Friday, April 17, 2009

The Telegraph's 50 Best Boutiques in Britain

Anna Saffron Walden
Anna Park is known for her excellent eye. This Essex outpost of her burgeoning eastern-counties chain stocks Orla Kiely, Odd Molly and other pretty labels. A new shop opens next month in St Albans.19 High Street (http://www.shopatanna.com/; 01799 516639)

Antony Sheppard Ludlow
Spread over two floors of an old building in the heart of this medieval Shropshire town, Antony Sheppard's beautifully colour-co-ordinated shop stocks jackets and shirts by Yacco Maricard and shoes by Trippen.17 Castle Street (01584 875072)

Attica Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Tucked away in a cobbled alley behind Highbridge, this is a breathtakingly well-stocked vintage store. Browse for embroidered Victorian blouses, 1950s ball-gowns and 1920s crêpe-de-chine blouses. 2 Old George Yard (0191 261 4062)

Boheme Wansford
A fantastic Georgian shop in a historic Cambridgeshire village, Boheme is dedicated entirely to Vivienne Westwood women's and men's clothes and accessories. Drayton House, London Road (bohemeclothing.com; 01780 784799)

Boudiche Edinburgh
Plush interior, great service and wide selection, Boudiche is so good it's the only lingerie boutique to stock Stella McCartney lingerie this season. A new branch opens in the Merchant City, Glasgow, this month. 15 Frederick Street (boudiche.com; 0845 475 0250)

Brigitte Glasgow
Rifle through the racks of this Merchant City gem for very special vintage cocktail dresses. Stock is updated regularly, but at the time of writing a crêpe Pierre Cardin number was particularly covetable… 41 King Street (brigittefashions.co.uk; 0141 552 9564)

Browns London W1
After three decades this legendary boutique still leads the way in spotting new talent. Heavyweights such as Balenciaga and YSL sit alongside newcomers like Roksanda Ilincic and Christopher Kane. Serious fashion. South Molton Street (brownsfashion.com)

Cerise Bistro Boutique Bristol
Delectable food and fashion all under the one roof - what more could a woman want? Behind the bistro referred to in the name you'll find a shop selling beautiful lingerie and accessories. 12-13 Waterloo Street, Clifton (cerisebistroboutique.co.uk; 0117 973 7204)

Che Camille Glagsow
Camille Lorigio, the New Yorker behind this store, is a champion of 'slow fashion' - think made-to-measure jeans for £180 and bespoke dresses from about £200. 98 Saltmarket until end of June and then moving to 19 Queen Street Lane (checamille.com)

Clobber Bournemouth
A fantastic selection of 20th-century vintage. Pop in on the right day and you might find some covetable Ossie Clark. 920 Christchurch Road (http://www.vintageclobber.com/; 01202 433330)

Collen & Clare Southwold
Describing itself as a 'boutique department store', Collen & Clare stocks everything from Made in Heaven jeans to Annick Goutal scent and - this year's hit - leather moccasins by the British shoemaker Penelope Chilvers. 25 Market Place (collenandclare.com; 01502 724823)

Cricket Liverpool
Packed to the rafters with Roland Mouret, Balenciaga and Lanvin, Cricket keeps the women of Liverpool well turned out. Victoria Beckham's skinny jeans have flown off the shelves this season, naturally. 10 Cavern Walks, Mathew Street (cricketliverpool.co.uk; 0151 227 4645)

Cruise Glasgow
Scotland's most famous boutique (which now has branches across Britain). You'll find seven floors of flash designer names. Next season's highlights including Burberry Prorsum and Theory. 180 Ingram Street (cruiseclothing.co.uk; 0141 572 3280)

Cruise Chester
This specialist accessories shop in a 12th-century crypt holds a fantastic range of designer shoes, including Christian Louboutin. The new collection arrives this month. 12 Bridge Street (01244 310300)

Daniel Jenkins Monmouth
This new shop in a pretty 18th-century listed building specialises in hard-to-find labels, many of them British. Next season the womenswear offering will include YMC and Peter Jensen.94 Monnow Street (danieljenkins.co.uk)

