So cheap! (Primark)

Member Name: ice_pink

Product:	Primark
Date:	29/07/09 (105 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very cheap, large range, not too bad quality

Disadvantages: Often dont have your sizes in

~*~ Primark ~*~

I remember the day when I used to be embarrassed to be seen in Primark. My mum would drag me in, and I would scan around the entrance and exits in shame praying that we wouldn't spot anyone I knew. Oh how things have changed! The image of Primark has changed dramatically recently, and so has my budget. Being a struggling student I have grown to appreciate the importance of 50p knickers and £1 tops, therefore making Primark a significant part of my life!


~*~ A little bit about the store ~*~

Primark's motto is 'look good pay less'. The store offers fashion clothing for men, women and children at rock bottom prices. Primark started off trading as 'Penney's (which remains its name in Ireland) in Dublin in 1969. By 1973 it had introduced its first four stores to the UK. There are now 136 Primark stores in the UK as well as over 50 more in Ireland, Spain, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands. So it's doing pretty well!


~*~ The stock ~*~

Primark stocks a huge range of women's, men's and childrenswear. The ladies department is usually the largest in stores and consists of clothing, footwear, accessories and lingerie. The clothing ranges from plain little t-shirts and vest all the way up to formal dresses and more up-to-the minute fashions, for example wet look leggings and skinny jeans are currently in stores.

It depends how large your nearest Primark is, but in larger stores you will find a great selection of shoes at amazingly cheap prices, from pumps and flats to sandals, flip flops and high heels, there really is something for everyone. The lingerie is also good, with a good selection of sets, separates and sleepwear.

The menswear department is usually smaller than the women's but they store still caters for men well, with articles sold including formalwear, plain t-shirts and jeans and footwear from work shoes and plimsolls to trainers and flip flops. Pretty much everything you would expect to find in men's clothing stores.

Primark also caters for children from birth so it is a good place to stock up on baby essentials if you are expecting or know someone who is. Children grow out of clothes so quickly that it seems silly to spend a small fortune on something they'll only get a few months wear out of, so this makes Primark's prices ideal.

Most Primark stores also have a home department, selling bedding, towels and rugs amongst other things. I've never found anything amazing in the home department but it is a good place for stocking up on home essentials at good prices.


~*~ The prices ~*~

The best part! Primark is probably one of the cheapest clothing stores you will be able to find, with you regularly being able to pick up t-shirts for £1.50, jeans for £6 and trousers for £4. Most pumps cost about £4 up to around £8 for more fashionable pairs, and I wouldn't expect to pay more than around £15 for a pair of heels. For those sort of prices you can't go wrong!


~*~ My verdict.... ~*~

I love Primark and think it's a brilliant place to stock up on essentials such as socks, tights and underwear for less than half the price you would pay in other fashion stores such as Topshop. I have found the store stocks items very similar to those in popular fashion stores, although they usually take a bit longer to reach the shops than say Topshop. The plain t-shirts and vests and shorts are ideal for taking on holiday, and for no more than £2 it doesn't matter if you leave them there!

There are a couple of drawbacks to the store. The first one is that it is often impossible to find things you like in your size. You are likely to find a gorgeous dress with 40 of them in size 8, but no other sizes on offer. That brings me to my second point. Primark often brings in ranges and then doesn't restock, so if you see something you like buy it immediately as its likely that when you return it wont be there anymore - I've made that mistake before!

The quality of items is usually OK, especially considering the prices. Fair enough, they aren't the best quality clothing you can buy, but they are about on par with other high street brands, which is brilliant considering how much cheaper you are getting them for.

Overall, I love Primark and would definitely recommend any poor people who have yet to experience it get themselves down there immediately!

Summary: A great budget fashion retailer!