Urban Outfitters

I find industrial themes very appealing so my first impressions of Urban Outfitters were very positive, I loved the hard wood foors, exposed metal stair cases and chandeliers made up of giant metal lamps. I could quite disagree with the loud pop music radiating from the shop, but overall, it had a very pleasing aesthetic. 

 

The clothes themselves were not really my style, sporting logos and names of popular brands such as Adidas, though i have seen that this style is popular amongst a younger generation. 

The shop layout was organized beautifully so it was easy to see everything without being overwhelmed, there were logical divisions to help categorize the clothing which I always appreciate.

 

follow the link to the website here 

Selfriges

 Selfridges flag ship store in London, Oxford street came across as a little cluttered, its hard shiny surfaces and bright lighting don't create a good illusion of space. The almost irregular arrangement of clothing racks makes it seem disorganized with no obvious correlation other than brand. However I cannot give this store a completely negative report, the use of natural flowers provided a nice contrast against the metallic surfaces, the clothing featured lots of interesting textures and designs. The theme was Shakespeare Refashioned, with the most beautiful window displays featuring scenes from Shakespearean plays re-enacted by mannequins. 

I liked the use of flowers for a more organic aesthetic, it contrasted nicely against the solid, sharp setting.

The window displays were quite possibly my favorite part, they were so well thought out and featured garments of a more catwalk style than what the store had in stock, with flamboyant head dresses and voluminous skirts.

This interesting pair caught my attention for being so rebellious to the surrounding garments, I found the texture fascinating as it showed creases and wear but still remained metallic and soft. I don't think I would wear either though, its a bit extravagant for my darker style.

I have a bit of an obsession with ruffles, especially big, expressive ruffles as featured on this gorgeous skirt, which I found myself quite attracted to, that is until I saw the price.

follow the link to the website here

Liberties

 The first thing to hit you as you step onto the shop floor is the prestige and pure majesty of this iconic monument. The clothes are arranged effectively and efficiently so as not to appear crowded or overwhelming, however, the many rooms do make the building hard to navigate with the stairs being notoriously hard to find.

The large open spaees of Liberties are flooded with natural light to give a sense of freedom and are a nice contrast to some of the darker areas of the store.

Liberties is known for its extravagant chandeliers, this display is no exception with its elegance.

follow the link to the website here