I first came across Bishopston Trading Company, somewhat strangely, when I lived in South Devon…read more There's been an outlet of this shop on Totnes High Street for as long as I can remember. When I moved to Bristol and discovered that Bishopston was a district, and that Bishopston Trading Company had a shop on Gloucester Road smack bang in the middle of it, things started to make a lot more sense! I've always considered the shop to be a little pricey, but the quality of the goods is unparalleled within this niche market. Stocking clothing for adults and children and sundries of Indian origin, it appeals to the urban hippy and artistic communities that thrive in this area. I have bought quite a few items of clothing over the years, as I know that they are durable, and the dyes won't send the rest of my wash a universal colour. These are important factors, but the main motivation to support Bishopston Trading Company is that they are devoted to a practice of fair trade, which is something that I am devoutly in support of. (I used to set up projects in South India for the Trade Not Aid arm of the Body Shop).

Perfectly placed in an area full of quite affluent, eco-conscious, stylish families, this gorgeous…read morefair trade clothes and soft furnishings shop sells brightly dyed clothes in natural cottons and linens, lovely homewares such as teatowels and hot water bottle covers, and bags and accessories. Beautiful high quality garments, all imported from India, for men, women and children hang on the rails in rainbow colours. It's a soft, gentle, friendly shop which is happy to let you come in and browse. I have to say I didn't buy anything here, but I think I would come back if I was gift shopping, because they have some lovely soaps and bath treats made from all-natural ingredients. It's a good place perhaps for the older, arty Bristolian to buy his or her clothes; I imagine the experience of trying on clothes and making a purchase here would be thoroughly lovely, as the shop assistants are very smiley and caring.

If you like quirky, floaty and truly feminine clothes then you should love Noa Noa. Yes, it is a…read morechain but their shops really have a lovely boutique feel to them. The Bristol branch is very small but still well stocked. The staff are nice and very helpful, which is a bonus. The clothes aren't cheap but they last well and look gorgeous.

Jolly's might look like an old fashion British department store from the outside, but it is…read moreactually a part of the House of Fraser group. But even though it's part of a chain, House of Fraser should be commended for making it look as though it's an independent department shop. Spread over three levels it's a one-stop shop for ladies who love retail; there's fashion, cosmetics, homeware and a cafe to sit down after an exhausting shopping session. It may all seem a bit middle class but look closely and there's plenty for younger girls too. There's an Oasis, Benefit, MAC and All Saints to name but a few stands. Not the cheapest of places, but a lovely place to go if you're trying to please a whole family of shoppers. They also hold weekly one-off events so make sure you pop in to see what's happening in-store.

Proper higgledy-piggledy department store of old, lots of steps and staircases making it unsuitable…read morefor shopping with a buggy. Ladies clothes - lots of concessions, Planet, Paul Costelloe, phase eight etc plus House of Fraser own brands linea and platinum. Good undies section, and leather handbags and gloves. All the major perfum people are there - use the top entrances to get straight to these. Homeware a bit hit and miss, always worth a look when it's a 20% off day. Staff are either very young or old (some of the ladies in the clothes area must be over 70 - lovely people, not so hot on the till technology) and are ALWAYS pushing the storecard.

I was lucky enough to be given an Ollie and Nic bag as a present a few years ago by a very nice…read moreAmerican friend, not that being American has anything to do with it really, I'm just trying to build up a bit of a picture for you... Until i moved to Bristol I hadn't ever found a solely Ollie & Nic shop, I'd only ever seen it as concessions within other shops. It just opposite H&M / Topshop, and they always seem to have quite a good window display. The shop itself is quite small, and it's packed solid with all shapes, sizes and colours of bags, purses and general accessories, I sometimes get the feeling that I can't see for looking in here, and they might sell more if they took 10% out. Some of the stock I really like, some of it I don't, it's nice that it's maintain quite a local almost one off feel even though it's a well known brand.

Maybe it's down to having a short attention span, but I can't walk past Ollie and Nic's glittery…read moreshiny window display without walking in. I love browsing through their ever-changing collections, holding necklaces up to my collar and mentally playing a game of "when payday comes I will buy..." Apart from jewellery they pander to all girlie soft spots: make up bags, mirrors, handbags and hair accessories. It's at the high-end of the price range for a high-street store, but worth it when you find a piece you fall in love with. It's always a joy to window shop here - the bright, airy and colourful store gives me a lift just by walking through the doors. They often have sales but they tend to be on the extremely expensive stuff, so it's still unobtainable. But there is the odd gem to be had as long as you keep your eyes peeled and pop by regularly.

