River Island Review, Another UK Favorite?

I was recently introduced to River Island, a UK based clothier, that has some really interesting and funky clothes, none of which I would likely find stateside. River Island has nearly 300 stores across the UK, Ireland and internationally throughout Asia, the Middle East and Europe. But alas, not in the US as of late. Since I am always wary of a new website, especially ones overseas, I like to wait for a good deal on shipping or a percentage off or something, can you dig? So anyway, River Island was offering 48 hours of FREE international shipping, so how could I resist? I always lean towards lower priced sale items on my first purchase from a "new to me" site, you know, so that the risk is relatively low. Check out what I thought of the whole process.

On thing that sort of irritated me right off the bat was that while River Island does ship internationally (love), they do not have a way to convert the currency from British Pounds to anything else... or at least I couldn't find a way to do it, which is not very user friendly. But if you know me, I am not going to let a little thing like converting currency, stop me from getting what I want ;-). I immediately had my eyes on the White and Black Cut Out Shoulder Top was £16.00 now £8.00 and the Brown Heart Chelsea Girl Skirt was £22.00 now £10.00. I would get to the converting later. I have shopped at other UK based online shops so have my sizing pretty down pat but I always check the specific site's sizing chart juuuuust to be sure. Still golden with River Island.  I used a currency coverter (pretty accurately I might add) and my order was about $28.00. Not too shabby. No Paypal on River Island, ugh, so I actually had to get my wallet out. (Please note: I am currently using a satchel with buckles that are a pain in the @$$)


So considering that my items were coming from England, they arrived pretty friggin' quickly. I am talking like 3 business days quickly. I was pretty stoked seeing as how my shipping was free. While I wasn't expecting the highest quality, I was actually impressed with what I got. The shirt and skirt fit perfectly and the website depicted them just as they were. There were no surprises when I opened my Royal Air Mail, except for that element of YAY! new stuff. So would I try River Island again? I think so. I might need to wait for those "special items" I love, but so far the service is trustworthy and speedy.

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