After the harried shopping trip at the Trafford Center the other week I was determined to have a trip to the shops without the kids so this morning my sister and I ventured into Bury without 3 of our children but decided not to overwhelm Mum too much so took baby Tom with us – who was an absolute joy and slept the whole time! Bury has been somewhat transformed in recent years and now hosts a Primark, H&M, Oasis and Top Shop so I was excited to experience some UK style and buy a couple of ‘souvenirs’:)
I have heard a lot about Primark‘s renaissance from my blogging buddies but had yet to visit a store myself. I must admit I was a bit overwhelmed when I entered but knowing time was on my side I started to work through the store systematically. I actually entered the changing room with quite a few tops – I think I was just terribly excited about seeing all the five pound stickers! Some of it, I hate to have to say it, was just too ‘young’ for me – way too much mutton dressed as lamb going on. I did leave however with two fabulously patriotic t-shirts that I can have fun wearing under a blazer or with shorts back home – I just wish the London bus was going somewhere more glamorous than Croydon. The floral jeans that I have seen Doesmybumlook40 and Suburban Style endorsing were in the sale, also at five pounds, and I even though I am still extremely skeptical about them, I bought them – who can put a pair of jeans back on the rack that only cost a fiver?? That’s less than a margarita!
On then to H&M which of course I have access to in Atlanta but I wanted to do a compare and contrast. If anything the prices are pretty similar when converted, the selection in Bury of course was just a wee bit limited. Ever the conquering hero I still managed to walk out with 3 items. I’d tried on a similar top to the grey one shown below in Express back in Atlanta – I love the ruching that is very flattering over a ‘yes I’ve had babies’ tummy. The one in Express was $49.90 which I thought was pretty pricey and these in H&M were only 12.99GBP (have you guessed yet that I can’t find the pound sign on my laptop!). Anyway I walked out with it in this gorgeous grey and a white one – both will pair perfectly with my Zara harem pants.
This dress caught my eye due to my love of prints and also the fact it’s a jersey dress with a fuller skirt – snapped up for just 12.99GBP – what a bargain!
Finally on to Top Shop. I used to love going into their flagship store at Oxford Circus in my London days and had the best silver skinny trousers from there circa. 1995! Anyway again the mutton radar kicked in so I avoided anything shiny but fell in love with this asymmetrical t-shirt and only 16GBP!
My final purchase was another risky one – they could make me look like a complete hippy or they could be the coolest, comfiest pants ever – I’m going to wear them to travel in on Sunday just so I can gauge MM’s reaction when he meets us – he was wearing pants like this in 1990. Oh how fashions come around again. Speaking of which the late 80s/early 90s are in full swing in Bury – I’ve never seen so many pairs of pants with elastic ankles paired with espadrilles – and that’s just on the boys – very Howard Jones:)
I headed out in my Express cropped black jeans which are super comfy and my AllSaints plume jumper, worn with an old H&M scarf – it started of fairly warm here but there are plenty of clouds rumbling over us!
Oh I forgot – there was one more purchase – a bag of Holland’s steak and kidney puddings – I can’t really leave the North West without having one can I? So a fabulous haul and a fabulous morning with little sis. Now on to an afternoon of drinking Pimms – well Wimbledon is on isn’t it? I just cannot wait for the Tour de France to start this weekend!!
Poppy's Style 