Avoid online shopping! I use online shopping for almost everything and very very rarely need to…read morereturn anything, but this was a disaster in every aspect. The delivery was delayed, information was not accurate and no visibility to taxes and fares exceeded the original reported by over 50%! And the shop doesn't even allow international returns. Never ever again! And the dress unfortunately wasn't as good quality as described, which was the reason I wanted to return the item. Avoid this brand, not worth it!

Capsule wardrobe warriors lend me your ear. Samantha Ogilvie should be one of your handful of…read moreplaces to bring your wardrobe to life. Yes, price tags are more than your average Portmans top, but they're also pieces unlikely to be found on the masses and will last you a lot longer. Think: cost per wear. Cost per wear. Until recently, I'd been stupid and too intimidated to go into this stunning boutique. Stupid because the staff in here are friendly as pie and on the occasions I've now been in, I've felt welcome and never helicopter'd by a sales member. If you're looking for something that makes you feel a million dollars, without the price tag, and without the chances of seeing it on ever Thumbalina, Deidre and Harriet, then this is where I'd send you to shop.

Calexico just reminds me of a slightly more highbrow version of Country Road. The two share very…read moresimilar furnishings and clothing, with stretch cotton and flowy white cotton pieces in particular making repeat appearances. It's a charming enough little space and it had some cute clothing, but it didn't really do much to catch my attention or make me want to buy anything they were selling. One thing I will point out though is a really fantastic range of cigarette jeans. If you're a fan of skinny jeans like me then Calexico will do nothing but impress you in that department. They have plain greys and colours for your straightedge types and some really jazzy greens and bright options for those of you who fancy some bold pieces. So overall, clothing was nice but not overly impressive; cigarette jeans however, are their specialty, and I'll be back when I need a great pair.

I overheard some women recently in a James Street cafe raving about the latest stock to appear in…read moreCalexico Boutique. Without throwing any stereotypes around, their conversation also contained agenda items such as yachting, their partners real estate ventures and that they have dined at Ortiga so much lately that they are getting bored of it. Yep, those kinds of women. Having never been inside (as nothing in the window had never caught my eye) I decided to have a look, merely out of curiosity. The clothing is beautiful, there is no doubting that. However I just cannot justify spending $700 on a pair of gold sequined pants that look like they belong in a Madonna museum. Having lived overseas and had the likes of Zara at my fingertips which is of a similar ilk, Calexico just seems to be overpriced and unattainable for the average human being. In saying this, when money isn't a deciding factor, there are definitely clothes from Calexico that I would wear. I wasn't approached by the staff, which is often a relief in retail situations, but I feel that if I'd been wearing a Calexico garment I would have been attended to immediately. Calexico isn't my style. It's high brow, a little pretentious and a whole lot expensive. In saying this, if collecting clothing is your thing, and you (or your husband) have a heavy wallet, then Calexico could float your boat.

I've always thought the beautifully sculptured clothing in here looks as though it could have been…read moredesigned by an architect. Now I've found out that it actually is. The man behind the label is Andrzej K Pytel - who studied and worked as an architect until around 2004, when he quit the day job and launched his fashion label, SIZE. Methinks he made the right move - within 6 months, his first ever collection was available in 12 boutiques along the east coast of Oz. In 2009 he launched House of Ezis - and got into draping and folding and more "geometric" designs - the kinds of things instore at the moment. And his skill with a sewing machine has won him some seriously cool fans. He's been published in Oyster, Culture, Dazed and Confused to name a few. I love his digi prints (which he designs himself) and the awesome shapes of his clothes. I particularly ove the strapless white dress (part of his Unit collection) which is draped and shaped and pointed. Sort of like a work of art on a hanger.

Went here to get a dress made for a special occasion, the designer was nothing but plain rude and…read moresimply wanted the money. I made the mistake of paying for the dress up front, thus I was stuck with the dress, I ended up coming back for 3 fittings and buy the end the dress given to me was not even mine, but the demo one off the rack. I fail to believe how a 'professional' designer can even make this mistake and not even apologize, so I spent half of my special day in the wrong dress which ruined ALL the professional pictures as it was far to big and ended up with no refund..... I would never recommend using this business to anyone! Ever!

I swear this boutique was transplanted directly from Noosa; it reminds me so strongly of many of…read morethe shops up there, and, less flatteringly, many women's clothing stores you find in shopping centres. It's definitely better quality than the shopping centre chain stores, but the styles are quite similar. A lot of horrendously bright colours and not especially nice patterns, with many of the items made of that semi-satin like material that so many resort holidaying mothers seem to wear. The shop itself is nice, unfortunately it's just not for me.

