Primark

[girl_afraid]

Just wondering what everyones view was on Primark? I was under the impression that everyone kinda loved shopping there because of the cheapness of clothes, but suddenly everyone is (around me anyway) is pretty much anti it. My friend is very much against it because of the labour but i dont really know much about that, so maybe someone on here can tell me? I ask my friend to explain but even though thats her take on it i dont think she quite understands herself... Thing is she also works in TopShop and i was sure that topshop have clothes made from abroad too? Was also on the tube the other day having a chat about primark & when i got off some girl said 'I couldnt help but hear yr conversation about primark...'' and then she went on this massive rant about how it puts smaller clothes shops out of business & that ''if you save up for a couple of months you could buy a pair of designer jeans rather than a cheap pair from primark''. But i never really buy jeans from primark, usually topshop or something, and thats still half the price as opposed to a pair of superfines or something. furthermore, with the money left over i could buy several tops from Primark to go with it...she also said ''the clothes dont fit that well'' which i sometimes fine but in recent times the quality is getting better and better.

anyway, i'm curious, so tell me what you think..

[Nickie]

Just wondering what everyones view was on Primark? I was under the impression that everyone kinda loved shopping there because of the cheapness of clothes, but suddenly everyone is (around me anyway) is pretty much anti it. My friend is very much against it because of the labour but i dont really know much about that, so maybe someone on here can tell me? I ask my friend to explain but even though thats her take on it i dont think she quite understands herself... Thing is she also works in TopShop and i was sure that topshop have clothes made from abroad too? Was also on the tube the other day having a chat about primark & when i got off some girl said 'I couldnt help but hear yr conversation about primark...'' and then she went on this massive rant about how it puts smaller clothes shops out of business & that ''if you save up for a couple of months you could buy a pair of designer jeans rather than a cheap pair from primark''. But i never really buy jeans from primark, usually topshop or something, and thats still half the price as opposed to a pair of superfines or something. furthermore, with the money left over i could buy several tops from Primark to go with it...she also said ''the clothes dont fit that well'' which i sometimes fine but in recent times the quality is getting better and better.

anyway, i'm curious, so tell me what you think..


The only things I've ever bought from Primark was underwear and socks. They're always great for stuff like that :)

[relic]

Basically, you get what you pay for. Decent wages for workers, good health and safety provision, and procedures to reduce the environmental impact of producing goods all have to be paid for from the profits made on goods sold. Every quid spent has to be shared amongst the retailer (to pay for staff, energy, advertising, waste disposal, backroom staff, premises, warehouse space, transport, and lets not forget that great capitalist achievement, dividends.), and the manufacturer.

The manufacturer has to pay for all the same things too (perhaps with the exception of advertising), plus raw materials, and packaging, which leaves very little left to pay the people who sew the clothes and press them and pack them.

The producer of the raw materials also has costs, and labour charges.

I used to work at a blouse factory in Bolton, about twenty years ago. It went out of business because it couldn't compete with cheap imports from abroad. The machinists didn't earn a good wage, but at least they had breaks, and health and safety provisions.

[Suicide Alley]

I know it's not completely ethical [along with many other shops, I'm sure...], but I adore Primark.

There's always something to buy in there, & it's cheap enough for me.

Sure, I like clothes from more designer places. But it can sometimes be difficult to find clothes in a decent size 16 in those places, & also there's no way I can afford it being unemployed.

[Dean V]

Everywhere around here that is a key highstreet has Primark smack bang in the center of it...say the following words, and Primark follows it for me.

Accesories- Primark
Black/Blue Shirts - Primark
Dark jeans - Primark
Socks - Primark
Dark combats - Primark

It's fantastic, and has great materials. Half my wardrobe is Primarck (albeit it's a big wardbrobe) and shares space with French Connection, Top Shop, Next, River Island and all the other places that are overpriced (most of my stuff is bought in sales due to impending poorness, and I don't care, it's fantastic!)

[4REAL]

I actually have an addiction to primark..its really quite sad. I have to go in a couple of times a week, especially as they have those little dresses in there that are soooo cheap. Infact I am wearing a primark dress now...

Its great for me because I can finally afford to buy a few things for myself rather then one thing now and then!

[Tom]

It's cheap! Seriously, I can't afford to be spending £35 everytime I need a new pair of jeans. They certainly don't cost £35 to make. I sometimes feel guilty about it, but I'm sure half the shops on the high street don't pay their workers what they should.

