About River Island
River Island excels in selling the fantasy of New Year’s Eve parties and the glitz and glamor of urban New York. This city-chic retailer is best known for their collection of downtown contemporary outerwear, as they offer a broad assortment of dresses, blouses, trousers, tracksuits, and more. Currently, they provide designs for men, women, and children.
With a brand this Insta-friendly, are you really all that surprised that River Island has 2.4 million followers on Instagram? Naturally, they’ve also caught the attention of the press, including The Independent, The Mirror, and Hello! Magazine.
Looking to revamp your wardrobe for the billionth time? Perhaps this brand can offer you a glitzy twist in between those monochrome hues and classic silhouettes. Keep reading, as this River Island review will provide a closer look at the company, its collection, customer ratings, promotions, and more to help you decide if they’re worth checking out.
Overview of River Island
Surprisingly enough, River Island didn’t start as a clothing brand from the get-go. Instead, it began as a humble fruits and vegetable vendor in 1948.
Still, it was a product of vigor and passion from founder Bernard Lewis, who eventually transformed his small company into a yarn retailer in East London. Yarn quickly spun into fabric, and fabric into—well, you get the gist.
After several rebrandings, River Island made its official debut in 1991. Over the years, this New York-based retailer managed to keep on top of the latest emerging trends.
The company’s success granted greater opportunities, including a sponsorship with Graduate Fashion Week in 2005. Oh, and how can we forget its iconic partnership with Rihanna in 2013? Today, the brand is run by acting CEO Will Kernan.
In a final note left by the brand, River Island states that they’ll continue to produce the trendiest clothing for their fashion-inclined clientele. “We pride ourselves on our stylish, affordable fashion. Our customers can always rely on us to pick up everything they need from occasion wear, to amazing denim and fabulous bags and shoes.”
Before we get into this River Island review, let’s go over some initial brand highlights:
Highlights
- A wide selection of trendy clothing to choose from
- Affordable prices
- Implements some sustainable efforts, including a partnership with Better Cotton Initiative
- Involved with several philanthropic organizations; donates its proceeds to the 101 Plastic Bag Levy
- Offers Klarna as an alternative payment option
- Free shipping on orders $100 or more
In reality, fashion is just an adult version of dress-up. Arguably, the best part about outfit coordination is that it allows you to adopt a certain vibe for the day.
In a rebellious sort of mood? Grunge and hipster can definitely be your outlet. In the market for something frilly and fancy? Floral-themed dresses and ruffles can lift your spirits. If you’re looking for a clothing brand that can help express your attitude, River Island has your best intentions in mind.
Designed for men, women, and children, River Island’s inventory boasts a wardrobe full of blouses, pants, dresses, loungewear, sweaters, and more. They also sell accessories and shoes to help complete your outfit. It’s worth noting that all designs are categorized into different collections, as they offer sets including NUSHU, Prolific, and RI Studio.
Looking for a virtual tour of the place? This River Island review has you covered. We’ll go over a few of the brand’s signature pieces to help trendsetters compare.
River Island Men’s Review
From suits to cozy sweaters, River Island offers a wide selection of fashionable fits for men. It’s an ideal place to find brightly colored tops or classically designed coats, as aesthetics come by the dozens. As a small tasting session, this River Island review will spotlight a few of our favs that can definitely make a statement in your wardrobe. Let’s get started.
River Island Dark Blue Slim Fit Jeans Review
The Dark Blue Slim Fit Jeans give off major James Dean vibes due to their deep azure finish and classic silhouette.
Designed with cigarette-cut legs, these denim pants feature a distressed faded wash, minimal stitching details, and a super slim fit to help even out your proportions. The best part about these bottoms is that the material is slightly stretchy, which makes them ideal for expanding food babies.
Ethical shoppers will be glad to know that these pants are made out of responsibly sourced cotton. Not only are you strutting your stuff, but you’re also making conservation sexy again. Best paired with a simple white tee and a black leather jacket for that classic bad-boy look, the Dark Blue Slim Fit Jeans retail for $67.
