dress shops in oxford (urgent)

[pseudonymph]

In so far as a question about dresses is ever urgent.

Just got back to the UK for a wedding at the weekend. The dress I brought with me is stupidly way too flimsy - it's a LOT less chilly where I'm living than it is here.

I'm staying with friends in Oxford, but I haven't lived here in years - where should I be looking? I tried Jigsaw, Reiss, Karen Millen, etc on the High and also that department store off Cornmarket, but nothing.

Could you get to Bicester Village?

(Disclaimer - not been there for years so not sure what's there now but someone may be able to advise)

Get a 20 minute train to Reading and you'll be spoilt for choice at the Oracle / house of Fraser / John Lewis / Debenhams!

What kind of thing are you looking for?

Sorry, Oxford is shite for shopping (roll on the reopening of the Westgate). Reading will be your best bet.

The Debenhams is less shit than most Debenhams. Some of those weirdo 1840s time-warp shops selling subfusc and gowns also sell 'occasion wear', I think the one on Turl St does and definitely one of the ones on the High St towards Examination Schools.

Assume you have already tried the little boutiques in the covered market?

Aspire on High sometimes has nice things. Debenhams? Even M&S is worth a look. Bicester Village might help you out, though isn't usually that cheap despite being an outlet; they have good reductions off very pricey brands!

Might be worth looking at the Ballroom on the Plain

Agree that Bicester village will have something but it's still really quite expensive. Is there still a Monsoon bit inside the Debenhams at the corner of George St? If so that might be worth a look, or Debenhams itself.

Thank you for great answers!

Maximum I will definitely try Aspire - thank you. I don't know what that particular branch has in stock, but this from their website looks very promising:

www.aspirestyle.co.uk/products/clothing/dresses/sugarhill-boutique-mila-jacquard-dress-11174

shiny I did try Debenhams - that was what I was trying to say by that department store off Cornmarket - sorry. Nothing doing, though agree their make up and shoe departments are good.

Mrs Jamin - well it needs to be quite fitted - I have a pear/hourglass figure, so a lot of things that look like dresses on normal people look like sacks on me - a-line knee-length is my go-to shape, or empire line sometimes works. Blue / green / silver / generally - not sludgy colours, which I found a lot of in e.g. Jigsaw. Definitely warm, or with cardigan / shrug. I have a couple of coats with me - one is a pastel blue trench (possibly again not warm enough), the other is an off-white herringbone tweed - so blue would go with either.

A couple of things I quite liked were this, though the cut wasn't that flattering:

www.jigsaw-online.com/product/lace-evening-dress/J27532_BL017

And this, though same problem with cut, and also it looks a bit like a dress I had when I was 14:

www.reiss.com/p/velvet-dress-womens-xeni-in-midnight/?category_id=1121

Also, they are both a bit dark, but I think that's okay for an autumn wedding?

Interesting point about Bicester and Reading! Ideally I'd like to get it done in a couple of hours, but I guess I could do that.

Secrets there is a monsoon section but I couldn't find anything I liked.

shiny I did also try the covered market, though quite briefly.

Rainbow my impression was that was a bit more prom style than I'm looking for, but maybe worth a shot.

Thanks again, everyone.

I love that Reiss dress in the blue and think it's perfect for an autumn wedding.

Have just remembered Little Clarendon St. Haven't checked out the shops there for a couple of years, but there always used to be a couple of good boutiques.

Whistles in Oxford is nice.

Did you find Fresh in the covered market? It's my go-to shop for dresses for weddings etc - am also pear shaped. Quite a few of the dresses are prom style but they usually have some a-line ones there too. Plus cardigans or shrugs to go with them. Aspire is nice but not huge. Unfortunately Little Clarendon Street isn't worth the trek these days - the little boutiques have moved out in favour of cafes. Roll on the new John Lewis!

Try the Powder Room or Vanilla in Summertown, north Oxford . Both have great stock and you may find something unusual and just right. Quick taxi ride or short bus trip from the centre.

More great suggestions - thank you!

gone I'm in north Oxford so I will definitely try Summertown before I head to the centre. Thank you - I wouldn't have thought of that.

fizzy no, I didn't see Fresh - I will check that out. Their online stock looks great, especially the pencil dresses actually, though I expect they won't suit me.

shiny yes! And very on trend too, but I didn't like what it did to my hips, or rather what my hips did to it, I guess

Hi there. I would also recommend Vanilla in Summertown. I think it's the best boutique in Oxford and the staff are very helpful. They also have brands that you don't see everywhere else, whereas whenever I go to a wedding wearing Reiss or Whistles I am always slightly terrified that someone 10yrs younger and 2 stone lighter will be wearing the same dress as me

This is turning into an expensive thread for me. Have made a mental note to check out Vanilla and am considering ordering the Reiss dress.

OP, what's your address so I can send my invoice?

Update in case anyone is interested.

In the end I got this from fresh, so thank you fizzy:

www.freshoxford.com/product-page/3dacfdc6-4342-9dc4-8beb-7ac5bf8d6ff8

Vanilla is ace (though only tunic cut dresses) - leave your credit card behind though if you go there shiny because they have some LUSH coats and scarves. And the place across the road has cute t-shirts with sequin angel wings and suchlike, also tempting.

A good weekend to all, and yy to roll on the new John Lewis.

Very nice - great colour and not too "weddingy" (in a good way) so you'll be able to wear it to other things.

Ooh I might have to visit there! Really like their stuff and the prices aren't bad either. Like the dress, you could totally wear that to nonweddings too. Good work! Enjoy the wedding.

Lovely dress! Glad you found one - have a great time at the wedding.

I feel a trip to Summertown coming on

Me too Fizzy!
Glad you found a lovely dress OP, enjoy the wedding !