I had heard much about ITC and its foray into qualitatively superior apparel (MS carried positive reviews too). So, when I was gifted a voucher to shop at a WILLS Lifestyle store, I was eager to see what all the fuss was about.
One weekend, I sauntered into the outlet at Colaba Causeway and immediately saw eye to eye with those who wager that the outlets possess an air of ease which makes for great shopping comfort. However, I disagree with those who boast about variety as, I was hardly spoilt for choice. Coming to the Men’s Formal wear segment, I found ordinary looking shirts sporting too repetitive a shade to justify the sky high price tags on them. Jeans weren’t available in black, T-shirts were ridiculously priced (600 +) and the trousers didn’t quite catch my fancy, save for the pair that stood out in the window display priced at a whopping 1700 bucks.
Staff were polite but one attendant was so rustic, he didn’t know how to undo the buttons of the shirt for a trial. The rough way in which he unbuttoned the Rs. 1500/- shirt had me in sheer mental agony thinking he was about to pop a button or two off that expensive baby. To cut a long story short, I wound up with two shirts supposedly crafted from the finest swiss cotton and toting up a bill of Rs.2500/- I’ll give them this much -Once ironed, the shirts do sport an impressive fall and make for great office casuals ie. the semi-formal segment. However,
The irony of it all is that, I have had heads turn when I sported lesser known brands while both of these WILLS Lifestyle shirts haven’t even elicited a second glance leave alone an enquiry about the brand! I guess, if one must blow up money on pricey formals, a Van Heusen rather than a WILLS Lifestyle creation oughta do the trick.