H&M opening here: should I get excited? - YouLookFab Forum

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H&M opening here: should I get excited?

Dimity

There's an H&M store opening in a big mall in Brisbane. I haven't been inside one for about a decade, when they opened in Toronto. I wasn't very impressed with the quality then, but I had a look at their website and I like the styling of some of their things. Is it worth getting excited?

Shopping

30 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

Deborah

Veteran

Apparently not:( I haven't yet been into the Melbourne store but all reports I have heard is that it is very disappointing. But you need to see it for yourself and I would love to know what you think:)

Dimity

That's what I was afraid of. I can't be bothered with poor quality or too-young styles. It opens in March and I'll let you know. Now if it was a Zara...lots of people seem to like Zara and their knitwear looks so fresh.

Astrid

Veteran

I don't shop at H&M at all anymore. I did in my teens and I think the quality for the price was alright back then (my sister still wears some of those pieces right now), but it's gotten much worse. Now when I feel fabrics or look at construction I'm not even close to tempted to try anything on.

Dimity

Ugh! It's such a pity to hear that, Astrid. Sigh.

anne

Veteran

I visited the one in Melbourne last week and wasn't impressed with the quality (as I reported to the YLF Melbourne mini-meet last week!)

Dimity

Anne, sorry, I must have missed that post. That's disappointing to hear.

anne

Veteran

Oh it wasn't a post Dimity - I meant in person!

Dimity

Oh! Now I get it. Still, it's a pity that from all accounts the quality just isn't there.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I doubt it. There is one in my city and it is not exactly a shopping mecca.

Having said that, I did once find a nice linen tee there, and another time nabbed a knit jacket for travelling at a mere $20.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Our H&M's are quite good - it does vary geographically. I was in ours last week, and they are always worth a look. Their dressier items look particularly good at the moment.

Dimity

Oh, that's interesting, Suz and Angie. I wonder what they'll sell in Oz? The seasons would be different to Europe and North America too, of course.

Deborah

Veteran

It could be like Zara I guess. I find Zara in Australia has items of varying quality. Last time I was at Zara was at Chadstone with Lyn D and some of it was just rubbish... looked ok on the hangar but once on you could see the lack of quality in the fit, but some was quite lovely. I am guessing H & M might be the same.

Dimity

Deborah, I also find that cheaper clothes, as well as not fitting nicely, have really long stitching on the seams. I looked at a chambray shirt in Kmart the other day, and you could see every single stitch made on the darts. It made it look so nasty.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Truly, we have three quite big H&Ms and I was JUST thinking yesterday how they're looking better than they have in a while. The quality of their dressier merchandise has improved.

I was also thinking about your seasonal difference, Dimity. You're getting what these stores sold last year so that the merchandise is not seasonally confused for the Southern hemisphere. You are heading into Winter retail, while we're getting hot off the press new Spring 2015 collections.

Our Zara is turning - three quarters of the store is still Winter sale, but one quarter is brand new Spring, and I like what I see.

Dimity

The seasonal difference thing intrigues me, Angie. Do they re-order what sells well, do you think, or do they send us what hasn't sold? That would make a big difference to the stores. I was reading an interview of a COS employee who said that COS Australia has a mix of new items (not seen in Europe, just made for here) as well as items sold in Europe in the season just gone. I haven't been into a COS store yet as it's 1700km from me.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I am hit or miss with H&M, but enjoy having the option. I actually much prefer online shopping since there is always a line at the store and I've never figured out their displays. I shop there for my children often, but since they've gone online I get basics, nice knitwear and some fun house items from them. They tend to have some really great things and some not so great things and it may be hard to tell if you can't see them in person. I'm still not comfortable purchasing $100 items there, so my expectations are lower for the items' longevity.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think retailers hold back the stock - that's all. I'm pretty sure it's not stuff that didn't sell in the northern hemisphere.

I like the sound of creating a collection just for the Southern hemisphere though. Perhaps that will happen more frequently in future.

Dimity

Oh, I'm glad that we're not just getting the non-sellers! I hope that we'll get more collections made for us. Perhaps it would be a good way for them to test a trend before buying into it big-time for Europe and North America, if the markets are similar enough.