The thing that I do hate about it is the way people see the clothes as disposable. They'll wear it once and then because it only cost a fiver, they'll throw it out or never wear it again.

I shouldn't shop there, but I do because it's cheap. In ten years time when I'm rolling in cash (lolz) I'll only shop at the designer places.

[borntoend]

Don't quote me on this, but I think Primark is signed up to the Ethical Trading Initiative, or something like that, which means it has to provide some basic standards and rights for its workers. Not entirely sure though.

Topshop, however (as well as Burton, Dorothy Perkins, and any other member of the Arcadia Group) is most certainly not signed up, and they are very antsy about anyone asking them about their ethical policies (I was actually out doing a bit of campaigning on this today with my SPEAK group, the clothing retailers of Durham didn't know what had hit them...)

EDIT: Here we go, the Primark Code of Conduct (http://www.primark.co.uk/suppliers.shtml), from their website. Looks reasonable, ethically speaking, especially from a company of extreme cheapness. Certainly better than any of the Arcadia Group...

[mrvitaminpill]

Basically, you get what you pay for. Decent wages for workers, good health and safety provision,

So Nike pay thier workers more than Gola or Hi Tec?

[FourteenthStreet]

The question in my mind is, do you pronounce it "pree-mark" or "pry-mark"?

[mafiamonroe]

You are right. Primark isn't as bad as other high street shops when it comes to fair pay/rights for the people who make its clothes. And paying more for clothes equals more money for the workers sadly isn't always true. More money for overpaid and overated models to 'design' ranges of clothes. Superfine jeans cost no more to make than a pair from Primark apart from the time spent sewing on a label but the money goes to the brand and not the seamstress and rarely does the sales girl get commission either.

[mafiamonroe]

You are right. Primark isn't as bad as other high street shops when it comes to fair pay/rights for the people who make its clothes. And paying more for clothes equals more money for the workers sadly isn't always true. More money for overpaid and overated models to 'design' ranges of clothes. Superfine jeans cost no more to make than a pair from Primark apart from the time spent sewing on a label but the money goes to the brand and not the seamstress and rarely does the sales girl get commission either. These comments were responding to Borntoend.

[Littlesue]

The question in my mind is, do you pronounce it "pree-mark" or "pry-mark"?

surely pry-mark

[Miss Oceania]

The people who work in sweat shops get paid the same regardless of the brand they are making for. It's only the person at the end of the line who sews the label in who will know what shop it's for. At least Primark have ethical trade on their agenda. I love my Primark clothes, and I wear them more than once and a lot of their clothes are better quality and last longer than high street shops. My current best buys are my canvas trainers in red and green, I have been wearing a pair almost every day since I bought them for £4.00 each. Their kids clothes are good value too. I bought some trousers and a top for my nephew and my sister in NZ was blown away by the quality and price, she was shocked at how good they were, and she should know as she works in the fashion industry and has spent a considerable time in China actually overseeing production in the clothing factories.

[Littlesue]

Personally the high fashion stuff is a little too young for me but they do have V Neck t shirts and jumpers with lyrca for around £2 to £5 and they wash and stay in shape for ever, the t shirts in Marks only last me around half a dozen washes but I still have the Primark ones from last year, and they do every colour imaginable

[Miss Oceania]

Personally the high fashion stuff is a little too young for me but they do have V Neck t shirts and jumpers with lyrca for around £2 to £5 and they wash and stay in shape for ever, the t shirts in Marks only last me around half a dozen washes but I still have the Primark ones from last year, and they do every colour imaginable

Exactly! I buy the v-neck t-shirts and wear them day in, day out. A girl I worked with once asked if they were from Warehouse, when I told her Primark she was amazed, as she had seen exactly the same t-shirts in warehouse for about triple the price.

[Leoben]

I don't remember the last time I was in Primark.

I prefer to shop in places like Next and Burtons (Great jeans in there) and River Island.

Don't let me get started on Top Shop though. I've been into 4 different stores and i've always left pretty quickly. Crap selection of clothes. Im saying this from a male perspective, most girls I know seem to love it.

[Littlesue]

Exactly! I buy the v-neck t-shirts and wear them day in, day out. A girl I worked with once asked if they were from Warehouse, when I told her Primark she was amazed, as she had seen exactly the same t-shirts in warehouse for about triple the price.

