Here at Who What Wear, it's our mission to take the stress out of shopping, and one way we do this is with our How-To franchise, in which experts reveal tricks to finding the best pieces in many different shopping destinations. We've already led you through the process of shopping Zara like a French woman, trawling Amazon for the best buys and knowing how to mine for TKMaxx's fashion gold. Next up, we're turning to River Island. We've heard from the brand's stylists, influencer fans and employees on how they track down the most expensive-looking pieces before they sell out, find styling inspiration and navigate a website with heaps of stock. Scroll below to discover the eight golden rules of shopping at River Island.
Visit the Inspiration Section
"I like to visit the inspiration section of our website to find all the best picks of the season; it also gives you some guidance on how to style pieces together," says Sophia, a personal stylist assistant at River Island Style Studio.
Don't Forget to Check the Menswear
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"I never miss a chance to visit the menswear section of the website, as they’ve always got amazing blazers," she adds. "This department has some great pieces for women, too—you just need to go for a size smaller."
Get a Heads-Up on What's About to Drop
"To stay super on it with future trends, follow the River Island PR Instagram account to see sneak peeks of up-and-coming collections at its press days before any one else, including the website," says Rebecca, a personal stylist assistant at River Island Style Studio.
But That's Not the Only Account to Follow
"Check out the @ristylestudio Instagram via the Style studio link on the website, as we put up all of the latest products that have landed in-store, as well as how to put outfits together with flat lays and on the stylists themselves," notes Hayley, another stylist at the Style Studio.
Stay on Top of New Arrivals
"When on the website, I go straight to the new-in filter so I can get the latest update of the newest items super quickly before they sell out," says Rebecca, a personal stylist assistant at River Island's Style Studio.
Find Expert Styling Tips In-Store
Emma wears a £75 pink blazer from River Island.
Related: The River Island Dress That Sold Out in Minutes Is Back
"Take the stress out of shopping and head to our RI Style Studio for tips from the professionals," says Ashleigh, River Island's junior press executive. "Our stylists can help you find the perfect outfit for any occasion. Appointments range from a speedy 30 minutes for quick-fix tricks or one to two hours for complete wardrobe makeovers."
Memorise This Hashtag
"I instantly head to the #ImWearingRI section online, to not only see what my favourite influencers have been wearing but also how they've been wearing their favourite pieces," Kelly of the London Chatter advises. "It's a real source of outfit inspiration, and the sellout pieces are always to be found here."
Remember That It Caters to a Wide Range of Sizes
"I love a bold suit, and River Island is always killing it with their badass co-ords," fashion blogger Felicity Hayward adds. "As a curvy girl who is anything between a size 16 to 20 (depending on fit), I always remember to shop in all sections and check if items are an oversized fit or if materials are stretchy. One of the best things is that River Island often has matching accessories, so even if the trouser co-ord doesn't come in your size, you can pair with a matching accessory!"
This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.