Ever the conoisseur of cheap wardrobe staples, I dropped by Swedish giant H&M today to check out their stuff. I was quite impressed. The North American stores just aren’t (I’m told by many) as great as the European ones, but it seems like there is some great stuff there – you just have to be quick to get it. Seeing as it’s still July and there wasn’t much left in my size, I’m hoping the cashier was right about more AW08 collection arriving in the coming month. I got *the* last burgundy merino wool pullover, and one of a few double-breasted vinyl rainjackets. I can’t believe I bought this stuff at the height of summer! Least of all from H&M.
That being said, H&M is great for some stuff. At its best it is cheap, trend-forward and interesting. At its worst… It can be cheaply made, outright tacky, and interesting. Cue image of the plastic, see-through neon pink cropped baby-doll raincoat that was sitting on the clearance rack for months. However, the new arrivals typically contain some really nice stuff (it’s just a matter of getting a hold of it before everyone else). Exhibit A: one Burgundy 100% Merino Wool Pullover.
This is classic. Not only is burgundy one of my favourite fall colours, but merino wool – and only $50! I’m going back for another one in another colour. V-neck is also my preferred neckline and the knit of the wool is reasonably soft. I’m very much impressed – something comparable would cost $100 to $120 from Banana Republic or Club Monaco. Now for Exhibit B: one Black Double-Breasted Rain Jacket.
I’ve been looking for one of these for a year and a half and now, I’ve got one! Better still – it cost $60. Right?! I’m super stoked. I now have a complete collection of outerwear (as far as I need in this climate): A wool short trench, beige classic rain trench, cropped rain jacket, and a 3/4 rain/snow jacket. Woohoo!
over and out!
-FH.