Peacocks of London invites you to strut your stuff

For some reason I found myself in Bangsar Village a lot recently for various errands (and because I kinda like the cozy neighbourhood feel of the mall). During one of the days, a friend wanted to check out the electrical store there but when we got to the 1st Floor, we saw that it was no longer there and was instead replaced with a clothing store – Peacocks. Naturally we were a little bummed, although I was curious about it.

I didn’t get a chance to step in there till the media launch a few weeks later where happily I was given free reign to snap photos inside the store willy nilly! 😀 I’ve got my views on the store right at the bottom of the post 🙂

Peacocks is a clothing store from the UK. I must admit that I didn’t quite notice it while I was in London. And no wonder. When I checked the store finder on the site, the stores are a little off the shopping track. Still, I noticed prices on the website were affordable and it was interesting to see how it translates here.

The in-house brand is E-Vie. From a personal point of view, I found it to be a bit of a mish-mash mix between Marks & Spenser, Topshop and … I don’t know Vincci? The store caters for families – women, men and children and the children’s clothes are quite adorable. Very affordable on the website, less affordable in the store here. I liked the cream dress with lace bolero as worn by the model above. When I tried it on, I looked pregnant. Not a good look 🙁

I found the prices here to be a bit of a mixed bag. Their basic long sleeved T-shirts were of decent quality and cost RM39 which I though was alright. But then they had basic checked shirts for RM93 which I thought was a bit pricey considering its really casual wear. Dresses ranged in quality and price from below RM100 to about RM219. A decent looking lace dress was about RM163 but the sequins spoilt the look.

Perhaps too the store is launching in the Autumn/Winter party season so clothes tended to be heavy, knitted, black or sequinned. In fact, the store is pretty much black and grey. I like colour in my clothes which is why I might not have been so enthusiastic about it. What is nice is that they bring in quite a big range of sizes, so if you are a little plus sized and want to find something for the party season, you could look in Peacocks. Smallest size is 8 – typical British sizing – and it goes up to about 16/18 I believe.

The styles weren’t quite me, so I gravitated towards the back of the store where they had racks of underwear and pyjamas and accessories and shoes.

They sell underwear by the packs too, which is very Marks & Spenser. A pack of 5 is RM33-36 depending on cut. I copped a feel and the material was decently soft. They also sell some lacy things and thongs for about RM39/3 pick and mix. Not too shabby a deal. Also spotted shapewear and push up bras in all colours of the rainbow.

The shoes and accessories might attract many. There were boots (!) and heels and it was all a bit Vincci. Prices aren’t earth shaking so its worth taking a look. The accessories were quite good though. Pretty dangly shiny bits of earrings, necklaces and bracelets that aren’t too expensive so you can get into the trendy look without spending a bomb. I nearly got myself a multi-layered necklace with faux pearls and bits of metal and stuff on it, but held back knowing I’d never wear it anywhere 😛

Worth noting: Peacocks offers 10% discount all year round for students with production of a valid student ID (I’m not sure what that means) Clarification received: This means that Peacocks London offers 10% discount all year through for students who show their Student Card (students usually get this when they enroll in any university or college)

What I think of Peacocks

As I said above, I found it all quite Marks and Sparks but a wee bit more affordably priced. However,I felt the quality isn’t quite what I expected for its price tag. Sure, some of them were quite decent to touch, but I felt that in the main, the material felt a bit stiff, thin and rough to the touch. This is particularly so in the cotton and denimwear. The knitwear and cardigans were quite nice, but of thick wool/acrylic so its just all too much for our hot humid weather.

There wasn’t much in the way of office wear. Just a small section of pants and a skirt that exaggerated my already big hips. There was just 1 work shirt that did not quite justify the RM93 pricetag. Maybe we’ll see more come in later.

I do think their accessory and underwear section is worth taking a look at. The costume jewellery is quite wearable and decent for the prices – from RM20 and up and they even have a knock off Proenza Shouler satchel which I anticipate will fly off the shelves soon.

I did walk out of the store with a Peacocks bag though – I bought 2 sets of pyjamas. Its one of those things 😛

Oh and the pricing? Although its not quite Topshop or Dorothy Perkins or Miss Selfridge pricing – not even quite Marks and Spenser – there is a mark up from the UK pricing. In the UK Peacocks looks to be a very affordable brand, not Primark pricing but affordable. But prices here do tend to be a little more pricey. As an example, the red checked PJs above are £6 on the website and its RM43 here. However, despite the markup, RM43 is not bank breaking and pretty affordable for a pair of flannel pyjamas.

On an overall basis, I do think the prices here are affordable for the most part for a UK brand and that the accessories, lingerie and nightwear are worth taking a look at. I would probably check back in when the Spring/Summer collection comes in to see what they have to offer and hopefully in brighter colours.

Still, I’m told that that distributors have big plans for Peacocks so do look out for a new Peacocks store opening in some of the other larger malls in the city. But if you want to take a look at what they have to offer for now, Peacocks is at Bangsar Village I on the 1st Floor, above the Village Grocer.

If you have been to take a look, I’d love to hear your thoughts 🙂

Paris B