review of
Urban Outfitters
by
LingEatsCake
Dec 13, 2008
The Wal-mart for Hipsters
Rating:
+2
Urban Outfitters is the equivalent of eating at Burger King for me. It feels great while I'm there, cheerfully snacking on my Chicken Fries and Icee, but afterwards I just feel ethically and physically wrong. Here's why:
The Good
OU definitely does certain things right. It does a smart job of interpreting what the kids are into these days and offering these items up faster for consumption, with more variety, than any other retailer.
The Bad
Unfortunately, their in-house brands (which I believe are Kimchi & Blue, Lux, Fairy Tales Come True, etc) exhibit some of the worst workmanship I've ever seen. They're pretty much H&M quality, but at jacked-up prices. $49.99 for that blouse that will only last one season? No, thank you! Almost everything from their in-house brands have fallen apart on me quickly. Either that or there's something wrong — the dye rubs off, or the buttons are too heavy for that thin faux-silk material. There's always something.
Secondly, many of the designs of their in-house brands do steal from just-starting independent designers who haven't learned the business chops of trademarking their creations. Maybe it's a lesson in "All's fair in commerce and trends," but considering that the company is stealing from the creative-type consumers who actually shop there, it's a complete lack of respect. Remember those "I [heart] Sushi" or "I [heart] Pad Thai" T-shirts UO sold way back in early 2000s? Those designs originated with a one-woman 20-something designer who sold her totes and shirts on a website. I have no idea what's going on with her own.
Redeemed?
HOWEVER the exception to all my bitching here is that UO's capsule collaborations with up-and-coing fashion designers like Steven Alan, Charlotte Ronson, Cheap Monday, are actually fantastic. The quality of these collaboration pieces are great: better-than-average materials, thick cotton, sturdy construction. The one thing that's off is their sizing, but hey, my ego can take wearing a Medium.
Lately, I've seen UO really diversify in carrying designs that aren't their in-house brands. BDG makes great cardigans, Cheap Monday makes great jeans, Frye makes fantastic boots. If they keep this up, I'd shop there more.
Oh god, I can't bring myself to shop at Urban anymore. I worked there for OVER a year; it was AWFUL.
On April 08, 2009
Reply
I gotta say that although I don't shop there, they carry some neat stuff. And you're right, I've heard friends complaining about their in-house brands, too. But they're always packed, so they must be doing something right, lol.
On January 05, 2009
Reply
Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Though I'm much busier these days, and can't afford the time to shift thru thrift stores. I think that's why a lot of my peers still go here.
On December 19, 2008
Reply
Everytime I go here and think something is cute I just have to remind myself that if I were really cool I would take pride in thrift store hunting and indie boutique shopping. Then I remember that I'm broke, so it doesn't matter anyway. I also usually don't like the people that work here.
On December 19, 2008
Reply
I know, if Anthro was just a tad cheaper they'd be the only store I would buy from. I love their unique vintage style.
On December 14, 2008
Reply
Yeah, I have so much love/hate! I like Anthropologie, but it's always so expensive. They had this pretty seashell dress I wanted.
On December 13, 2008
Reply
I'm not generally a huge fan of Urban Outfitters either; I tend to prefer their parent company Anthropologie. Their store design and set up is confused and lacks any real ambience. When I'm there I always think I should find something fantastic that "I just have to have", but I usually don't. Their music is often too loud and I agree, the quality of their product is questionable (lopsided cuts and strings hanging from every which end). That said, I just purchased a really cute and trendy leather jacket there for $128.00. So far, so good.
On December 13, 2008
Reply
1
More Reviews by This Member
Facts
95% Complete:
Urban Outfitters, founded in 1970 in Pennsylvania, also includes the retail brand Anthropologie, Free People, and Terrain and Leifsdottir (wholesale Anthropologie).
In addition to stores across the United States, Urban Outfitters also operates in Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Ireland.
Urban Outfitters is know for their hip and ironic clothing, furniture and home decor. However, they have been criticized a number of times for merchandise they sell and also logos and signs printed on T-shirts they carry. Products have been know to allege anti-Christianity (Jesus Dress up ornament), anti-Jewish/Israel ("Everyone loves a Jewish girl" shirt surrounded by $$ signs to reconfirm stereotypes, a shirt with a Palestinian child holding an AK47 over the word "Victimized), and pro violence (hand gun shaped ornaments).
In addition to stores across the United States, Urban Outfitters also operates in Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Ireland.
Urban Outfitters is know for their hip and ironic clothing, furniture and home decor. However, they have been criticized a number of times for merchandise they sell and also logos and signs printed on T-shirts they carry. Products have been know to allege anti-Christianity (Jesus Dress up ornament), anti-Jewish/Israel ("Everyone loves a Jewish girl" shirt surrounded by $$ signs to reconfirm stereotypes, a shirt with a Palestinian child holding an AK47 over the word "Victimized), and pro violence (hand gun shaped ornaments).
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