The shopping experience, I’ve recently discovered, is vastly improved by a flute of sparkling champagne in one’s hand. Scrumptious canapés, glamorous shopping assistants and live music helps things along too.
Some time ago you would have had to promise me this much and more to get me into a TK Maxx store. Not that I don’t believe the hype; most of us have complimented a friend on a stylish something-or-other to be surprised by the answer “Thanks, bargain at TK Maxx.” It’s just that I don’t have the patience. I simply can’t be bothered to rummage. I like my clothes laid out simply and elegantly. Not by “soiled” and “not soiled.”
So it was with some scepticism that (thanks to the wonderful people at Live&Love York Magazine) I attended the launch of the new TK Maxx store on Coney Street. They promised a glamorous evening in their flagship ‘boutique’ style store; I, in turn, owed them an open mind.
Now someone at head office was playing fast and loose with the word ‘boutique’ in that particular press release, but it certainly was a world away from the jumble sale store I remember from home. Gone are the stained jumpers falling off broken hangers and buckets of mismatched shoes, and in their place are stainless steel racks of clothes hung in a veritable rainbow of shades. The store itself is bright and spacious, the decor chic. Relief sweeps over me. There isn’t a bargain bin in sight.
The most spectacular item of the evening, displayed just within the entrance, is a pair of incredible satin Versace shoes with a crystal encrusted six-inch heel, marked down to £499. Not everything, it seems, is cheap and cheerful.
Creamy leather gloves and feather-soft pashminas beg to be stroked, while jewel-toned cocktail dresses shimmer on their racks like exotic flowers. I’m so impressed by the way each of my expectations has been systematically toppled that for a moment I completely forget about the discounts. Just for a moment though. My personal steal for the night is a beautiful black patent leather Osprey of London handbag, marked down from £225 to £60.
As well as the extensive clothing and shoe collection, we find an impressive selection of lingerie, sportswear and beauty products (my flatmate even finds the yoga mat she’s coveted for so long). I am an official TK Maxx convert, and return the following day for the purse to match my new handbag. As we step out into the night, shopping bags swinging from our arms, I notice the Versace shoes have been sold. I sigh with disappointment that I won’t be the one with crystals sparkling at their heels tonight, while my overdraft sighs with relief.
Can’t say I’ll be paying a visit, but really well written piece.