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Feature: Jenny Coggins
TAKING up a massive four floors, 'The World's Largest fashion
store' is an obvious example for showing why London's shoppers
have it so good.
Formerly at the Nike Town site next door, Top Shop (TS) has just
grown and grown in size since its move to the current site round
the corner.
Want to find it? You can't miss it.
As you first walk in, your eyes will be dazzled by the sheer
amount of accessories.
There's the Freedom range (very big on plastic fantastic at the
mo, so if you're not a fan, avoid) or the excellent luggage range,
which makes going on holiday even more fun.
Or you can pick up a pair of patterned tights that will be stepping
out on many a pair of pins this season.
If you venture downwards, you will find Topshop basics, such
as their flattering £6 vest, as well as their massive selling
Ria jeans.
This is also the floor to find the shoe section, now housing
Bertie, as well as their own ranges.
Pop over into the newly designed underwear section, and you
will find Topshop's 'naughty but nice' logo knickers, plus beautiful
ranges from Calvin Klein and Young Attitude.
The basement is the place on the High Street for fashion devotees
wanting that touch of individualism.
If you enter the Bazaar, you will find beautiful reclaimed silk
tops from Minkey, lacy and funky designs from Love You Long Time
and cheeky skirts by Get Cutie.
There's also the Vintage division for cheap originals.
Ascend upwards and you will find Topman housing an array of cool
slogan T's, jeans and sweat bands.
For those men wanting something that little bit different, there's
Thrift 214, in which to hunt for retro originals.
Special Features
On one below zero, you will find a café serving right
throughout the day for all those shopping pit stops. You can choose
from a coffee to cake, and all for under a fiver.
If you are looking for an outfit with only a few hours to spare,
you can stop off at the nail bar, and they will take care of bringing
your nails into line with your new clothes. Prices start at £10.
Alternatively, keep a bored shopping companion quiet by shoving
a few sweets in their mouth at the pick and mix on the ground
floor.
Or stick them in front of the massive video screens dotted around
the store, where they can be mesmerised by the new Beyonce video,
as the store's in-house DJs pick some fine motivating shopping
tunes.
Bazaar will customise items on request, so show off your originals
to your friends by calling 020 7927 0049.
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Personal Shopper
A fab, free service that only requires a booked appointment and
you aren't even obliged to spend a penny!
You get very lovely and special attention in a VIP area where
you can have all the clothes bought to you or you can hunt them
out with the shopper.
If you are stuck for an original crimbo present this year, you
can buy a shopping spree voucher, starting at a £100. Call
0800 731 884.
The Boring Basics
Topshop offers a friendly refund policy: keep the receipt and
you can return for your money back within 28 days of the purchase.
Without a receipt, an exchange is offered.
There's a 10% discount for all NUS card holders and for the devoted
TS fan there's the store account card.
Room for improvement?
The loos were a great idea when the store first opened, with
the fountain at which to wash hands and make a shopping wish.
But now the hand dryers rarely work and the bathroom is dimly
lit.
Other Flagship Stores
New Look
Barely open a month, the New Look flagship store is now at Marble
Arch. With steps leading up to it like a shopping heaven, it's
an excellent example of how a flagship store can get away with
trying out things that other branches couldn't dare.
This is not to say all these ideas work, though - some look good
but just aren't practical, such as the worm-like plastic tube
that runs throughout the shop (tall people beware!), and the trolleys
that appear out of nowhere, but look futuristic enough for you
to forgive the person who just hit you in the ankles!
Open until 10pm, even on Monday nights, New Look is really challenging
all of its High Street competitors to stay up past their bedtime.
HMV
While little to look at, HMV is a must-see store, as it goes the
traditional flagship route of housing all the stuff you just can't
get anywhere else.
It also plays host to many in-store gigs, including the Madonna
one back at the start of Summer.
All types of music are on catered for, with extensive back catalogues
for loads of artists and bands.
There are DVDs and videos galore, as well as books and magazines.
You can also use the Ticketmaster service to purchase gig tickets.
And, if you still can't find what you are looking for, then staff
can order it in for you.
And one to watch out for…
Forbidden Planet has lifted off to a new superstore site on Shaftsbury
Avenue. Let's hope it offers some out of this world shopping…
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