On the seventh day of Christmas Yuppee gave to me Seven Swansea Boutiques, (Six Golden Goose Essentials, Five Bond Rings! Four Calling Birds, Three French Men, Two Turtle-necks and a Partridge in a Pear Tree).
For all our Welsh lambs who follow our posts and anyone planning on visiting South Wales in the New Year, we’ve rounded up seven of the best independent shops in Swansea city.
1: Lunacy Boutique, 43 Commercial Road, Port Talbot, SA13 1LN.
Lunacy boutique is the brainchild of Rebecca Bogue and Emma Hanford who wanted to bring pizazz and fashion to their home town. And, just like an Aladdins cave, the boutique is a glittering mix of new & edgy, and tradition & vintage. What’s more: this family-run, independent boutique has been voted one of the best shops in the UK by fashion bible Vogue and monthly glossy Glamour. Rebecca say’s the shops unique selling point is that it combines “eclectic and classic pieces with in-depth product knowledge.” As well as something different Lunacy favours up and coming and underground designers and labels – so you really are buying unique pieces!
Visit their website: www.lunacyboutique.co.uk
2: Moustache, 2-4 Bellevue Way, Swansea, SA1 5BY.
Moustache was established in 1969 and is probably the oldest specialist designer menswear boutique in the UK and the good news is that after over 40 years, Moustache still remains one of the UK’s leading male fashion boutiques. Having gained many awards from trade journal drapers record to maxim, and having been listed in FHM magazine as one of the top 100 shops in the UK to visit, Moustache is no doubt worth it’s weight in designer gold. Owner, Goff Doolan says: “Our success is down to the fact we have evolved over the years to meet the demands of our niche market customers. We have gone from formal dress wear to a more casual way of dressing, but the quality, unrivalled range and service has remained the same.”
3: Eden, 6 Nelson Street, Swansea, SA1 3QE.
This one is a real treasure trove. The independent company offers a wide variety of fashion jewellery, accessories and gifts which are selected to be “exciting and different”. They also sell contemporary silver jewellery, gem stone and semi precious pieces. With everything from beaded bevies, to funky bracelets and precious metals this really is your one-stop-shop for accessories.
Browse online at: www.eden4jewellery.com
4: Stardust Boutique, 35 Eversley Road, Sketty, SA2 9DB.
Stardust was initially launched in cyberspace in mid 2011 with the support of the Prince’s Trust, and as a result of the growth of demand for their beautiful dresses, they opened-up-shop in February of 2012. Supplying to all the UK and worldwide, specialising in show-stopping floor length gowns for fabulous events and occasions, this boutique is where you need to be heading for those head turning ball gowns.
See their website at: www.stardustboutique.com
5: Kindle House, 74-76 Commercial Street, Ystradgynlais, SA9 1LA
If you ever get the chance, please go along to this beautiful store. Kindle House is nestled amongst a small parade of shops in Ystradgynlais. It is a very unique shop which features a number of individually designed rooms showing: home and garden accessories, fashion accessories, soft furnishings, children’s toys, toiletries and gifts. You will find Cath-Kidston-esque bunting draping from the ceilings, toad stools cwtched around a children’s desk and a mantel topped with candles as the dining table is stocked with fine crockery. Owner Emma Purvis relays: “I knew exactly what brands I wanted to stock and a clear vision of the lifestyle I wanted to represent, which has made it what it is today, which I describe as ‘Chic Rural Living’. If you have visited the shop you’ll know exactly what I mean. The products at kindle House have been carefully chosen to offer our customers high quality, original products at reasonable prices.”
Visit Kindle House’s website at: www.kindlehouse.co.uk
6: Strawberry Tree Boutique, Church Road, Llansamlet, SA7 9RL.
Super sweet store, the Strawberry Tree Boutique, brings you children’s clothing at affordable prices. As we all know, children grow quickly and the daily cost of finding less ankle-tapping trousers and affordable frocks tugs at your purse strings, so Strawberry Tree Boutique my came about. Bringing you something different – that doesn’t cost the earth. From neat knitted shoes to princess dresses and custom jeans, this shop is more fantastic than fruity.
See some of the stock at: www.strawberrytreeboutiqe.co.uk
7: Bimbo Boutique, 271 Middle Road, Gendros, SA5 8ET.
At Bimbo Boutique you will find a fabulous range of on-trend feminine clothing & accessories from bo-ho chic to fierce fashionista. And it’s all in affordable prices & in limited quantities, to keep your wardrobe completely unique. Stocking the likes of Sugar Hill and Reverse, Bimbo Boutique pride themselves on one-of-a-kind pieces. You really could bag yourself a beautiful bargain.
Check it out for yourself at: www.bimboboutique.co.uk
-ZB