Until I came to write this review, I always though this shop was called Carpaccio - and I couldn't…read morequite understand why they had named themselves after a raw meat dish. However I stand corrected, and although I don't know anything about the origins of the actual name, I no longer associate this place with pounded raw beef. This is another Lewes clothes shop aimed at middle aged women. This one has a bit more of a distinctive, ethnic-y vibe than some of the others; unlike Darcey or Renwick Clarke which just put me in mind of three piece suites and pristine lawns, Capriccio has slightly more bohemian feel. They sell those striped, handwoven basket bags from Kenya that I associate with the 80s, mostly because my mum used to have one. The clothing labels have names like 'Masai,' 'Sahara' and 'Oska,' and feature drapey, crepey tunics, and other unstructured pieces. They have some nice dressing gowns in ethnic prints, and also a nice selection of hats, including a stretchy straw hat that folds down flat. I am currently in the market of a nice sun hat, so I tried one on, but at £40 it was more than I wanted to spend. They also sell espadrilles and chunky jewellery pieces.

Trailed up the High St looking for a 'party' top and cardigan that weren't pastel and cashmery, and…read moreCapriccio were the only contenders. Their clothes are of clear, jewel-like colours and interesting textures, with a bit of ethnic element. Not cheap, but class shows. (NB I have no connection with Capriccio!) I hate clothes-shopping, and I was so pleased to find somewhere that suited me, so that I could buy a couple of nice things and head home.

Along with having a store in nearby Hawyward's Heath, Renwick Clarke is one of Lewes nicer women's…read moreclothing shops. Selling clothes for the more 'well to do' lady, Renwick Clarke caters for adults, particularly more middle aged women. However, do not think this means that this shop is not fashionable, quite the oppossite. They sell a lovely selection of clothes, ranging from shoes (around £70), dresses (£60) and more formal garments (£90+). As you can tell from the highlighted prices, you have to pay for the quality here, you'll struggle to find any bargains. None the less, the product is a good one.

Renwick Clarke's target market is obviously the middle-aged, middle-class ladies of Lewes; and for…read morethat target market they sell both casual and slightly more formal attire, as well as jewellery and shoes. Think embroidered cardigans, linen jackets and capri pants, floral pleated skirts, and tailored dresses. They sell some Great Plains clothing, as well as a few other labels. The prices are moderate to expensive; I found a skirt in there for £40, but also a little shrug for £90. It's not particularly to my taste (or my budget), but the service seems friendly (the sales assistant was chatting to a customer) and it obviously caters to local demand.

What a great shop- a really nice combination of bright and stylish women's clothes and accessories…read morewith a second room filled with lovely kid's clothes and toys. There are items pilled everywhere yet it's easy to navigate and find things- a difficult balance to achieve. And, the owner has found that balance between cutesy and chic. You don't always notice it but those little balancing acts are hard to do- so credit to this shop! The women's section stocks Marimmeko dresses in fabulous prints, Orla Kiely clothing and accessories in more great prints, Cath Kidston accessories in more great prints! Cath Kidston extends into the kid's section with her polka dots and cowboy prints. They have camper shoes for mother's and soft flannel toys for the kid's and Linum fabrics for the house. Very nice.

The Laurels sells women's wear and accessories, homewares and kids clothes, as well as a few other…read moregifty bits and pieces, cards and fabric. They person who does the buying for the Laurels is obviously into patterns, as they stock a lot of Orla Kiely stuff, Cath Kidson homeware and Marimekko clothing. Personally I find Orla Kiely patterns a bit blobby, and Cath Kidson a bit too twee, but if you like that look then this place is great. It is certainly a stark contrast to shops like Flint who go in for the 'any colour as long as it is a variation of off white' look. The stock, being branded, isn't particularly cheap (the Marimekko dresses were around £150, despite being very simple designs), but the fact that they sell lots of little bits and pieces means this would probably be a good place to look for presents for mums/kids, etc.

While my wife is in Bone (Ladies) down the road, I'm in here. Smashing!!…read more Really top quality range of clothes. I like the shirts here as they are sooooooo good. Yes, you may have to pay a little more but.. The jackets are to die for!! Go and have a look

Darcey's target market, like most of the clothes shops in Lewes, are aimed at well to do middle…read moreaged women. Their website describes their stock as 'infinitely wearable womenswear clothing for women over 40' such as 'unstructured separates and soft tailoring, complemented by a full range of co-ordinating accessories.' They stock a lot of cardigans, linen blouses and jackets, a-line skirts and the like. It's generally of moderate pricing; a linen blouse coming in at about £40. Their stock is very colourful, and is organised into colour coordinating sections. They also stock accessories such as chunky necklaces, and scarves. The lady behind the counter was very smiley and friendly.

