ACCESSORIES. (for you tl:drs out there)
I've walked past Relax Garden on Kingsland Road many a time, and was always a bit put off by the boxy cuts of the frocks dancing in the tight little window. Finally, I saw past the squareness of it all on an early June day, and made my way in to the quaint boutique.
Here's the skinny -- everything is a bit boxy. It's not quite as "shoreditch" as the window displays would have you believe, though. The upside to this particular cut and style is that it fits a wider range of people (pun intended? no). For me though personally, not very flattering so I skipped on most of the items I adored on the racks. but did end up with one very lovely summery dress that will be very nice for work, chiming in at £78. It's flowy, not boxy -- big difference!
However ACCESSORIES. This is where it's at in the Relax Garden, my dears. Earrings, necklaces, scarves, sunglasses...all very inexpensive. I snagged a gorgeous pair of triangle earrings, a summer scarf, a headband (we'll see how that goes) and was truly delighted at the options.
It's a very small shop. The women are friendly and somewhat over involved in the experience. I am sure they are happy to help, but I do prefer a bit more space. I am sure if I had just told them that they would've left me to it.
They've been open 10 years. They are doing something right! The clothes are well made and not nearly as expensive as I had anticipated. If you are shopping in or around Shoreditch High Street, make sure to give this one a go, it'll be worth it for the accessories and perhaps you are the perfect person for that square fit boxy look -- then it's a goldmine. read more