A bewildering (to me at least!) array of brightly coloured accessories for teenage girls. I went in…read morethere yesterday to buy some Christmas presents and was spoilt for choice. Fortunately the staff are very helpful and ready to advise on the best gifts to buy for particular age groups. The shop is crammed full of jewellery, make up, socks, scarves, hair slides, brushes and hair pieces, bags of all kinds and so much more! It can get very busy and crowded - I actually went back half an hour later as I couldn't get near to what I was trying to look at; the second time was easier.

This outlet branch of Claires accessories is located in the easy to find Mcarther Glen shopping…read morecentre just off the M4. It has plenty of close free parking. If you have a daughter who loves Claires then this one is worth a visit. It follows the same style as most of the others, It is very small in size which can make it cramped, it sells all the same bits and bobs and has all the same price tags. However when you get to the till you will find a huge 30% off everything you have bought. Dont get me wrong some of the stuff works out expensive even with the 30% off but if you are going to have to buy these things anyway you might as well make the saving.

Well if it's bags or cases your after, Bags Galore is the place to go! The shop stocks a large…read morerange of shoulder bags at reasonable prices as well as an even larger range of suitcases. The prices are cheaper than you would expect to pay in a non outlet store e.g. there was a really good hard shell case reduced from £100 to £49.50 Bags galore also stock a large selection of flight bags with styles to suit everyones taste. I fell in love with a beautiful leather holdall which was reduced from £215 to £149 - perhaps I can ask for it as a birthday present! They also had a good variety of briefcases with prices ranging from £40 to £80.

Bridgend Claire's accessories is an example of the bog standard Claires accessories stall. Teenie…read moreTiny and packed to the rafters with stuff. Also usually packed with kids and teenagers, so you're lucky to get in there - never mind find what you are looking for. Never the less there is a decent range of the usual stuff they sell - good for fancy dress bits and bobs, or cheap presents for girls. The Claire's in McArthur Glen is an outlet store - and sells everything with 20% off - therefore if you are looking for the Claire's exerience in Bridgend - you might be better off getting a bargain there - but for the most up to date stock - stick to the high street shop.

I enjoyed looking around this shop yesterday. There's a wide range of accessories, mostly for very…read moreyoung people (ie, teenagers) but there was something for older shoppers (ie, me!) too. I bought a lovely scarf amongst a great selection and I'll definitely have another look there next time I'm in Bridgend. The girl who was working there was delightful, very friendly and helpful.

didnt think a lot of this shopread more

This branch of Monsoon is fairly small, but still has a good range of styles and clothes available…read more The prices are a little expensive for every day clothes, but if you are shopping for something special, for example, a night out, or a wedding, etc. it is perfect. The staff are friendly and changing rooms are really nice.

I love Monsoon - they are 'on trend' but also have a really unique feel - when somewhere is wearing…read moreMonsoon you always know it straight away. This is a typical Monsoon store - the type where there is an interlinked connection to Accessorize. The shop sells womensware and shoes and childrens and babies clothes. There is no mens department in this store. There is always a decent range in store, and nice spacious changing rooms. Staff are helpful. Monsoon is pretty pricy - but quality is good, there is a a god range of sizes, and Monsoon caters for most age groups

OK, not cheap, as others have said but very pretty and attractive jewellery, all nicely…read morecolour-coordinated in their racks around the shop so that you can match things easily. The scarves are beautiful and unusual and the bags quite gorgeous, covered in beautiful prints, beading and colours to suit most occasions and outfits. Many other accessories too and well worth a browse. Certainly a place to find a lovely gift for a friend.

Hve a great range but can be expensive at times. If your looking for something cheap best to look…read moreelsewhere unless they've got a sale on.

Het couture Millinery is a wonderful studio in the Old Wool Barn Art & Craft Centre in Verity's…read moreCourt, just behind the HIgh Street. You can get there via a handy little alleyway, to the left of Arthur John Hardware. (I had lived in Cowbridge for six months before I discovered this handy little alleyway!) It is absolutely brim full, (please excuse the pun), of the most amazing creations and fabrics that you could ever hope to cast your eyes on. There is something utterly exquisite about the abundant, rare opulence and extravagance of this boutique style studio, that makes it a really enriching experience to visit. As with all of the artisans who have their studios at the craft barn, you will be able to engage in discussions about the art of hat making, as well as discussing a commission, should you be attending a winter wedding, or some other such grand occasion. Having a bespoke hat made to suit you, and only you, has to be something of an essential extravagance at least once in your lifetime! (I have done it several times, but mainly because hats off the rack never suit! I have a difficult head to please!) Highly recommended!

This is the most beautiful shop and a wonderful experience.What shopping should be about! Sarah who…read moremakes the hats is fantastic. So creative! If you take your outfit with you she will match the colour and style perfectly. I'm now on my 3rd hat and once you've worn them you've got your own little work of art. Reasonably priced too! Once you've discovered Het, you'll be addicted! Beverley Porthcawl

small shop with bits and bobs.sell sewing machines and also part exchange.dont find staff that…read morehelpful.think it could be more vibrant and interesting -seems tired at present and not enough variety

Tula is a lovely shop situated in McArthur Glen, toward the foodcourt end…read more They stock an excellent range of high quality leather handbags, purses and breifcases. There are traditional and modern designs - and all are classic and of excellent quality. They stock the Tula Brand, and also makes such as Radley. There are also umbrellas, keyrings and other bits on sale. The layout and merchandising of the shop makes for a very pleasant shopping experience, and staff are friendly and helpful. The discounts available in this outlet store are good, and the stock never seems inappropriate for the season - despite the fact that past season goods are on sale.

I don't make a habit of visiting wedding shops, in fact this is the only one I've ever been in and…read moreit's every girls dream. There are rails and rails of the most beautiful dresses. How people manage to pick just one is beyond me! Downstairs is where the transformation happens. There are light and bright and spacious dressing room to try on your dream dress, and even a catwalk like corridor for you to practice walking down! It was however a bit hot down there and the poor bride did once faint after standing there for some time in her heavy dress and probably not eating anything to slim herself down! The staff were all really friendly and helpful, especially the lady who was altering the dress and did everything to make sure the bride to be looked her very best, while keeping the costs down. Probably not the cheapest or the most expensive place to buy a wedding dress, but defiantly somewhere you should check out if you're shopping for the big day.

I visited this shop with my friend when she was wedding-dress-shopping…read more First off, it has plenty of space - and a lot of bridal shops fall at this first hurdle. The fitting rooms are really airy and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and there are plenty of accessories (shoes, tiaras, etc) to try along with the dresses. Secondly, the staff go out of their way to welcome brides (and their tag-along shopping buddies!) and help them find the perfect dress for their big day - and they also carry stock for bridesmaids, and for mothers of the bride and groom. And finally, the shop carries some beautiful dresses (although obviously this comes down to taste!) from some of the industry's most respected designers - including Ritva Westenius who has dressed the likes of Jane Seymour and Faye Dunaway. It's also an exclusive stockist of Amanda Wakeley, Hollywood Dreams, Lusan Mandongus, Charlotte Balbier, Stewart Parvin, Lyn Ashworth and Kate Sherford, and more. My friend didn't actually end up buying her wedding dress here, but only because she fell in love with one she found elsewhere - so I can't comment on their after-sales service.