There are treasures to be found here, but I warn you it is not for the faint of heart. Heed my…read moreadvice, you need to be both mentally prepared and determined to emerge with a successful find here. Racks are overburdened to the point that if you manage to pull something out, you will not be able to shove that hanger back in. The shop pieces are mostly better for women than men, unless you're looking for nice blazer, jacket, or costume. There are quite a few nice menswear pieces in there. And if you have a specific style in mind, for example, a nice tweed, the the owner lady definitely has some kind of mental catalog of her stock. So if you feel overwhelmed, she can pick some stuff out for you if she has an idea of what you're looking for. Prices aren't the cheapest, but this place is a treasure trove of vintage one-offs if that means any added value to you. Also, no price tags. She prices items as you ask her. From what I gather, it depends on the age and value of the brand.

Like walking into a giant dressing up box. Fancy dress, tea dresses, jazzy shirts and net skirts. A…read morevintage wonderland. You will need to rumage as there are bundles of clothes EVERYWHERE and only really space for 3 people to stand. I brought a black waistcoast with silver hearts from the 60's for £15 :) The reason i'm not giving 5/5 is because its frusting when you find one great shoe- but not the other! One very sweet lady who works there. If you are looking for something in particular she will tell you if she has it or when she thinks she will have. Opening times: MonSat 10am5.30pm

I could spend a lot of time (and money!) in Reign. The layout of the shop makes it feel bright and…read morespacious and the different items are sorted not just by type but also by colour. The most interesting things they have to offer appear to be placed in highlighted locations around the room and they really are beautiful pieces. Compared to the quality and prices of vintage in London, everything in Reign is a complete bargain, with most items in great condition and ranging from £5-£30. Apparently frequented by Emma Watson, Reign is a gem in the midst of Cowley road.

I was recommend this shop by a friend and had previously never noticed it was there after having…read morelived in Oxford for 2 years. And boy had I been missing out! Full of your typical glitzy and floral vintage dresses, but also casual jumpers and retro tees. I snapped up a funky vintage beige vest top with brown airmail stamps across it for the bargain price of £4.50! They also have great quality leather shoes, clutch bags and your usual vintage accessories. Worth a look if your craving a classic

I've passed this so many times and always thought it was a really posh shop. However, when I…read moreactually went in I was pleasantly surprised by the prices. There was a sales rack outside with dressed from about £35. As always with these things, some were pretty hideous, but I was tempted by 2 or 3 and I wasn't even going in to buy a dress! There's a really good range of dresses from full-on ball gowns to simple cocktail dresses, with prices ranging accordingly, but you can definitely catch some bargains. There's a good range of formalwear for men as well, which can work out much better value for money than hiring a couple of times. The staff weren't overly friendly and it was a bit awkward as we were the only people in there, but they weren't rude and asked if we needed help. I didn't try anything on, despite being tempted, so I guess it's not as inviting as it could be. Definitely worth a look, but go in with a friend if you want some moral support.

The Ballroom is hard to miss. They take full advantage of their window display by showing off the…read moremost spectacularly beautiful and eye catching dresses. I tried on a gothic lacey black prom dress and also a shiny white dress decorated with bright pink flowers! I fell in love with a floor length, satin, chocolate brown dress which, to my delight, was only £35 to buy! They offer beautiful silver and diamond jewellery which is available to rent so no need to break the bank balance. The only reason i'm not ranking 5/5 is because they do not have a fitting room, so take a friend with you to stand hide behind and save your blushes!

Decent little shop in Oxford for souvenirs. The quality is a bit higher than other similar Oxford…read moreshops, but so is the price. They had more unique items that could be given to people who would not want a big Oxford tshirt or pencil set. For instance, they had a whole section for folks who like to garden (see photos). They had tin mugs with cute gardening sayings. I got one for my mother who enjoys gardening all too much. It didn't seem like a chain store, and I really like local mom-and-pop shops so if I'm right that makes me happy! The front of the shop (window) is a bit confusing. The window says Oxford College Store on the front, but the sign above that says Bonnie. There's a hanging sign that reads Bonnie as well. Perhaps it was renamed, or they are trying to highlight their connection to Oxford University? Either way, it was a bit disconcerting to this foreigner.

I must admit, I avoided this place for ages because I just assumed it was a posh designer store…read morebecause of its name! When I actually got round to looking in it, I thought it was just another one of those touristy, overpriced 'Oxford University' memorabilia shops. BUT, and it's a big but, I was wrong! This has got some great clothes in a variety of styles, and is a refreshing change from the chain stores around town (which can be great, but you know what to expect every time). It's hardly a major item in there, but I'm quite fond of the lingerie. Prices vary but it's all fairly reasonable for Oxford, and if you're lucky you can grab a real bargain. As with all sales items, get it when you see it or you might be disappointed when you return! The staff are very friendly, and are happy to let you browse. If you're after an Oxford-branded gift for someone, or a treat for yourself, they're very helpful and can recommend things you might not have noticed.