The one critisism of the t-shirts is that this year they have made them a little longer than before which is no good for me being such a short arse!!

[FourteenthStreet]

surely pry-mark

Well thats how I say it, but on the radio advert its "pree-mark"

[rainbow_fairy]

Primark don't seem to take into account if you have boobs above a D cup and where you will put them in their tops! (Im hardly a stick insect and have rather a bit much more than a D cup) and haven't been successful yet iwth Primark

[Littlesue]

I can't get bras from Primark either but their support pants are very good for 'holding it in'!!

[knives out]

I say Pree-mark.

Money doesn't buy ethically made clothing unless you have a lot of money and can afford to buy things on order from Chanel. Most of the companies are as bad as each other. You will get poorer quality clothes from Primark but you get what you pay for. The likes of Topshop certainly aren't better, even higher end brands like Marc Jacobs make their clothes in similar conditions.

[Assassinated_Beauty]

i worked at primark. it was a nightmare. shit pay, horrendous conditions. my friend who was 16 got paid £3 an hour which was an absolute joke. they deducted money for toilet breaks, wouldn't let you have an actual break but still took it off your wages. you got no discount because it was 'cheap enough' but thats another story.

i get the work clothes from primark (but not shirts, they don't fit) because at £6 a pair of trousers it really doesn't bother me if they get ruined. underwear and socks are great, as are pj's. i did found alot of the jheans and stuff never fits and even tho two pairs were meant to be the same size, you could see they were different

i love the primark bras, the only ones i like to wear. i see your point about not doing larger sizes as most of there tops need huge bossoms to actually wear them...

[Assassinated_Beauty]

my last thing about primark....
what a fantastic place for kid's clothes! when i'm parent i'm just going to go there and get a whole wardobe for them for £20!

[*lisa simpson*]

i don't shop there very often - but i do get a few bits and bobs there, mainly socks and stuff. also they do good beach kit - last year i got these hooded not quite t shirts not quite dresses type things and for sitting in the cafe by the pool, where i didn't want to be in just a swimsuit, they were ideal. i lived in them for my holiday and they will do next time as well.

as for my own clothes - i try not to shop too often. i get staples usually in M&S just because their clothes are reasonably priced (unlike their food which is for treats) and they last for ages.

i really like next at the moment, which is odd because for years i thought they only made clothes for people who went sailing. i love uniqlo because although they're not as cheap as some other places, their clothes are comfy and well made and last for ages.

one thing that bothers me is clothes shops that stop at size 16. the national bloody average is size 16, and believe it or not some people are over the average :rolleyes:. what annoys me even more is when they do tops for bigger ladies (ie sizes 16-18) but with fitted boob area which is clearly in an AA cup. hello, world, bigger ladies tend to have bigger boobs!

i did a recent shopping trip for the coming year's worth of clothes, and shopped mainly in next and uniqlo but also, and it surprised me, in oasis and new look - i didn't think they'd have any clothes fat enough for me but they did, and very nice ones too :D

[That*Manics*Feeling]

i have been there a few times, and they have a great selection of clothes, but I hardly buy any, because they have stupid sizing.
They had a top I really liked, in 12-14 (too tight) and 16-18 (way too big) so I find it hard to actually buy stuff from there.

[Rumblefish]

I absolutely fucking loathe Primark, NONE of their clothes fit me because their sizing is so ridiculous. I tried on a size 6 dress the other week (a size 6!!!) and it was like a tent on me, i'm a size 10 in every other damn shop.

[MrsCarbohydrate]

In 2005, Primark was the least ethical place in the country to buy clothes

Independent Report (http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article331801.ece)

It's since signed up to various agreements to limit working hours and increase pay, but have been accused of flouting these limits:

An 80-hour week for 5p an hour: the real price of high-street fashion
(http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1967401,00.html)

Of course there's no guarantee that buying designer or buying more expensive means you are buying more ethically, but there's really no way round the fact that if you're paying three pounds for jeans and the company has to make a profit then the actual amount reaching the people in the factories is virtually nil.

Added to which the quality is utterly atrocious and they come out of shape the second you look at them the wrong way. Not to mention the ravaging hordes who populate the place on a Saturday afternoon.

