Esprit

I have never managed to find anything I wanted to buy at Esprit, all the clothes look like they belong on Spanish hitchhikers or Australian wavehunters. And I’ve tried to find something I wanted to wear (after all, the stuff they display in the Window looks pretty good) on several occasions but all the clothes are just too sunny, too primary coloured — I don’t think they’re meant for a miserablist like myself; walking round Manchester in the rain wearing a yellow t-​shirt with ‘California Surf Lodge Est.1967′, I just can’t see it.
The women’s clothing does seem to be a lot better — simple, hard wearing stuff with cool patterns — but unfortunately I can’t really shop there. Or can i?

There are two shops that I adore and I can go in there all the time to buy everything. Esprit is one of them. It started when I was 16. I went inside just because I was curious and surprise surprise, I fell in love. Ever since, Esprit is ‘the’ shop. If I have some money and I want to treat myself… away we go, esprit. You can find something for all the occasions. Casual, smart, sport. Their bags are the only thing that I don’t fancy that much. I’m not too crazy about the shoes either, but scarves, jeans or tops, omg, all for me. The most amazing thig is that they have sales all the time. Literally, all the time. They have a little section where you can find things for less than a tenner. How cool is that? You will expect me to spend hours in that shop won’t you? Well you are wrong. It’s very easy to find exactly what you want, because most of the stuff are gorgeous anyway. So in five minutes you pick a top, and the next five minutes you have a pair of jeans as well. They have an awesome loyalty card. You get points for your purchases and from time to time they send you vouchers to use in the shop or online, however you prefer. Last time I got one with 6 pounds discount for anything I buy. And if you’re a student you get an extra 10 percent off as well. Fantastic. My favorite. It just can’t get any better.

A great basic store. Light colours, calm feeling to the store and a quiet atmosphere perfectly fits with its name ‘Espirit’!
You can have everything here from jackets to tops to dresses to jeans and shoes, all in light and earthly tones. Good woollen sweaters and very comfy I must mention!
A good store for people who are in favour of beige things!

Espree? E-​spirit? I still don’t know how to pronounce it. And I was something of a latecomer to this store, but I’m glad I gave it a try during last year’s scary recession sales as I found two things I can get on board with — low prices and simplicity.
This is a great shop if you’re after the basics. From jumpers to chinos, everything you want to slouch about in on a casual Friday is here in spades. The nightwear is cute as a button, from velour comfies to baggy checked pants. And the maternity clothes are just adorable. You won’t find anything ridiculously cutting edge, but that’s the beauty of it, Esprit has a certain market cornered and it’s sticking with it, along with earthy colours and soft fabrics.
I popped in here with an old work colleague during a lunch break and was pleasantly surprised to find some wool sets. I walked away with a sweet pair of lilac gloves which came complete with wrist-​warmers, great, as I’ve said before, for all these ¾ sleeve jackets we have to deal with these days. It’s perfect for stocking up your wardrobe with comfy plain vests, T-​shirts, and the outerwear is practical and warm. The underwear is a little more stylish and very pretty in a classy way, and jeans are simple and well fitted.
It might not be an afternoon of style experimentation, but an afternoon in Esprit is one well spent.

When are affordable clothing stores going to realise that over embellishing their T shirts, jeans and whatnot is fooling none of us into thinking that it’s high fashion?
If anything, the stupid and meaningless statements and cringingly tacky patterns serve only to act as a big badge that says «Look at me!!! I bought this on the cheap!!!».
Why don’t they just know their level and keep it simple?
A plain T shirt, a basic hoodie– it doesn’t matter where you buy those, look at H&M or Primark.
But places like Esprit (and Next, River Island and Burton) have to act all Johnny Big Bollocks and do a Jackson Pollock over their entire range in a misguided attempt to pull that wool.
Leave my wool alone Johnny B!

This is a relatively new shop opened not long ago on Manchesters market street. To me, this is spice boy central! Selling fashion for men and women it is your average trendy place to get your threads from. Not only clothes but accessories, hats, jewellery, watches and randomly (although great for the trendier ones) the maternity section! Prices are pretty average for the hight street, and the quality is the of the same standard! Its not my cup of tea but it is very popular with the masses!