River Island Brown Button Down Overcoat Review
I swear, every love interest in a K-drama has worn something similar to the Brown Button Down Overcoat from River Island. There’s a good reason for it though, as this classy jacket features a clean silhouette, a tapered collar, and contrasting buttons on the front.
With a design this elegant, I can already imagine Lee Jong Suk or Hyun Bin rocking it in their next upcoming flick.
If you’re going for the full K-drama look, we suggest wearing a well-fitted turtleneck underneath, pleated trousers, and Italian shoes to really up the levels of class. Alternatively offered in black, the Brown Button Down Overcoat costs a whopping $148.
River Island Grey Suede Slip On Chelsea Boots Review
When it’s time to give those Oxfords a rest, the Grey Suede Slip On Chelsea Boots can act as a fashionable substitute. Designed for the cold season, these kicks can help you feel insulated and warm. Best of all, these shoes come with no bells and whistles attached. Instead, they feature an elasticated side to keep the removal process hassle-free.
It’s worth noting that these shoes are also available in stone beige and brown. But for those keen on styling the $84 Grey Suede Slip On Chelsea Boots, this River Island review suggests a pair of straight-legged trousers, a knit crew-neck sweater, and a streetwear style bomber jacket to finish the look off.
River Island Women’s Review
Don’t worry, ladies; you’re not exempt from River Island’s cool and collected vibe when it comes to its clothing. They’ve got dozens of trendy dresses, blouses, trousers, shoes, and accessories in the women’s section. To keep things short, this River Island review will only highlight a few of the brand’s all-time customer favs down below.
River Island Black Ruched Bodycon Dress Review
The Black Ruched Bodycon Dress is something you’d wear to a sugar daddy’s funeral. Honestly, it practically screams, ‘Oh, he died? What a shame’ with its statement puff sleeves and sultry thigh slit.
But for those not attending a funeral, this stunning number can definitely make for an excellent cocktail gown or even a gorgeous New Year’s Eve party number.
Offered in midi-length, this gown features a unique gathering detail at the front. Not only does it add visual interest, but it helps to cinch in the waist.
We highly recommend slicking back your hair if you decide to wear the $102 Black Ruched Bodycon Dress to a fancy event. To finish things off, a pair of statement earrings and stiletto heels can certainly boost this bold look from a 10 to 11.
River Island Black Buckle And Zip Detail Biker Boots Review
If you really want to make a statement, the Black Buckle and Zip Detail Biker Boots can help ensure that all eyes stay on you. Set with large straps with hardware detailing, these chunky heels give off major ‘bad girl’ vibes due to their grunge-style aesthetic.
For those not keen on buckling and re-buckling their shoes all the time, these kicks come with a nifty zipper on the side for easy removal.
These River Island shoes don’t have to pair with a full, alternative look. Instead, you can juxtapose them by wearing a frilly white dress, an oversized jacket, and a cute clutch bag to keep things balanced. Brace yourselves, as the Black Buckle And Zip Detail Biker Boots are not cheap, as they sell for $121 in total.
River Island Brown Ri Monogram Cross Body Bag Review
If you can’t afford a Louis Vuitton designer purse, you can opt for the Brown Ri Monogram Cross Body Bag as a more affordable approach. That’s not to say that this carry-on is a dupe of any sort. Instead, it offers a refreshing twist to the overhyped LV print.
Offered in a glamorous gold-stained chain, this satchel features cream lines atop an espresso-stained background. It also comes with a duo adjustable strap with River Island’s logo on the front.
Part of the River Island bags collection, this design also comes with a circular pouch on the chest. If you’re looking to add the Brown Ri Monogram Cross Body Bag to your regular rotation, you can expect to pay only $71 at checkout.
Who Is River Island For?
