A rather stunning retail space this UNIQLO flagship store certainly is. Walking through the large doors one feels more as though they've walked into a contemporary design museum rather than a t-shirt retailer. I sure can't remember being in a GAP that looks like this.

Plasma screens fill up entire walls where shoppers are encouraged to sign in and receive all manner of info regarding the this chain store. To the left an impressive collection of printed T's presented installation-style but only better. This installation you can wear home!

Not being the printed T fella myself I quickly move to the back and upstairs. Once again, the fit-out with its large open spaces and generous shelving units, filled with every candy-coloured item you can imagine invites even the consumer with even just a little cash to splash. Every size, colour combination seems to be catered for.

Upstairs on the Men's floor, cashmere sweaters are piled high and on special for $69 for a short period of time.

I'd been into a UNIQLO before and thought it was fine for what it was but didn't consider it to be particularly 'forward' in the way a Top Man or H&M is. It actually seemed to align itself more on the side of Old Navy - which I hope we can all agree is inexpensive but their clothes are not cut to fit any human body I've recently come across. If we were shaped like witches hats they'd be perfect!

Having just walked into this flagship store from the H&M across the street, the impact is staggering but the most interesting aspect for me was the way things fit. Tailored, modern, classic...and very affordable.

Basic T's for $5, well-made, heavy hoodies for $30, (Australian) lambswool zip-up hoodies for $40, 4 pairs of socks for $10, double-breasted overcoat with wooden belt loop for $89.

For a limited time UNIQLO make it even easier by offering a $15 deduction on purchases of $75 or more (that's 20% for those with a math-mind). Not too shabby my friend...not too shabby at all...

Here's the strange thing:

I went over to at least half a dozen tables/ racks with signage stating one kind of garment and the according price but a completely different pile of garments on display. I thought initially, "Well, it's a new store. The pile of sweaters that used to occupy this space obviously got moved and replaced with these pants". But it just kept happening! How can everything have already gone pear-shaped inside the store?

The real joke occurred when I picked up a zip-up hoodie and asked someone if they could grab me one in my size. They said they were all out. I smiled thinking..."Yeah, and the Colonel is out of chicken!". How could the flagship store possibly be out of such a basic item?! The underling who served me didn't offer any other recommendations so I asked if they could order one in for me which she responded "We don't do orders on individual items".

Let me get this straight. I've got the money, I want to make a purchase and there's nothing you can do to pull things together for me? I approached a supervisor busily instructing the folding-minions to check that I had been given the right info. She was very into her sweater stacking and not particularly helpful but at the sales desk, finally someone was able to help. Jose, another manager, found the right size with minimum effort and I was ready to roll. (A true professional too I might add).

No annoying queues like those at H&M. Just in and out.

Get in, check it out and I guarantee you'll pick up something you love for next to nix.

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