River Island

River Island is a different story for guys than it is for girls.
I’ve never found the women’s clothes to be particularly appealing. I’ve bought the odd simple piece, usually a plain top of some sort, but most of their options are far too spankly and sequin-​covered to appeal. Some of the clothes are pretty well-​made, others are somewhat lacking in that department. On the whole, though, it tends to be overpriced for what you get. Especially their shoes.
The men’s section has the same issue with overpricing. However, they do sell a good selection of t-​shirts, jackets, and bags, and the shoes in the mens department seem to be much better value for money. If I was a guy I’d probably shop here more often than Topman, because they have a far wider selection rather than just 3 tops in different colours or with a different number of buttons. Their men’s accessories are good — loads of nice hats, scarves, belts, and so on. Sometimes I wish I was a guy for all that sort of stuff.

When I was a kid River Island used to cater to the slightly frumpier end of the market, so on a recent visit I was surprised to find that as Adele mentions below, the window display is full of clothes that a lapdancer would deem «a bit too far», and inside is a hotchpotch of neon lights and banging music.
Obviously the clothes are a bit less revealing in the mens’ section, and I’ve always rated River Island a bit better than their competitors as it’s better quality than H&M and unlike Topman seems to be aware that not everyone wants to look like Russel Brand.

I kind of shop here by default. Where can young guys get decent, new clothes?
There’s Topman, H&M and emmm… Ah well, I guess we just can’t. To the charity shops it is!
Their choice of shoes is a bit poor but the choice of shirts and accessories is good. The jeans to me always seem a bit overpriced. I’m not sure what the rest of you expect to pay from a high street store but a lot of them seem to go for £60−70 and that’s a bit out of my price range, no matter the quality.
If you want a kind of smart but casual hybrid then I’d recommend it over the likes of Topman. It’s okay but, I think I settle for it because there isn’t much else.

Not really my cup of tea, River Island specialises in what you might call ‘fierce’ clothing: that of the tightest, sparkliest, sexiest, high-​heeled variety. The walls and ceilings are covered in bright and tacky neon lights and signs making it a little chaotic and making me want to get out of there as fast as possible.
Hot young things are drawn to this place to spend silly amounts of money on jaw dropping platform heels and tight and stretchy tube dresses that are only suitable for the Cheryl Coles of the world.
However, I do like River Island’s selection of arm candy, in the form of their big bulky bags. I am very fond of a big and pretty handbag, to chuck all of my stuff in: functional and fashionable. River Island seem to specialise in creating beautiful big bags, that may set you back a few quid, but are worth it for their designer stylings and spaciousness.