“These are clothes so absurdly trendy that shoppers might think they were at Forever 21, or even Bang Bang, if it were not for the higher prices, with dresses often costing $100 to $150, and the marketing of Topshop as a destination for cool design. The creative style of the sales staff helps to create that illusion.” —Eric Wilson weighs in on Topshop in The New York Times.
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posted by guest
Apr 09, 2009 11:27AM
I haven't even bothered to go to Topshop yet but I tend to agree with the man from the what I've seen on the website. I can't speak on the quality, maybe it's worth $100. http://isnotfashion.blogspot.com/
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posted by guest
Apr 09, 2009 12:32PM
I glad I didn't get caught up in the TopShop craze last week, because as the reviews are coming in more and more people are pointing out that the quality does not match the price tag.
However the store does carry a few unique pieces that I haven’t seen in other “young” trendy clothing stores, and I’m sure that’s what will separate it from the masses.
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posted by andreakcastillo
Apr 09, 2009 1:28PM
I will have to agree in part to this statement. I will say that I did get caught up in the craze; waited in the line twice last week, and tried on a couple duds. The merchandise is super trendy, but I do believe it has an edge and the price points will keep it out of the "masses" so to speak, who are looking for a bargain. Overall I do like the clothing, but I do believe some items are a bit overpriced in regards to quality...
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posted by etoilee8
Apr 09, 2009 11:23PM
Truthfully, I'm just sick of hearing the word "Topshop". I'm sick of people feeding into the hype and frenzy. Lines around the block? Give me an effin' break. Topshop is good (I'll give them that) . . . but whenever a European chain comes to America they dumb down the collection, ditch the edgier stuff and adjust the price (usually higher). Plus, with everyone going nuts over it like it's the fountain of eternal life, you better believe there will never be a good sale. . . EVER. The best items I've gotten from Topshop have been from their infamous sales . . . tough luck on that over here. Whenever America goes apeshit over something I once loved, it tends to get written off as done in my book. Why? Because here in the USA, we know how to overkill just about anything. Run it straight into the ground. (Harry Potter, anyone?)
In one of those ridiculous gossip rags they called Topshop the Secret of the Stars and it made me so livid. Anyone in the know, has known about Topshop for years!
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posted by bluealvarez
Apr 10, 2009 9:47AM
I never got the Topshop thing, as I'd always understood it to be the UK version of Urban Outfitters. It's an okay store, on par with what Zara has become - which isn't really a compliment. (Lord, Zara was so amazing when it first broke in North America, much higher quality designs.)
I visited Topshop for the first time about 5 years ago, when I was in London for a friend's wedding. And I was all hyped up to see what the fuss was about and left thinking "Cute stuff, nothing special, would rather blow all my money on one bra at Agent Provocateur" or one of the little shops up by Portobello Rd.
So, I can't imagine the watered down NYC version is going to be much better, unless they've somehow improved by leaps and bounds since then, Kate Moss' project notwithstanding.
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posted by guest
Apr 10, 2009 11:03AM
Topshop is geared for a younger crowd, just like forever21 and Urban Outfitters, yet all of us over 24 still have something from one of these stores floating in our closet. Half the clothing at Topshop is made very well, and worth the money because it will last longer then an H&M piece. A lot of the clothing is made just as poorly as Forever21 and H&M, and it has Acrylic in it just like others, and they're charging $40-50, which is obsurd! Topshop re-manufactured all of their Jersery to American standards, to lower the price points because they knew Americans wouldn't pay such high prices.
What surprizes me the most about the Topshop press, is that no one is talking about how almost everything in the store is a knock off. I mean I'm kind of shocked all these New York fashion industry people are all over Topshop when half the clothes and accessories are copied exactly from Alex Wang, Lanvin, Stella, Herve, Chanel, and so many others. I mean it's not even inspiration, it's a knock off!
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posted by KatLuvsShoes
Apr 10, 2009 5:03PM
So is TopShop not all it's cracked up to be then? Hubby and I were planning a trip to NYC for the Summer and this was one of the prime attractions for me!
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posted by mollymc18
Apr 10, 2009 5:10PM
I was at the Manhattan store yesterday with a friend, and we were both very disappointed. Many of the styles of clothes looked the same, just with different patterns, and it was extremely reminiscent of Forever 21 or H&M. Trendy jewelry for sometimes over $40 that could most definitely be bought cheaper elsewhere, and not a shirt or skirt that I picked up was less than $50, and none of it was inspiring enough to spend that much money on. The only clothes that were remotely unique or interesting looking were way too much money to spend on something trendy. I was for sure disappointed, but will check it out in the future in the hopes that it will improve.
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posted by guest
Apr 11, 2009 6:23PM
I live in the UK and to me Topshop is just another H&M etc. I don't consider it to be any better or of a higher quality than other stores, it is just another high street store but with prices which are (unjustly) a little higher but from the sounds of things they have elevated the prices for the USA. I think it has been built up to be something better than what it really is.
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posted by guest
Apr 20, 2009 1:35PM
I started going to TopShop in the UK when I lived in London about 10 years ago. At the time, the dollar was stronger. I could always find something unique, of fairly good quality and within my price range. I was disappointed when I learned the chain was coming to the US because I thought everyone was going to be clamoring for the goodies that were once slightly out of reach for Americans.
As it turns out, the US TopShop has crappy quality clothing with overpriced tags. Unless you're a size 14, there's nothing good left on the racks either. If you want poor quality and disposable fashion, stick to F21. At least that store doesn't pretend to be something it's not.
posted by guest
Apr 09, 2009 11:15AM
Why were you always ALL OVER Topshop before, but now since the opening in New York, continually posting negative stuff about them? It seems as though you were living in the illusion mentioned above, and now your bubble has burst!
I don't like Topshop either but at least explain why you changed your opinion, instead of just posting negative quotes about Topshop. Pretty bad journalism..