I still can't do H&M
With much fanfare last fall, an H&M store opened in NorthPark Center in Dallas. As a more frequent traveler, I have never NOT been able to find an H&M store but apparently, this opening was a big deal for Texans. So big that they invited the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to entertain the lines of people waiting outside the store for the opening.
Yesterday was my first foray into the Dallas H&M store, and I'm sorry and not surprised to say it's not an improvement on the H&M stores in any other cities. I was excited at first. Crop tops on sale for $5 and blouses for $6.99! Surely I would be able to pick up a few summery bargains. I quickly realized that although the price point is ridiculously low, you can't actually find anything in that store. It's as if some Swedish fashionista decided to take the contents of her entire monster closet, dump it in a big box retail location and strew the clothes wildly on random racks and walls. I was browsing through some plain white tank tops and the other white tanks on the same rack were not even the same shade of white. How is someone supposed to shop with those conditions? I felt like a spinning top, whirling around with trying to find my way through the clothing sections. Basics and athletic apparel here, accessories there, sale section on the other side and men's upstairs. I finally threw my hands up in frustration and left.
Apparently, to shop at H&M, one needs to have the Zen-like patience of a monk, laser focus of a rocket scientist and endurance of a marathoner. And those are too many good qualities to waste on just shopping alone.
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Apparently, to shop at H&M, one needs to have the Zen-like patience of a monk, laser focus of a rocket scientist and endurance of a marathoner. And those are too many good qualities to waste on just shopping alone.
H&M is really hit or miss with me. Sometimes I feel they have great stuff and sometimes it's just junk...I'm wishing for their more expensive stores to cross the pond and open in the US. I always have to hit a COS store whenever I visit my parents.
ReplyDeleteYeah I've had issues shopping at H&M. I get really stressed in their stores.
ReplyDeleteThat is frustrating when you can't maneuver around the store but if you go on a week day...I promise you it's easy to navigate and they have such good trendy, staples. Give it a shot!
ReplyDeleteI think you are right on this one - even in Germany the stores felt like this to me. HOWEVER, I do LOVE their striped boys shirts. But I'm DEFINITELY like a laser focused rocket scientist when I shop for those. As you point out, I have to be, because the blue stripes are NEVER next to the red stripes, but rather next to the magenta polo shirts and Sponge Bob sweat pants. And the blue stripes never look good until I get them home and put them with all the other stripes in my sons' wardrobes.
ReplyDeleteI rarely have success in there stores, but even when I do, it's the music that gets to me! I can't even think!
ReplyDeletexo Brunch at Saks
Haha I totally agree. Last time I went in there, I was very focused on finding a scarf. I found one, but the experience has scarred me from going back for at least 6 months!
ReplyDeleteLove your writing Ruth.
ReplyDeleteThat last paragraph had me smiling big time.
I have very little patience for shopping, hence if I do want something, I tend to just buy it online.
Ronnie xo
But Ruth, what other activity are we supposed to use our laser focus on? I am baffled...
ReplyDeleteYou know, it actually took me a long time to find a shopping system when I go to H&M. I used to feel so overwhelmed when I go there, but now, since I'm there almost once a week, I think I'm getting the hang of it:P
I haven't been in an H&M. I have low tolerance for disorganized stores. Frustrating your customers is such an odd retail strategy. I don't go in Walmart often, but enough to know our local store is the WORST--clothes racks and shelves are messy and disorganized. It feels like an experiment to see how much aggravation people will put up with to save a nickel.
ReplyDeleteAbout Rudy's, I bought 4 18 oz. bottles--2 original and 2 sissy. On the off chance I don't like either, the remaining bottles will make a nice gift to someone. When I find out which I prefer, I'll have a bottle left to use while I'm waiting for the next order to arrive. =)
Today was the most beautiful day we've had in DC in ages, so I kicked people out of the office early. I hope it was the same for you in TX.
