Youthful and Free-Spirited with Romantic Flair: Stradivarius Comes to U-Town

Wandering through the U-Town Shopping Center, I get the eerie sense that the first floor has been staked out as Inditex’s Beijing kingdom. Zara, the fast-fashion retail company’s most prominent brand, takes its rightful place up front, flanked by its posse of smaller sister stores: Bershka, Pull and Bear and, most recently, Stradivarius.

The newest label to join the ranks has more humble beginnings, having gotten its start as a family-owned business in Barcelona in 1994. Since being acquired in 1999, however, its trend-conscious clothing has gained an enthusiastic client base from all over the world.

Camel outerwear, lace and floral leggings (RMB 159), bohemian blouses and knit scarves (RMB 159) dominate the racks, conveying a youthful, free-spirited and romantic flair.

For shoes, stick with Zara – the quality is shoddier here – but the bags (from RMB 129) are surprisingly good value, with cut-rate prices, classy designs and terrific workmanship.

Also try: Zara, Pull and Bear

Stradivarius
Daily 10am-10pm. Unit 101, Bldg 1, U-Town Shopping Center, 2 Sanfeng Beili, Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (5977 5780)
朝阳区朝阳门外大街三丰北里2号悠唐生活广场1楼101

Got something to say about this or any other Beijing venue? Register as a user at the Beijinger.com and post your review on our online directory.