Topshop

Moving here from Canada, Topshop was one of those elusive chains that I was actually excited to have in the area. Sure we had a few here and there back home, but a UK Topshop? That was meant to be fashion gold.
It speaks a lot for the brand that I thought this, having never actually set foot in one. Its reputation precedes it and they’ve done an incredible job marketing.
So when I did find myself outside the doors of this sprawling two story store on Princes St, I was near giddy. I expected to open the door to this magical world of quirky and interesting apparel…
I didn’t.
At the end of the day, this is just another big box store. It’s a step up from H&M and a mile over Primark but it’s still selling the same sort of trendy gear — just better made versions. And that’s ok! It’s a decent place to pick up basics, accessories and quirky dresses on sale that I convince myself i’ll wear because it’s such a good deal… but at the end of the day, it’s not really doing anything new.

My wife really wanted to peruse Topshop since their stuff is only available online in the States and she doesn’t want to pay exorbitant shipping costs. It’s not necessarily a place I’d buy clothes for myself, but seemed like a cute and trendy UK department store nonetheless. Apparently they have personal shoppers available if you have nothing better to do with your money.

I think I’m still trying to work out who the demographic is for this chain. I guess it’s going to be women between 15 and 25 who want to look hip and are rather small of frame and men between 15 and 25 who want to look like other men between 15 and 25. So lots of brightly coloured dresses and tops for the ladies and quirky shoes and accessories. Lots of skinny jeans and cardigans for the men. They have a surprisingly good line of cosmetics in the accessories department downstairs and I do love their hats and scarves. I was astonished to find a small maternity department but was not thrilled to the marrow with what was being offered. I tend to visit this shop for accessories and for the make-​up because I am usually a size 18 when not pregnant and I’m far too old for these looks. I’m in my mid-40’s with pretensions to being not altogether un-​hip myself.

I was super excited when the newly refurbished Topshop opened, but am I the only one who preferred it when it was located on the West End of Princes St briefly during the refurb? It felt much larger and easier to navigate and the range just seemed better. As much as this is my Topshop of choice, it can get very cramped and busy during weekends and sales and other peak times and the layout isn’t very intuitive. Generally I prefer to shop online, but just for the general excitement I feel when I wander through those glass doors I’m giving it four stars.

Yeh Topshops are everywhere, and you know what you’re going to get but this is one of the better ones. With two floors for Topshop and one for Topman it’s a bigger store and has quite a good range of clothes. Admittedly recently the prices have started going up and the quality of materials used is definitely going down, but style wise is one of the best of the high street chains. Next and Birton are a bit dull, and whilst H&M is okay, Topshop/​Man is a little bit more stylish.
The staff are all pretty helpful and the store is layed out well. The new guys’ changing rooms are really nice, but a little bit smelly when it’s busy. The jeans and shirts are always pretty good, and they sell nicely cut suits. The t-​shirts aren’t such good quality though.
A better offering from the Topshop peeps, it’s not hard to see why this is always pretty full.

Although, with not being a bloke, I’m the first to admit I’m not the world’s biggest expert on all things Topman, I’ve been dragged through it enough times by friends and boyfriends that I’m justified in only giving it 3 stars.
In short, it’s just like Topshop — overpriced clothes which claim to be at the very forefront of fashion, but which, in reality, are no different in quality to H & M and no closer to being at the forefront of fashion than any other chain store you’ll find ten-​to-​the-​dozen along Princes Street.
As a tall girl I tend to buy things like tracksuit bottoms from guys’ shops (with a guy friend in tow obviously, to hide the fact that I’m buying for me of course!), and as much as a lot of my guy friends would kill me for saying this, I just wish Primark would stop faffing about and open its doors in Edinburgh. At least then, if you were paying £5 per item, you wouldn’t mind if it shrank after the first wash. When, however, you’re in Topman and you pay £25-£30 for more or less exactly the same thing, it gets really annoying after a while.

Just TOPSHOP !
An amazing store with beautiful items.
strategic location on the main avenue of Edinburgh.
A pity that my salary is in euros … I’d like to buy everything !