[rainbow_fairy]

I did manage to get some pj bottoms in a 14-16 thinking they'd fit when I loose some more weight (didn't bother to try them on instore) they were only £1.00! they are awesome different shades of blue and tarteny, but they are HUGE on me! and that made me a happy bunny, I should of got more but now they haven't got any left :( but yet a 14 or 16 in trousers in Primark have never got to fit yet, I am a 16-18 in other places, which is a improvement as I am on a diet, with the goal of 10 stone which will be 5 and a half stone down since September last year, my goal is for September this year, yes it is a lot of weight but not really that much when you take into account the 'medics' say it's not healthy to loose more than 2lbs a week, plus my thyroid is screwed and underactive, so I am proud of myself. It is satisfying seeing my progress, and my overall health improving so much.

[starlover666]

I've not bought much in Primark to be honest...some pj bottoms and the occasional umbrella if i've been caught in town and it's been pissing down.

That said, i hate the way that everyone dumps clothes all over the floor, and the way that the queues are always huuuuuuuuge. I feel sorry for the staff who tidy up after people, only to have their hard work undone every 2mins.

[darkangel]

i really like Primark beacsue it is cheap and you do get more for you money in primark

[starlover666]

i really like Primark beacsue it is cheap and you do get more for you money in primark

I honestly don't think there's much difference between in quality between primark and h&m. That said, i haven't bought new clothes for aaaaaaages, so that might have changed (also, h&m don't do fat clothes!).

[mish_b]

My two sisters always seem to find awesome things in Primark ... but whenever I go in there I can never find anything I actually like. It's very bizarre ... its almost like there is a conspiracy to put out the nice things on a week when I'm not going to go near the shop, and then put all the crap out on the weeks that I do! That said, if you do go at the right time you can get some bargains ... their underwear and PJ's are particular favourites of mine!

I've got a friend who works for Primark though, and apparently they don't treat their staff too well ... she's going to quit over the next couple of weeks because she's so fed up of it.

Personally, I much prefer H&M and George to Primark though. As a general rule, although they're a bit more expensive, I do tend to prefer their stuff.

[*lisa simpson*]

George to Primark though. As a general rule, although they're a bit more expensive, I do tend to prefer their stuff.

george is great at the moment. i used to live by a big asda and would often buy stuff in george. i moved away (only a couple of miles) and stopped going. but the other day i nipped in because i was meeting a mate nearby and needed potatoes for dinner, and george had vastly improved since my last visit. i managed to get 1 wool cardie with a zip front and big collar, 1 zip up wool hoodie, 1 long sleeved top for "nice" occasions, and 2 little bags, one of which literally goes *everywhere* with me. and the potatoes. and my receipt came to 23 quid. i was very impressed.

[mish_b]

We actually have a George shop in Southend High Street now, which is a standalone shop all by itself without the Asda .. so I can go and buy clothes without feeling guilty about not doing the weekly food shop at the same time! Its great! :lol:

[stef]

I've never experienced the Primark buzz, mainly because there's not on in Edinburgh, damn them

[mishima]

I do occaissionaly buy stuff from Primark, although between the two, i probably but more stuff at George. Two problems i have with Primark, is firstly you can never move as it's always so packed. If i go i tend to pop into the one in Newcastle after work when it's less busy, any other time of the day and it's murder. Secondly the Primark sizes are a bit strange, i'm a bit of a scrawny sparrow, but i cant even get the smaller sizes across chest, and the next size up invariably looks like a tent! I tried a long sleeved 't-shirt' on a few weeks ago, and the sleeves were so narrow i couldnt get my stick of an arm into it.

Worrying about the ethics of Primark, is the reserve of middle class liberals to be honest. I'm fortunate to be able to shop in more expensive stores if i want (and im talking New Look here!!!!:D ), a lot of people aren't, and for people on low incomes places like Primark are probably a god send. I did buy a top in Primark shortly before xmas, which was made with a very distinctively patterned fabric. A couple of months ago i seen the same top, same fabric same style, in Top Shop, the only difference was i paid £8 for mine in Primark whilst in TS it was retailing at £26!

[socialist cook]

Two problems i have with Primark, is firstly you can never move as it's always so packed. If i go i tend to pop into the one in Newcastle after work when it's less busy, any other time of the day and it's murder.