Diana Porter Contemporary Jewellery Bristol
With 80 designer names gracing its cabinets, this shop is a go-to for striking pieces by Alex Monroe, James Newman and Porter herself. 33 Park Street (dianaporter.co.uk; 0117 909 0225)

Donna Ida London SW3
This tiny shop holds all the denim you need to know about. Ida can fit you with the perfect pair of jeans merely by casting her eye over you. 106 Draycott Avenue (donnaida.com; 020 7225 3816)

Dover Street Market London W1
Hunt down Lanvin, Alaïa and Ann Demeulemeester over six floors of stylish disorder. Visit on 3 July to snap up a piece from Yves Saint Laurent's new Edition 24 capsule collection. 17-18 Dover Street (doverstreetmarket.com; 020 7518 0680)

Emily Evans London SW10
The place to dress your pregnancy bump. Celebrity customers include Kate Moss and Gwen Stefani. 8 Hollywood Road (emilyevansboutique.com; 020 7352 7600)

Fifi and Ally Glasgow
A lifestyle store stocking great womenswear such as Hoss Intropia and Ella Moss. After you've shopped till you've dropped, head to its nail bar. 51-52 Princes Square (http://www.fifi-and-ally.com/ 0141 229 0386)

Flannels Manchester
A stroll around this airy shop leaves you longing for a WAG's clothing budget. Big hitters include Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, YSL and Matthew Williamson. The new Ossie Clark collection is set to cause scuffles next season. Branches across the Midlands and the North. 4 St Ann's Place (http://www.flannelsfashion.com/; 0161 839 7824)

Have to Love Newcastle-upon-Tyne
A flamboyant store stocking the super-chic French label Manoush and American Retro, as well as staples such as Made in Heaven and 18th Amendment jeans. 1-3 Hawthorn Road, Gosforth (havetolove.com; 0191 213 1155)

Jane Davidson Edinburgh
An Edinburgh institution crammed with designer labels. Look out for the Scottish brand Queene and Belle's cashmere fitted T-shirts. 52 Thistle Street (0131 225 3280)

Jules B Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Young labels such as Milly and Twenty8Twelve are in the main store, and more relaxed looks such as Oska are in the conservatory. There's also a beautiful branch in Kendal, Cumbria. 91-93 Osborne Road, Jesmond (julesb.co.uk; 0191 281 7855)

Kalu Naas Ireland
This boutique in County Kildare is the place to go if you're looking for a mix of international fashion and quirky new designers. Walk through the grand doors and spend a whole afternoon trying on great clothes. Look out for the new British label Vidler & Nixon - a brand whose collection includes Sienna Miller's favourite coats.16 South Main Street (00 3 534 5896 2222)

Kitt's Couture Penzance
A vintage dressing-up box, with dotty hats, and great shoes and matchings bags. 51 Chapel Street (http://www.kittscouture.co.uk/; 01736 364507)

KJ's Laundry London W1
A Marylebone gem, which has just scooped awards for its winning service and interesting collections, including Mike & Chris leather jackets and Cacharel. 74 Marylebone Lane (kjslaundry.com; 020 7486 7855)

Last Brighton
This tiny shop specialises in handmade shoes, and offers an impressive bespoke service from £500.3 Pool Valley (lastfootwear.com; 01273 777141)

Lavender Room Brighton
Quirky labels, pretty gifts and even a personal shopping service. The selection of Chie Mihara shoes is delicious. 16 Bond Street (lavender-room.co.uk; 01273 220380)

Matches London W1
The new branch of this stylish London retailer breathes cool, collected confidence, with regularly changing art installations standing alongside pieces by Chloé and Matthew Williamson. 87 Marylebone High Street (matchesfashion.com; 0870 067 8838)

McNally Harrogate
A European-style boutique stocking floaty romantic pieces by the Danish label Bruuns Bazaar, plus the flirty and fun Australian brand Sass and Bide. 27 Cheltenham Crescent (mcnallywear.co.uk; 01423 565225)

Mee Bath
A treasure-trove of all things feminine. Seek out Mee's bestselling Hudson jeans or opt for a simple embroidered dress by Star Mela, perfect for a summer wardrobe. 9a Bartlett Street (meeboutique.com; 01225 442250)

