When I walked through the doors of the newly opened Arket store into a bustling, wide-open space and was greeted with a trendy sea of beige, brown, and grey, I expected to pay through the nose for a plain white button-up… I was pleasantly surprised.
The best way I can think to describe Arket, which opened up on Dawson Street on Thursday, is to advise people not to think Brown Thomas or Arnotts. It is less designer goods and more high-end high street, similar to the likes of & Other Stories
The two-storey Scandinavian shop is packed with excited shoppers queuing to check out with four or five items in each of their hands, so they are clearly doing something right.
The ground floor features womenswear offering elevated basics, from plain white tees to oversized shirts and fashionable croissant bags.
A boyfriend-style white t-shirt from the shop will set you back €19- not a bad price, all things considered! Meanwhile, a fitted black tank top comes in at €25.
Jeans, as expected, aren’t quite as cheap; however, the shop definitely has an impressive selection when it comes to denim.
A straight leg pair of blue denim jeans comes in at €89. The thick quality pants come in a range of different fits to suit plenty of different body types. A similar pair of white denim jeans comes in at the same price.
€89 appears to be the price for the shops' higher-end products across the board, with a fashion-forward corduroy-collared jacket, which comes in just under €90, too!
The store follows the ever-growing trend of offering a full experience, with the option to grab a coffee and a bite to eat. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the store is the very reasonable coffee prices - a rare find in Dublin city centre.
Iced coffees are €4.30, while a hot coffee will only set you back €3.90. I was both refreshed and shocked, to be quite honest.
The café also offers a selection of fresh vegetarian sandwiches and pastries, making it a great place to take a break from shopping. One of the best things about Arket Café is that it stays open right up until 7 pm, another rare find in the city centre.
Now we are brought downstairs, where you’ll find a similarly trendy selection of men’s and kids’ clothing, along with stylish, patterned homeware.
Arket takes inspiration from the Nordic region, which is all the rage at the moment! Its aesthetic is characterised by 'clean lines, a neutral colour palette and solid materials drawn from nature and the northern climate.'
So if you are searching for something different that won't break the bank, you know where to head!
