Men At the TK Maxx branch on Kensington High Street in London, there are only two men browsing the menswear floor. Just days after Prince Harry revealed in his memoir Spare that he used to buy “everyday casual clothes” at designer discount chains. Then both of them do the “up one rack and down another” task, then stand in front of the mirror with sweaters and jeans tucked up against them instead of using the changing room. Could the Prince be up to something?
Before moving to California and sporting a more sophisticated look featuring luxury brands like suits from Celine and Brioni, Harry took a more conventional approach to fashion. He summarizes it in his book.
The designer discount giant offers shopping at its most basic level. He describes the store as “no frills.” Clothing is simply grouped into categories such as tops.
By purchasing current and past season inventory from overproduced manufacturers and overbuying department stores, this retailer manages to keep prices up to 60% below the suggested retail price. .
Products and brands handled vary by store. But the menswear department of Harry’s local branch, Kensington High Street Shop, has rails and rails of Ben Sherman plaid shirts (£27.99), Tommy Hilfiger jeans (£49.99) and Gant polo shirts (£39.99). I have. Harry’s ill-fitting shirt and baggy jeans circa 2013 suddenly all make sense. There’s also a whole rack of his favorite woven belts.
A staff member confirms that there is no inventory room and does not know what items are coming in. Instead, we receive inventory every Sunday (some stores have it daily).
All shelves are on wheels, allowing managers to change the layout of the store to accommodate the ever-changing roster.
Harry says he shopped 15 minutes before closing time. Staff say the store is only really busy around Christmas time, describing it as “crazy”. Harry likely took the supermarket sweep approach, limiting the amount of time he spent trolling through endless clumps of crammed clothing.
Harry also claims that he “especially liked the annual sale.” This went viral with a lot of questions about whether you really understand how discount stores work.
A TK Maxx spokesperson said: Instead, we offer great value, style and savings year-round. ”
On the defense side near the men’s changing rooms on Kensington High Street there is a clearance section with yellow price stickers offering even greater discounts. Consider a Ben Sherman Code Shirt at £18 and Cargo Fork Pants at £24.99. A perfect brand for the Prince era in the late 2000s.
Store staff confirm that they haven’t actually seen Harry or any of the other royals. I’m so excited.
Originating in the US, known as TJ instead of TK, the UK’s first TK Maxx opened in Bristol in 1994. Pioneering a new way of shopping for designer pieces, it now has 352 independent stores, nearly half of which are in retail parks.
It is the UK’s sixth-largest fashion group, reporting sales of £2.1 billion in September, compared to £1.3 billion in 2021.
The chain has enjoyed a cult following over the years, especially among the fashion world, and Harry’s comments are sure to spark further interest.
Stylist Joseph Parker runs an Instagram account, tkfashun, where he highlights the best weekly pieces found at the Oxford Street store. Meanwhile, according to insiders, Ealing his shop in West London is perfect for Vivienne Westwood, while Fort His Shopping in Manchester His Park branch is always full of Marc His Jacobs stores.
