The Mole is one of a handful of boutiques around the North Laines that sells both street and…read moresportswear. Their window display draws you in with dozens of pairs of cool sunglasses and wicked headphones. Once you step inside, you'll find there's also a large selection of sneakers, training shoes, sweatshirts, hoodies, tee-shirts and jeans. Labels include Vans, DC, Etnies, Nixon, Von Zipper & Emerica. All you need to complete the look is a skateboard - which you can pick up next door at Oddballs! Review to follow once I've done a few tricks on my BMX. :-)

The Mole annoys me... Not the rodent of course, which is perfectly lovely and surprisingly small…read more.. No, I mean the store. It doesn't matter how much I tell myself that you can create your own "look" on a low budget, and look everybit as well presented as someone forking out four times as much three times as often... Places like this always come along and show off some of the most awesome versions of my clothes... and charge £55 them... £55 feels like the standard... Whether its the ludicrously soft and well fitting hoodies with their gorgeous designs, or the series of gut wrenchingly bad ass trainers....... Gah! There aren't many brands here, with a strong loyalty towards the three or so on offer. In addition to the usual jeans, trainers, jackets shirts and hoodies, The Mole also boasts a strong offering of very sexy accessories. Be they the stylish wallets, trendy shades or somewhat (in my opinion) tacky headphones to match your clothes, The Mole has got colours and styles to impress... Not great value, but offering exceptional quality, The Mole is a place to treat yourself, or to blow that big bonus (not that I've ever had one to wield).

I recently purchased a Veilance bag from the online store and it arrived with scuffs/marks on…read morenearly all outer surfaces. I can only think that this bag was on display or had not been treated carefully. This is not normal and not indicative of the material as I have handled the bag in the official Veilance store in London. I am disappointed that a £200+ tote bag should arrive in such a condition, especially since the pictures on the website did not match this. Pictures of the marks were sent over and the owner checked these before the store had agreed the return. The person I spoke to had emailled me that I should send it back and that I would be reimbursed for the bag and the postage, quote from the email "Thanks for your phone call earlier, just to confirm if you send it back via RM 1st Class Signed For and send us a picture of the receipt we will get that all refunded for you." I received a refund for the bag but not the postage. I sent in a query and was told that the bag was not faulty so there would be no refund on the postage back as the bag was not faulty. I called up and was told that there wasn't much they could do as the owner had ruled on the matter, they were reluctant to put me through to the manager or owner to discuss. I received no call back, unfortunately it appears the manager and owner lacked the ability to call me back. I am very disappointed that the shop had agreed to refund the postage and then went against their word. I'm not likely to use this store again, I went out on a limb to go with an independent but with the experience I have had I no longer trust them. I am further disappointed in spending so much on an item to get it in a poorly state and then to be told that this is normal. In addition, I let them know I would be leaving feedback of my experience and I was told angrily that I shouldn't make threats. Go figure.

For the clothes they sell in here - it would be getting a 5 star. My perfect man would dress head…read moreto toe in Peggs and Son. Seriously fit stuff guys. It is a boutique, which can equal expensive! Obviously you can find the things they sell - such as Huf, Carhartt, Obey... Etc - on the Internet, but this is a lovely shop to 'peruse'. I need to have things in the flesh! I'm not a trusted Internet shopper. But I love coming in here even when I don't have a man to buy for! Yeah I know... Bit of loser... But that is how nice some of the things are in here! The sizing doesn't go up for people a bit bigger or taller in a few of the brands though which is a shame cos I like my tall men! They have a fab sale on at the moment, which will leave happy boys with happy pockets!

This chain retain store for men's, womens fashion and accessories are found in Europe and U.K…read more Prices are very reasonable. I often shop there and it's busy with shoppers.

