I WENT TO TOPSHOP, YOU GUISE! YOU GUISE I WENT TO TOPSHOP!

YOU GUYS I WENT I WENT I WENT! It wasn't a dream, it was a reality. Not only did I STEP FOOT into the 25,000-square foot emporium of sparkly, fringed, multi-tiered British shopping nirvana. I came, I saw, I tried stuff on, and, upon realizing that the prices were more Barney's Coop Warehouse clearance rack than H&M, I put about half of it back. Seriously, the average price of everything I looked seemed to be around $70. Per item. Seriously.

I did end up splurging and getting three items, mostly, I think due to the fact that I was on a total Topshop high after waiting for YEARS. I mean, I bought a lot of Topshop stuff when I was in the UK the other year, but it's all fun and games when you're on high on vacation, and foreign currency feels like funny money (look at all the funny colors and the weird people on the smaller, wider bills! Tee!), but, unlike H&M where you can roll out with a packed shopping bag for under $100, plan on walking out with MAYBE one choice item for $100 if you're a budget (and the Binge is generally on a budget).

That said, here are the three things I did buy:

($90, Topshop)

Again, not cheap, but it is 100% silk, and it fit PERFECTLY.

($90, Topshop)

I couldn't resist these ridiculously '80s acid-washed skinny jeans. I love the pleating on the side. Why not?

($55, Topshop)

This black cotton top also fit well and has great zippers on the shoulders. Hee!


Wanted, didn't buy:

($125, Topshop)

Tried these suede nude bow heels, loved them, but I ended up not getting them. Had to draw the line somewhere, you know?

($135, Topshop)

These ridiculous patent platforms were fun... to look at... but seriously, they were about 17 inches high. Like, it hurt my neck just like looking up at a heel that high. They'd be perfect if they were about NINE INCHES shorter.

Things at Topshop I Didn't Really Understand:

($125, Topshop)

Two-tone bomber jacket? Uh, perfect for your Boys II Men tribute band.

($180, Topshop)

This silk bomber is cute if you're Katy Perry and you're, like, recreating a scene in A League Of their Own. But chances are, you're not.

($510, Topshop)

Suede leggings. For FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. AMERICAN. !?!?!?!?!?!!? What... The... SHIT?

($410, Topshop)

This grey suede skirt's cool, but for $410? You could easily find something WAY cheaper on eBay or at a thrift store.

($44, Topshop)

Um, $44 for THIS screenprinted piece of chara? (And it WAS chara in person.) Sad face.

Anyway, will I go back to Topshop? Not until the hysteria dies down. After that? DUH! Of course I will! But again, the prices felt like they were converted directly from their British equivalent. Therefore most of us "regular folks" definitely won't experience the bag-filling glory of H&M. Instead, you'll probably walk out with one or two choice pieces, but hopefully they'll be Topshop treasures.

+ Check out photos of Topshop, courtesy of Racked.
+ Racked's Topshop coverage.

Picture Postcard: brown and blue

Hi Steve!

Currently you're getting yet another close up of the Carolyn Massey stuff and no doubt ordering half the collection while I'm home alone in my England shirt (bet you didn't know I had one of those- does the 90s count as retro yet?), but never mind. For I have the internet and Garance Dore to entertain me.

I love this shot, not least because this shirt is my favourite colour for a shirt ever. Look at that lovely shade of blue. Beautiful and so flattering. I love how good it looks with the brown and it reminded me that brown and blue make up a considerable proportion of your wardrobe... maybe this is something you should try out? I know that half our readers will see this look as being way too casual but I love this as a spring look, perhaps making sure you carry a scarf and an umbrella in the inevitable bag to fight against this vastly changeable weather we've been having.

EJ

Ha, is it weird that I thought of you when I came across this image on Garance Dore? I just knew it would catch your eye because of that shirt colour. Despite the fact that brown makes up a surprising amount of my wardrobe (alongside blue and grey) I do not recall mixing it too much but will certainly experiment. As the April showers will soon be on their way I am on the hunt for a new umbrella. I just loved the one featured in the recent Monocle fashion spread and think a burst of colour would make a refreshing change from the eye gauging mass of black which strikes both fear and dread in to me. Oh, I'm glad that Spring is here once more!