Portland finally joined civilized society, by which I mean we got our first H&M store. It opened today at noon to much fanfare. I rallied a small group of people who were willing to brave the crowds with me, and off we went at the end of the workday. There were two TV news vans parked out front, and a surprisingly short line that barely rounded the corner. We joined the queue and were allowed past the velvet rope less than 10 minutes later. Inside was surprisingly less chaotic than I'd expected, though I was immediately separated from my shopping companions. There were no pairs of girls frantically tugging at the same sweater, no sky-high piles of discarded fashions, no writhing piles of bodies clamoring for low-priced basics or the last size-six party dress. It was pretty orderly, all things considered, with no hip-checks or jammer moves necessary. I made my way around the store, grabbing far too many objects, and spied a friend (and H&M employee) zipping around the second floor trying to stay ahead of the locusts. He looked a little overwhelmed by all of this:
I didn't bother waiting for the dressing rooms. I generally know my H&M sizes depending on the item, and figured I could just return anything that didn't fit. The store was offering some amazing deals (two-for-one sweaters, $15 dresses, $5 accessories), and I took advantage of course. All told, I ended up with three dresses, a hat, a scarf, a rhinestone necklace, two cardigans, a silver wrap sweater, and a free backpack. Unfortunately, two of the dresses didn't fit and must be returned, but otherwise everything worked out. Even the lines at the register were reasonable, and I was out of there by 6:30. Poor Bobby, I am a bad wife and didn't get him anything. He and I will head back there tomorrow to exchange my ill-fitting dresses and see if there are any men's fashions to be had. I get the feeling this is going to be like when Portland finally got an Ikea and I went there something like eight times in the first month.
Hooray for H & M and their star customer! Photos of the fashions will be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteYes, time for some modelling photos. :)
ReplyDeleteUp here, H&M went into a suburban mall first. Later, they made a huge deal out of the opening of the downtown store.
I don't go very often, but when I do, I try not to think of how little whoever made the clothes must have been paid. Somehow, they manage to sell things like cute dresses made of organic cotton for amazingly cheap prices. And even though I usually count on stuff lasting only until the next trend happens, I have a few items that have been surprisingly durable, like a knit dress I bought three years ago.
Have fun!
You like to shop!!!???
ReplyDeleteWell, I do know they take pretty good care of their US workers, and their labor conditions aren't nearly as bad as The Gap and Nike. It's all about moral relativism.
ReplyDeleteFashion show forthcoming. Tomorrowish.