I completely forgot how good Primeywimey is! So glad I decided to take a punt on it today because…read moreit has saved me a fortune! I'm usually really weary of Primani, with its hordes of prams, queues and the disarray of jumbled up clothes, but to be fair I was missing out through being lazy (surprise surprise). Today I went in with an open mind and low budget an am thrilled with my findings. I've basically walked out with a new lovely autumn wardrobe, a new (very warm) coat for cb that looks expensive but was actually only 10 squid! And as I was feeling silly and cold, three ridiculous (but snugly) all in one suits. A tiger for G, a strawberry for me and a monkey for Chas. All for under £80. Winners! I also find this the best place for jarmies, tights and socks and things. They also do some nice bags here for pennies.

The owners of this shop have got their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks and I love it! I'm in…read morehere practically once a fortnight just to browse around or give myself a little lift when I'm feeling glum. There's always some fascinating artifact or relic that I hadn't seen before because there is just SO much of it. Chinese lanterns, Mounted deers' heads, US license plates, antique cameras, walls covered in masks and racquets, crockery, glassware, hats, old potions, an impressive collection of owls and the odd bit of taxidermy... Having said all that, much of this chintz is surplus to requirement. Some may say that the point of most antiques is that they're surplus to requirement but I'm afraid I'm a little bit more of a utilitarian than to need a stuffed mongoose. The books and accessories however just keep me coming back for more.

Corner Shop Collectables is the most interesting antique shop I've been in, with several items I…read morehaven't seen anywhere else. A full size skeleton is one of the first things that comes to mind. (He was dressed up in a hat, though, to take away any scariness.) Other cool stuff included mannequins (full and a few pairs of JUST THE HANDS), plants displayed in bed pans, teeny tiny figurines, hair pins in the shape of hats, antique cameras and rotary telephones. There was also all the usual stuff: books, dishware vases, jewellery, less tiny figurines (mostly in animal shapes), paper lanterns and some sewing patterns. I'm probably forgetting a bunch - there was a lot to look at. In summary, it's worth the mini-hike up St. James to check it out.

This is a fascinatingly strange place, specialising in elaborate masks…read more The range includes some wonderful examples of mask-making: bright colours, elaborate decoration, full feathers. The prices aren't as extortionate as you might expect either, and while some masks are pricey, others are available for under £20. The only problem is - what the heck would one do with these things? I'd quite like to own one, but I very much doubt it would get much use. Perphaps as a wall decoration?

There's something a touch Eyes Wide Shut about Mariposa…read more An old fashioned antique shop in the Lanes, it's been selling unique and chintzy figurines, ornaments, presentation plates, glass fruit bowls and lamps for the last two decades. The thing that dominates the walls and windows however, are an eye-catching array of handmade, papier mache masks with decorative feathers, glitter, silk and paint effects. According to the owner, some people buy them just for display purposes whilst others snap them up for balls, special occasions and fancy dress parties. Personally, I can't look at them without thinking of Stanley Kubrick, Tom Cruise and amoral sex games with masked strangers.

Lulu Rose is Yoma's sister shop located in Kensington Gardens. Whereas Yoma is marketed at women in…read moretheir twenties and thirties, Lulu Rose is aimed at a younger demographic. The shop is packed with vibrant, youthful clothing and many of the same bags and accessories you'll find at Yoma. This store is much larger than Yoma and can get quite crowded with teenagers at the weekend. The selection of stock is impressive- it doesn't particularly wow me, but I'm probably 10 years older than their average customer! (wow, that's depressing...) The bag selection is great and very up-to-the minute with lots of tote bags and holdalls. I distinctly remember Lulu Rose being one of the first places I saw metallic bags and purses (before they were everywhere), so it's probably a good place to go if you want to jump on board with the latest fashion and accessory trends. In the past I have always thought the clothing was kind off the mark, but lately I've seen a couple of good old body-con dresses (who isn't selling them, seriously, they're everywhere?!) and some pretty cardigans in the window. I prefer Lulu Rose to Yoma, because I don't feel its masquerading as something more upmarket...what you see is what you get.

This is a relatively good independent woman's fashion shop in the middle of Brighton's North Lanes…read more I only came here by chance, desparate to find some kind of present for my house mate. After much searching elsewhere, Lulu Rose was among my last options. Thankfully I managed to source a bag that was in the sale, reduced for £35 down to £16. There were perhaps half a dozen items that I considered buying, which is certainly better than the previous shops I had tried. Some of the clothes were a bit average, looking like Top Shop inspired items from 3 months previous. Still, I was able to find a good quality bag for a cheaper price than I would have expected.

