How to Find Girl Clothes at Primark

Primark isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it can be a great place to score affordable fashion finds if you know what you’re doing. The store has everything from clothes to shoes, but it’s also worth checking out the homewares and luggage sections for some seriously good bargains. You can also get a sneak peek at the latest collections on Instagram before you go in-store so you’re prepared for what to expect when you visit.

The shop itself is a total shambles at times, especially later in the day when you’ll be amongst massive waves of shoppers all rummaging for clothing treasures. This can lead to confusion and chaos as the clothes and cast-offs all merge into one big pile of mush, and no shop assistant will relish a morning tackling this carnage. So, to make the most of your time there (and avoid the long queues), head to the women’s or men’s departments and check out the clothing there before you start rummaging in the main section.

You can also try on pieces in the changing rooms, as well as in the shoe department if you’re buying footwear. But, keep in mind that Primark is a European outfit so they tend to have different sizing from the US, so be prepared for this when trying on clothes. It’s also a good idea to check out the website before you visit so you can get an accurate sense of the sizing.

Like most fast fashion brands, Primark doesn’t own or control its factories, so it’s not able to fully ensure responsible practices for workers. However, it has made some positive steps, such as signing the Bangladesh Accord and Cotton Pledge, and adopting the Ethical Trading Initiative Code of Conduct. In addition, it’s a member of the Leather Working Group and doesn’t use fur, angora, or down feathers in its products. However, it does still use wool and leather without stating its source, which is problematic for animal welfare and factory workers. As a result, it scores “Not Good Enough” on this indicator.

In addition to sourcing more sustainable materials, Primark is also taking steps to reduce its waste and packaging, and has committed to eliminating hazardous chemicals from its supply chain by 2020. Its stores have been giving out paper bags rather than plastic for years, and it uses a lot of recycled materials. It’s also a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and is working towards using only renewable energy in its buildings. However, it is not yet a carbon-neutral retailer and should take further action to be truly environmentally responsible.