In town for my sister-in-law's wedding, the Hat Box was the obvious choice for any of the guests…read morewho needed to buy the proper hat for the event. The space is small and packed with beautiful hats. The crowd of Americans somewhat overwhelmed the space, particularly in the warm July weather. But Gillian worked with each of us to find the right hat. She selected the perfect hat right away for most of us. I continued to try on hats while the others arrived, not wanting the fun of hat shopping to be over. There were several that I loved enough to consider buying a whole new dress to match... but in the end, it was the first she'd recommended that I selected. After talking more with her, she said that she could add some feathers that matched my dress if I would bring it back. I paid for the hat, but left it there so that she could add the feathers after I brought the dress back to match. While wandering around the rest of the covered market, I saw the most gorgeous exaggerated brim hat with curlicue in yellow and black that I just had to have. My husband asked Gillian to see it, and she fetched the porter for the key. The hat was amazing, but because of the price and because I was coming back for the feather matching the next day, Gillian advised me to sleep on it. The next day I returned for the feather matching and the yellow hat. With feathers selected, and yellow hat fetched, I asked about hatboxes, since I wouldn't have been able to get these beauties back to the US without one. Gillian at first mentioned that her boxes were quite large, but the yellow hat just fit at an angle, with room for my wedding hat underneath - perfect. Another of the wedding party was able to pick up my hat with the feathers added next day. The wedding hat was perfect (love that most of the hats are on headbands now to secure them to your head) and brought many compliments, as did all the hats purchased by my fellow American wedding guests. Both hats made it back to the US unharmed, though the rope of the box tore through one of the carrying holes in the process. I highly recommended for your hat needs in Oxford! 2019 Reviews #16

One of the reasons for a trip up as multiple weddings are looming. My wife has ben here before and…read morewas well pleased, so another trip was inevitable. PLUS,. more shelved hats around the home!! Excellent and fast tailor made service is provided by Gill and not extortionate, ( so I'm told)!! Brilliant colours and designs are in abundance, (quite impressive for the size of the shop)!! There are some really nice hats here, and it's all worth it if your wife's happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am in Oxford frequently on business from the US and always to try to stop by Shepherd & Woodward…read more Each time I have been able to stop by, there are items I can't find in the US and usually on sale. Staff has always been helpful and knowledgeable. I am not a long time customer but have had only have positive experiences with them.

A very popular place on High St. to buy T-shirts and sweaters. They have a large selection of…read morevarious clothing (tourist type clothing) at very good prices. It seems they always have a bin of Oxford T-shirts on sale for 4.99 pounds, a real deal. One of my favorite places in Oxford to buy presents.

This bookshop is one of a kind! It is huge and has many entry points along the storefront. It…read morealmost feels like a few shops from the front, but once you go inside, it all connects in the back. The highlight is the large room that has the sunken area full of books. There is even a photo spot marked for you to take it all in on your camera. I love that although it is large and has tons of books, it didn't feel cramped and unorganized. My favorite part of the store was in the back where they had high value books for sale. Thee are one of a kind, super ild editions that are in great condition and there is a whole team to curate and market these books. We got to see them in real life!

Far be it from me to suggest you make a trip to Oxford just to visit one of the most wonderful…read morebookstores ever, but if you happen to be in or near Oxford it'd be a shame to miss out. Despite a plethora of 1-star reviews of Blackwell's online ordering service, the in-store experience is sheer delight. The selection (on multiple stories of the building) is simply stunning. Not wanting to come back home with a suitcase full of books (well, wanting to but loathe to carry them), my purchase here was a single book which I read in its entirety before leaving the UK. Bookstores which began their lives in the 1800's are rare finds. Blackwell's is one and they haven't endured due to mere good luck. Someone is paying attention to the look and feel of the place as well as the vast and deep selection of great reads. Blackwell's is a great place to get lost in.

Juno is not just another women's clothes shop. It's designer clothes, but most importantly it…read moreoffers a personal style consultation service. I'm too much of a coward to try it myself, but apparently you go in, say what sort of clothes you're after (smart, everyday, business, etc.) and a style consultant will give you advice on what to wear and offer you some things to try. It all sounds very embarrassing to me, but a good idea nonetheless. Juno's clothes are aimed at women of all ages (which doesn't, in this case, mean they're dowdy or 'sensible'), and there are brands like Saltwater, Libelula and American Vintage.

I love browsing old antique shops. I rarely buy anything, but I love the feeling that hundreds of…read moreyears of history are in one room. Antiques on High has the proper smell of old things and has an interesting range of antiques. Rather than focusing on big pieces of furniture, which so many antique shops do, it uses its space wisely to host: Jewellery, books, records, clothes, ornaments, pictures, maps and various collectables. The condition of the goods varies, but they're priced fairly reasonably. I find it's best to go in without the aim of buying something in particular, but just to browse. I can't say anything has ever caught my eye enough to want to buy it, but I've seen plenty of other people who have found the perfect addition to their home or the ideal gift. The best bit is the craft section, where there's a gallery of jewellery, leather, pottery, glass and art in general, all produced locally and all promising to be valuable antiques in the future. There's a great range in here and you can get something for less than a pound or spend hundreds of pounds. Equally, you can pop in for a few minutes or spend hours browsing - it's almost like a mini museum. If you like antique shops, this won't disappoint; if you've never been in one, try approaching it. Don't be put off by the prison-like bars in the windows; the staff are friendly and it's a different world inside.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my yearly visits to this shop. There are superb finds. Beautiful pieces…read moreof jewelry and vintage items in every case. My favorite is Caroline. I have bought wonderful treasures from her. They are all truly nice charming people. I miss this place.

The type of café people who listen to The Smiths frequent. Superb coffee. Positively unparalleled…read more The lack of space does not dampen the atmosphere. Quality aesthetics. The cold brew is really good but they serve it in a tiny cup.

Little vintage shop with a solid offering of coffee and pastries. Only popped in for a flat white…read moreand croissant to take away but the service was friendly and there were 3-4 tables for working with wifi. All the hip cliches exist in the one spot, but the coffee was good, the clothing was cute and the art was inspiring inside. So why not?