Jj, yes, it's nice to have the option. We haven't had these stores here which is surprising in this globalised world. It will create more competition I think.

Jeanie

Veteran

I would say yes and no. I have had some luck with staples there like jeans, camis, and t-shirts. I have to be in the mood to go in there though because the stores are packed with stuff, like Forever 21, and it can be overwhelming.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

H&M seems to be one of those chains where what they sell varies a lot by location, even stores only a few miles away from one another. Maybe they do demographic studies or something? Some of the ones in my area aren't worth looking at, and some are decent. Multiply that by how quickly stock at H&M changes anyway, and you've got a mystery element every time you bother to stop by.

Dimity

Jeanie, I agree that overwhelming is hard to take. I have to be in the mood for it too.

Laura, I'm beginning to hope, because the mall it's opening in has a Max Mara and Armani and several other luxury stores, plus the H&M is opposite the high end department store. My guess is that they'd be stocking the better things at this store, then, to work with the feel of the mall.

deb

Veteran

I always find at least one item each season that becomes a workhorse for me. They usually come from their basics collection but last month I got this great plaid tunic that I have already worn with tees underneath and know I will wear a lot in the spring.

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K.M.

Veteran

I'm another H&M fan, and I also agree it depends on the location. You also have to weed through a lot of bad stuff to find the gems. But they're worth it. Quality varies so much from item to item. You have to try them on and look closely at the seams, zippers, etc.
In the past couple of years I've had good luck with their pants, t-shirts, shirts, blouses, scarves... And I still own a few long-lasting items from over 10 years ago!!!
But I need to make the time to spend a little while in the store sorting through those overpacked, messy racks. And then a little time waiting in line (and following their limit of pieces to try).

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree that it varies by location - even locations in the same general area. I also find this with Zara and Topshop. (I actually spend too much time thinking about why one store gets certain stuff as opposed to another.)

Diana

Veteran

With H&M I never know if I am going to get a gem or a dud. (Well, some of the duds are easy to spot right away). I've had things fall apart after a couple of wears and some that last for years and years. My black swing coat cost me all of $39 and is a majority real wool and has lasted for probably 6-7 years (bought it so long ago I don't really remember how old it is) and counting.

I like browsing there, although it definitely is better to go to a bigger, more well-stocked store. I personally have much better luck at H&M than at Zara, both in terms of styles and fit. (I feel like H&M seems to be better for short people like myself.)

rachylou

Veteran

Interesting. I really like our H&Ms. The quality's really quite all right.

Anonymous

I find it hard to shop in, with crammed racks full of every possible style. No real direction or evident message. I don't have the time nor inclination to sort through racks so just look at the windows and check out the only real display at the front entrance , then move on. Ours is huge and new, but full of cheap trendy stuff. Interestingly , the men's side looks tempting and well merchandised, but the women's side skews very very young . And - despite being a big new beautiful store in a relatively hong end mall- there's never anyone in it .

Dimity

Deb, that tunic looks nice, and I haven't seen anything like that around here yet. I could see that being really handy to pop on over jeans.
KM, I like the idea of being able to find some treasures!
Shevia, it is fascinating how they decide which store is to get what. I find that with Target here too. The city store swims with black business type pants.
Diana, what a find that coat was!
Glad to hear that you find it okay, rachylou. It gives me hope that we might actually get something good here!
It's odd that your H&M is not busy, lisa. It can be so time consuming to have to go through racks and racks of things, you'd think they'd try to make it easier. Their website isn't as nice to play on as Zara's, either.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

They are very hit and miss in my experience. Their designer collaborations usually have something to offer the discerning shopper and they can be quite good for accessories like leather gloves. But I agree with lisp that it's a frustrating shopping experience so I rarely go in these days.

Keep in mind that H&M also own COS, &OtherStories, Cheap Monday and Weekday, which are steadily raising the high street game. I think they're concentrating all their efforts at grown up quality in these brands and targeting the H&M brand at the youngsters.

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