G-Star Raw Store Manchester – Arndale

I swear, no joke of a lie, I used to think that G Star and Diesel were the same thing, or that G Star was owned by Diesel or something. Shows what I know. But there is a good reason for assuming this — I can’t help but notice some similarities in the industrial, preppy and sometimes even steampunk offerings of the two brands.
A couple of G Star things have caught my eye over the years, both of them denim, both of them coats. Certainly the focus is on denim here, but you also get footwear, swimwear, sweaters, socks, that kind of thing, as well as bags and various other accessories. G Star clothing, particularly the denim, is quite structured and unusual. Here is where you will find jeans that taper at the ankle and seemingly have no crotch (my much beloved harem pant… I know, Hadley Freeman would hate me for it, but I might as well wear something comfortable if magazines tell me my height and shape can pull it off), and the coats I mentioned, well, this is where steampunk comes in. Both pinched in at the waist and flared out at the knee, not easily wearable but the sort of thing that catches my eye and makes me think, ‘Mine’. Said in True Blood’s Bill Compton’s voice. ‘Maayhn.‘
I’ve had bad reports back from shoe wearers. At a shop I used to work at I had G Star shoes returned because the material spoiled easily. Folks tell me they’re bad quality and pretty uncomfortable, especially for the price. Yup, nothing in G Star is cheap, that much is a given. And to be perfectly honest, you’d think this standalone store in the Arndale Centre would have a little more range, but you’d be wrong. It’s surprisingly limited.
Your best bet with G Star products is to find them in the sale, concession-​wise, in a larger store like USC or Republic. This one feels like a minimalist boutique, and a rather snooty one at that. Hey man, you’re in the Arndale Centre like the rest of the riff raff. Get over yourself.

I am a HUGE fan of the G Star brand! I love it! I first fell upon it about five or six years ago, and I was immediately hooked in to their Elwood jeans, I think it was due to the resemblance to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for which I have a lifelong obsession. I actually wasn’t aware there was a G Star store in Manchester, let alone the Arndale, it came as a bit of a shock when I glanced across from the Disney Store and saw it standing there calling me in. Funny thing actually, I’d been in Disney to pick up the whole last minute kidlet gift thing I was on about previously, so in trackies and hoody I was given the eyeball treatment from the always haughty pheasant staff of G Star, I was followed around rather closely, which naffed me off until I barked at one insipid looking creature in a striped top. Staff issues aside, the denim wall is always divine and I could spend hours picking out my favourite styles and such, i’d been eyeing up a jacket but decided I wanted a second opinion so bought a pair of jeans and a t shirt for my friend’s birthday, and bagged a pair of jeans for myself. Loving the grey bags that they came in, they were awesome, haha, I’m so easily impressed with the way my purchases are gift wrapped, but they were actual cloth bags and each item was individually wrapped, and receipt was folded into the special compartment too.
Prices can run on the expensive side, but I do think in the denims, there is a good quality here, and I really like the style, I love the tees in here too, haven’t had much experience with the footwear, although thanks for the tip, something to bear in mind.

G-Star’s whole style seems to derive from Francis Ford Coppola’s early eighties flick Rumblefish.
Being a big fan of the movie, I’m quite happy to see their models dressed up as Matt Dillon and Mickey Rourke’s characters Rusty James and The Motorcycle Boy. For those that haven’t seen it yet — and you really should! — I’m talking about indigo jeans, tight vests, rock and roll style tees, well fitted denim jackets, stylish leather jacket and motorcycle boots. It’s a timeless look that people tend to love or hate.
Personally, I agree with Rusty James: ‘Hey, my brother is the coolest.’

Geminy Of Baboons, General Filths, General Lout, Giantlike Oxbeef, Gibbet, Giglet, Giglet Wench, Gilded Loam, Gorbellied Knaves, Gravel Heart, Great Lubberly Boy, Great-Siz’d Monster Of Ingratitude, Greybeard, Grey-​Coated Gnat, Gross Acquaintance, Gross Hag, Gross Lout, Gross Patchery, Gross Watery Pumpion, Grown Serpent?
Oh G Star! Just Tell us!