The one in Newcastle is set out horribly and is always a horrible place to be in like you've said. I've been in the one in Birmingham and it was more spaced out(and I was in there on a Saturday afternoon) and due to this there didn't seem to be as many queues.

Whilst back in Britain at Easter I looked at bikinis in Primark and found the cups either too big or too small. Also they didn't really have any plain coloured ones(I'm boring I like plain coloured ones). Then a couple of days later I paid a visit to Matalan and bought two bikinis for £16 and they fit beautifully.

[Littlesue]

Do they employ a nightshift in Primark? if you go in first thing on a morning everything is folded up neat and tidy!!

[mafiamonroe]

We actually have a George shop in Southend High Street now, which is a standalone shop all by itself without the Asda .. so I can go and buy clothes without feeling guilty about not doing the weekly food shop at the same time! Its great! :lol:

There's one of those in Brighton which has 3 floors.

[Assassinated_Beauty]

Do they employ a nightshift in Primark? if you go in first thing on a morning everything is folded up neat and tidy!!

no they made us stay hours cleaning up!

[4REAL]

I can never find size 8 jeans in primark, its annoying!

[Bronze Moth]

Eat a few pies then!!!
Just kidding. I love Primark cos its cheap and the sizes are so generous I can get away with a 10 (I'm a 12, their 12's are massive on me) in there. That prob explains why you can't find size 8 jeans cos the people who are a genuine 10 nab them!

[Corpse In The Bathtub]

i went into a giant Primark on a trip to London and still feel slightly soiled by the experience.

[Last Exit]

The one is Manchester is an absolute cattle market. It's bizaare that they make Oxfam seem expensive, how things have changed...

[chieftan mews]

almost my entire wardrobe is built up of clothes from Primark... that's a bit of an exaggeration.

But for them money you spend the clothes are of an acceptable quality... anywhere that sells aviator glasses for £2.50 has got to be worth a look.

It's just fashionable to take the piss out of it so you don't seem 'cheap' i guess.

[Radiomanic]

I always buy t-shirts from primark but that's all. Holiday clothes and t-shirts. I always wear plain t-shirts because i generally hate brands, and when you can get a pretty good plain t-shirt for three quid why bother paying ten times more for a nike symbol?

[mish_b]

There's one of those in Brighton which has 3 floors.


I'm a bit jealous about this because ours only has 2 floors! Our Primark also has two floors and is rather huge ... although its a bit of a nightmare most of the time because its so crowded that you have to fight your way to the stairs!

[Corpse In The Bathtub]

almost my entire wardrobe is built up of clothes from Primark... that's a bit of an exaggeration.

But for them money you spend the clothes are of an acceptable quality... anywhere that sells aviator glasses for £2.50 has got to be worth a look.

It's just fashionable to take the piss out of it so you don't seem 'cheap' i guess.

well there's also the issue of how ethical a decision it is to shop there.Personally i dont give a toss, i just think the clothes are nasty,although thats only the mens.

[mafiamonroe]

I'm a bit jealous about this because ours only has 2 floors! Our Primark also has two floors and is rather huge ... although its a bit of a nightmare most of the time because its so crowded that you have to fight your way to the stairs!

We have a new Primark in Eastbourne and they've spent a bit of money on it compared to the scummy looking Brighton branch. It has two floors with lifts and escalators. More importantly it's not crowded like they normally are.

[teddy]

The one in Coventry is huuuuuuuuuge - 3 or 4 floors I think? I don't normally bother with it personally but my housemates are addicted and drag me along...

[iamapioneer]

love cardiff Primark

one of the best shops here

[girl_afraid]

Hmm interesting, no one seems to be concerned about the ethical issues/ copy of designery stuff, which is a breath of fresh air as I've been surrounded by it recently. I don't really have a problem with Primark, its afforable and I think most high street shops usually have that ethical problem, which i'm still not sure what it *exactly* is. As for Primark copying...Topshop copy the catwalk which makes it affordable to some & Primark copy the Topshop/Catwalk to make it affordable to everyone. I don't see why everyone is on the anti but maybe someone can soon change my mind....

The new one on Ox st is nice & big but also MASSIVE queues. I usually end up spending hours looking &popping things into my basket &then start to queue & think 'fuck this' and leave. Gonna visit smaller city/town ones from now on..

