Tips for shopping the new H&M in Denver
November 15, 2011 by admin
Filed under Choosing Lingerie
Workers were busy polishing the glass stairway, hanging gold and silver ornaments and fluffing displays of faux fur handbags Wednesday as HM gets ready to make its downtown Denver debut at noon Thursday.
The 21,000-square-foot store, in the former Niketown space at the Denver Pavilions at 16th Street and Glenarm Place, is already dressed in holiday style, from the wintry decor to the sparkly dresses, shoes and handbags on display. And despite the fact that the temperature is expected to hit 60 tomorrow, the store is packed with enough down parkas, chunky sweaters and boots to stare down the coldest Colorado day.
HM, the Swedish retailer of fast, affordable fashion, is viewing the store — its 230th in the
United States — as its Denver-area flagship. That means the location will offer limited-edition merchandise, such as the Versace collection which will go on sale Nov. 19.
Wendy Manning, marketing director for the Pavilions, said the center is expecting such a big crowd they’re letting people camp out overnight tonight on its property. She’s encouraging people to take light rail, the bus or 16th Street Mall shuttle to the site. The line will be formed in Pavilions’ north plaza and will be moved to the front of the store at 7 a.m. The first 500 shoppers in line get a T-shirt and passes valued from $10 to $500.
To entertain shoppers and add to the fashion and cultural impact of the day, the center has teamed up with Denver Arts Week and is hosting Street Style from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, offering a series of fashion shows, performances and art demonstrations.
HM spokesowman Pansy Tolou previewed the new store for us Wednesday. Here’s a shopping cheat sheet:
On the street level are women’s departments for clothing, accessories, shoes, career, lingerie and sleepwear. The second level contains the men’s departments, clothing for kids from newborns through size 14, and the juniors department. (Juniors looks carry the Divided label.)
There are cash registers on both levels, and a total of 20 dressing rooms are spread over the two floors. (Expect dressing rooms to be jammed on opening day, so think about wearing layers you can peel off before trying on items in the aisles.)
The store will be getting new merchandise daily, and right now is heavily stocked with sweaters, jeans, faux fur accessories, boots and coats. Look for Fair Isle and cable patterns, cardigans and sweatery leggings and tights.
Trends include 1970s-inspired wrap dresses, full skirts and blazers, clean-lined black and white silhouettes, structured bags and envelope oversized rings.
For the eco-conscious, this HM has a range of
Conscious Collection garments in sustainable fabrics such as recycled polyester, wool and cotton.
Jeans come in about five different styles for both men and women, from super skinny to straight or boot leg.
Toulou pointed out a number of opening day specials, including:
Women’s jewel-tone cardigans, normally $24.95, will be $14.95;
A selection of skinny “Sqin” jeans, regularly $29.95, for $9.95;
Wrap dresses, normally $24.95, will be $9.95;
Men’s plaid cotton shirts, normally $29.95, will be $14.95;
Girls’ belted coats, normally $59.95, will be $39.95;
Girls’ fancy holiday dresses, normally $12.95, will be $7.95.
Suzanne S. Brown: 303-954-1697 or sbrown@denverpost.com