A permanent fixture on Brighton's boho fashion landscape, Nola is situated in the North right…read moresurrounded by vintage stores and independent clothes store, the boutique stands out as a classy but affordable designer store. Stocking everything from Chloe to Full Circle the store is a fab stop off for office get up as well as proper going out clothes. Open 7 days a week Nola is always there in your hour of need and has such a variety that it will give you that LBD or pair of funky vegan boots for any occasion!

It's all so lovely, so chic and so beautifully organised...can they come and re-style my closet!…read moreThe black painted exterior and white butcher shop tiles around the doorway really put me in mind of an independent boutique in New York's East Village. The clothes they stock here are fit that kind of urban chic- a dash of Paris with Sonia Rykiel, some American class with Tara Jarmon, some London edge from Paul and Joe, add a few bohemian labels like Missoni and Malene Birger and you have the perfect feminine wardrobe with edge. As you can probably tell from the list of labels- all of this style comes at a price, most of the stock here is in the mid to high end of the price range. All the pieces are lovely though and the service is impeccable so if you have the budget you will probably become a loyal customer.

Oasis is another enormous shop with an enormous commitment to the post-holiday sale: Some items of…read moreclothing are up to 70% off. These sale items are near the front of the shop, and, upon closer inspection, I'd say most of them were quite cute, but with one strange detail per item. Some have strangely puffy shoulders. Others have a zipper down the first of the top. You know, just odd things. Some clothing racks are marked as under £10 and include a few pairs of jeans - but in a sort of weird, sky blue. The regular priced outfits are much nicer. I saw some great suit jackets for around £65, and lots of sweaters for between £40 - £50. The selection is quite impressive, as the shop continues much farther back than it first seems. Boots are displayed in a few places throughout the shop, and the shoe section in the back contains an assortment of brightly coloured high heels, winter boots and flat shoes. Accessories include the usual selections of jewellery and winter attire and there are also a few watches available, starting at around £20.

This has always been a favourite shop of mine. The branch is relatively large and they stock a…read moregreat deal of their collection. If they don't have what you want in stock then the staff are always willing to try and locate it for you. Has a separate shoe and accessory area. The changing rooms are on the lower level and are large and spacious. There is even an area for bored boyfriends to sit whilst waiting !

I am writing this review having just come back from the Oliver Bonas store in Brighton…read more A friend of mine is getting married on Saturday and I have been looking for the ideal gift for him and his wife to be. I dropped in at Oliver Bonas as I have been to their stores in London and have found lovely gifts for people in there before. I was undecided whether to get body lotions/creams/bath stuff or candles. I saw a lovely gift set for £25 that I was just about to pick up and buy, when one of the ladies that works there came over to me and asked if I needed any assistance. She pointed out that it would probably work out cheaper to buy the items in the gift set separately, and proceeded to let me have a smell of some of the bodywashes and soaps. She was very helpful and not at all going for overkill, which I find happens at a lot of stores these days. I didn't feel pressurised at all. In the end I went with buying some nice shower gel with some handwash and cream. The sales assistant very kindly offered to giftwrap them for free! Sadly, the gift box I needed was out of stock, so the sales assistant then let me have a really nice gift bag for free! It would have cost £4.50 usually. I thought this was a wonderful gesture. I'll definitely be going back.

Ordered 3 items in August. Did not arrive. All attempts at communication have been met with…read moresilence. Requested refund (300 quid). I wonder if this company has gone bankrupt? All reviews are from way back except on in 2023 where the customer is also looking for a refund. You can still buy online so be very careful - you will pay for it, but there will be NO goods delivered to you. This is a scam company it seems. Sandra G

After 30 odd years of supporting this business I've been cut off from them after returning a…read moremade-to-wear dress which was a bit weird around the bust. They asked me to return it. This was over 2 months ago. No news and no dress or refund. Sadly I've had to resort to this.