Uterque - Fashion accesories at an affordable price

This little slick jewel box of a store from fashion mogul Inditex Group opened up its doors in Barcelona just a year and a half ago focusing on accessories.

According to Uterque, which means ‘’both’’ in Latin, it wants to ensure that every woman is aware of the affect that the perfect shoe, handbag and bauble can have on a wardrobe. In essence, their philosophy is that accessories are an essential part of getting dressed and one is not wholly outfitted to face the world until she has piled on a few fashionable accents.

I happen to agree with this concept; one minor detail such as a beautiful silk scarf draped around the neck or a statement ring can totally pull a look together and of course leaving the house barefoot or sans purse is out of the question. Therefore when I discovered Uterque and its surprisingly reasonable pricing on goods I was in heaven.

At first glance the store on Paseo de Gracia is a bit deceiving. Meaning: it looks like a luxurious boutique catering to those with really fat wallets. As soon as I walked in I knew I was in for a shopping experience as the shop girls instantly acknowledged my presence asking if I was looking for something special. Now that was a first– bona fide service that mimics the attention received in high-end designer stores. However this is exactly what Inditex intended when creating Uterque, a brand that offered an exclusive shopping environment and affordable well-crafted, chic accessories.

Unlike Zara, its older sister and clothing counterpart, there has been a great attention to detail and usage of quality raw materials in the crafting of Uterque accessories, which is obvious, simply by the look and feel of the items. Keep in mind though the average price point in Uterque hovers around 100€ which is almost double what you would pay in Zara.

Its seasonal collections, which often rotate with regular new merchandise coming into the stores include: footwear, handbags, jewelry, belts, scarves, hats and gloves and sunglasses. Each is grouped by color and styling based on current trends so mixing and matching is effortless.

The hardest part might be putting your hands on that last bangle that the woman next to you is currently trying on. Nevertheless, if she purchases it the sales girls are more than happy to track down any item for you in another location but as of date there are only three Uterque locations in Barcelona. But then again this is tantamount to upholding their exclusivity.

Although it’s concentration is on accessories Uterque does offer a limited clothing collection albeit a bit more sophisticated and skewing towards an older clientele. I have only purchased the accessories and am especially pleased with how well they have endured my constant usage. The footwear is comfortable and run true to size. This is also one of the few stores that I have found that stock a larger quantity of European size 41, which is hard to find in retailers throughout Barcelona and greater Spain.

Owning something from Uterque really does feel like owning a luxury item.

Uterque Locations:
Diagonal 580
Paseo de Gracia 65
Portal del Angel 15-17