Topshop doesn’t really need an introduction.
Big chain with «alternative» clothing which you either look ridiculous in (face it models look good in anything– accompanied by brush ups), or you look like everyone else. Ever since introducing new designers the prices have gone up whilst sadly the quality of clothing has remained low.
I still get drawn to this place. I am a hypocrite.
I have a love and hate relationship with this place, I won’t deny it, and it’s a big part of Princes street shopping anyway.
Yes the clothes won’t make me original or trendy as the image this shop is trying to push– in reality if you have it you have it, you won’t get style and edge by just wearing the clothes. Plus everyone is wearing them anyway.
OK enough about my rant about Topshop and on about this actual store:
It’s a lot smaller than the one in London and stocks less stuff (if you find something you like on the website don’t get your hopes too high you will find it here).
The layout is a bit odd, with the women’s clothes spread out on two floors: my advice is just browse everywhere cause things are not always clearly displayed and you might actually find something you like).
The shoe section is great, but sadly the girls working there obviously don’t get the whole idea of customer service in the slightest. Come down from your cloud love.
Why do all the girls working here look like identical clones despite the «alternativeness» of their outfits?
Other than that, the 10% discount makes it alluring. Don’t expect too much on quality though and be sure to try stuff on. I swear some of the clothes are not made for actual women. That is, women with actual bone structure and an normal distribution of fat. And I am sorry but some garments are actually ridiculous, even on Ms Moss.

This Topshop, like most of them, is consistently good. Well stocked, armed with friendly staff, it’s good to go.
It’s a decent size and as Emma outlined they’ve done it up. Seems to be more stock to love, and more effort put into their displays.
Where Topshop falls short for me is how it takes the rip out its customers. It sells some absolutely beautiful clothing but the turnover rate for stock is ridiculous. It’ll be on the rails for a fortnight then it’s whisked away to the «get it now before it’s gone!!!» range where you feel rushed into buying. Gives me a headache. I feel like such a skinflint these days but you have no time to save for desirables in here because they are usually off the rails before you get your next pay.
As for their jewellery, it seems as though they «borrow» inspiration from independent designers, especially in London since there are areas dedicated to them. So although their jewellery is gorgeous and more affordable, a lot of it is inspired by people working hard to fashion accessories by hand. I’m unsure whether this is a well known fact or my decective work, but it certainly seems that way. Also, I’m allergic to whatever they make their earrings out of!
I do like Topshop — they host some well-​made, gorgeous garments. But I have been made cynical over time by their stock turnover, high prices and designs. But as far as stores go, I like this one.

I love Topshop, I cannot get enough of it, there is no way I can pop in for a browse without leaving with something. The 10% student discount is amazing and I am dreading the day I am no longer a student… you even get 10% off sale items! This branch of Topshop is huge and I could easily spent ages in here. It’s very well laid out and I like the fact that all the accessories seem to have their own little bit, in most other Topshops they’re just dispersed among all the clothes racks. They have a great range of items and ample changing room facilities too.
I popped in here today and got a little bit carried away — but there was a sale on and I got a few bargains including a cardigan, a new top and a gingerbread man brooch. Topshop sales are always amazing and you can often get much as 70% off some items.
I am very excited at the fact that Topshop are launching their own brand of make-​up and if you pop into this store between 5^th — 8^th of May you can get a free make-​over! The make-​up is supposed to be bold and will cost between £4 — £12 which won’t break the bank.
I also really don’t understand why so many people say that Topshop is ridiculously expensive… I really don’t think it is. £20-£30 for a dressy going out top? £40 for jeans? On top of that incredible sales. In addition to that their stuff is amazing quality and I’ve had a suit jacket from here for around 5 years and it still looks new (well, new-​ish). Topshop is no more expensive than other High Street stores such as River Island and Urban Outfitters so I don’t really understand why people constantly bang on about how dear everything is.

Topshop and Topman are international names wherever you shop, and this three storey mega-​store is no different… well, almost.
The marked difference is the size! I love the set up of this store. As you enter, a few steps will take you up to the handbags, accessories and tights, which is super handy if that’s all you are in for because it means you don’t have to trawl around looking for out-​posted items.
The street level is Topshop, which is packed full of trends at one end and basics at the other, as well as a small section of sale. Downstairs, the store takes on a more elegant feel with dressier items, denims, holiday wear, shoes and undies, which are all set out separately and easy to find. The changing rooms are being renovated at the moment but still available to use, if you can find them tucked away round next to the underwear. The staff, as usual, are dressed head to toe in trendiness, with high top trainers matched with dresses and headbands, really selling the Topshop line. I have always been pleasantly surprised with the service in here for such a big store, especially at the shoe section, which is nicely decorated with gold guilt chairs and plush cushions.
Probably my favourite Topshop due to the easy access of its layout!

