Nerd glasses and friendship necklaces: Claire's was heaven until Shein came along

Claire's was once the go-to store for many young people looking for fun and affordable accessories. For Beth Searby, a trip to Claire's was a regular part of her weekends as a teenager. She and her friends would spend their pocket money on things like magnetic earrings, badges, and toe rings. Beth describes Claire's as an 'analogue Temu,' where you could buy something small and cute with just a few coins left over from lunch. The store was filled with colorful and glittery items, and it was easy to find something to take home, even if you didn't have much money.

The store became a favorite for tweens and teens, especially girls. Ella Clancy remembers buying earrings, scrunchies, and lip balms, and she loved the 'nerd glasses' with thick frames that were popular at the time. Vianne Tinsley-Gardener enjoyed shopping for keyrings, earrings, and stationery, and she liked the lucky dip bags and special deals that made shopping feel like a treasure hunt. Claire's was also known for ear piercing, and many young people got their first earrings there. The store was always bright, pink, and full of unique items that made it feel special.

However, as kids grew older, they started to see Claire's as too childish and moved on to other stores like Accessorize, Topshop, and Primark. The way young people shop has changed a lot, especially with the rise of social media. Now, stores like Shein can spot new trends online and start selling them quickly and cheaply. Claire's has tried to keep up, but it can't match the speed or low prices of online shops. Some young people are also influenced by older social media creators who don't shop at Claire's. Even though the store is struggling, many people still feel nostalgic about their memories there. Some even return to buy items that help them express their identity. Claire's may not be as popular as it once was, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of many former shoppers.