First Class

Here is a shop that brings out the inner magpie in me — it must be that display of bright pink, turquoise and white crocodile effect handbags with sparkly bits in them that always seems to be in the window. There is also a lot of costume type jewellery too, of a similar ilk to that in Claire Accessories. It’s tempting at first sight but despite all the perky bright colours and glittery things there is terrible dowdiness about everything in here. The clothes and bags are inexpensive, certainly, but that shows I am afraid, as the overall effect is cheap, albeit cheerful.

First Class is a little bit out of place on Bloomfield Avenue, both for its prices and its stock. While it’s in between fabulous boutiques where dresses by Marc Cain can be £400, First Class sells pieces which are much more affordable and more — and let’s be tactful here — ordinary.
Although I am the wrong side of 40, I like to keep vaguely on trend and for me, the clothes in First Class are just too — and again let’s be tactful — mature. They do lots of long cardigans and dresses which I am sure I’ll love in 10 years time, but not for now. Just that little bit too nylony.
What I do like is the jewellery and the handbags. I confess to an inner Wag streak and the bags in First Class scratch that itch perfectly. Lots of bling, lots of animal print; sounds bad but with jeans a certain amount of bling is perfect. Bags are around £30 and most of them are big and blinging so I’m happy with the prices. The jewellery is the chunky silver (coloured) kind; big necklaces and jingly bracelets with coins and stuff hanging off. Again prices are good, around £10-£15 for a bracelet and £25 for a necklace. I’ve seen the same things else where for £5-£10 more and I always love to save money. It makes me feel like I can buy an extra bracelet. Or two.