in the know on fashions and the latest shops. I just decided to go in here cos of the funny little nodding corgi dogs they have in the window!
I’d probably describe the clothes as a little but hippy or maybe bohemian is the word I’m after, or mabye its just beachy! My problem is that it would be great if only we had nice hot summers when we could actually wear this stuff! Personally the clothes are a little bit more than I usually pay but they do feel good quality.
If I was going on holiday this summer i’d check it out for some comfy beach wear but really its nothing new or or that different from any other shops. Looked promising from outside, but left me disapointed.

Every time I walk into this shop I have the same dilemma. I adore everything, but can afford nothing.
Really, everything in this shop makes you say something along the lines of: ‘That’s lovely.’ Sometimes I go in just to look, wander around, and look some more. Occasionally I might even try something on.
Now, please don’t get me wrong; I think that the quality of these clothes is absolutely worth the price tags attached to them. The detailing and materials used are beautiful, once I fell in love with a jumper just for its lining. And the staff are so lovely and polite that you don’t feel too bad just browsing. The layout of the Cardiff store is very well done, and they use the extra window space in the Royal Arcade to great advantage.
White Stuff, I think, is what Fat Face used to be. So go in, look around, enjoy the pretty.
You might even go so far as to buy something!

White Stuff opened in November. It caters to both men and women, though has about 3x as much for women as men. Most of the clothing is classic preppy– solid colour sweaters with occasional rugby-​stripe patterns, bootcut jeans, a few tunic tops. Think ‘Gap’, but not quite so boring.
Prices are comparable to Gap as well– expect to pay between 30 and 50 quid for a sweater, and 30 for a pair of jeans.
Staff are friendly and attentive and the dressing rooms are well lit.