Tommy Hilfiger

The best store in town, people complain about the prices but being a huge fan of Tommy Hifigher, I must say, quality and design of product is absolutely immaculate. It certainly looks good on my physique (having few extra pounds) and it feels like every product is customised for my size and shape. The fabric itself is long lasting and you get exact value for what you pay.

Yes it is extortionately expensive, but c’mon guys, it’s Tommy H!
Nobody complains about the prices of all the designer gear in Brown Thomas across the road, nor BT2 in the middle of Grafton Street. People who shop there (and indeed, people who avoid it completely) know exactly the deal. Prices are high. Really high. Tommy Hilfiger had a section in both of these stores, with sky high pricetags, so why should we expect anything different in their new flagship Dublin store? It is Dublin after all, EVERYTHING is more expensive here than pretty much anywhere else in the world.
Don’t get me wrong, the prices are waaaaaaaaaaay out of my budget. Not that this bothers me too much, as I am certainly not a fan of their sailor-​y, navy red and white look anyway.

Tommy Hilfiger is one of the archetypical American designers, second only to Ralph Lauren. Both these designers sell a vision of a preppy and clean-​cut America; let’s say Americana rather than American, as it’s more of an idea than a reality. The cuts are classic and the colors and patterns are understated. You’ll surely find a white and navy blue striped boatneck sweater or a red plaid shirt in this shop, no matter the season or even year you come in.
I decided to check out the Tommy Hilfiger store, because I saw something interesting in the window. Something distinctly un-​red-​white-​and-​blue. Something fuchsia!
I was surprised by two things. 1. Tommy Hilfiger’s higher end line which consists of classically elegant dresses, jackets, skirts, silk tops and stately leather boots. I found this collection to be a great departure from the standard TH I envision, which is red white and blah boring.
2. The prices! Dear me. In the States, most Tommy Hilfiger gear doesn’t fetch the kind of prices that it’s asking for here in Dublin. Even the red white and boring stuff, which is usually very affordable at home, was pricey here. It’s probably good quality but just too boring to plunk that kind of money down on. The high-​end collection was probably not worth it either and you could probably find a reasonable copy at Oasis for much less money.

Have you ever seen a more ostentacious store. And it only opened a wet week before the whole economy plummeted. Ok, so it’s Tommy Hilfiger clothing, but why is it so expensive? Admittedly some of the clothes do look gorgeous, but they’re just overpriced.
When I’m walking around this shop all I can think about is how much rent they’re paying?! It’s distracting!

Okay, well, where to start…
Genuinely, I think they might be having a laugh at the Dublin populace with the prices in this shop, because I know for a fact that the brand does not carry the same elitist price tag over in the States — which is the clear heartland and inspiration for the brand. But they seem to shift their blue, white and red, ‘star spangled banner’ type stock here, so clearly someone of you are forking out for a slice of the American dream.
Chino’s, silk ties, and dinner jackets with crests (which look out of place in any other location other than at the helm of a yacht) are in abundance. It’s designed and marketed as an American lifestyle brand, which apparently has significant resonance here, as I saw the place milled at Christmas time. Sometimes they have signs for big reductions in their sales, so if you feel like dressing up as a high class sailor, this really is the only time to enter this den of extortion. The place is laid out in meticulous order, colour coded regimently and such. The staff on the floor, to their credit, are well-​trained and not too pushy — more like friendly personal shoppers with all the pleasantries.
All in all, it’s a kind of ‘if you’re into that kind of thing’ place. But seriously, don’t pay those prices, there’s a recession on captain!