River Island

I have never experienced such disgusting customer service in any industry than that which I received from the manager, who told me her name was Michelle when pressed.
I was called a liar when I attempted to return a faulty item (with receipt).
I will never shop in this store again.
Buchanan Gallaries, Glasgow

River Island draws me in each and every time with the gorgeous shoe selection it seems to stock every season.
RI shoes aren’t the cheapest, but they do last for an age and look spectacular. I bought a pair of pale pink sandals from here recently with beads and feathers dangling from them, and they got so many compliments!
The clothes can be a hit or a miss, and I feel a lot of their formal, dressier dresses can be a bit outdated, the kind of thing I would have worn a few years ago. The material can be a bit iffy too.
The mens range is 100% better than the women’s I would say, which is great for buying gifts for the men folk in my life. I love the boots for men in here, and they are incredibly reasonable at about £70.

I have really gone off River Island in the past couple of years, some items look really cheap but the price tag begs to differ. I popped into this branch today and now my purse kind of wishes that I hadn’t but I just couldn’t help myself!
They have some really unusual items in at the moment, I got my mitts on a stunning polka dot summer dress with a gold embroidered design on each shoulder it’s so pretty and will be perfect for a lovely evening stroll on a warm summers night. I also bought a new bag which is a great size for a beach bag on holiday (I am definitely in summer mode just now — shame the weather doesn’t agree with me). Last but not least I got a stunning red knit cardigan which doesn’t look like it’s from River Island at all, in fact, it reminds me of the classic Chanel knits with the gold buttons. Stunning.
I also noticed they have beautiful swim suits and bikinis in at the moment and if they weather had been a tad warmer I would have probably bought some of them too.

I’m certainly not a ‘bling bling’ girl — if it’s not black or grey I’m unlikely to wear it. However, I have on occasion found some nice pieces in here. While, it’s a shop I would only really purposely go into for jeans (my favourite pair were purchased from here a couple of years ago), sometimes it can surprise you.
I’ve picked up a few simple t-​shirt, vest tops and jumpers/​long sleeved tops for wearing with jeans. They have proved to be a good cut, nice fit and well wearing with time. However, that being said the prices aren’t great and it’s very rarely that I’d splash out the extra for the simple pieces described above.
Therefore, on the whole I’d have to agree with Maureen and say that it’s mostly overpriced bling-​flavoured clothes.

River Island isn’t really to my taste. It caters more towards «bling» girls who wear white ripped skinny jeans and skyscraper heels. Cheryl Cole recently said River Island was her favourite High Street chain so it’s no surprise this store is filled with replicas of the sort of outfits she is pictured wearing in the newspapers every day.
The prices in here are a bit more expensive than your average High Street store. However, this Buchanan Galleries shop is large, well stocked and tidy so I would recommend it if you are into that sort of bling thing.

My wardrobe mirrors some sort of beige continuum, and unapologetically so. I am a muted, earthy tone sort of guy. or something.
When there’s a sale on, I lunge into here and pick up jumpers and the occasional pair of denims. It is a really awesome shop.
A little out of my price range for regular purchases, but the few quality products I have from in here help brighten my wardrobe that little tiny wee bit.
Good for accessories, with some really pretty girls clothing.

River Island is the ultimate high street fashion store in terms of stocking on trend fashion items and giving value for money.
This store is well organised and stocked and the staff are helpful and courteous.
Whether you’re looking for a classic pair of trousers to wear to work or an outfit for a special night out, you’ll be sure to find it in RI.
The only drawback of shopping here is that their sizes are pretty economical and so they don’t cater well for the fuller figure.

This is my favourite branch of River Island by a mile! I tend to look on their website before I go shopping as I am not too patient when it comes to shopping and it helps if I have an idea of what im looking for and I find this shop often has the best selection of the clothes I have seen online! Although the Argyll Street branch is much bigger, I find this branch has a much tidier layout and they always have everything in plenty of sizes. Anytime I have been unable to find my size in one of the other stores I can usually get it here. The staff are great and will even check through the back for you.
Probably one point to note is that the selection of menswear is not as big in this store as in Argyll street so perhaps would not recommend for the men!