"UP TO 70% OFF SALE!"
"BIG SUMMER SALE!"
"CLEARANCE ITEMS MUST GO!"
Initially seeing these big signs in every clothing store window in Oxford immediately reeled me in. Half off? That means I'm paying regular price for a unique piece of clothing, or at least a garment that no one will have back in the states. With the latter part of that sentence possibly being true, the former couldn't be any more wrong!
Many store owners in Oxford realize that during the summer months, lots of American tourists keen on shopping in special boutique stores will appreciate the appeal of a sale. However, a top that's 50% off of 45 pounds... yep, it's still $45 American. The advertisements in the store can easily trick you into believing you got a good deal when in fact you're still paying quite a bit in American dollars.
Another thing I don't quite understand about shopping in Oxford is the stock of clothing in each store. Sheath dresses? Mini skirts? BIKINIS?! I can easily see these items being sold in America, but it's far too cold here for that! What non-existent beach would you wear these items to? And my struggle in finding a good coat (yes... I was quite the ignorant packer) still persists. Coats should be sold where weather permits! Yes, summer clothing with its surf shorts and tank tops is appealing... but don't native Oxonians find it unrealistic? Who actually buys this stuff? Is anyone so swayed by the "fun-in-the-sun" advertisements that they might still buy a bikini just for the appeal? I'm not an Advertising major, but even as a consumer I can recognize that paying 20 pounds for a beach bag in Oxford is a little ridiculous.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
This comes under the Believe It or Not heading. I taught Grady at Oxford twice. Went to the Gap, often. Found better Gap stuff in Oxford--for some inexplicable reason, at least to me--than I've ever found in a US store. I still get compliments on a purse I bought there, still wear some jeans I picked up, a belt, etc. It may be somewhat pathetic to visit a Gap while in Oxford, city of dreams & spires [or is that Cambridge], but I'll close this response with: Mind the Gap
I completely agree with your post! I've been thinking the same thing since I got here. I didn't pack for the weather, either, and all of the clothes for sell are items I could wear back home in 90 degree weather. And yes- Gap has definitely had the best selection so far. That is where I bought a jacket "on sale."
I was thinking the exact same thing about the bikinis and beach wear. No wonder stores were stocked with swimsuits and beach wear that were on sale- no one buys them!
Post a Comment