Save our shops
To celebrate the fact that non-essential shops are finally opening their doors, we asked you, our readers, to nominate your favourite independents up and down the country
DIVERSE LO N D O N
Diverse is a family affair. It was founded in the ’80s by Gabrielle Parker, who opened a tiny shop beneath her flat, and the reins are now held by daughter Saskia Lamche. Expect all kinds of gorgeousness from mid-market brands, such as Isabel Marant Étoile, YMC and A.P.C. Jumpsuit, £330, Isabel Marant Étoile at diverseclothing.com
ALC EDINBURGH
Specialising in denim, ALC also does a brisk trade in special jewellery that’s subtle enough for every day. Earrings, £45, Anna & Nina at alceshop.com
TWENTY PETWORTH
Nestled in the antiquing haven of historic Petworth, West Sussex, Twenty has an excellent dress edit, from La Double J’s loud-andproud prints to Goat’s cinch-waisted styles. Dress, £620, Goat at twentypetworth.com
CHLOE JAMES LIFESTYLE ST ALBANS
Owner Donna Nichol is all about giving customers bang for their buck. Ear cuff, £35, Scream Pretty at chloejameslifestyle.co.uk B THE LIFESTYLE SHOP NEWBURY ‘B Kind, B Happy, B You’ is the mantra of this boutique. Its affordable edit can’t help but raise a smile. Skirt, £45, Y.A.S at shopb.co.uk
THE WOMEN’S SOCIETY BOUTIQUE HERTFORD
Well worth a browse, whether you’re looking for re-emergence heels or a dress with a big personality. Shoes, £109.99, Fabienne Chapot at womenssociety.co.uk
CRANE & KIND SIDMOUTH
Sidmouth’s Crane & Kind, a family lifestyle store that’s painted a postcard-perfect pink, has kidswear that is unparalleled in the cute department. Romper, £22, Pigeon Organics at craneandkind.com
FIFTY5A TOTNES
This Devon independent cares about its customer feeling good on the inside and out. Earrings, £24, fifty5a.com
COVET BRIGHTON
Brighton is home to one of the country’s best boutique high streets, and Covet, founded by Lyn Aveyard, has been a jewel in its crown since 2003. Sunglasses, £85, Pala at covetbrighton.co.uk
BUNKA LONDON
South-of-the-river stalwarts, with one store in Forest Hill, another in Beckenham, Bunka is a one-stop shop of delights for mum, dad and baby. Blouse, £44, Nümph at bunka.co.uk
SANCHO’S EXETER
The sustainable ethos behind Sancho’s, founded by Kalkidan Legesse and Vidmantas Markevicius, was inspired by their trips to developing countries. Unitard, £80, Girlfriend Collective at sanchosshop.co.uk
AURA BEVERLEY
Aura is a womenswear boutique that stocks a clutch of elevated highstreet brands. Cardigan, £140, American vintage at aurastore.co.uk
QUATTRO RISH REIGATE
This shop has one of the most covetable edits we’ve come across, from the drop-waisted dresses by Pink City Prints to this striped tote. Bag, £38, Becksöndergaard at quattrorish.com
DRAGONFLY HEBDEN BRIDGE
If you’re starting to think about your summer wardrobe, this blossomprint shirtdress is a great place to start. Dress, £74.99, Soaked In Luxury at dragonfly-boutiqueonline.myshopify.com
LAST NIGHT I DREAMT NOTTINGHAM
Jewellery boutiques don’t come much more highly recommended than the so-called ‘mini Liberty’ of the East Midlands. Ring, £99, Daisy London at lastnightidreamt.co.uk
BOD & TED TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Run by a motherdaughter duo, this is the place to find something a bit off the beaten track. Our eye’s on these patterned shorts. £68, Cecilie Copenhagen at bodandted.co.uk
MADE THE EDIT LONDON
A sanctuary of shoes, specialising in footwear from heritage and artisan makers. Boots, £250, Anonymous at madetheedit.com
PAV I L I O N WINCHESTER
Founded in 2007, Pavilion is for the well-dressed woman (and man) who wants something a little bit different. Dress, £250, iblues at pavilionfashion.com
WOLF & GYPSY V I N TAG E BRIGHTON
Expertly curated, with a lovely selection of embroidered collars made from vintage linens. Collar, £75, wolfandgypsy.com
KITI CARDIFF
Kiti is unrivalled in the cool stakes, from Ganni’s tees, frill-collar blouses and bucket hats, to Ba&sh’s wear-withanything denim overalls. T-shirt, £75, Ganni at kiticymru.com
THE CROP BRIGHTON
If your jewellery box needs an upgrade, The Crop’s selection from under-the-radar brands is a must-visit. Grainne Morton’s earrings hung with vintage treasures are charming. Earrings, £565, Grainne Morton at thecropbrighton.com
SILKS BOUTIQUE GLASGOW
A trio of Scottish boutiques, Silks is a one-stop shop for all your underwear, activewear and nightwear needs.
Pyjamas, £199, Eberjey at silksboutique.com
FOUND B AT H
This concept store gem prides itself on being part of a community of independents. We’re obsessed with its sock drawer. Socks, £15.95 a pair, foundbath.co.uk
CASHMERE GOOSE HOOK
Plenty of ideas for your ‘wear forever’ wardrobe.
Bracelet, £18.05, Black Colour at cashmeregoose.co.uk
D.A.Y LO N D O N
Sisters Disha, Apee and Yukti are the brains behind D.A.Y and its stylish edit of menswear and womenswear. Dress, £125, Résumé at day-boutique.com
FOX + FEATHER BRISTOL
Located on Bristol’s Gloucester Road, which boasts a famously long stretch of independents, Fox + Feather is not to be missed. Jacket, £75, Y.A.S at foxandfeather. co.uk
IRIS & VIOLET STAMFORD
If you need interiors inspo, hit the homewares section. Its knitwear, like this cosy cardigan, is also top notch. Cardigan, £38, irisandviolet.shop
MORGAN CLARE HARROGATE
This boutique is brimming with cool brands, such as Re/done and Acne Studios. Leaving empty-handed is almost impossible. Dress, £515, Ulla Johnson at morganclare.co.uk
JAVELIN SUFFOLK
Javelin is a high-street fixture in Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury.
Dress, £45, Only at javelinonline.co.uk
FEATHER & STITCH RICHMOND, SURREY
Specialising in a stable of brands from France and Denmark, Feather & Stitch’s perfectly-sized edit will make new season shopping a cinch. Skirt, £210, Stine Goya at featherandstitch.com