Anthropologie

[iarebaboon]

i don't get it. In that I never hear them mentioned anywhere, and I don't know how I became aware of them, or why they send me catalogues

But every so often they have The Perfect Item like this that usually I cannot afford

Arecthey American? Is their stuff worth the £££? And will I look super cool yet kooky like their models if I adopt the look, or just downright weird and badly mismatched?

[mirpuppet]

Anthropologie has cult status on some fashion blogs. They are big in the US and there are people who go in, try the clothes and blog about them.

I have not purchased as it is expensive and I'm no that high maintenance (yet).

When I was in NY I went to several stores during the summer sales and many item, obviously picked over, looked dismal -- but I think that happens to most clothes and these clothes had been through a frenzy.

[LaPruneDeMaTante]

I like the idea of Anthropologie - they sell small 'indie' brands under one roof. Except that there's always something that doesn't work about each item you try on. Everything is a miss. The quality varies hugely and is rarely good. Also, the 'girlie' interiors stuff kind of makes me want to kill, but that's just me.

[Jellykat]

Well it says their first 'store' was opened in Pennsylvania so reckon they're American.. My mum happened to receive a catalogue today, and i looked through it- very puzzled- I can't work them out, some expensive classy pieces mixed with some basic ethnic designs, and the odd jumper that looks like a right old hippy type knitted it.. odd mix!

I reckon if you attempted to mix these 3 catagories, badly mismatched would be your answer

[iarebaboon]

Oh but look at this wallpaper

Gorgeous

I've just ordered some tops in the sale. Will be v interested to see the quality and fit

I can see how there could be sone misses, I think you'd need to ve a certain type to pull some of the stuff off, I'm not very cool and am quite fat, so unlikely to be able to

Interested in what you both say though, so thanks :)

[iarebaboon]

Yes jellycat, that pretty much summed up my initial impression

But there are some really nice things

[LaPruneDeMaTante]

It is American and is the same company as Urban Outfitters and another one whose name I can't recall.

It is honestly such a mishmash - you couldn't go in there and get 'an outfit' (god I sound like I want matching polyester blouse and skirt!) but you could get one item that will be mismatched with everything else you own and if you can get away with that and make it look great then you're better at dressing than me (not hard)

There's a kind of odd polyester slightly furry aztec batwing sweater vibe about some of the clothes and then again you'll find something which has the most amazing fabric, really unique. I so badly wanted a silk tunic from there yesterday but it was £218 and it's winter so I'd freeze.

[lucysmum]

The store on Oxford St is great - a living wall among other things. But probably more for looking than buying. I think you need to be very young and skinny to carry the look off otherwise risk looking like a bag lady or the character Emma Thompson plays in the HPotter filmds. I always visit along with the Apple store, Cos, Banana Republic and Liberty when I get to London (about once a year...).

[ujjayi]

I HEART Anthropologie. Am currently studying fashion and my intention is to open a small boutique based on the Anthropologie model: a little fashion (my designs plus vintage), furniture, crockery & glassware, bedlinen etc.

I do balk at some of the prices but their sales are fantastic and overall their quality is far, far better than the high street generally. I love that despite being a chain it still feels unique and not ubiquitous.

[ameliameerkat]

One just opened in Edinburgh recently and I could seriously live in that shop. Love it! Can't afford to buy anything in it mind......

[pinkytheshrunkenhead]

Oh but the plates, the plates...........

I love Anthropologie

[iarebaboon]

Their sale seems pretty good (although I did spend £250 I haven't got)