Oh Leona, why must you tease me so! It's bad enough with all the beauty that's in your current…read morecollections, let alone your vintage wear. And now you've gone and opened a shop off James Street specifically for your vintage items? You mock me! Seriously though, Leona Edmiston's Vintage store, the newest addition to the James Street precinct, is just ridiculously beautiful. I'm not just talking her gorgeous frocks, but also shoes, handbags and scarves. It's like a dream come true! I do have a bone to pick with Leona though. Normally I am a size 8-10, yet even her extra small sizes don't fit me! So naturally when I walked in to the 50% off sale the other day, I was cheesed off for the first time in my life for being too small for something (when normally this is celebrated with a glass of champagne). The shop attendant who was assisting me was delightful, to the point where I walked out feeling as though I'd made a new friend. For any fan of pre-loved fashion or accessories, take a little wander round James Street until you find Leona Edmiston Vintage. The beautiful items on the racks are to be adored not ignored.

Leona Edmiston's Vintage boutique might be just off the main James Street fashion strip, but it's…read moreworth the 2 minute detour to explore one-off dresses, end of season wonders and pre-loved Leona garments. I popped in on a Sunday afternoon and couldn't resist the call of a sale. The sales assistant was lovely without being pushy and I felt at ease, not in any particular rush or resentful of "sold to". Be warned, there's no mirrors in the change rooms so you do have to leave the comfort of the cubicle to see the dress on you, but don't fear, the lighting in this boutique is so soft and flattering I'm convinced the dress I bought looked better on me in store than it does now in the harsh light of my humble abode.

I came out of this shop feeling truly shit about myself. Courtesy of the pushiest sales assistant…read moreI've ever met (who might possibly have been the owner or manager). The clothes in here aren't particularly high end - (it's got some cute pieces from your more high street labels like Bardot, Blessed are the Meek and Lyllah) but I could barely even notice the clothes because the minute I walked into the shop, Pushy Man pounced. As soon as I touched something, he'd come out with a spiel about how fabulous it was and then kept on trying to push me into trying on dresses that I just knew wouldn't suit me. I don't know why the hell I didn't leg it out of there the minute he started to harass me, but there's a part of me that's far too polite to seem rude (I really did spend too much time living in England). I did find a cute animal print maxi that I went to try on - it looked around a size 10. He looked me up and down and was like "darling, that's an extra small, but you can always see if you can squeeze into it". I was so shocked by his rudeness, I think I was struck dumb. He also thrust another dress at me that he said he thought "would look AMAZING on you". (I actually thought the material was nasty and cheap looking and the colour foul). When I emerged from the changing room with my first choice of dress on, he gushed "ooh, you've dropped a whole dress size!" What?! I was seriously insulted as I hadn't actually thought I needed to. So if you're planning on popping into this store, keep the above in mind. Definitely don't go if you're having a fat day. I wasn't even having one of those, but I felt positively obese by the time I left.

Principessa is one of those clothes shops that you initially walk past and think "...eh" and then…read moreafter a hard day of trying on clothes and not buying anything, you decide it's worth checking out, just in case. It stocks both men and women's clothing, and obviously only checking out the women's section, I was a little uninspired. It'd be a great shop for someone who's a fan of bright colours and short dresses, but there was not an awful lot that really stood out as unique. It's often on sale and stocks a selection of well-known brands (such as Mink Pink), so it's worth a squiz through - you never know, something might just jump out at you. Personally, I didn't have an issue with the service; there was just one friendly person working that day who asked me how my day was and let me be.

Zooey Deschanel's quirky style, Camille Belle's girly look, Victoria Beckham's structured dresses,…read moreRachel Bilson's effortless style... If if you admire these celebs for their fashion choices, then you'll love this store! When I need the perfect pretty cocktail dress and not wanting to spend more than $150, I'll most likely find the perfect something here. The clothes are so cute. Most in store are dresses and skirts, a mix of girly, chic and modern styles. The colours are pretty and soft- plenty of white, black, cream, pinks, lilacs, salmon and tangerine. Polka dots or plain or even with pearls, there's plenty of gorgeous pieces to be found. The materials on the dresses and skirts are soft and has a mix of satins, tulle, organza. Some fan out like puffy ballerina skirts. and some just bring out the playfulness in its wearer. This girly boutique also has a variety of coloured ribbons and sashes which you can mix and match with the dresses. So, if you pick out a flowy dress which could use a belt, you can alternatively use a ribbon to give your outfit definition. It's absolutely pretty on and the first time I've seen a shop use it to style outfits. Adorable dresses at affordable prices! Every girly girl needs to know about it!

Along with absolutely loving this beautiful store and all of their gorgeous clothing, their staff…read moreare fantasic! The first time I went into Lulu 62 I was so amazed with their service! I left the store feeling great. And every other time I go into their shop they continue to exeed my expectations. It definately tops any of the others stores I have visited. Great service is hard to come by these days. So it is very much appreciated. How often are you left in the change rooms not being attended to, sadly, very often. There are many other things that these ladies do that makes your shopping experience feel special. These ladies have really got it going on. If you need some assistance looking for a special outfit or just every day outfits that are beautiful, girly, chic, cute, Lulu 62 is the place to come to! Keep up the great work ladies!

