Anchor Blue: Trendy on the Cheap

Normally, the opening of another chain retail store in another suburban Houston mall wouldn’t make it to our pages. (Or maybe it would.) But this time, we’re really excited about the new store, which caters to the young, trendy, ever so slightly angry (or would that be emo?) crowd. It’s called Anchor Blue, and they’re just starting to spread to the Eastern parts of the US. Deerbrook Mall in Humble is going to be the home to the first Houston store. Since there’s a good chance you haven’t been to one, here’s the lowdown: Anchor Blue has about 150 stores, and they’re growing the company fast. They specialize in West Coast style clothing that looks high end, but they’re sold at a reasonable price. (You can get a t-shirt that reads “I Love Dirty Rocker Boys” for only $19.99.)

Youngsters need not break the bank — or mom and dad’s bank, as the case may be — to build a wardrobe. Bush says the chain’s prices run about 20 to 30 percent lower than those of Abercrombie & Fitch and the like. Yet it represents exactly what the age group is after. “The fashion is casual and has a bit more of that West Coast vibe, rather than an East Coast preppy mentality,” Bush said.

For guys, Anchor Blue’s line includes jeans, shorts, cargo pants, printed T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and polo shirts. On the accessories side there are belts, backpacks, cologne and watches. The young women find skirts, shorts, knit and woven tops, and scarves, as well as sunglasses, boots, jewelry and loungewear for juniors. Inexpensive though the line may be, the clothes do not necessarily lack edge or humor. “Kiss my axe” and “Shake your Buddha,” for instance, are among the messages on Anchor Blue’s T-shirts for girls.

We visited the store in New Mexico, and came home with a plethora of items with hearts, melting Fender guitars, and the ever popular skull and cross bones logos. Fashions from the store have been featured in Seventeen, Cosmo Girl, and even Maxim. And even though the target customer for Anchor Blue is between the ages of 16 and 19, we can appreciate a moderately priced screen print hoodie and cheesy love themed tote, too. Enough to make trips to the far reaches of the city just to shop at our new Anchor Blue