H&M: The New Kid (Finally) on the Block

Shirtdress from H&M. Photo by Leanne Young

Being broke does not have to mean looking tore up from the floor up.

H&M is known for its inexpensive and constantly updated selection of clothing and accessories for men, women and children, and after years of talk, the retailer is finally opening up a store in the Valley. The store will open at noon on Nov. 5 at Scottsdale Quarter (across from Kierland Commons), approximately 25 minutes from ASU’s Tempe campus. An additional store will open at Scottsdale Fashion Square next year.

Junior and creative writing major Stephanie Sparer says the new H&M will be a refreshing alternative to discount stores or stores with trendy but higher-priced clothing. She recognizes that stores like Forever 21 offer cheap and trendy clothing, but she finds H&M to be classier and provide clothing that does not fall apart so easily.

“I’m excited because the only thing they have for college kids is Target or Wal-Mart,” Sparer says. “Then they end up going to Urban Outfitters and spending all their money.”

Sophomore and sustainability major Rud Moe is one of those students. He says he buys most of his clothes at Target and Urban Outfitters. He has not had any problems with the quality of lower-priced clothing he buys, which is a common conundrum when purchasing more budget-friendly items. H&M offers an abundance of stylish items at a low cost, and Sparer says she has had items that have held up for over four years.

“I tend to see fashionable stuff that’s low quality, Moe said. “So at least if it’s cheap fashionable stuff it’s not a lot of money.”

“H&M may be perfect for [college students],” Sparer says. “If something falls apart, it costs $10.”

So, cheap is good, but having high-end, respected designers gives the retailer a little more fashion cred. Past collaborators include Stella McCartney and Robert Cavalli. Jimmy Choo is introducing a line of shoes and handbags at H&M in November, but alas, that line will not be available at the Scottsdale Quarter location. Even without the designer lines, H&M is still the place to go to find that new jacket or pencil skirt that was just on the runway.

One clear predicament with the new H&M, however, is the location. Why would an ASU student living in Tempe make the 25-minute drive to Scottsdale Quarter when Tempe Marketplace is just around the corner? Sparer calls the location of the new store “weird” because it is among the higher-priced stores in Scottsdale, rather than near the budget-conscious college students. The Scottsdale Fashion Square location may have more appeal when it opens, as that would be just 15 minutes away, making the world of print dresses, neon leggings and hip aviators a little more accessible.

Until that day comes, only time will tell how enthusiastically ASU students will jump on the H&M bandwagon. Moe says he may shop at the Scottsdale Fashion Square location, but he is unsure about whether his peers will be stoked about the opening.

“I don’t think people will flock there, but if they have cars or friends with cars it wouldn’t be too inconvenient.”

Those without cars or friends with cars may be out of luck unless a Tempe location is in the works.

“It just sucks that it’s not in Tempe,” Sparer says “I don’t know if it will make an impact at ASU main. However, I live in North Phoenix and I will be there all the time.”