[Krystal]

I'm concerned about the ethical thing. I'm Bengali/ British and Primark, Asda, and Tesco use children and adults that earn very little per hour, especially from Bangladesh. 3p in fact. This amount is much lower than the national average in Bangladesh. Which is why the clothes are shit, and poorly made.

I can understand why people go though, as Britain and most women, are obsessed with consumerism. Luckily I'm not one of them anymore.

Although Primark are part of an Ethical Agreement, in reality it doesn't work. The Agreement needs to be enforced further. I don't tend to shop there, as I try to make my own clothes and I'm against it on principle. I also save my money for better quality clothes. I like looking individual.

However, I know this just isn't enough, so I'm going to start writing to the companies so that the factory workers get better working conditions. Unfortunately, there will always be slave labour but perhaps next time you buy these clothes, you should think about the people that made them, and start writing too. Their factory conditions can improve.

[Corpse In The Bathtub]

I'm concerned about the ethical thing. I'm Bengali/ British and Primark, Asda, and Tesco use children and adults that earn very little per hour, especially from Bangladesh. 3p in fact. This amount is much lower than the national average in Bangladesh. Which is why the clothes are shit, and poorly made.

I can understand why people go though, as Britain and most women, are obsessed with consumerism. Luckily I'm not one of them anymore.

Although Primark are part of an Ethical Agreement, in reality it doesn't work. The Agreement needs to be enforced further. I don't tend to shop there, as I try to make my own clothes and I'm against it on principle. I also save my money for better quality clothes. I like looking individual.

However, I know this just isn't enough, so I'm going to start writing to the companies so that the factory workers get better working conditions. Unfortunately, there will always be slave labour but perhaps next time you buy these clothes, you should think about the people that made them, and start writing too. Their factory conditions can improve.

I think saying that "Britain and most women, are obsessed with consumerism. Luckily I'm not one of them anymore" is generalising ever so slightly.

[Jennie Wren]

The question in my mind is, do you pronounce it "pree-mark" or "pry-mark"?

pry - mark

Never been a fan personally. I did buy some socks once and they shrank.
I'm not sure if it's 100% ethical there either. Yes they produce and shift tons of stock, but where and how is it made to begin with?

Someone also once said Primark is a bit Chavvy, which is a bit of an empty statement needless to say. I think Bristol had 2 at one stage :o

[Krystal]

I think saying that "Britain and most women, are obsessed with consumerism. Luckily I'm not one of them anymore" is generalising ever so slightly.

Perhaps, but I think it's true to a certain extent. It's gotten worse over the last few years with the growth of fashion magazines, and has gone mental this year due to the Kate Moss range, Primark and that ridiculous Anya bag.

Clothes don't bring about happiness.

[knives out]

Clothes don't bring about happiness.

fuck.

[Corpse In The Bathtub]

Perhaps, but I think it's true to a certain extent. It's gotten worse over the last few years with the growth of fashion magazines, and has gone mental this year due to the Kate Moss range, Primark and that ridiculous Anya bag.

Clothes don't bring about happiness.

im not sure i really follow your point.Of course they dont bring happiness,but they make you look good.Unless you shop in Primark,which kind of brings me full circle!:)

[Last Exit]

I think ethical consumerism has grown just as much as empty western consumerism generally, they're probably fuelling each other. There was a time when people just weren't informed or as interested in where things come from, whereas now things like the organic and fairtrade markets are all really big growth areas. I don't shop at Primark, I try and get stuff second hand where possible, but like others have said, most high streets are implicated in the cheap labour/imports debate. At least primark don't spend a fortune on advertising or instore decoration (another reason why they're cheap).

[teddy]

Though I have some ethical issues over cheap clothes, I don't think I can make them stop somehow. Whenever clothes sweatshops unionise the companies just move on to the next country that doesn't enforce labour regulations. Certain manufacturers do have better records though than others. Levis for example actually offer health and pension benefits for their workers, even abroad. Also while I laud M and S for putting out their fair trade range of clothing, I've yet to see it in a shop!

[gemsiglitterstar]

I can never find size 8 jeans in primark, its annoying!

I've noticed that too, in fact i often can't find 8's or 10's - but apart from that i have to say I do love primark as it is so cheap and cheerful and always manage to find something I like in the right size eventually. They always have fab accessories too - bracelet sets for £1 = wow, even cheaper than Claires!