Studying abroad is all about having new and different experiences... such as visiting Topshop.
I'm kidding - sort of.
While there are many new things I have done and will do while I'm in Scotland, today marked my first-ever physical visit (of course I've been to their Web site) to Topshop.
Despite interning this whole summer less than three blocks from the Topshop in Manhattan, and my reputation as a raging shopaholic, I never even considered stepping in.
I'm no shopping snob: I'm a regular Urban Outfitters shopper and a lover of T.J. Maxx. My dislike of Topshop was the opposite of shopping snobbery. Topshop mass produces their clothing, which means that it isn't particularly well-made.
Although a lesser quality is true of most mass production brands, Topshop's pricing was always creeping too close to the three-figure range for my liking.
I figured if Urban Outfitters and Topshop had the same-quality clothing, and I could buy a dress at Urban Outfitters for $30 less, I would shop at Urban Outfitters (yes, the two stores have different looks, but both Topshop's rocker chic and Urban's bohemian chic appeal to me).
So I kept my wallet closed to Topshop. Now, in the United Kingdom, the home of Topshop, I found myself wandering in.
However, contrary to my opening words, it had nothing to do with experiencing British culture.
Given the heavy extra bag fees airlines now charge, I was convinced that I could fit everything into one average-sized suitcase. I have one winter jacket, two lighter jackets, one sweatshirt, a vest, three dresses, three skirts, two pairs of jeans and seven shirts.
Shoes? Two heels, and one pair each of flats, sneakers (or trainers as some of my schoolmates here call them) and boots.
Moving into the dorms, I patted myself on the back while I bounced along with my one suitcase, passing other girls dragging two and sometimes three bags.
I have been here for a week and a day and I have worn all but one of the shirts. That pat on the back came far too soon. I needed clothing. I needed shoes!
With this in mind, I decided that I would tour the city, which really just meant that I would go looking for clothing stores. I spotted Topshop. It was a matter of necessity, you see.
And oh... the sequins! The ruffles! Why had I never been to this store?
I'd only covered the first floor and was already clutching seven items in my clothing-starved hands. It seemed the right amount to bring in for the first round in the dressing room.
But while everything had been so shiny and wonderful hanging on the racks, it became practically bland on my body. The purple mini-skirt was too stiff and the flowing navy top hung awkwardly.
I did try on a good pair of black leggings, which at ?12 weren't outrageously priced, but thanks to a brutal exchange rate, would mean about $22, and that is definitely more than I'd like to pay for a pair of plain black leggings.
Even the new Christopher Kane for Topshop line looked far better on the racks than on my body - I tried on a neon yellow dress reminiscent of, but far inferior to, his ready-to-wear line from the spring and summer collection he released back in 2007. I left empty handed.
Within the next two days, I saw at least 10 girls each in a rose-patterned dress and a loose button-up tank top with long sides, both items I had seen at Topshop.
I've always hated wearing the same thing as everyone else. And after seeing so many other girls in the clothing, it makes me extra-cautious towards Topshop.
Now I've found that my prejudice was right to begin with, and I put this question to my reader: Why shop somewhere where, besides the basics, clothing is extremely overpriced, poorly-made and will make you blend in instead of stand out?
