Bit of déjà vu here. Pretty sure I’ve started at least one previous post defending the honour of River Island. As a store it’s garnered a little bit of a reputation as a tacky/gaudy get-up purveyor but each time I pay a visit I always leave with a gem that’s both affordable and decent enough quality. Oh, and I got the boots 09 there, too. ‘Nuff said.
But, while they’ve always provided me with a basic (if a little bland) wardrobe item or two, they’ve not been known for innovation, at least not on the scale of Arcadia. However, with news that beloved t-shirt brand, Smudge the Bear, are now aboard, the tide may be changing.
Established this year by London duo Samuel Stephenson and Lucas Mathizig-Lee (nerd in me is loving the alliteration), Smudge the Bear has been making a name for itself at Brick Lane’s ‘Sunday Up Market’. Tees, for me, are generally just another layer of warmth and are invariably found in more neutral tones in my wardrobe. Arbitrary numbers, lewd exclamations, and only barely witty puns do not my tee-designs of choice make. That’s why the below trio is more than welcome. There’s a kind of lyrical beauty to them but nothing overly saccharine.
Find them at River Island stores in Manchester, Oxford St., Liverpool, Leeds, Dudly, White City and on the interweb.
Love these t-shirts!
Amazing – RI is certainly turning the tides. I've bought 3 at River Island Oxford Circus for Christmas gifts!