The yellow coat is not in my nearest Matalan yet, and the rather irritated shop assistant assured me that it would be 'in soon, but didn't know exactly when'. Apparently they haven't had so many enquirys over an item since the red and white spotty dress that was in Heat magazing!

And, I still prefer Primark I think...

Posted by: Jen | August 29, 2006 4:51 PM

As an Aussie in the UK, I can hopefully be forgiven for only recently discovering Matalan. I spent about three hours there last weekend and found three pairs of shoes that I lovelovelove (the most exy was £10, the others a bargain £8 and £7 for LEATHER!), four belts that will see me through winter and beyond, and they had a couple of winter coats that left me drooling. I will be back for one particular coat very soon :)))

On the other hand, the Primark near me is pretty horrendous. It's usually packed, a bit dirty, and it's hard to find anything decent in it - although I did find a cute bag there at Christmas-time for £3.50. But still - I liked it a lot less than Matalan.

So for now, Matalan is definitely my favourite - even if the range isn't as big as Primark. As for the mustard coat -- not yet seen it. But I think they had it in red (I tried a red one on that looks a lot like the mustard one) and it looked really good on :)

Posted by: Erin | August 29, 2006 5:13 PM

Erin, you're not up in east london by any chance are you? Some of the local Primarks are a bit dodgy, I'll admit! The best Primark in London is Hammersmith - I travel down from E10 just to get the good stuff (am wearing *that* polka dot dress as we speak).

Roll on the Oxford Circus branch!

Posted by: Gemma | August 29, 2006 5:35 PM

Gemma - rather unfortunately, I live about an hour West of Glasgow. Not only am I in the sticks (which means a minimum 45min drive to get to a decent shopping centre with good clothes), but I have a completely crap Primark ;)

That said, they're opening a new Primark in Greenock.. which, despite its location *might* well turn out alright. But I REALLY miss Australia at times like this -- you lot might have castles and a better collection of shoes, but we have MASSIVE shopping centres where you can get EVERYTHING you need (from furniture and whitegoods to pretty accessories) and without this damned exchange rate (which has taken another nose dive).

*sigh*

I've turned into a whinging Aussie! hehe ;))))

ps. I really don't hate Scotland - I just get annoyed with how far I have to go to get to the shops! :D

Posted by: Erin | August 29, 2006 6:10 PM

I would complain and bitch about either of these stores if I knew where they were...

And for those of you who think Im insane Im not, I just live as far as possible from the U.K and still be in america...:(

Posted by: Sam | August 29, 2006 8:50 PM

Don't mind my posting three times on the same topic, but..

Gemma - they don't have the mustard coat in Scotland yet either. But the red coat I mentioned earlier is similar-ish in style and looks gorgeous on - it's got three button lines instead of two, and has a collar at the top instead of the square shape, with a waist detail thingo. That probably makes NO sense whatsoever, but it's gorgeous and only about £45.

As an additional aside - if anyone out there loves arm warmers (I do, I get so cold here!) - Matalan are selling grey leg warmers (featured on their site and recent catalogue) for £2 that make perfect arm warmers. They're a lovely light grey with a cute ribbon detail. Bargain (even after the Aussie dollar conversion)! :D

Posted by: Erin | August 29, 2006 9:40 PM

Erin - I know exactly what you mean about the conversion rate. Sometimes I can't quite believe I'm buying £100 coats and thinking it's a bargain, when it's about $250 back home - ouch. That's why I never tell my Mum how much I spend on my wardrobe over here!

I must say I much prefer Primark to Matalan - Only bought a few things in Primark so far, true, the nearest is Hammersmith which isn't that far away, but I guess I'm a snob and don't like to leave the comforts of leafy Richmond. Never bought a thing in Matalan, I would prefer to head to Primark for cheapies.

Now, where's New Look mentioned in this conversation!? A few years ago New Look would've been classed alongside Primark and Matalan, but has anyone else noticed the prices have risen, and I guess their target customers? I blame that tea-dress that was in all the mags awhile ago (Gemma, I'm looking at you, you are the reason their prices have risen!) Tsk!

If only the local Tesco sold clothes, then I would be a happy chappy, with George outfits, mmm.

Posted by: The Bag Lady | August 29, 2006 10:53 PM

Primark's definitely better. Matalan and Primark are as cheap as each other, but Matalan REALLY shows it. Primark has some really nice stuff, I'm definitely on their side!

Posted by: Frapp | August 30, 2006 9:28 AM

Erin - I live about an hour East of Glasgow: I feel your pain! Even Primark is too fancy for the likes of us, so Matalan it is!

BL - you're right about New Look. I can remember the days when it used to be in the same league, but a lot of their stuff is similarly priced to Top Shop etc now. Mind you, I can remember the days when Top Shop was a "cheap" store. Am I showing my age?

Posted by: Amber | August 30, 2006 9:54 AM

Well Im only 21 and I remember back in the day when Topshop was decently priced. And Im not amused with New Look getting pricier, even if their range is a LOT better than it was a few years ago.
Personally I think I prefer Matalan, only because every Primark Ive ever been into (and Ive been into a lot!) seems to put most of their stock on the floor, and there is no way Im getting on my hands and knees just to find a nice top!

Posted by: Caroline | August 31, 2006 1:09 AM

I'm pretty grumpy at the fact that Matalan is now considered an acceptable shopping venue. I spent the whole of my teens whining at my mum for dragging me there and refusing to take me to shops like Warehouse or Kookai (where all my friends shopped at the time). I used to feel really crap in my cheapo clothes - if only I'd known that I was actually just ahead of my time...

Posted by: Katie | August 31, 2006 8:21 AM

Primark is definately better! Bromley branch in particular, trust me, its where all the TV/magazines must haves are to be found!!!

Posted by: NAG | September 5, 2006 1:32 PM

Hi, I'm dying for that mustard-yellow 60s-style coat!!! Apparently no one has seen it????

I live in Central London - Victoria...where is my nearest Matalan??? Can't find it? hummmm

Posted by: ruby | October 5, 2006 12:10 AM

i think primark is so much betther then matalan,
can someone tell me whats the point of having a matalan card, the matalan staff in feltham store don't give it a rest U GOT MATALAN CARD!! Lol!

Posted by: Nikki Smith | May 2, 2007 6:59 PM

Omg! I would much much much totally prefare to go to primark than matalan! Primark has clothes that young people can wear aswell as older people. Also a nice section of underwear and lingerie. Oh, and how could i forget the SHOES! And much much much cheaper ! My vote is totally for primark !

Posted by: katie | September 20, 2007 9:09 PM

I love primarks only because it's cheap and you get your moneys worth. I'm always going into that store with my mum and my friends.

Posted by: Helen Fox | October 26, 2007 10:07 AM