A popular fashion store, with its iconic red and white logo, just opened another outlet in the current hot favourite shopping centre along Orchard Road. I’ve never considered myself to relate to the basic and layer-y cool pieces of the store, preferring mass-market high street fashion (so sad but true).
But on a lazy Friday afternoon while waiting for the rain to stop, I ventured into the store which was packed with people of all ages. I even spotted a 40-something year old lady with her backpack, crouching over her potential purchases in a overflowing basket. Maybe she really thought the national day specials were a great bargain.
However, I digress, what got me seeing red, was the fact that I was told to remove my shoes before entering the changing room. Something which I saw coming (but thought was utterly ridiculous) when: I saw a girl coming out of the changing room with her sandals unzipped and I spotted various brands of shoes outside the doors of the individual changing rooms.
I decided not to throw a fit, nor ask why, and took a good five minutes to unbuckle my gladiator sandals. Yes, I do not believe in buying those pseudo gladiators with the zips hidden at the back.
Why would they want customers to take off their shoes? Are they afraid people will dirty their clothes when they don’t take off their shoes when trying on bottoms? Or do they think this will keep their carpeted floors cleaner for longer? Either way, I think it is unhygienic to ask people to take off their shoes and expose their feet to the millions of bacteria breeding in the un-vacuumed carpet. Oh, not forgetting the big fat fact that it is a total chore to take my shoes off.
So there, I was right about the store. With regards to the store’s concept not fitting in with my style or character. I don’t know about you, but from this experience, I can guarantee: That was the first and last time that I’ll be stepping into that store.
What a sensible store! So many stores have filthy carpets in their changing rooms. I think more stores should do that.
I understand that is the norm for changing rooms in Japan.
I have an whole blog about removing shoes: Shoes Off at the Door, Please You might want to take a look.
Hi Matthew,
Thanks for dropping by the site. I’m all for taking off shoes at home, but not in changing rooms. It’s way too troublesome, especially if they don’t provide any seats for people with hard to handle footwear!
As for removing shoes at home, I guess it’s more of an Asian thing.
Maybe they could provide a few seats at the entrance to the changing room area.