super lovely clothing, now available up Regent Street! (Esprit)

Member Name: ShoppingGirl

Product:	Esprit
Date:	13/09/00 (314 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful, feminine clothes and accessories

Disadvantages: none in Scotland, depressingly attractive staff

I take it back - Esprit has arrived on our shores in good style!

I live up here in the frozen North, but visit London for work pretty regularly. Which is nice!

Last week I had the thrill of watching (genuine?) Japanese schoolgirls singing their karaoke version of Queens 'Bicycle Ride' whilst strolling through Selfridges... bizarre but fabulous - not to mention the incredible range of desirable Japanese goodies on sale (ok, so I'm far too old for Hello Kitty - so SUE ME!)

Anyway - Esprit. Yes, what a fabulous shop. This looks to be the good old 'Flagship Store' that all the chains seem to have. It's on Regent Street, and blow me it's enormous.

Bigger than Gap!

Better than sex!

And definitely European. Not sure where Esprit originates from (France?) but the size labels are awesome - did you know a small in the uk is a medium in Italy? How depressing!

There are two huge floors of clothes - including an impressive mens range, and gorgeous kids/ baby stuff.

There are a gazillion 'departments' ranging from work clothes (a bit boring I thought) through sportswear (gorgeous, enough to get my ass down the gym) and a huge selection of jeans and t-shirty stuff.

The staff are of course not from this planet. They are uniformly six feet tall and beautiful. Well, you didn't expect reality on Regent Street, did you? Credit to them - they are all friendly and helpful, and not in the least bit snooty. Which as we know can be a bit of a nightmare.

The sizing requires a degree in physics - if in doubt ask a passing supermodel to help. As a rough guide, my allegedly size 10 hips translate to a siz 36. though i was advised to try a size 38 as they make them small!!

Was I being flattered, I wonder??

The prices vary dramatically - some of the stuff i felt was overpriced, for instance a not very well made sweatshirt at 50 quid. But this contrast
s with the lovely pink vest i bought for a tenner- fits beautifully and feels like the real deal. I guess it's similar to non-reduced stock at the Gap.

The bags are fantastic, as are the shoes. The shoe department is small but go see those pastel leather trainers and salivate!

The changing rooms are blessedly spacious, and there is no dirty look when you hand back the stuff you don't want.

I won't be back on London for a bit, but I'll put Esprit firmly on my shopping route.

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