Late night shopping picks - Been to Uniqlo lately?

The Uniqlo flagship store had me jumping for joy

I finally visited the Uniqlo London flagship store yesterday. I readily admit that it didn't actually cross my mind until I saw the window display: red Christmas trees. Revolving, red Christmas trees... They called to me like dancing, red, shopping sirens... I was powerless to resist...

Anyway, I'm glad I went in because Uniqlo is not a shopping destination usually on my list and now I think it should be. It has the best skinny jeans ever and at £30 a pop, even more desirable. Since they've just opened and are all shiny and new and enthusiastic, they've got a 2 for £39 offer on all their jeans and if you spend more than £50 in store you get £10 off. What's not to like about that?

I do need a slight Uniqlo mystery cleared up though: the manniquins are all wearing these cool-as-all-hell, Dries van Norten-alike platform shoes, which they do not sell and noone in the shop seemed to be able to tell me where they're from. I am so full of lust for those shoes. If anyone knows where they're from please tell me. I need those shoes in my life.

Sexaay! American Apparel eelskin leggings

Moving on... American Apparel has opened a store on Oxford Street. The shiny black leggings of note were not available but I did buy a pair of their great looking eel skin leggings that look a bit like cracked black patent leather on. So biker chick, so me. £28 for a pair of leggings is effing expensive but they look so cool I decided to give them honorary membership of the "they could be leather and therefore are cheap for the price" section of my brain that allows me to spend more money on things than I should.

I took a quick look in Primark, just in case I was missing out on some glorious bargain. I was. Shiny black leggings, a la American Apparel for £6! They only had big sizes left so I gave them a miss but I shall be stalking Primark until I can find some in my size.

A peek in H&M yeilded a pair of cool black ankle boots with some sort of fleecy, carpety lining, and moulded heel and sole for £30. They're not leather but they are very cute. I'll be wearing them with the Uniqlo skinnies.

Lipsy. Nice dress, shame about the underarm cleavage

Meanwhile on Topshop, they're still trying to offload their wildly overpriced Kate Moss tat under the guise of Christmas offers... yeah, right. Still, go to the underground concessions bit and check out the Lipsy PVC dress, £50. Looks and feels like soft leather. I went a size down because I wanted a closer fitting bodycon look but I really couldn't deal with the underarm cleavage. When your armpits start to look like arse-crack, it time to say goodbye to the fantasy that a dress is fitted rather than the truth that it really just doesn't fit.

Late night shopping picks of the week March 16

It’s Friday and time for another D&P round up of what’s on the shops for you this weekend.

I have to warn you, if you're going shopping this weekend, try not to get blinded by all the bright colours out there. No, really, it's like a rainbow threw up on the high street at the moment. Everywhere you look, it patents and satins, neons and colours.

Stock up on bright orange and yellows at Wallis. Their pretty, lemon yellow knit dress, £25 and a very roomy, flower print smock, £35, in particular caught my eye.


Moving on to H&M and I'm digging their wall of neon acessories, as well as, cute knitted berets in white and gold thread, £4.99. They also have a beautiful white clutch with gold studs, which matches the berets perfectly. Very Biba. I loved their black and white, cat-face shopper so much, I bought it. I was also drawn to their plastic macs but soon realised the reason for this was because they reminded me of my childhood. If you’re a grown-up I’d stay well away.

Next stop on my list is Zara, which is totally full of shine, colour and embellishment. Zara has gone jewel crazy. In fact, the running joke, chez D&P, is that you need to be careful where you stick you head at Zara or they might just stick a shiny bead on it. Check out their embellished pumps and shoes.

Yellow-heavy graphic prints and white smocks are also here in abundance. I'm really liking the yellow chiffon dress and the short sleeved, white, embellished dress.

If you like your embellishments floral, it might be worth your while to pop in to FCUK where they are reprising their black satin flower embellished mini shift in purple (a major colour for autumn) and cream. They also have a mid-season sale on which might be worth a snoop around.

If you’re already thinking seriously about summer sandals, get over to Miss Selfridges and get a pair of their patent, demi-wedge sandals in green or yellow or both.

Forget your heels and get a little more comfortable with some great looking trainers. At Office they have Converses galore in every conceivable colour. My favourites are the note book high-tops, which I shall be wearing with leggings and a bright t-shirt the high tops turned down.



Also check out the adorable, gem heart, slip on trainers from Faith, they’re on sale.


Happy shopping folks.









Images - from top:
Wallis yellow knitted dress, £25 and floral smock top, £35
H&M cat face print, black and white bag, £7.99
Zara yellow chiffon dress, £59 and white embellished dress, £29
Miss Selfridge demi-wedge, patent sandals, £25
Converse All-Stars notebook high tops, £39.99
Faith gem heart slip on trainers, £28