Topshop is killing me

Remember this pair of shoes? Mentioned it when I first started writing here and finally saw it in the store today. Obviously I wanted it but it was not to be. The fit was so horrendous there was no way even I could convince myself that it's okay.

The good part is that the ankle straps actually sit really low, so it's not unflattering on less than perfectly slender calves.

The bad part is so bad there's just no salvation. The entire front of the show is off. The feet can't slide nicely under the strap at all, despite the shoe looking so innocently normal in the picture. Both sides of the foot kind of stick out, and the so much of the inner part is hanging over the heel it's a bit ridiculous. The curve of the shoe is also no way close to the arch of the feet.

At first I thought it might be that my feet are too broad, even though I've always worn Topshop shoes with no trouble. But the girl who eats slowly tried it on her narrower feet and we had to conclude that the shoe was just so badly made.

Which is a real pity, cos I really like the gloss and the cleanly sliced edges.

Tried a pair of t-strap floral print flats as well. The print was pretty - small blooms in bright, primary colours on black is always good - but the cut was atrociously hideous.

So, seriously, what's the deal with Topshop. Cos that's not all.

Is it me or have their stock been replenishing really, really slowly for a long time now. They have new stuff a lot less regularly and even when they do, it's often just a few token pieces to create the illusion that they have something new.

Also, stuff that have been up on the website eons ago have been super slow in coming, if at all.

Maybe it's my fault for visiting too often - once a week, at least. But that is, or was, the selling point of TS - the quick stock turnover and constant surprises that leave you gasping and agonising because there's just so.much.stuff you want.

Sigh. I've been using the title "Topshop is killing me" when I really should be changing it to "Topshop.com is killing me".

I want H&M.

That said, I do still love TS. To the point I think it's a bit sick. Like today, I haven't been in a TS for maybe two weeks, and I just had to go. Had to. It was an urge so strong it had manifested as a tightening in my chest and had completely overwhelmed my brain.

So today, we were in Suntec and after I went to the one there (small and boring) I had to go the Marina one (bigger but still boring) and then I needed to go to the Wisma shop (the one I visit weekly, you see) As I got nearer to TS Wisma, my steps quickened and I could think of nothing else but stepping into the familiar layout and flipping through the racks. Only after I had gone and determined there was nothing I could buy did I feel relaxed and able to slow down again.

I also had this conversation with one of the sales assistants at the Suntec store.

Me: Why is it that your spring shoes are not in yet?

Her: Oh these are all new season shoes! Like this and this and this are the latest arrivals.

Me: But that's really old, I saw it long ago. I've been looking at stuff on your website and there are so many things I want but they just never come in.

Her: Well, you know that yellow pair over there is also new. And also... (pauses to take a closer look)

Me: Mm yah, and the floral one right?

Her: Yah! (look of amazement that I know) You really like Topshop huh?

Me: Yah I guess I do, but I usually go the Wisma one.

We talked a little more after that. She was really nice and friendly, just that her English got a bit difficult to understand as we strayed into conversational territory outside of her usual sales talk (she's from China and her articulation is slightly too relaxed). Nonetheless, we managed to yak. I guess you can say fashion conquers boundaries.