The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

When it comes to casual wear, there’s no better shopping mall in Cairo than
Citystars in Heliopolis. The mall is packed with international brands and
franchises catering to casual wear, with new names constantly added to a market once dominated by brands like Zara and H&M. One shop that
deserves the same attention is Calliope, which could easily become a favourite
source of everyday casual wear.

Though its Citystars branch is much smaller than its competitors and only stocks
women’s wear, the Italian brand has such a varied collection that it seems to stock more
clothes than its space can handle. The shop’s space is very wisely arranged, and
everything is well-organised. You might have to ask the sales assistant for other
sizes and colours of the item that you like as it might be available but not displayed.

The
clothing’s prices are moderate even in non-sale seasons. An elegantly cut
summer formal jacket was originally priced at 200LE but can be found on sale
for just 99LE, while a trendy, high-quality leather jacket sells for 370LE. A
knee-length black dress costs around 250LE but disappoints in terms of quality.
T-shirts are abundant: soft cotton ones sell for 30LE and include a few colours
emblazoned with the brand’s logo. They’re not of the highest quality but at
30LE, they are worth buying.

Shopping at
Calliope is like having your own personal shopping assistant; instead of just
displaying the clothing on the racks and leaving you to decide which items match,
almost all the clothes are arranged in outfits that highlight their style and
practicality. You’d find a 50s-inspired pair of shorts with an accessorized
shirt and hat, or a dress with a perfectly matching jacket, all lined neatly on
top of each other.

With jeans,
T-shirts, jackets and dresses all available and mostly within budget, make sure
to include Calliope on your list of shops to check out in Citystars. It may
not be a huge retail brand, but it is worth visiting nevertheless .