Ah the ever changing faces of BS8...this shop has never been the same on two separate occasions…read more I'm almost certain the clothes you can find here are more or less the same. It's a huge site that's been divided up and rented out to various different smaller clothes retailers. This creates a really interesting jumble of very fashionable clothes, and a market like atmosphere. Not the best quality clothes, but it's great for unique on-trend gear that nobody else will have. So you don't ever end up spending a fortune for an item of clothing, but that's cool because it won't be fashionable for very long anyway. There is a great section of vintage clothes and the whole place has the feel of a boutique, with an excellent jewellery section that's perfect for Christmas presents. There used to be a comic art store upstairs, which has now gone, sadly. And there is not as many men's clothes as there used to be. It's great to stock up here on holiday clobber, stuff like board shorts and vests. And if you were wondering where to get a Flight of the Concords style animal jumper, this is the place! They always play some pretty great music in here as well.

The name makes no sense. I checked for this review and this shop is definitely in BS1 (for those of…read moreyou not from the city I should explain that BS1 and BS8 are Bristol post codes). So that's confusing. The shop's a good one though. Doing men's and women's fashion, they have quite a lot of retro stuff as well as doing a good line in limited edition print t-shirts and various other odds and ends. It's all pretty eye-watering price-wise if you compare it to the new Primark in the centre. However, you're definitely paying for something better. The leather jackets, for example (which I have tried on many times but never quite had the recklessness to go and buy), are made from such softer leather it makes what they've got a Primark feel like plastic. A bit kookish, and certainly trying quite hard to be cool, BS8 has the sort of fashion I like, but because of the prices is somewhere I only buy stuff when I want to treat myself.

Principles is a mid range clothing store which is located in the mall, there is ample parking…read moreavailable and the shopping is all under cover. As you approach the store, the window displays are always really tastefully done, time is obviously spent on making them attractive. The store is laid out well, its quite long and thin but the most has been made of the space with displays along each wall, at the end and then rows of displays and carousels along the middle section. The till point is along the right hand side wall. The assistants are always smart, though you sometimes have to approach for assistance. The changing rooms are lovely though, well decorated and well lit.

I rarely shop in this store as if i'm being honest the clothes never seem to suit or fit my body…read moreshape and I don't think I'm that out of the ordinary! However, after searching high and low for the perfect dress to wear to a black tie evening I thought it was worth a try. As soon as I entered the shop, the perfect dress was staring me right in the face. The layout of the store puts every item on show and I was overcome with the high level of customer service. I was immediately given the option to put the items I had selected into a changing room while I continue to browse, when I arrived at the changing room I was shown right in to my fitting room and offered a pair of shoes to try with the dress. And then, after putting the item on hold for the rest of the day (just in case another sotre delivered the perfect dress) I returned and was instantly greeted with the staff not only rememberng my name but the exact dress and shoes that I had originally tried on. Don't get me wrong, I like my designer high street stores and some of this should come naturally but I generally find that this level of service is pretty hit and miss in Bristol so I was genuinely pleased with the service I had received on a busy Saturday.

This is another lovely shop in the chain. I've only given it 3 stars because so far it is not as…read moregood as the branch on Park Street, in my opinion, that is. It's a very grand place and the focus is on clothes for going out in. The other shop has more of a balance and that's one reason why I prefer the other shop. However, if you are looking for beautiful clothes to make a special evening even more special, this would be a lovely place to come to. The staff is very friendly and helpful - happy to source items from other stores for you. Wish they didn't look so scared when you walk in, it gives the impression that they are not doing as well as they might be. I do think that Reiss caters more for the 'up and down' girl, rather than the shapely but nevertheless you can still find beautiful clothes there.

This shop is one of two H&Ms which are in spitting distance (pardon the expression) of each other…read more Even for me, a self-confessed H&M-aholic, this seems a little OTT. This particular branch is the newer of the two, which opened just a few months ago alongside other high street shops like New Look and All Saints. Out of the two H&M's Bath has to offer, this is my least favourite. The layout of the shop is needlessly difficult to navigate around, and the colour scheme is much more drab and depressing. I could be wrong, but it seems as though this store is intended for the more sophisticated residents of Bath with maxi dresses, business suits and oversized handbags in abundance here. If you're looking for a sale, this is the better of the two shops with unsightly SALE signs hanging up all over the shop. For some reason the sales assistants are also stroppier here. All round - not a fun shopping experience.