It's monsoon season!! (Monsoon)

Member Name: kiss_me2070

Product:	Monsoon
Date:	19/10/08 (619 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great styles, New Styles

Disadvantages: Pricey, some not great quality

Monsoon & Accessorize are 1 company (which I didn't know), which sell Womans wear, Childrens wear, Menswear, Home wear and jewellery.

Company History
Monsoon was founded in 1973 by Peter Simon following a period of selling shaggy wollen coats on the Portabello road and hand block printed clothes from Rajasthan to anyone who would buy them. The unusual focus was always clothes with an ethnic origian for faraway places, including dresses from Afgahanistan and countires en route.

There are currently over 400 Monsoon & Accessorize stores throughout the UK and Eire.
All Monsoon Accessorize suppliers are asked to commit to the Monsoon Accessorize Code of Conduct, which is based on the ethical trading initiative base code.

The Monsoon Trust
Thie Monsoon Accessorize trust was set up in 1994. The trust aims to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children, young people and woman in south asia with projects focusing on education, health and income generation. The trust has been registered as a UK Registered charity , number 1038446.
What do they sell?
Woman - Blouses, Shirts, Dresses, Jeans Jackets, Knitwear Nightwear, Ocassions, Skirts Swimwear, Tops & Tunics, Trousers, & Bridal wear.
Men - Jackets, Jeans Knitwear, Shirts, Tops and T-Shirts, Flip Flops & Trousers.
Children - Tops, Dresses, Trousers, Shoes, Shirts, Knitwear, Skirts & Shorts.
Home - Bathroom, Bedding, Candles & holders, Cushions, Lighting, Mirrors, Photoframes, Rugs, Storage & Tablewear.

What sizes do they do?
Woman - Size 8 - 22
Men - Size 32 - 38 (waist size) Size Small - Medium (tops)
Children - Baby (0-3), Size 3 - 13yrs.
I find that some of their sizes come up quite funny. Some size 8 clothing fit's but other size 8 clothes are way too big!
Quality of the clothing
Different materials are used such as cotton, Linen, Silk, Denim and other fabulous materials to make great looking garments. How-ever i have had problems with some of their clothes. Even after following the wasing instruction correctly and getting certain dresses dry-cleaned some of them seem to shrink or leave water marks on the clothing which is a shame seeing its so expensive.

Prices
Prices can vary from £14.00 - £230.00 (these higher prices apply to the bridal range.) I think some of the clothes are a bit over-priced & some even don't look that expensive.
Personal Shopper
In the Guildford store they have a personal shopper who has had special training on fabrics and colours to go with skin colours, hair colours,etc. All you do is book an appointment and the personal shopper will choose your garments for you and bring them back to you whilst you sit back and relax in the personal shopper room, which comes with a large changing room and plasma tv!

Monsoon account card
The monsoon account card has the lowest apr on the highstreet. Every £1 you spend you receive 1 point. For every 100 points you get, you will be rewarded with a £5.00 gift voucher. They also have special days/weekends when they have double and even triple points for monsoon account holders. You have to be 18 to open an account. Please note that this is a store card and is something I personally wouldn't sign up for, but if you shop there are lot the perks are great!
Customer Service
Staff are alwasy frindly and helpful. They'll go out their way to track down that top or dress you want in another size or colour!

All clothing products are wrapped in purple tissue and secured with monsoon stickers, this is then placed into a paper carrier bag along with your receipt & hangers if you want them. There have been a few occasions where the security tags have been left on items, so the alarm goes off as you walk out the door, which is not only embarrasing but you have to go back into the shop to get the tags removed!
Refunds/Exchanges
Refunds and exchanges can be done with 28 days, anything after that is an exchange. I've never had any problems with refunds/exchanges at this store.

Changing Rooms
When I have been into Monsoon chaging rooms, I notice they take great pride in keeping them clean, as they never seem to have dirty mirrors and never any chewing gum stuck to the curtains or walls! Unlike topshop where I've been and the curtains are covered in bits of chewing gum, which has put me off trying anything on!
Fusion
This is a new range for Monsoon, which includes vintage inspired, statment pieces in demure hues of colour and bold retro silhouettes. This range reminds me slighty of topshop and I think some of the clothes look retro and 60's style, so this isn't really a range I'm interested in.

Accessorize
Accessorize is also part of the monsoon company which stock bracelets, necklaces, anklets, flip flops, bikini's, beads and other jewellery, bags, sunglasses and more! The only thing I dont like about Accessorize jewellery is the price, considering the silver looking jewellery will turn you fingers blue if it gets wet/tarnished!
www.monsoon.co.uk
Monsoon have a website where you can order items. I have how-ever noticed that they don't sell all the items on the website, which they sell in the shop. I've never ordered from the website so i can't comment about delivery or service.

Overall Impression
Not all stores carry the home ware, menswear or fusion range. Customer service is fantastic, there's always someone who is willing to help you get the products/items you are looking for. The personal shopper is a great way to tell you what clothes and colours suit your body shape and skin colour. The personal got me out of wearing black and white and into colours! You can easily dress items up with a pair of strappy shoes or dress them down with a pair of leggings and ballet pumps. A great shopping experience and definately not an old ladies store! A lot of their sizes come up quite strange as I vary sizes in different trousers and different tops. I was also very dissapointed that they did away with the size 6 range! I'm naturaly a slim girl and I know there's other girls out there too who are naturally small and slim and I find it hard to find tops which fit me! I thought monsoon would also carry a Maternity range, but they don't!

Summary: Wedding dresses, beach dresses, jumpers, bags, shoes, coats shorts and more in one big store!