Monsoon

Monsoon’s are a clothing store that also part of the Accessorize chain.
This little store in Waterloo Station is enjoyable to wander around when waiting for a train or a friend.
They have a great little collection of items from the home ware collection — coasters, table mats, candles and candle holders.
The jewellery is costume jewellery, fun chunky necklaces and little bracelets and earrings. The clothes are just a selection again but I must say they do choose a good selection of dresses, cardigans and skirts.

I remember being slightly phased when a Monsoon store opened on Waterloo station, and couldn’t help thinking that somehow, this wasn’t going to work. I could see the logic in Accessorize, Tie Rack, even TM Lewin, but an actual, proper, honest to goodness clothes shop?
Hmm.
Oh me of little faith. I’m sure I’m not the only person who hoves through Waterloo not so much as a shortcut, but as a stop off on the way from tube or train to bus or taxi home. There, the siren call of shiny things is guaranteed to lure me in.
There’s a heavy emphasis on party wear that I’ve never been quite able to work out. I mean, if you’re catching a train to a party, you’re either wearing what you’re going in, or taking it with you, aren’t you?
The only time the store can (and does) irritate is if you’ve got three or four people in there with large suitcases. I once asked the security guard if he would watch my case while I just went the other side of a rail (constantly in his full view, I just didn’t want to block the aisle!), and was met with a basilisk stare and silence. I took that as a no.
By sharp contrast, the till and floor staff are some of the nicest you’ll find in a Monsoon anywhere.