The Standard Store

I’ve been here 3 times. Twice to browse before my visit this past Sunday. I love their selections as they have a nice range of brands from different parts of the world. Display and merchandising here are also quite charming.
I never bought here directly but I did buy one from one of their warehouse sale earlier this year. This was how I found out of this shop.
Anyway, I went there a couple of days ago to buy a business card case priced at $ 70 for Christmas present. Upon close inspection, there was a scratch at the back. I asked if they have a new one and turns out they don’t.
Despite my pointing out of the scratch the retail lady that day was quite pushy to get me to buy. When I asked if she can hold it till Monday (I was there on Sunday) it was a process, but she did anyway.
So I went out for a drink at Bourke st bakery and called my friend. We discussed that I should ask for a discount as the item was damaged. So I went back and asked if its possible to get a discount as a trade off due to the damage. The retail lady said no and that she didn’t think the scratch was that noticeable. Noticeable or not the item was still damaged.
Maybe someone else would buy a damaged item at full price but not when it’s a gift for someone else.
So selections are good, but the staff’s approach to my dilemma was disappointing

Could also be dubbed The Reliable Store as I never fail to leave with something both useful and beautiful. This is a hand picked collection of fine European labels that redefine transeasonal — delicious year-​round staples that totally rock on the cost-​per-​wear scale. Buy better, buy less, my mama taught me. And let’s not forget the alluring Miss Jen Booth who can charm the pants off any man, only to replace them with a pair of YMC painters trousers.

The clothes in The Standard Store are far from standard. They stock a tonne of brands you have probably never heard of, making it a very non-​standard store.
The vibe is minimal so there is not much stock to look at and I can’t help but feel I am in an art gallery rather than a clothes store. The prices merely confirm that yes, I am in fact standing in an art gallery, because I never knew basic clothes could cost this much.
Overall, The Standard Store for me is, well, a little bit standard. Worth a look and a browse but not somewhere I would come back on a regular basis.

Hey Standard Store, aren’t you fancy?
This new flagship shop on Crown Street directly next door to The Trinity has definitely got «cool» in its bag. A friend of mine enthusiastically recommended it to me and said I must, must check it out. So check it out I did.
I found some very interesting, «out of the norm» garments in here. I was told afterwards that most of the shop’s styling is European, which makes a lot of sense. Lots of quirky pieces fill the racks, most with interesting embellishments or asymmetrical necklines. I was drawn to a patchwork and lace cardigan, but had to catch my breath after realizing it was near the $ 300 mark. Not that it isn’t worth it, I just didn’t quite see it coming.
If you’re after shoes, jewelry or accessories, Standard Store has a few options here, but not a ton. They are definitely taking a minimalist approach to stocking the shop, but there’s probably a sales tactic here that I’m just not aware of. That or the rest of their European shipment is being held up in Australian customs.

This boutique seems to carry the Standard in hipster fashion, as all the clothes in this store fit that style of dress. The Standard Store just opened in September of this year in a little heritage building in Surry Hills. It’s the flagship of the Flying Standard Distribution agency, which sells various European brands. When I walked in, there was just one employee who was helping the only other customer in the store. She didn’t even glance my way to welcome me or ask me if I needed assistance, which is surely not polite service.
The store itself is cute, minimally decorated, and reminded me of a miniature version of Urban Outfitters (though much more organized). Their inventory of clothes is quite small, but they do carry basics like shirt, jeans, and shoes. I saw less than ten different brands in the men’s section, though there appeared to be a bigger selection for women’s apparel on the opposite side of the room. Sifting through the clothing racks, I saw $ 150 striped shirts and $ 300 cardigans. I like how they carry uncommon labels, but that doesn’t detract from the unjustifiably high prices. Despite liking several things I saw, I can’t picture myself rushing back here for any reason.