As news of the potential collapse of TopShop breaks, Fashion North editor Caitlyn McAdam reflects on the time she discovered how the high street store … and her fashion style
Growing up in my teenage years, I used to struggle to find a perfect pair of jeans. It seemed that every pair I found on the high street never fitted or complemented my body shape.
My first pair of boyfriend jeans from TopShop
I can not begin to describe how many pairs of jeans I tried on because, let’s be real, jeans have so many different names now to help describe the style of them. There is no such thing as just skinny jeans anymore: you have boyfriend, mom, high-waisted, bootleg, wide leg, ripped and so much more.
My straight-leg jeans from Topshop
However, it was not until I reached high school that a lot of my friends were shopping in TopShop and for me, always a Primark girl at heart, I did not know what to expect. It was not until I walked into the TopShop in Eldon Square, Newcastle, and I bought my first pair of jeans from Topshop. When I first tried the jeans on and I looked in the mirror in the changing room I felt such a rush of confidence and my self-esteem went through the roof because I was wearing a pair which suited my body type and actually looked good on me. It was that moment I realised I had found the perfect pair and it was the beginning of a newfound staple in my wardrobe.
Over the years, I have always loved TopShop jeans and I have bought them in a variety of styles and different colour denim including boyfriend, straight-leg, Joni and Leigh jeans and some I still have to this day. The jeans at TopShop always made me feel on trend and every time I would buy a pair I could not wait to get home and style them which is why they would always be my favourite. Not to mention the quality of the jeans would last me a long time which is how I knew I would be investing in a good pair that I could still afford and they last me a while.
My first two pairs of ripped skinny jeans from Topshop in the style: Leigh jeans
The great part of TopShop jeans was knowing that I could style them exactly how I wanted to and it gave me that moment to experiment with my fashion. I have paired most of my jeans with trainers or flats, however, if I was going out with my girls (before covid) I would always go for a pair of heels or boots. This was the genius part about my TopShop jeans because they made me feel confident and I could style them up or down depending on the occasion.
As I have got older, I would say I have not shopped at TopShop as much as I did in my the past and I think this is due to my guilty pleasure of shopping with fast fashion brands. Due to the Coronavirus lockdown, I miss the memories of being able to go into TopShop and have the real life experience of feeling the fabric and trying clothes on before I bought them to see if they would fit. However, if it was not for that one day, I would have never found my confidence in my denim jeans to begin to experiment with my jeans and style. No matter if they are light-coloured or dark, with pre-made rips and holes, more or less faded, ragged or tight jeans, each of these features changes the way we wish to communicate with others.
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