The shop sure smells nice for a second hand venue, and it has a lush and comfortable atmosphere…read more They call themselves Adelaide's 'most exclusive recycled boutique' which is a fancy way of saying they have nice second hand stuff, and really they do. Garments that have been pre-owned and pre-loved are often really good and have only been taken out on Sundays by the little old lady who owned it previously; items like the nineteen eighties silver glitter boob tube would have only been worn to church functions and white frocks with red spots at Christmas, that sort of thing. I suspect there is an element of elitism involved in the way the shop smells and feels because the prices are pretty original rather than recycled from the time period the garments were manufactured. Some things, fashionable things particularly become more sought after and increase in cost as the decades pass, so don't expect opportunity shop style bargains, but don't let me put you off either because I'm not so well versed in what a decent frock costs - I wear shirts and pants. Every so often I will don a sarong, but only when it's hot and I'm at home or close to water. Given that many of the stylish frocks I've looked at in recent times have had price tags that suggest someone will pay over six hundred dollars to twelve hundred dollars for something 'special' these days I may eat my words and say this shop is moderately priced. Talk to Maria, Teresa or Lucy - they'll sort you out! All that being said, the quality of what is on display is very good, and I suspect there are some items you would never find anywhere else for a better price, so check it out. If you like wearing pre-loved gear and fancy something at the high end of the fashion scale, this place is gonna make you sing.

When I first stumbled upon New To You thanks to a shopping tip from a dear school teacher, I went…read moreweak in my knees. It is deliciously good looking, upmarket and chic. With an aesthetic interior, white plushed cushions and chairs, walls framed with black and white pictures of fashion capital cities across the world, stunning chandeliers and beautifully laid clothing and merchandise, this recycled boutique is a dream come true for all fashionistas. For some of us who can't afford to splurge on designer items at retail price, this boutique offers designer and Australian labels at very attractive bargains. From preloved clothing, shoes, handbags, corporate suits to accessories, this is a women's playground. A highly addictive and dangerous on though! The plethora of designer handbags here are amazing. Take your pick from Oroton, Coach, Tod's, Nine West, Gucci, Guess..it's all here. I picked up a pretty pink Nine West handbag for $20 and it was in perfect condition. Cocktail dresses hang sexily on the racks, waiting to be exploited yet loved with a new adventure. Working women would love to sample corporate suits and silk office blouses, from the likes of Zara and Dusk. Trays and cabinets are filled with ladies watches, jewellery and jewelled stone hair ornaments. They are exquisitve and I want to buy them all. At the end of the boutique, neat racks showcase casual wear, summer dresses, jeans and soft summery pants. New To You is a perfect oasis to update your wardrobe, add an accessory or two and most importantly, realise your dream in owning a designer piece which you can show off at the next corporate party.

Shoes, shoes, shoes. While my passion for shoes includes Manolos and Louboutins, my budget does not…read moreand most likely never will extend that far. The next best thing for me and lowering my sights ever so slightly and its Va Bene shoes on King William Road at Hyde Park. My local and often visited coffee shop is on the opposite corner and has a view of the Va Bene side window. This can be pretty dangerous for a shoe fiend as sipping a latte can often lead to going home with a new pair of shoes. Not so good when the cupboard is already full to brimming with hardly worn pairs. What can I say other than they simply have a great collection of shoes that tempt me time after time. If they don't have your size, they will do their best to get the right size in for you as they did for me recently when a brand new pair came from the distributor. The staff are very helpful and there's always a bargain or two to be had as they regularly markdown their full price stock. Their product is top quality as demonstrated by a pair of black boots purchased two years ago that will stump up for another season again next winter. Sorry fellas but this is a ladies shoe shop, which prompts one to ask - what is it with girls and shoes? Obviously a rhetorical question because even though I'm a girl and a shoe freak I don't know the answer to that one. Seriously, does anyone? Carrie Bradshaw and Imelda Marcos take note.

Now this is my kind of shop. Love a bit of Country Road suiting for work. Love their casual wear…read moreand most of all I love their shoes. The Country Road store on Unley Road at the Metro Shopping Centre is possibly the best CR store in Adelaide. I would have to say that it's certainly the biggest. They have equally large spaces dedicated to women's wear (actually that area is the biggest) as well as their men's and kid's ranges. Homewares aren't forgotten at the Metro store either and they have the biggest selection of bowls, bedding and bits and bobs I've seen in any Country Road shop. What I like about this particular outlet is they seem to have a magic storage area where they pull additional sizes from. The staff here are first class and will go out of their way to help you. Only one criticism, I was shopping for one of their handbags recently and had seen it on special at a David Jones Country Road outlet in the city. When I asked if they could price match (as they had always done in the past) I was told they no longer did this. I really hope this was a one time situation and they've come to their senses otherwise they run the risk of losing sales as most people will always go for the cheaper option. Come on Country Road you've always looked after me in the past - don't stop now.

One of the bigger Country Road stores in Adelaide, the Metro store is spacious and stocks the…read moreentire (well, almost) Country Road range for Women, Men, Kids and Home. The store is nicely presented and spacious, no clothes rack claustrophobia in here. The range is excellent and the store manages to keep all the sizes in stock which I've always been thankful for! I've found the staff a bit hit and miss, I've been here and be greeted and looked after wonderfully before but lately staff seem to quietly leave the customers be, which I've found a bit odd when said customer has a few hangers in her hand and is walking around looking at more of the range. Their accessories are excellent and I love the shoes here, just hang out for a sale as the prices are a little bit much for my liking.

