I don't know why but I wasn't really expecting to like Oaks...it just looked as though it might be…read morea little trendy for my tastes, however I was definitely pleasantly surprised. The clothes are unusual and creatively designed, with unexpected added details or special touches which give them character. There's something here to suit every taste with everything from long, baggy jumpers to short sequined ice-skater style dresses. They also have many vintage-inspired dresses - one that caught my eye was a grey woolen long-sleeved dress with gold buttons and there were also dresses reminiscent of Victoria Beckham's designs, with fitted bodices and added pelmets. They also sell a small selection of jewellery and shoes. The fact that all the clothes here are by local independent designers makes me appreciate this shop much more, as it is supporting small businesses, showcasing local talent and providing a unique shopping experience.

I've gone past this shop so many times on the bus that I finally decided to pay them a visit. Oh…read morewow. The layout is open and inviting and styled more like a classy lounge than a shop floor. Bordering the room are rails and rails of quirky, individual and classy items, which, to my delight, I discovered are all by independent local designers. The girls working there were clearly passionate about the clothes, not only since they were dressed head to toe in them, but they went on to explain to me that the shop had been there for around 30 years and so was well established as an independent boutique. They also informed me that they only buy one of each size in so that any item purchased is virtually a one-off - I love one-offs! For this you do have to pay a little more than your average high street brands, but the point is that when you go out in one of their dresses/skirts/tops you know that you are likely to be the only one in Leeds wearing it. Even the scarf selection oozed class and design. It was very exciting, and as Christmas is creeping ever closer, I suggest you go in and and have a search. But not if I get there first...

10 Darley Street, Bradford…read moreBD1 3HH 01274 732079 While i always dismissed this store as being oldfashioned i was very surprised when i did eventually try it. It is really up to date and i found loads of things i liked and which actually fitted. Its nice to find a larger ladies store for off the peg clothes. The store is down the walkway at the side of kirkgate market which makes it very accessible and smack bang in the middle of town. There isnt a huge selection of clothes but they are always changing so that is good. The store is nice and clean and the staff are very friendly. The prices are decent if not on the dear side, but, not too dear.

Being a plus size girl, this shop is a god send. Built in with Dorothy Perkins and Burtons, this…read moreshop really does do something for everyone. They sell FASHIONABLE clothes for ladies who are slightly larger, including bridal. The store isn't exactly huge but still manages to stock a wide range. The prices are a little bit higher than what other normal high street stores would normally charge but they quality is usually really good. There is also a store card which allows you to get discount on shoes and jewellery as well as earning points. :)

This is a large NEXT location, located as part of the Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate, which…read moreopened to replace the old store on James Street. The store is fairly large and modern and stands out within the town centre, it is over multiple floors, stocking a decent range of Menswear and Womenswear, although the Home section is much worse than other Next stores. There is an Italian-style cafe, Caffe Massarella inside the store too, which is a useful place to grab a quick coffee while shopping. The interior of the store was clean and modern, and easy to get around the store. The staff seemed friendly enough. PRO TIP: If shopping in Harrogate, you may want to go to this store last, they are open slightly later than most of the other stores in town, closing at 18:00 (still early but better than other shops nearby. 4*

As the other reviewer said it's not one to go out of your way for but definitely worth a look if…read moreyou are passing. I tend to go in here as because it's off the main shopping area it tends to be quiet. If you have ever experienced Topshop on a Saturday you will appreciate the relative calm. It does a good line in t-shirts and they are really good quality. I have had one for years and even after countless washing and the occasional glass of wine spilt on it, it still looks great. There jeans selection is also really good and they are cut really well. The pair I got from there a while ago have held up well and my jeans tend to take quite a battering as I am always falling over.

Although Bench originated and was inspired by the world of skateboarding and BMX, the brand how…read moreshall i put it...it's chavvy through and through. This urban lifestyle brand is very popular in Leeds and is worth a browse. I'm going to eat my own words and tell you how much i actually like their new seasons stock. They've got a really nice range of t-shirts just in which resemble some high end fashion pieces i want and at £20, you can't go wrong. More expensive than your Primark leggings, but less expensive than your American Apparels, Bench offers a really good medium for high quality clothes. I really recommend this store for t-shirts and leggings and you can't beat a smile at the cash desk. I wouldn't go out of my way to shop here, but if your a passer by, it's worth having a browse to see what they have on offer. Bench is known for its quality and individual and fashionable prints.

Next is not normally a shop that I like to buy things from. At least not on the clothing front. I…read morelike things that look a little bit different but I think a lot of Next tems look quite uniformed and boring. I was surprised when I visited this store and found a few dresses that I really loved. I ended up buying a couple of things and my perception was changed a little. I like to have a look around now and see what else I can bag! I do like the choice of homewares at next, they always seem to have something pretty for me to put in my kitchen or bedroom and they have a good selection of bed linen. Im a new fan!

