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Bicester - any tips?

8 replies

buildingamystery · 06/01/2016 09:32

Hoping to make a trip to Bicester village soon. Would love your recommendations on best outlets.

OP posts:
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MooMinCow · 06/01/2016 10:07

Go early so you can park in the outside car park (not multi storey). Avoid weekends and school hols.

If you sign up to their newsletter they send you VIP offers. They normally do 2/3 weeks a year where certain outlets give an extra 20% off on top

To be honest I don't like it as much anymore. All very high end/designer. If you want a leather bag Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Coccinelle, Anya Hindmarch, Coach are good. There's also a Michael Kors (I'm not a fan of his bags, but appreciate many are) and Mulberry (but I've never seen anything I like in there unless you're after a Bayswater in a random colour Hmm)

Clothes wise Reiss, Ted Baker, Levi's, LK Bennett are mid priced. Rest is nice for window shopping.

Enjoy!

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bishboschone · 06/01/2016 19:20

Agree to getting there early , it's manic!! We used to go years ago but now as said above its all high end .. Think £4000 suits down to £1000. Not for me I'm afraid as a sahm . I prefer gunwharf for the range of shops .

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lapsedorienteerer · 06/01/2016 19:23

I'm not a fan as most of the shops are too high end/designer for what I'm after.

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sulee · 06/01/2016 20:14

It's only twenty minutes drive away from me, but I don't go too often for all the reasons stated above- very £££ retailers and to be honest, much of the stock there is unsold for a reason- it's what didn't sell in the shops and I can see why! I do pop in occasionally when I'm out and about and usually end up with something for the home from The White Company or Cath Kidston rather than clothing.

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Karcheer · 06/01/2016 20:50

Pay for valet parking £20 and you can arrive when you like, you just have to give them 24hrs notice. Go with an open mind, you may go home empty handed. Shoes are generally good value.

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CointreauVersial · 06/01/2016 22:01

My tip is to go to Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays instead - much better shops. Grin

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louloubelle2 · 07/01/2016 08:31

Gunwharf is all high street. Bicester is designer. You can't compare. Although OP, if you are expecting designer at high street prices, my tip would be not to bother with Bicester, you'll be disappointed. It's less discount outlet, more end of of season and "made for outlet" styles at a slightly cheaper price than normal. If you know deep down you can only afford White Co, Cath Kidston etc, then go to Gunwharf and enjoy the harbour and the tower as well.

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MooMinCow · 07/01/2016 08:54

Yes agree with loulou. If you're in the market for a designer item then Bicester is great. I would look around on the Internet/eBay for what you want and to get an idea of prices so you know when you get there whether it is a genuine discount. Bear in mind if you're an 'average' dress or shoe size there may not be much around! (My friend is a size 4/6 and she always comes away with armfuls of clothes from Reiss and Ted Baker - me, a 10/12 never finds anything Hmm so tend to target accessories!)

The Cosmetics Company Store (all Estée Lauder Brands) is great too if you're a beauty/makeup junkie.

I use it as a destination to meet up with my friends who are scattered around the south east as it is midway for us all. We all get there for opening time, have a wander round the popular shops before the bus loads of tourists get in from London then go for a nice long lunch, another quick wander then home. A nice twice annual day out!

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