With a name like River Island, you’d expect beach vibes to dominate its clothing collection. But no, they instead cater to the glitzy side of the fashion world. In a better sense, you can describe their overall aesthetic as downtown contemporary and a homage to classic urban streetwear.
In addition, River Island is much more affordable compared to designer brands like Gucci or Balenciaga.
River Island is also a sustainable clothing brand. They implement several green-led initiatives, including their use of recyclable cotton. In addition, the brand has patterned up with several eco-friendly organizations, such as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and the BRC Climate group.
We highly recommend visiting the company’s homepage to see what other efforts they’ve contributed to.
River Island Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
It’s fairly easy to get caught up with affordable prices and alluring product pictures—but don’t let all of that cloud your shopping judgment. This River Island review has scoured through the internet to see what buyers are saying about this brand.
While there are no reviews posted on the company’s official page, we did find some ratings on other websites, such as Trustpilot, Reviews.io, and on the App Store. Let’s take a gander down below:
- Trustpilot: 1,962 reviews with 1.7/5 stars
- Reviews.io: 354 ratings with 3.47/5 stars
- The App Store: 1,068 reviews with 4.8/5 stars
In most cases, customers were satisfied with the quality and design of River Island clothing. Others seemed happy with the brand’s mobile app, as it proved convenient to use for on-the-go shopping. Of course, we’ll let the reviews speak for themselves.
“This app is by far the best app I have from a clothing store. You can browse every piece that they have on their online store. They suggest things to wear, which are a simple tap away,” one customer wrote on the Apple Store.
“They have excellent quality clothes, consistent sizing, nice fashionable designs, and reasonable prices,” another user detailed on Reviews.io.
“I love River Island,” a reviewer shared on Trustpilot. “It’s my go to shop for everything. Their jeans are amazing. The bags are always lovely designs and the clothes last. I recently bought my suitcase from there and it’s just lovely.”
All in all, it seems that people are raving about this brand! We’ll wrap up with our final verdict below.
Is River Island Worth It?
River Island is a great place to find trendy clothing for an affordable price. From sparkling sequin dresses to elaborate trench coats, they’re definitely up-to-date with the latest fads. It’s definitely a guilty pleasure for any fashion enthusiast, as designs come by the dozens.
All in all, I think it’s safe to say that it’s worth checking out the brand or browsing the catalog at least. And hey, at least you have 28 days to request a refund if you’re unsatisfied.
River Island Promotions & Discounts
This River Island review found out that they have a clearance section in which select designs are offered at a discounted price.
They also have a referral program where customers can receive $10 off their next order by sharing the brand’s affiliate link.
Lastly, if you’re an essential worker, you may be eligible for a 15% off discount on your next purchase.
Where to Buy River Island
Did a certain sequin blouse catch your eye? If so, you can visit riverisland to see what else they have in store. You can also find them at select retailers, including Nordstrom and Asos.
FAQ
Who owns River Island?
River Island is currently owned by its parent company, the Lewis Trust group. It was formally founded by Bernard Lewis in 1948.
Does River Island ship internationally?
Yep! River Island ships to a few select countries, including Ireland, the United States, and Germany.
What is River Island’s Shipping Policy?
This River Island review is happy to report that they offer free shipping on orders that total $100 or more. Anything below this amount is charged a flat fee of $8.
If you’re especially impatient in getting your package, they also provide express delivery at a set rate. To help keep tabs on your purchase, the brand will issue a tracking number alongside a confirmation email.
What is River Island’s Return Policy?
River Island offers a 28-day window for customers to send back their unused products. It’s worth noting that jewelry, worn swimwear, underwear, and cosmetics are considered ineligible under the brand’s policy. Unfortunately, the company only covers shipping for UK-based orders. International purchases will entail a fee.
To initiate the return process, customers must access the portal located on the brand’s website. In order to begin, you’ll need your original receipt or confirmation email ready.
How to Contact River Island
For inquiries unrelated to this River Island review, you can contact the brand through:
- Filling out the request form online
- Direct messaging the company through social media
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