I always get headache in H&M - I cannot shop there, sorry H&M...plus their really affordable clothing does not last long.....
ReplyDeleteFunny :) There's a lot to be said for good (read simple, well thought out) merchandising - and while H&M has some great bargains, I can't say I've ever seen it look even remotely organised. Love your description of it being like a Swedish fashionista's wardrobe!
ReplyDeleteH&M is always a hit or miss! I would try it again at some point!! Sometimes I go in and can't even stand to be in there but really, I think H&M is great for finding bargain items!! Overall, I love it 75% of the time, but I have to go when it's not crowded!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you so much for the sweet comment and for following my blog!! I am following you back with pleasure!!
:)
Allison
afashionfiles.blogspot.com
Hello :) So true! Apparently the H&M stores are the same everywhere in the world. And cheerleaders! What?? Not even in my country was ever H&M made such a big deal of. But then again, there aren't cheerleaders in the Czech Republic... Last paragraph is genius :D
ReplyDeleteWe don't have H&M here but there was one everywhere when I went to Europe. I share your impatience with shopping in stores like that as well, it's too confusing and I get really flustered!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I can't deal with mega stores - far too stressful. I can't focus on any one thing amidst the chaos. Also, so weird that H&M is a big deal, we have bzillions. x
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is very hit or miss. Or sometimes I'll find something I really like but think "no way I'm paying that much for H&M"
ReplyDeleteIf you think that's bad, go on the first day of a collab launch. It is CRAZY! (Yep, I've done it...LOL)
ReplyDeleteThe cowboys cheerleaders? Seriously? Haha. It was a huge deal when we got an H&M in Portland, and there were definitely people camped out outside for it, but nothing as big as what happened in Dallas.
ReplyDeleteI have never bought anything from H&M, but I do love Forever 21 and I think it rivals, if it doesn't pass H&M on the chaos factor. I've gotten too many of my favorite clothes for under $20 (that do in fact last me years) to not shop there...
wow really? i can't believe that people would line up for H&M O__O i've seen that before though. i still can't believe it.
ReplyDeleteohhhh and yeshh... people that can say things with confidence can be sooo deceiving! lol... but in the end it's just bullish! tsk tsk.
I can absolutely believe it! I have this same experience frequently at some F21 stores!
ReplyDeleteOr maybe just not go to the grand opening? Some H&Ms tend to be crazier than others, but if you can sneak in at a time when most folks are at work it's totally worth it. Sometimes I walk away empty handed, but the times I strike gold are well worth it.
ReplyDeletehttp://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/
i can only agree. i don't think that i've ever been so disappointed in a store. so chaotic. it makes shopping intolerable. we recently got one as well. it was a big deal and still is, judging by the mile long line in front of the register, that i see every time i walk past the store. when it finally opened here, i went in and out in about 5 minutes. it took me 5 minutes to conclude that it's the worst store i've been to. i really thought they saved the worst pieces, that didn't sell in bigger cities, like new york and chicago, and dumped them here in florida. now i see that i'm not alone in this. thanks for feeling my pain :)
ReplyDeleteoh, and yes the bridge is really that yellow. it's the sunshine state after all :)
have a great week!
leyla.
Yikes! It does remind me of the one time we went clothes shopping while visiting my brother in Sweden. I asked which side was the women's (it wasn't obvious) . . . my brother laughed and said, "Oh, it's just kinda mixed in together." And then I was done. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a really hard time getting into H&M too, it's so messy and disorganized. I've found the odd gem there, buT it's rare.
ReplyDeleteI just came across your blog and I'm so glad I did... this post is hilarious! I feel like this every time I go to H&M, especially if I try on the weekends. You've got to go early morning right when it opens or on a random Wednesday evening. Even still, the line to try clothes on is wrapped around the store and out the door! Such a mess :/
ReplyDeletexo, Megan
indie flower
Funny - I have always had exactly the same problem with H&M - I just can't find anything - they need to learn that less is more!
ReplyDelete