H&M

H&M is one of those staple high street shops catering to both the popular and standard fashions. The Leeds branch on Briggate is a pretty decent store, over two floors, so it’s got plenty to have a gander at. I’ve often found it to be in a bit of a mess, but that hasn’t prevented me from seeking out some decent garments — I can be a tenacious shopper when the mood takes me.
Quite often they have some excellent dresses and shirts which appeal to my vintage preferences, but I am a customisation queen so more often than not I’ll pick something that has the potential to be souped up into a one-​off piece with whatever magpie shiny bits I can find.
They have a decent menswear selection and some decent casual wear tops, such as the standard cheap-​o vest tops which are super comfy in the summer. (How ever long we are blessed with it here in Leeds… !) since the prices are pretty competitive you can always count on finding a last minute bargain to go out in and there’s always a little something in the accessories!

H&M has long been the saviour of my wardrobe. It is, thankfully, affordable, cool and straightforward. I know that if I walk into H&M I’m probably not going to walk out with something horrible and tacky when panic-​buying kicks in and I’ve grabbed the first thing that comes to hand, and I know I’m not likely to break the bank.
The shop’s range falls very squarely into the ‘highstreet fashion’ category and it isn’t always that exciting, but exciting isn’t what you’re looking for in H&M. You want something that’s at least halfway fashionable, won’t fall apart on you and won’t cause anyone to point and laugh at you (or run in fear) in the street.
The Briggate branch is the bigger of the two in Leeds city centre and is pretty well-​stocked. Unfortunately shopping-​shy men have to tough it out through the women’s section to get down to the men’s nowadays, but that’s about the only complaint I have.