I came here while shopping in Lewes with a friend, the aim of my trip was to try and find my Mum a…read morebirthday present. Lounge was the last shop I entered in to, probably the first one that wasn't a chain store or a charity shop. Unfortunately though, the clothes weren't really right for what I wanted. The products were fashionable enough, offering formal and evening wear, all for women. Price wise, it was also a little bit steep. This isn't greatly surprising in a place like Lewes, but I just wasn't bowled over by the selection, especially not at the prices, and especially when Brighton is so close.

I always spend money when I go in to Lounge. I don't mean to. I promise myself I'm just going to…read morelook, but before I know it out comes my wallet and the plastic is being handed over! Lounge is expensive too. I have to admit, I do get most of my items from the sale rail, but it still tends to be over and above your usual high street branch. However, I also think that the quality is above and beyond. For a start, they tend to go with a few designers that they have individually sourced so you are always going to find something a little different. Often, they only buy in one item of each size and pattern, so you can be pretty sure you are not going to bump in to someone wearing the same dress! Everything is well made and the cut is usually flattering and fits well. The girls in the shop (the owner and the staff) are all really helpful, offering advise and suggestions of what goes with what. They are friendly and happy to chat even if you are just browsing. Lewes is full of independent boutiques but Lounge is definitely one of the best.

Gossypium is a fabric and cotton shop, specialising in cotton throws, clothes and the like…read more Ethically made, sourced and fairtrade, this is a great place to pick anything you need in terms of cotton. It seems a strange thing to focus on: I'm never sure what to look for when going in. However, it is a great place if you know what they stock. I had a quick look in when looking for some new clothes, and found Gossypium's stuff very nice. It looks very good on, although it is a bit stiff (100% cotton isn't very stretchy), and is a bit on the expensive side. Nevertheless, it is nicely made, often with quirky designs and the like, and a great addition to any wardrobe. I can't quite recommend Gossypium as much as I'd like to: the fairtrade and ethical sourcing here is commendable, but it also means you can push the price up. This is actually one of my bigger niggles: why do have to pay so much more for ethically sourced, fairtrade and organic stuff? I can't cost £2-3 each time to do all of that! Anyway, I like the sentiments, and the stuff on offer is great, if a little out of price range.

Selling organic, fair trade cotton yoga wear, bed lined and kids clothes, Gossypium is the kind of…read moreplace that attracts and reviles me at the same time. Obviously fair trade and organic = good. You can imagine that the people that shop there regularly have lovely, ethical, happy family lives. But something about the fact that they specialise in yoga wear, and that in my fantasy of the clientèle everyone is shiny and ethical and liberal, and probably bakes organic cookies with their happy healthy kiddies at the weekend, after picking them up from their bassoon lesson and taking them for a walk in the woods just makes me feel a bit sick. It's just a bit too smug. But then this negative reaction is probably just a manifestation of my unresolved middle-class guilt issues. That's one of the problems of being liberal and having a humanities degree from an era where everything is post-modern and 'meta' - you develop liberal sensibilities, but alongside it you develop a self-critical, self-reflexive awareness which means that you simultaneously feel smug and hate yourself for it. And then you analyse it in circular thought processes like these. It's very dull, and going into shops like Gossypium just dredges it all up when I could have been happy enough watching Gossip Girl and thinking about nothing. Er... anyway, back to Gossypium. The other thing about the target market is that they generally have a bit of money to spend, and, as part of their ethical lifestyles are more likely to splash out on a yoga top that will last them longer and therefore be less wasteful. As a result you are looking at about £20 for a plain tee, £40 for a patterned top, and so on. Plus they have started doing these boxer shorts which they dye after making them, rather than dying the fabric then putting them together - something about a less wasteful process, but the end result is, they look second hand. A bit gross for underwear items.

Another of my wife's favourites. This shop tends to stock the unusual as previous Qyper has said…read more Not a very big shop with room to manouvre but persevere and yoy will be rwarded. Could be thought to be a little pricey.. The shop for menswear is a little further up the High Street

The womens shop has the most gorgeous clothes. It stocks brands like Itchi and Ted Baker. I have…read morenever failed to find something beautiful in here. They often have clothes and accessories made by local designers too, which is great. The shop can be quite pricey, but you get what you pay for, and i have picked up a few bargains in here when they have had a sale on, which they do quite regularly. A bit further up the hill is the mens shop, which also stocks great brands, and really good quality clothes.