River Island

[Starry-Eyed]

I think I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this store... I can go sometimes and find loads of really pretty things.. then other times its just like a neon assault..! Anyone any thoughts on the place? i think their shoes are pretty good, but I can't stand those cheapo *it-bags* from RI that everyone and their mother seems to have...

http://www.riverisland.com

 

[Dali]

When I walk in the store I see al those tacky thing, but there are a lot of nice items between those tacky thing.

 

[Mindbear]

I feel exactly the same!

You can get blinded by the myriad of horrors covered in rotten embellishments and sequins, but then you'll find something really great. They also ruin a lot of nice items with nasty buttons, shiny things and little badges. Stop it! It makes everything rubbish.

 

[Starry-Eyed]

I think they just go a bit overboard on trends.. like the neon vests and high-waisted skirts at the moment... Their sales seem to be quite agressive as well, I'm not able to hack it!

 

[Hanne]

I'm a bit of a River Island novice.. despite having lived in London I never visited the chain.. untill a visit back to London this spring.. and I must say I was pleasantly surprised.

I got a pair of sandals that was very reminicent of something Bottega Veneta would make, and I was tempted to buy other shoes there as well .. so yes.. thumbs up to whoever designs their shoes.

I got a dress that I recieved so many compliments for.. but I agree there is also a lot of crap..

They got loads of cheap stockings.. same pricerange as topshop.. but IMO the colors were better in the sense that they were more uncommon and interesting..

 

[Starry-Eyed]

So went to River Island on my break today and got some nice things..
Urg so clearly I'm having a slow day cos I can't post my pics but I bought really nice grey cable-knit tights and a green skirt with a black waistband.. the skirt is a size too big though so I may see if they have a smaller one in town tomorrow.. I'm you can get a good mental image of them!

 

[daisybella]

I used to adore river island
but I rarely go in there now.
Idk. Some of their stuff is wonderful, but the nasty things tend to put me off having a good look through.

 

[dumbfairy]

Some of their things seem very cheap,something that a certain kind of girl would wear,I and agree about all the embellishment and neon colours. I have a great jacket from there that I'll find a photo of maybe and some of their dresses can be beautiful (I'm weraing one to a party on Friday )

 

[cattelia]

I bought a dress in Amsterdam, which I absolutely adored at that given time. It's in bright colours, like colour blocks, something that is very unlike me, so I was quite shocked that I found it so pretty..
But sure, too good to be true.
The silk, which I doubt very much to be silk, is so fragile, in a non-silky-fragile way. The colours, although washed only once wears off just by hanging on a hanger. It's almost as though it wants to destroy its own existence.
Anyway, I will never buy from River Island again.

 

[Deborah]

I also have a love/hate thing with River Island. The sizes are v. odd and they stick diamantes on things faaaar too often! But they do pretty good accesories and pjs etc.

 

[yellowetpink]

I like River Island. Its affordable and much better quality than places like New Look or Primark. The stuff's nicer too.

 

[daisybella]

Some of their things seem very cheap,something that a certain kind of girl would wear,I and agree about all the embellishment and neon colours. I have a great jacket from there that I'll find a photo of maybe and some of their dresses can be beautiful (I'm weraing one to a party on Friday )

I agree, I've bought some great stuff from there, my very favourite skirt, my winter coat and some other bits and bobs,
I just wish there was more of the good stuff and less embellishment

 

[dumbfairy]

I love how we all seem to agree that they stick way too much stuff on their clothes And how they tend to put 'RL' on a lot of them too

 

[Dustcakeboy]

Love/hate here too. Their shoes are pretty amazing, which is a rarity when it comes to mens' shoes. Their actual clothes I'm far from head-over-heels with...they're still stuck in that "let's plaster a random number or collegic term over ALL our shirts and tees" rut.

 

[Starry-Eyed]

Love/hate here too. Their shoes are pretty amazing, which is a rarity when it comes to mens' shoes. Their actual clothes I'm far from head-over-heels with...they're still stuck in that "let's plaster a random number or collegic term over ALL our shirts and tees" rut.

Hahaha!! soo true, there shoes are pretty cool though, and even their flats aren't such bad quality.. they may not be the cheapest on the high street, but they do have a pretty good sole on them and last a long time.
Bought these a few weeks ago.
View attachment 418457
Sometimes their accessories can be quite nice.. not their *stick everything shiny in the world together* bags, but their jewellery, hats scarves.. that kinda thing. I did get a rather mad pink straw trilby for a fiver.

 

[Deborah]

They're nice pumps. Yeah they have nice accesories and they are always good for beach bits in the summer.

 

[vivalavida]

This t-shirt is rather funky

 

[cesmursparlent]

Hm similar. I've bought some great coats from there and a few cute dresses. Also their shoes are good and the quality of their handbags isn't bad either.

It's just a shame you have to fight your way though 'Princess' sequined on the **** cheek of rails of jeans to find any gems.

 

[lifeistiffanyblu]

thats all very true but i thnk river island is the first place to head if youre going for a costume party and want to do an over the top tacky 80s neonlook lol

 

[sundaymorning]

this store likes to over embellish garments i think, too many sequins, rips etc.
but there are some things that are nice! i haven't been to a RI in a while, i may go in sometime soon