Nola Brighton
The owners of this dinky shop in North Laine love their cool diffusion lines such as See by Chloé and M by Missoni. Next season they've secured Luella exclusively in Brighton. 24 Church Street (nolaboutique.co.uk; 01273 726555)

Old Town Norfolk
A made-to-order clothing manufacturer that every week produces 50 timeless garments in its workshop using British cottons, woollens and linens. 49 Bull Street, Holt (old-town.co.uk; 01263 710001)

Onda St Mawes
On a hilly street running up from the quayside of this beautiful Cornish fishing village, Onda boasts cashmere by Tse Say and dresses by Tracy Boyd. Victory Steps, Victory Hill (http://www.ondaonline.co.uk/; 01326 270456)

Oxfam London W11
The first of Oxfam's new-look boutiques sells stylish ethical clothing with a smattering of second-hand and the best of student design. The conscious way to shop. 245 Westbourne Grove (020 7229 5000)

Palette London N1
This Islington favourite seamlessly pairs carefully picked vintage pieces with emerging modern designers. So if you fail in your quest for an original Ossie Clarke, try the contemporary collections by Anna Aichinger and Avsh Alom Gur instead, both of which are stocked here exclusively. 21 Canonbury Lane (palette-london.com; 020 7288 7428)

Pam Jenkins Edinburgh
The best designer shoe shop in Scotland stocks everything from Jimmy Choo to Christian Louboutin. Look out for the fashion editor's favourite Brian Atwood, new here for autumn.41 Thistle Street (http://www.pamjenkins.co.uk/; 0131 225 3242)

Pollyanna Barnsley
For the past 40 years Rita Britton's shop has been blazing a fashion trail for the North. Lanvin, Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons and YSL all sit together in a slick but friendly environment. 14-16 Market Hill (pollyanna.com; 01226 291665)

Prey Bath
A trip to Prey is like a romp through the home of your best-dressed friend. Look out for Betty Jackson and Alberta Ferretti this season. 3 York Buildings, George Street (preyuk.com; 01225 329933)

Rags to Bitches Manchester
From silk 1950s prom dresses to disco originals, each Rags to Bitches piece is lovingly restored in this gem of a shop. Book yourself on one of their dressmaking classes. 60 Tib Street, Northern Quarter (rags-to-bitches.co.uk; 0161 835 9265)

Red Ruby Rouge Belfast
An East Village-inspired boutique with a fabulous selection of hard-to-find New York fashion and jewellery labels like Ella Moss, Tucker and Bybol. 120 High Street, Holywood (http://www.redrubyrouge.com/; 02890 427818)

Sarah Coggles York
After starting life as a street-market stall Sarah Coggles now sells international names such as Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs. Shop online for next-day delivery. 91-93 Low Petergate (coggles.com; 01904 611001)

She Said Brighton
Tucked away in a pretty little alley, She Said has a fabulous range of exquisite (and erotic) lingerie and a great bespoke service. The owners have just opened a gallery next door, too. 11-13 Ship Street Gardens (http://www.shesaidboutique.com/; 01273 777811)

Square Bath
High-end show-stoppers by Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson upstairs, more accessible labels such as Day Birger et Mikkelsen below. Look out for the bestselling Florence dress by Temperley - perfect for the wedding season. 15 Old Bond Street (01225 464997)

Start London EC2
This elegantly eccentric east London boutique oozes cool with designs by Rick Owens and Phillip Lim. Tap into this summer's trends with a Pauric Sweeny bag in sunshine yellow. 42-44 Rivington Street (start-london.com; 020 7729 3334)

Tribeca Brighton
A cool slice of style by the sea, Tribeca holds Isabel Marant and Vanessa Bruno for girls who love understated fashion. 21 Bond Street (01273 673755)

Van Mildert Durham
Head to the Durham branch of Van Mildert for a hip selection of womenswear, which includes fabulous accessories from Vivienne Westwood and Mulberry. The beautiful Nanette Lepore frocks are just the thing for summer soirées. 21 Elvet Bridge (0191 384 8500)

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