Not being a normal Next Bod type person, I was actually sucked into this one by the sheer size of…read morethe place. I swear it's the biggest Next I've ever been in. Most of them are pokey affairs with that ever so snooty air to them, as if they were housing Vivienne Westwood herself in their generic clothing rails. Next like Gap is an expensive basics place, and whilst the quality is good, it's really overpriced for what it offers. For me the best bit of Next is the kid's clothing department, as they really do provide some lovely kidlet wear, and I often find it a good emergency shop place for whenever someone's kidlet is getting older or yanno it's Christmas or something. The ladies selection of clothing bores me, it's not quite trendy or funky enough to rival what Free Sprit and places of that ilk offer/ed but it almost tries to insist it is. The formal wear is indeed formal, and whilst not being TopShop, it seems more often to lean towards the middle aged stylings of Principals and Wallis lately. For fellas, the suit department is rather lovely, and being dragged around at the elbow with various boys too self concious to pick out a suit on their own, the Next suit dept, really do a good job at off the peg tailoring that looks bespoke when worn without breaking the bank and being boring too. Ladies' tailoring isn't quite as funky as the Men's and harks back to that middle aged isse, which is fine, yanno, if you're middle aged.

bolongaro & trevor, use to design for all saints…read more me and my friend went one sunday during the winter sales, store was quietish, main reason i wanted to go in was because i like the religion line of clothing. changing rooms and the ladies clothing was upstairs, (wooded staircase, beware if in high heels) but we had the best time trying on clothes! it was like playing dressing up with your mums clothes as a kid, only the clothes where alot more up to date! as it was quiet we tried on clothing, came out of changing rooms and got more clothing etc no rushing or queueing. it was almost surreal, as i shop alot and have never had an oppertunity to shop as the stars shop. it felt like they had closed the store for us. and the male shop assisant was a god send, non of this looking at us thinkin i know you aint thinking your gonna get in to that! or oh my god, who let the fish mongers wives in! as you can get in some designer clothes stores! i needed help with some of the tops as they are so unique, and wasn't sure how they were ment to be worn. he not only helped us but advised us and though we did not spend a fortune, as i brought a top for £20.00 and my friend the same (£20.00 was the sale price, tops normally start around £40,00) it was money well spent, as unlike other chain store clothing i know no one is going to wear the same top as i brought, and if they do, i can change how it wears, by changing the way the straps goes around, pulling the neck line up, down off the shoulder, twisting it around the body, like i said the clothing is unique! not garish, trashy or way out there! all the clothing fitted really well, considering we are not model shaped. the sizing was about right. think there size range is 6 to a small 14 and depending on the style i would size up or down so guess where i'm off in the next sales! update! the store is now closed and relocated, but the sign did not say where!

I like to think of myself as quite a snappy dresser. Yep, snappy. Hellooo ladies. But walking into…read moreKiosk 78, I realise that I'm perhaps rather wide of the mark. The Duncan Street store has a funky boutique feel about it - it looks so cool, that I needed a bit of dutch courage even to take a wander in. The clothes in there are the sort you'd find in the menswear department of Harvey Nics and Selfridges. At a similar price. But on a smaller scale. The treatment you get from staff is much different and tailored towards your individual needs, which is always a bonus for this plastic-flashing fashion enthusiast. The range of denim on offer is amazing - when you consider what's on offer in much bigger stores - with exclusive Japanese selvage the pick of the crop.

Kiosk 78 is a clothing shop for the discerning gent with a bit of spare cash. Though specialising…read morein well selected brands...some classic such as Lee and Fred Perry, and some more underground such as Sunspel and Passarella Death Squad, there are very few pieces creating the walking billboard effect, most tastefully refraining from emblazoning their name across the chest of t-shirts. The general look is high quality and carefully designed with attention to detail - simple checked shirts, polo shirts, child-like striped sweatshirts and understaded but thoughtfully cut jeans. For the ethical shoppers they also stock Veja trainers which are fair-trade and use organic cotton and wild Amazonian rubber. The shop has a clean, spacious quality feel to it and the staff are helpful and knowledgeable, seeming passionate about the products. Prices here are not average high street (ranging from about £70 to nearing £200 for a pair of jeans)but this is not an average high street shop and clothing is generally of superior quality and design, and sometimes rare - several products are sold in few other places worldwide.

Having gotten a more developed sense of style these days, I can say that Warehouse is amongst the…read morefew brands I regularly peruse. They've a classic look -- feminine but not too girly, clean lines, good day dresses and plenty of stepped-up evening-out options, as well as plenty of wardrobe basics that we all need. I tend to get those in slightly less pricey places, but I'll hit up Warehouse for a good dress should the occasion call. I find, as with all the Trinity incarnations of brands, that this shop is always well kept and the staff are helpful without being overbearing. In particular, I've got the off the shoulder top and baggy trousers on my radar for a cool, nautical, casual style of day wear. Although on this occasion I didn't have time to try, I'll be back -- the fitting room experience is easy here. Also loving the kaftan-style cardigans at the moment. (I know everyone's doing them, but they're really good quality here!)