If you’ve not heard of Topshop, then you’ve been living under a rock for the past ten years. There are not many business tycoons I can name, but Philip Green — the creator of Topshop — has caught my attention. Yeah this is your standard Topshop clothes — wise, but it rises above all others i’ve been in for friendliness and layout.
This particular store was given a really cool refurbishment last year, and now it looks really trendy and captures an old, traditional element of Edinburgh with the sweeping staircase and chunky banisters. As a result, you actually have room to browse without bumping satchel’s or stepping on gladiator-​clad toes. (See what I did there? Cos Topshop sells satchels and gladiator shoes…)
The staff are really friendly and genuinely want to help and give really good advice without seeming pretentious. The personal shopper, which you can just turn up to (!!), is AMAZING. I thoroughly recommend it. I came to the personal shopper as I was going out that night and was going to be in the company of an ex-​boyfriend, so had to look my best. I’m glad to report the personal shopper put me right at ease and made me feel amazing, and my ex was truly swooning. HA!

Oh Topshop. How we have a love/​hate relationship. You may think, what is so special about this one that it deserves a review? Well, being the Scottish flagship store it is set over two glorious floors filled with the largest range of Topshop stock you will find this side of the border is what justifies the review.
Filled with the latest accessories, underwear, shoes and clothes you will no doubt find your top to toe outfit in here. It may be slightly overpriced and not the best quality, but you already knew that. Plus all the cool kids are decked out head-​to-​toe in Topshop these days so you can do your best fashionista impression with the huge choice in stock. Being such a big store they are always pretty good for sizes, and if they don’t have it, ask. If the shop assistant tells you they don’t have it, they are probably just being lazy so ask someone else. Also, the shop assistants are always dressed to the nines, it must be fantastic to dress so elaborately to go to work. Your boyfriend will probably enjoy the eye candy too as they seem to employ a certain type of person.
Once you have emptied your purse you can try figuring out how to get out as all the escalators go down and not up!

Every self respecting fashionista makes an effort to visit Topshop regularly and we’re very lucky to have such a lovely branch in Edinburgh. The shop was given a much needed make-​over two years ago and now it’s a wonderland of cool. Laid out over two floors (three if you include Topman), this shop can easily satisfy all your fashion needs — shoes, clothes, lingerie and accessories, you’ll find it all here. There’s even a personal shopper to help you piece together the perfect outfit.
On the lower ground floor there’s a great little section selling clothes from up and coming designers (the Yuki stuff is fab), stock is limited so you’ll be unlikely to bump into someone else wearing the same item.

I don’t think I need to introduce Top Shop to you, it is an institution which even my grandparents are familiar with (well, my grannies anyway) however I feel this flag ship store is worthy of a review.
Conveniently located on Princes Street this store is incredibly welcoming with it’s giant window displays and decadent interiors. It’s a good size too with a decent shoe selections, a style advisor (who actually uses it though I dunno), topman and more.

Oh top shop, with your over priced and shitely made baubles. How I love thee.
To be fair the clothes are always cute and while I am shopping I just send the boys to the Top Man upstairs and not have to deal with them. But some how I always seem to walk through this top shop when I feel like shit. I like this store on Princes street better then the flagship one in London. This one is big but not too big or overwhelming like the one in London and its got a great shoe section on the bottom floor!
The only thing I don’t like is having to push my way past the overly done up, wannabe «English-​posh» Scottish girls that seem to pop up more in Edinburgh. Ugh you RAH’S GET OUT OF MY WAY.

The new Topshop opened up in September, promising us excitable student types the second largest store in the UK after the Oxford Circus flagship store. As a native Londoner I for one was quite honestly wetting my pants about finally getting a decent shop in Edinburgh– I usually travel to Glasgow for shopping as they have the nearest American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, etc. SO! Imagine how disappointed I was with the lack of good clothing in this store! The London store has clothes from a massive range of labels, special collections by designers, etc. This shop has the Kate Moss collection and some Lipsy dresses. And lots of jumpers. Umm
Don’t get me wrong, obviously this store still has lots of good Topshop stuff in it like many varieties of plaid shirt [a wardrobe staple for me], vests, shoes, jeans, etc. I was just expecting something MORE than that, the old Topshop that was in the basement area of the same location before the refurb had all of the basic stuff, and I thought the point of launching a shiny three floor store was to bring in some new, exciting and different merchandise? I still go to shop here occasionally but unless they start bringing in some of the better brands like they have in London/​Manchester then I’m still going to be making the journey to Glasgow for most of my shopping needs.