13 November 2018
From an early age I was obsessed with British movies and TV shows. James Bond, Downton Abbey and Kingsmen are the perfect example of the traditional British style—the aroma of coffee, the hat on the head and the umbrella in the hand are what spring to mind when I picture a British gentleman. Next, I would like to introduce you to two brands that have stolen British’s heart.
Primark
Primark is an Irish clothing and accessories retailer and is headquartered in Dublin. Primark owns over 350 stores and offers a diverse range of products, including children's clothing, womenswear, menswear, homeware, accessories, footwear, beauty products, and confectionery.
There is a multi-storey Primark store located on Princes Street in Edinburgh. I visited it on my second day in the city to buy a pillow. At that time, I had no idea where to go to buy a pillow, however many friends recommended Primark as a good place to start. I was a little surprised to find out how large the store was and how many people were shopping there. When I saw the prices of some of the products, I soon realised why it was so popular. Many of the items are very cheap, even compared to China, and seemed to be of good quality. It is a good place if you just want something simple and of good value for students. Furthermore, there are many options you will not easily find elsewhere. This is not a commercial, but I want to say, good job, Primark.
ASOS
ASOS is a British online fashion and cosmetics retailer. The company was founded in 2000 in London, and is primarily aimed at young adults. The website sells over 850 brands, as well as its own range of clothing and accessories, and ships to over 200 countries from fulfillment centres in the UK, US, and Europe.
Being a postgraduate student means you will at times be under a lot of pressure from your studies; you may have numerous group work projects on the go alongside individual assignments and lectures, which can make it difficult to find the time to buy clothes for yourself. However, ASOS is here to help you out. If you are someone who cares about brands then ASOS will totally satisfy you. Personally, I think the website is very well designed and easy to navigate. What is more, there are even videos showing the clothes being worn, which really helps when you are deciding whether they will suit you or not.
I understand there are lots of things going on during this year abroad but it is always important to keep in mind that you need to take care of yourself as well. I always spend a bit of time on things that will cheer me up, such as trying out a new outfit. This year, I will dress like a British girl.
Xiang, MSc International Business and Emerging Markets