You don’t realize how great shopping is in Glasgow until you spend a day walking its streets, if you’ve come from anywhere outside of London you’ll love what Glasgow has to offer, more shops than anywhere else and a lot of good street clothes. blinds good 3 but still good.
I have decided to make a list of my top 11 stores, the ones I would visit when shopping, mention my competition. I hear you say, yes I do, the more people realize that Glasgow is the number 1 shopping destination, the better.
1. TK Maxx on Sauchiehall St (top end) is where you’ll find bargains if you’re lucky, if not you won’t find anything of interest, bought a great pair of Brown Leather Air Max for £25 18 months ago, only now starting to fall apart, but the most comfortable shoes of all. I also got a great case for when I’m on the go, a neat little thing at a very low price.
2. Next up on Bath Street is the urban legend that is Fat Buddha, Vinyl Toys, Graffiti Supplies, Lifestyle and Clothing from brands like Carhartt, The Hundreds, Kikstyo, Recon, Penfield, Zoo York, Volcom, Nike, Dc’s, Reebok . Voted best shop in Glasgow by an independent panel of my family, but well worth a visit, just to see Maisie the shop dog.
3. Goodlife is across the road from Fat Buddha and super expensive, but it is after all Glasgow’s only high-end streetwear boutique, selling Original Fake & Alife, a good mix of brands in a Such a small place, but the store has a following, coming from afar for its mix of brands.
I’m not sure of the exact story, but it looks like Goodlife has closed its doors.
4 On Buchanan Street you will find this corporate whore that is Urban Outfitters, in time of sales there are great deals, a real mix of brands here, and some of the housewares you can’t smell, well worth a visit.
If you are American or have visited one of these stores in America, you will be surprised at how poor the British version is compared to the American one, a different mix of brands, terrible staff and no atmosphere.
5. Further down Buchanan Street you will find Hugo Boss, I love this store, have still liked to visit it for years, great design and some good products, wonderful suits and boy do they fit me as they should. Glasgow’s first real designer name on Buchanan St, go check it out.
I almost got the manager job here many many moons ago but didn’t, still a lovely shop.
6. Just around the corner you’ll find Aspect, this guys store, Stussy’s only place, and good for Adidas, Carhartt, North Face & Camper, Y3, Evisu and the like. Great store, looked great at the time so well worth a visit.
7. You want trainers, where else to go but Size on Union Street, great store with a good range of clothes, best shoe store in Glasgow, unless shoes are rare then staff are first to shout them out This is the place for shoes, the 2 Chris’s always have a smile for you.
8. Always a fan of department stores, and House of Frasers always hits the spot, the cookware department is great, menswear has now moved to the first floor and a ton of money was spent on it, now its the BEST menswear area in glasgow by a mile, the paul smith section is lovely and again the paul smith section is lovely, great wallets and saving up for the scarf right now. Frasers is worth an hour or so of your time, it’s right on Argyle St.
9. Footlocker, right on Argyle St is where your Jordan cravings will be satisfied, a good selection of Nikes especially Air Stabs, a good variety of clothing and a separate women’s floor make this a must see destination. Footlocker is always a must visit place for sneaker lovers.
10. Focus is on Argyle St and Glasgow’s only Nike SB retailer, other brands include Diamond, Supra, Krew, Cliche. Skateboards are Focus’s forte and they serve the Glasgow market well, they now have a good reputation and visit only for an Obey t-shirt. Good staff and a friendly atmosphere make this a worthy addition to my list.
11. Lastly, you will walk around the corner from Focus and find Cruise on Ingram St, a legend in Glasgow still doing what he does best – bringing brands to the masses, CP Company, Stone Island, Y3, BBC make a visit essential. Lovely Shopfit too, grab a Paul Smith wallet while you’re there.
That wraps up Glasgow for shopping top 11 stores, there are hundreds more that are not listed, you have St Enoch Shopping Ctr, Buchanan Galleries Shopping Ctr in the city, go further and you will get to Braehead Shopping Ctr and Silverburn Shopping CONNECTICUT.
The more you leave Glasgow, the more you appreciate it, so come eat, shop and party.
Updated April 2010
