28 Comments
User's avatar
HW's avatar

Love this! "wouldn’t make you well up in a changing room as your dreams of being Alexa Chung slowly died" was a stand-out line.

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Sarah Powell's avatar

Haha, I was proud of that! And it felt stunningly accurate...

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Siobhan Davis's avatar

I recently purchased a couple of Kate Moss for Topshop dresses on Vinted because when they came out I was that 20 odd year old who didn't know who she was, skint ( I could always afford beer and fags though) and a couple of sizes bigger than would be comfortable in any of it. I am now that woman too! It feels great

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Sarah Powell's avatar

This is just wonderful. You've unlocked a memory, it's vague but I remember trying on a boho Kate Moss shirt, which sounds entirely plausible...

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Jennifer's avatar

The fact you found the shoes has honestly made my month!! May Philip Green never know peace for taking the big Topshop away from us 😭

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Sarah Powell's avatar

NEVER. That is SO kind of you love, I'm wearing them RIGHT NOW

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Words by Catherine Prutton's avatar

I used to finish work early on a Friday in Vauxhall, have a POTENT vodka and coke at Pico's across the road, hop on the tube to Oxford Street Topshop and usually buy a coat. Then take it back the next day. Those were the DAYS.

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Clare Nightingale's avatar

Ah Picos

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Sarah Powell's avatar

This is a PERFECT Friday night. Taking the coat back! Hahaha.

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Jana Puisa's avatar

Oh the Oxford street Topshop! Life will never be the same without it. But also very much enjoying not trying to squeeze myself into anything that is smaller than size 12.

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Sarah Powell's avatar

The Squeeze was REAL and you're so right...

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Ruth Webb's avatar

Yessss, Sarah! Love this!

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Sarah Powell's avatar

Oh Ruth thank you!!

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Wendy Penny's avatar

The disappearing reflection! What a treat to have that memory unlocked. Also, I deserve the tinted lashes 🌷

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Sarah Powell's avatar

YOU DO! You absolutely do xx

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Laura's avatar

The big Topshop 💔 RIP! Delighted that you found the shoes, they are fabulous!

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Sarah Powell's avatar

I mean I'm happy for Ikea but surely there should be a blue plaque for Topshop...

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Laura's avatar

Absolutely!!!

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Daisy's avatar

❤️ brilliant!

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Sarah Powell's avatar

Oh love thank you!!

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Catherine The Middle Aged's avatar

I can relate to every word (well except for the three babies part! 🤓). That sense of hope that maybe this was the trip where the changing would work magic and I'd find The Outfit, The Shoes and The Bag... Of Life!! 🙌🤣

The second you showed those shoes on Instagram I GASPED! They are GLORIOUS!!!

Enjoy every second of them! 💖💖

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Sarah Powell's avatar

You are SO right about finding The One! The one which would make it all make sense! Thank you Catherine you wonderful woman xxx

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Clare Nightingale's avatar

As a size 8 in footwear, my favourite part of the mega Topshop, bar the huge counter of Barry M glitters, was the men's shoes sale rack where the more outlandish camp designs could be picked up for a song. I came away with bargain mint green trainers, silver brogues and my utter fave and something I reminice and mourn often, some white Chelsea boots with black lightning shaped elastic panels that I wore until they disintegrated (£20).

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Sarah Powell's avatar

Love this so much, a pair of shoes like that never leaves you. BARRY M! YES!

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Emma Weir's avatar

I couldn’t believe it when I saw Top Shop Oxford Circus is now IKEA!!! Thanks for the nostalgia and how I wish Vinted was in Australia where I now live!

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Rebecca Carter's avatar

Love this , literally remember feeling like this, the excitement, the uneasiness at times, gorgeous read and I'm so happy you have your fantastic lobster shoes. 🦞 xx

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Lucie Stevenson's avatar

That big topshop was my summer holiday treat where me and my mom would get the train from the midlands with my friend and her mom and we would walk up and down Oxford street till our feet hurt. I literally spent HOURS in there 😆 ahhh good times! Those shoes are the dream! 🦞

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Sarah Powell's avatar

Oh my gosh the feet aching, YES. It was actually a sport, we were athletes...

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