This has been a while coming but I'd promised a second post from my trip to London. A shopping post, covering two shops that we don't have in Belfast - Cos & Uniqlo.
Natalie, who blogs at Glamrosie, knows London like the back of her hand so she offered to bring Marlene, Sue and myself straight to the nearest branch of both. First up was Uniqlo - an explosion of colour welcomed us as we walked through the door:
Loved this colour wheel of jeggings and at £14.90 a pair, you can afford a couple of your favourite!
Gorgeous Cath Kidson'esque scarves from the Uniqlo Greengate collaborations
And their regular jeans in a wide range of colours - from £19.90. Marlene told me she has a friend in the rag trade who has visited their factory in China and that he said Uniqlo jeans are made from the highest quality denim material in the market - as good as some of the premium brands.
But I was here for two things and had limited baggage space so I headed straight for the Heattech range and picked up a cream scoop neck top. And then to what was left of the the Orla Kiely range and picked up some scarves, one of which you've seen on this post!
Next up, it was Cos..c'mon traffic lights...let me at it!
Loved loved loved the jewellery and struggled to pick between the brassy statement necklace on the left and the springy, coiled necklace at the bottom.
I also was impressed by their leather cross body bags. Retailing from £70, they came in a couple of different colours. I also loved these straight cut black stiletto courts. Fantastic shape and endlessly wearable though I thought a tad overpriced. Will watch for them in the sale:
On our way back to the pub, I couldn't walk by the old alleyway beside Liberty without taking a picture of this..
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| 'No minute gone comes ever back again. Take heed and see ye nothing do in vain' |
It was at that point I realised it was 5pm and time to get back to the pub!
Hope those of you without these stores near to you enjoyed my whistle stop tour. I know we can order online but in the case of Cos especially, it's great to be able to try on as the website is pretty dire and requires masses of imagination!
I'll finish with what I wore the last couple of days. Was a bit poorly on Monday and spent half of the day in bed so it's a looky down post...
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| Pink Cashmere Cardigan - EWM (don't judge - was a gift!) Cream Heattech Top - Uniqlo Floral Scarf - Heatons Jeans - Tommy Hilfiger Boots - Moda in Pelle |
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| Scarf - H&M Burgundy Jumper - H&M Cream Heattech Top - Uniqlo Indigo Skinny Jeans - Heatons Tan Suede Wedge Boots - Aldo Necklace - Vintage |
Hope you're feeling much better now Avril. It's funny how I've never noticed that banner beneath the clock outside Liberty's before.
ReplyDeleteIt all feels so long ago now does the trip to London. The Cos heattech top is good but I have to say - it's not any better than my Primark black thermo layer one - if I didn't know any better and there were no labels on both, I'd say they were identical products. Still glad I got one though.
Thanks Sue. Interesting to hear about the Cos top - I don't have a Primark one to compare it too so thanks for that. Possibly made in the same factory???!! Ax
DeleteOh Lordy- I LOVE the cath Kidston scarves and the those statement necklaces from Cos. I'll have to get online ASAP. Hope you're feeling better now, lovely xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Emma - you wold have been in scarf heaven! Ax
DeleteWow Uniqlo looks amazing. Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane, Ax
DeleteOoh heck, first I'm over at Style Guile defending Damart (well sort of...), and now I'm here admitting that I have [ahem] 3 EWM cardigans in my wardrobe!
ReplyDeleteMuch of theEdinburgh Wollen Mill stuff is indeed tawdry and horrible, but I certainly won't judge you on a cosy fuchsia cardi! Mine aren't cashmere, but they are 100% wool, warm and comfy - and best of all only £17 in the recent sale :-)
PS - how do you rate the quality of the EWM cashmere by the way? Has it worn well?
DeleteHaha Thea! It's a lovely cardigan but a tad old fashioned so I don't wear as much as I should, given the lovely warmth and feel of it. It's a lovely quality - tiny bit bally after a couple of years. These were on offer I seem to remember. My Mother In Law has loads of them in different colours and loves them :) x
DeleteGorgeous pictures of Uniqlo. I have to say, I did curse my small carry-on bag when I saw the range of colours. Definitely on my wish list for a return visit in the summer. You know that Cos is in Dublin, don't you? (just in case you're passing this way!) BT2s have concessions and the one in Grafton St is a fairly good size. Hope you're feeling better now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip off about Cos in Dublin! Another excuse for a visit there :) Ax
DeleteWish we had a Uniqlo here, but will have to get a nosey at the Dublin one when im down there in July, thanks Helen. Are the heat tech's worth it? I keep meaning to buy one. Sorry to hear your poorly, hope your well on the mend now. PS I need that H&M scarf, kicking myself for not buying it at the time.
ReplyDeleteI love them Trea but Sue's not convinced they are any better than Primark ones! Ax
DeleteWow love those scarves! Just seen an article in the (whisper it) Daily Mail about the collaboration between Uniqlo and Celia Birtwell but I must admit the pictures didn't inspire me, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteMe either actually - saw some pictures today also. I think when we start seeing it on a few bloggers, it will be easier to see what it's actually like, Ax
DeleteHope you are feeling much better Avril! We enjoyed our very quick visit to Belfast... looking forward to going back up another time to explore some more:)
ReplyDelete~Anne xx
and meet me for a coffee! Glad you had a good time, Ax
DeleteI can't believe you still managed to put that outfit on when your ill - love that pink, must have cheered you up no end. Want to go back to London now! x
ReplyDeleteMe too - we need to arrange another trip soon, Ax
DeleteWould be so happy if Cos opened in Belfast, it's my first point of call when we head to Dublin, love everything they do. x
ReplyDeleteIt would be fab - we should get the franchise for here - how amazing would that be?! Ax
DeleteAvril, the next time we all catch up, I'll have to take you to Other Stories which is just a few steps away from Liberty. Awesome clothes especially if you like Cos. I just found out that Kat talked about it in her blog too. The store's massive and the clothes are so affordable.
ReplyDeleteYes please Marlene! I saw the website - stunning stuff. Can't wait to get to London again, Ax
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