Putney, a shopping expedition to

Place: Putney Bridge, Putney, south London.
Date: October 15, 2007.
Camera: Panasonic DMC-TZ3.

I don't go to Putney very often, although it's just a short bike ride away from where I live and it's certainly within walking distance if you don't mind strolling along the Thames Path -- with elbows at the ready so that you can push all those other annoying Sunday strollers out of the way.

Today I went by tube. Sedate and easy, except for the annoying change at Earls Court and the long walk over Putney Bridge to the High Street.

It was just after noon when I arrived. There's a good mix of shops here -- the usual British High Street stores, such as WH Smith, Boots, M&S, Superdrug and the like -- plus a lot of eateries and pubs. I was surprised to come across a BHS (British Home Stores) outlet, because I haven't seen one of them since they closed the Kensington High Street branch about eight years ago. I went in and promptly walked out again: lots of el-cheapo "bland wear" that even an elderly granny would probably turn her nose up at.

There's a good shopping centre -- the Exchange -- on the western side of the street, and it was here I found the reason for my venture south of the river: a branch of Next. I had hoped to purchase a suit for work and possibly a pair of casual trousers, but the range on offer was fairly limited. Typically the sizing was all over the place: this must be the only store where it is possible for a woman to buy two pairs of trousers that are two completely different sizes (a 12 and a 16), and two tops that are completely different sizes as well (14 and 16). The company has obviously never heard of standardised measurements.

It hasn't heard of customer service either, if this afternoon's experience was anything to go by. I was overloaded with seven different items to try on*, only to be told there was a limit of four -- despite there being no sign to advise this -- and I'd have to put the excess items back on the shelf myself! I was flustered enough as it was, juggling various bags (I'd bought some hefty stationary from WH Smith) and wasn't feeling particularly well (my throat playing up again and my eyes still itchy and sore), so when the salesman made a barely audible mumble in my direction trying to enforce this ridiculous rule, I confess that I got a tad grouchy with him. In the end, he let me into the changing room with all seven items, but made me feel like he was doing me the world's biggest favour**.

Later I soothed my rage with a trip to the bookshop next door and didn't even feel remotely guilty about spending £30-odd on things I don't really need. I hate clothes shopping with a passion, but I could spend the rest of my life buying books. I think this is because books never make you feel like you're being ripped off by shoddy workmanship. And books never, ever, make you feel fat. They're good for the brain and good for the soul.

When I left it was close to 3pm. I bought a freshly squeezed juice at a juice bar near the exit and then headed to M&S across the road for a few bits and pieces to take home to eat, before making my way back to the tube station on the other side of the river.

I have to say that Putney Bridge tube station is one of the nicest tube stations in London. It's one of those stations that comprises an elevated platform far above the rooftops, so you get a great view over the suburbs. The entire station is neat and tidy, and all the timber awnings are painted a very pretty cream and sage green. It reminded me a lot of some of the train stations in Melbourne, probably because the architecture looks colonial.

I didn't have long to wait for a train and I was back in the door almost five hours after I'd left the house. Not bad for an unplanned shopping excursion.

* London retailers need to learn a thing or two from their New York counterparts. In the Big Apple sales assistants relieve you of you any item as soon as they see you walking around with it. They'll introduce themselves before putting the item aside for you to collect when you are ready to either try on or buy. This is a wonderful service that allows you to browse at leisure without any of your upper limbs falling off.

** I'd understand the limit if the store was busy, but there was no one in the queue behind me and at least two vacant cubicles ahead of me.

Comments

[Melody]

Those size differences are amazing! And weird. A lot of the shops over here offer service like that in New York. Its nice. But then, a lot don't.

[Julie]

Actually, I get annoyed by those that do offer that service. I find it pushy rather than of service. What if I change my mind and want to replace it by something I find later in the store? They are forcing me to commit to trying in on whereas I am only thinking "mmm that is nice - that could be a possibility".

[Maxine]

I hate to sound like an advert, but I do recommend next online. It is a very good website, excellent stock control system, and the deliveries arrive in a day. I must say that I've never had your sizing problem with Next but then I usually only buy T shirts, shoes (for my giant feet, as their sizings go way up there!), and crucially, jeans/trousers as the prices are good and they do L (long leg) -- and the same size always works for me.
I never buy jackets or blouse-style shirts without trying them on as I have a long waist so they hardly ever fit me, expecially jackets, where the cut is usually such that the "waist" bit is half way up my ribs and the bottom of the jacket is some way above my waistband. But I have hope of Next again, as they have recently started a "tall" range (quite limited at the moment).
(next.co.uk is the online site.)

[kimbofo]

Julie, I was caught off guard in NYC and, at first, I thought exactly the same as you: it was pushy. But I soon learnt I wasn't obliged to buy anything or try on anything -- you can simply walk out of the shop. Actually, in one instance, I told the chap I wanted to hold the shirt I'd chosen because I was looking to see if it'd match something else in the shop and he was more than happy to let me do that.

Maxine, unfortunately, the older I get the harder it is to get anything to fit me --- my weight/body shape fluctuates a lot depending on whether I am cycling a lot or not, so gone are the days when I'd walk into a shop and buy size 14 for tops and bottoms. Now I can range in size from 12 to 16. I'd love to buy clothes online but I'm afraid it would simply be a waste of time, as I'd end up returning most of them!