We love to combine weekends away with a little retail therapy. These independent womenswear boutiques in captivating destinations, selected by Paula Flynn of The Shopkeepers, are small but mighty, their carefully edited selections ensuring a distinctive and individual assortment of clothing and accessories.
They could be just the excuse you need to take a trip somewhere nice and new …
Photo courtesy @BOUTIQUENADINE
NADINE
Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli, Florence, Italy.
Boutique Nadine offers a selection of modern, feminine independent brands paired with vintage silks, cashmere, and antique lingerie and accessories that together create a distinctive, unique look.
Photo courtesy @MERCHANTANDMILLS
MERCHANT & MILLS
14a Tower Street, Rye.
Historic Rye, with its cobbled lanes lined with medieval, half-timbered houses has a variety of boutiques, cosy cafés, and stylish pubs. If you’re feeling adventurous and creative, Merchant & Mills offers all the necessary supplies and tutorials to make your own dress, jacket, or bag.
Photo courtesy @THEHAMBLEDON
THE HAMBLEDON
10 The Square, Winchester.
The cathedral town of Winchester, on the edge of the South Downs National Park, is known for its bustling shopping streets and The Hambledon, a wonderful award-winning mini department store with a carefully edited seasonal selection of womenswear and accessories.
Photo courtesy @WARPANDWEFT
WARP & WEFT
68a George Street, Hastings.
The gorgeous seaside town of Hastings, famous for its battle, is home to lovely independent shops selling homewares, art and antiques, flowers and more. Boutique and atelier Warp & Weft offers timeless handmade garments and accessories, selected vintage pieces, and a handmade made-to-order range.
Photo courtesy @CHARLOTTE_DUCAMIN
L’APPARTEMENT SÉZANE
1 Place Puy Paulin, Bordeaux.
The historic city of Bordeaux features on the UNESCO world heritage list and is home to Sézane’s flagship vintage-inspired clothing and accessories boutique. The floral-adorned L’Appartement Sézane creates an intimate, welcoming space that feels like (a dream) home.
Photo courtesy @CUTTERBROOKSSHOP
CUTTER BROOKS
The Square, Stow-on- the-Wold, Cheltenham.
Charming Stowon- the-Wold is a quintessential English town. NYC meets the Cotswolds at this chic version of a “country store” conceived by by author and Architectural Digest editor Amanda Brooks.
Photo courtesy @HOLLYGOLIGHTLYDK
HOLLY GOLIGHTLY
1 Borgergade 17B, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Holly Golightly is in the heart of stunning Copenhagen, a luxury retailer where fashion meets art, RTW collections, bags, shoes, accessories and fine jewellery, alongside a carefully curated selection of vintage items.
Photo courtesy @ENVOYOFBELFAST
ENVOY OF BELFAST
4 Wellington Street, Belfast.
Envoy of Belfast is the perfect excuse for a day trip north: a fantastic edit of European, Japanese, and American pieces chosen for their quality of design, fabric, and craftsmanship.
Photo courtesy @DICKSEDINBURGH
DICK’S
Circus Place, Edinburgh.
Edinburgh’s beautiful Stockbridge neighbourhood has many fine independent shops, among them Dick’s, specialising in timeless classics and clothes with a relaxed, easygoing fit and an understated luxury.