This beautiful, long, skinny store on Ann Street was always one I avoided thinking it would be just…read morelike the rest of the boutiques on that street. On a recent visit I discovered that I was wrong, and it's a great shop for young women who always find themselves needing a new dress for a special occasion. The store has beautiful womenswear from Lilyhart, Neon Heartache and Desmond as well as GORGEOUS swimwear by Surface Too Deep (which I haven't been able to find anywhere else). It's not as pricey as some of the other stores in the area, but doesn't compromise on quality. When I popped in for a browse the shop attendants were pleasant and we had a chat about the stock in store. They even went further to write on a business card the names of the styles I had been browsing and their prices. Drobe also acts as an art gallery, highlighting different works from local artists regularly. Yet another great boutique in the Valley offering young women plenty of choices for their wardrobes!

I've found my perfect wedding dress here. OK, I'm not even close to getting married but that's…read morebeside the point. Even though Drobe stocks edgy, eclectic pieces from young designers (like Amar, Justine Davis, Neon Heartache, El Amuleto), towards the back of the long, spacious store, I found some of the most exquisite "special occasion" dresses that I had to stop and touch them. The first one I fell for was a white, one shouldered, floaty dream of a white dress with layers of soft tulle - it was cool and stylish - the type of beautiful maxi you could waft around a posh event in, or...get married in (and only $409!) I also saw another delicous dress in an off white lace, one shouldered with beautiful silk flowers on the bodice. Again, it wasn't meant to be a wedding dress, but it easily could become one. And the sales assistant was absolutely lovely. I usually find the false conversations you are forced to indulge in when you enter most shops quite painful ("How are you? What are you up to today?") but this girl was just chatty, friendly, normal and not even remotely fake. I didn't indulge my inner Muriel and try on the "wedding" dresses, but I think I'll definitely be back in sale season.

Walking into St. Barts is like walking into a beachside villa in the south of France. It's more of…read morea lifestyle store than an interior design shop, with racks of women's clothing as well as gifts and home wares. The shop itself is gorgeous, with young and beautiful staff to match. There's a mixture of things to browse from armchairs, to jeweled sandals, to fabrics, to ornaments and statement pieces for the home. Given that it's located on ritzy James Street, I assumed that the prices would be higher, but they're actually quite reasonable. I would very happily add many a St Barts piece to my home and will be back soon to see what else they have to offer. The shop is brand new and has yet to build a hype surrounding its existence. From what I saw in store, it will only be a matter of time before St Barts has a steady following.

Ooo! This place is new. I get very excited when a new shop opens in one of the shopping precincts I…read morefrequent. A new shop always seems so promising and adds a nice freshness to shopping areas that you already know inside out. I actually just came across St Barts on the weekend when I was on my way to Harveys and couldn't resist a peek. St Barts sells clothes, accessories, and homewares and their style seems quite eclectic. They had some lovely cushions and cute accessories, and I got the impression that they're still in the process of fully stocking their shop so I'll look forward to poking my nose back in there in a few weeks to see what it's like when they get fully into the swing of things. The prices are a little bit lower than I would have expected based on St Barts's location and exterior so that was a nice surprise. I exchanged a quick hello with the sales assistant and then she left me to browse which I always appreciate, especially in areas like James street where a lot of the stores seem to employ hoverers. It is interesting to see a few fresh storefronts on James street and this is one of them. St Barts is only young yet, and I'm excited to see what it'll grow into!

Side Street is a cute and trendy boutique in Paddington which won't break your bank. They stock…read moreaffordable brands with the occasional specialty and always have great sale items. My absolute FAVOURITE item I bought here was a little black bolero jacket with gold epoillets, and was devastated when it was stolen on a night out (never ever leave your jacket unattended in the VIP section of Cloudland - even it only cost $20, people will assume its expensive and swipe it anyway). After crying myself to sleep for weeks, I phoned the store to see if they had any more. They didn't - but lovely owner man ordered more in and called me to let me know he'd put one aside for me. I was over the moon and couldn't believe he'd gone out of his way just for a $20 jacket. Side Street also have gorgeous clothes for guys - Man Friend was the joyful recipient of a stunning white v neck tee with neon Vegas skyline print, which I'd spied on Side Street's Facebook page and popped in to purchase. Great formal dresses and accessories too and you won't find the brands stocked at many other places so there's a level of individuality too. Friendly staff and great location. I usually pop over after brunch at Anouk...

Side Street stocks all the types of brands and clothes I yearn for. Yes, it's another one of those…read morelovely Paddington shops that tends to sell the same brands over and over, but don't hold that against it, please. This place sells London Rebel shoes - quite nice styles and surprisingly affordable - as well as relevant fashion styles and some really standout jewellery pieces and accessories. They also occasionally sell some Sass & Bide. I was drawn in by the really distinctive skirts and dresses. You pretty much have your pick of styles here; if you need festival fashions, just ask to see their playsuits and shorts; if you want a cute weekend outfit, take your pick of the patterned dresses. Or go more casual and choose a cami with one of their remarkable jewellery pieces. Side Street is another great stop on a Paddington shopping day.