Great news everyone, there’s a new thing you can get angry and have an opinion about on Twitter today – whether you should be shopping at Primark.
If you think that’s an oversimplification (it isn’t, but…) here’s what’s happened. After three months of closures, today Britain’s non-essential shops opened. If you saw any breakfast news on any channel this morning, you’ll know the cameras were waiting there to find out who would be – GASP – going to the shops that they were LEGALLY ALLOWED TO GO TO.
Our fashion team are currently down on Oxford Street, so we can confirm there are queues outside a LOT of shops right now. Funnily, though, people don’t seem too SHOCKED or ANGRY that people are queuing outside Selfridge’s, Zara or the designer outlets across the country. They are, though, ABSOLUTELY FLABBERGHASTED AND FUMING that people are daring to go to Primark.
And ok, maybe there’s nuances – maybe people are worried about a second wave, maybe they’re really dedicated to outlawing so-called fast fashion and have therefore not bought from a High Street store in a year, or most online ones actually. But maybe, actually, probably it’s because of snobbery, both around Primark and around people who have less money than them.
Now that we’ve had the anti-Primark lash, there’s of course the backlash against that – with many people sticking up for the Primark shoppers. Many call out the innate classism in the comments people have been making around Primark. There’s also the argument that some people don’t have savings and credit cards or want to Klarna their way through online shopping. Those people haven’t been able to shop for three months.
Some have also said that many of those people will be parents, they will have kids that have shot up several clothes sizes during lockdown. Children that are now not going back into school uniform – something which often eases budget pressures on low-income households.
And they’re right – if you’ve commented about Primark and not taken any of those things into consideration and instead classed ‘Primark shoppers’ on your next list of people it’s alright to have a go at and laugh about then you should think about that.
One of my least favourite viral tweets says, ‘Imagine camping outside Primark so you can get your £1 thong.’ Well, you know what Aaron, imagine counting the money you’ve got in your hand and wondering whether you can stretch to a new pair of shorts this month. That’s probably pretty shit too. Not as funny as a Tweet to get some likes though, I’ll give you that.
Anyone who has actually shopped for women’s clothes also knows that Primark items can’t be bought online. So yes, if you can only afford to shop at Primark, you will have to go into a shop. And I’d also ask people to think about the fact that not everyone can spend £50 to get free postage anyway, let alone afford to add another £3.75 or whatever price it is they’ve made up to charge for packaging.
And yes, we do have a ‘fast fashion’ problem. But I would urge everyone to look at their own wardrobes and brands they love before they start chucking that one about. And if you pass that test, yes, maybe do look at how much they cost you, and what sizes those clothes were available in.
But, I think there’s an even deeper snobbery ingrained in the conversation around Primark. Because, guess what, no-one has to justify themselves for shopping in one of the biggest stores in the country so you don’t laugh at them. No-one should have to present a bank balance showing that they can’t afford joggers for their child so that Twitter thinks it’s ‘acceptable’ for you to go to Primark. If they want to go in to buy a slogan tee (because people especially think it’s embarrassing that people buy slogan tees from Primark by the looks of Twitter) then they are allowed.
There are plenty of people who have done things that aren’t allowed - fine, have a go at them. Or should the people who’ve popped to Primark this morning also have to do Rose Garden apologies tomorrow for us to all pour over?
I’d also like to see inside the wardrobes of those criticising Primark, because, it’s not a minority of ‘idiots’ shopping there. One study found that 29 per cent of all clothing purchased in the UK over a 12 month period to October 2017, came from Primark.
Maybe that’s because Primark moves fast with trends and is accessible. All people can access the outfits they see on Instagram and TV and catwalks and give it their best shot. It’s cheap enough so you can play with fashion and enjoy it. And, I’ve not seen enough people say this, it comes in way more sizes than other High Street stores. It’s standard to see a dress stocked from a six to a 22 on the rails.
No-one should have to present a bank balance showing that they can’t afford joggers for their child so that Twitter thinks it’s ‘acceptable’ for you to go to Primark
There’s also the fact that many of us have been cooped up in our homes for THREE MONTHS, if we’ve followed the rules. Shopping is a massive pastime in this country – and right now, with bars, restaurants, cinemas, playgrounds and everything else closed, I’m not surprised a load of people are finally enjoying a trip to the shops today.
For anyone who has Tweeted about ‘Can’t wait to see a spike in coronavirus in two weeks’ over the top of a Primark queues, they’re doing something LEGAL (I know, I’ve said it, but louder for those at the back). Shopping is something the government has not only allowed, but encouraged people to do. Any spike won’t be on their conscience, if you ask me.
Yet again though, we’re at a depressing point of the day when I’m seeing the pictures emerge on social and news channels and worrying they will probably line the front pages of our newspapers tomorrow when there are far more worrying things to get absolutely fuming about. Resist the distraction!
More than anything though, I guess I feel sorry for the people who are dissing Primark online today. Because it means they’ve never had the pure joy of receiving multiple compliments on a dress and being able to say, ‘What this? OMG I got this at PRIMARK!’
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