Laura Ashley has always simply oozed sophistication and to me has always had an air of a large…read morecountry estate somewhere in Middle England. With opulent furnishings and slightly twee homeware offerings, Laura Ashley has always set the standards for classic and classy home decoration and styling. Laura Ashley also offers clothing for the fashionable lady about town and I always love the staff here when it comes to choosing the right piece. The sales assistants here, particularly the sassy owner, tell it like it is, and if a piece isn't sitting right or isn't flattering, expect to hear all about it. I'm always a fan of a store when you can walk in tell them the event and your dress size and have clothes suddenly piled on to you. Laura Ashley is a touch pricey but well worth it purely on quality and the style.

If you love classic decorating and clothing and haven't discovered the Laura Ashley brand, then pay…read morea visit to Laura Ashley at the Metro Shopping Centre. Facing onto Unley Road and just up from the Cremorne Hotel, the Laura Ashley front window is always decorated with an array of classically beautiful home decorating items. From linen to lighting and cushions to curtains, if you've got the budget, they've got the piece to make your home into something special. Don't be scared off by the prices though. I'm a dyed in the wool bargain hunter and will always wait for the Laura Ashley specials to appear before I pick up my special piece. And even though my budget just won't extend to that gorgeous winged back chair covered in an exquisite fabric, I still like to visit the store for ideas on what's in fashion. And then there's always the opportunity just to admire beautiful things from afar. If 70's retro is your style then Laura Ashley is not the place for you but if you dream of living in an old English cottage one day, then I'd pay them a visit. Clothes wise I really feel they've come a long way recently and they now have some great modern pieces in their range. Whereas once things were a little like your Nanna might wear, these days their style is much more in ilk of say Country Road or Witchery. The staff at the Metro store are great and will go out of their way to help you whether you're in the market for fashion or furnishings.

If you're very much a clothes brand-minded person, then this is the place for you. They have a lot…read moreof different popular brands from Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino Garavani and Cesare Paciotti. I'm not huge on brands, and couldn't care less whether my dress is worth $5 or $5000, so this isn't my type of store - but if you're into this kind of thing then it's definitely worth having a look see! The best thing about these kinds of stores is they are very customer dependent and will do anything to look after you.

No it's not a clothing store for vampires although the formal and cocktail wear is worn after dark…read more One word to describe this store is STUNNING. Now this is the place to spend some money worthy of the designer label price tag, it's an investment plus the friendly and experienced staff know just what you need to wear for any occasion. Now it's not like you get invited to formal parties or have engagements to attend at Government House - well 'you' might - every weekend so who you gonna call...After Dark Boutique. These gowns come in a variety of styles, shapes, sizes and price tags but again for designer clothes in the formal wear arena this is a different kettle of fish compared to the other designers as you've got something absolutely beautiful to show for your purchase. The clothes are sourced from all over the world which also includes Australian designers and if you're looking for something a little cheaper there is a 1/2 price rack most times to have a rummage. The shop is like a warehouse and I love the decorative ceiling lights.

I love my long summer days. Decked in a white breezy dress, a picnic rug thrown over blades of…read moregreen fields, I would seek refuge under a large gum tree, with a book in hand and a chilled glass of Moscato in the other. The setting is almost perfect for a blog photography on a whimsical and vintage theme. Throw in a yellow vintage bicycle with a wicker basket, stringy red balloons and rolling hills. The clothing label at Biba evokes a similar sense of mood within me. The long white kurta tops are perfect for days like this, worn over red leggings, or nothing at all...for a tempting beach look. Plenty of fashion inspiration to gain from Biba, and their summer range is totally perfect to recreate your long summer days. Just like I did.

A bad experience for me and I won't be shopping with them again. I've purchased from them before…read morebut they basically didn't offer any resolution except suck it up buttercup and it was not my fault. The shoe sizes I selected should've fit me. They're the only two left and I chose them. There were two sizes approximately 1 and 2 sizes above normal size and they were way too small so I would've needed three sizes to have fitted and they weren't available anyway - so they need to say that these shoes run 3 sizes small and and they don't and then when you ask for some sort of support, they just said too bad really sorry. So I'm really sorry too. I'm going to give you one star for your stinginess.

I occassionally purchase my shoes and sandals from here but I do try to minimise the cost by…read moreshopping at their clearance store on Prospect Rd at Prospect. Each of the five Ian's Shoes stores located in Adelaide stock good quality shoes but alas they are expensive, with an average price of around $200. They specialise in shoes built for comfort and some brands easily accomodate orthotics, but this is not to say there is no style. The entire range of footwear Ian's Shoes carry are stylish, robust and fashionable with collections changing to keep up for each season. A few well known brands are in stock such as Hush Puppies, Josef Seibel but a few new ones also not so familiar like Beautifeel, Magnini, Naot and others but I did notice a brand called Ziera takes over the majority of the store and I learnt is actually the new Kumfs....they've certainly come a long way. Definitely worth a look for sore, tired feet with issues or for people with stand all day jobs, the support this footwear offers is worth it

100 metres from one Sydney Street store stands another Sydney Street. What is this, Starbucks?…read moreWasn't I just in a Sydney Street, or did I get the name wrong? After some head scratching and googling, I discover that this shop is the Sydney Street Boutique, as opposed to the Sydney Street Casual store. These are the only two stores in Australia, and you can see one from the other. This store has all the colour that the other lacks. No pastels here, there are lots of bold prints, floral patterns and sparkly tops. Most of the styles are still casual, but they're less that upper-class-retiree-golfer style and more the funky-mum look. The prices are much the same in both, and this shop doesn't do those famous jeans. There is plenty of more formal wear here also that I can see my mother wearing out to dinner. I do however appreciate the concept of two stores for two different styles and vibes. This store is smaller and more heavily stocked, while the other is spacious and less cluttered, arrangements which cleverly match the clothing styles.