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Style and beauty

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Original poster

What’s good at Bicester?

19 replies

FizzyPink · 18/12/2019 22:10

Going next weekend which I appreciate will be absolutely crazy! Not really looking for anything in particular and not expecting much, we’re only going as we’re in the area. But anything worth looking out for?

OP posts:

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 18/12/2019 22:10

The traffic jams?!

BubblesBuddy · 18/12/2019 22:38

Go in the evening. It’s your only chance to get parked.

The queues for the shops will be long too - that’s just to get in, never mind pay!

The best shops are Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Smythson, Mulberry, Alexander McQueen, White Company, Ralph Lauren and lots of others. Don’t expect to find something you’ve had your eye on. Go with the flow and find surprises.

SpeckledyHen · 18/12/2019 22:44

Get there before the shops open , have breakfast , shop and leave before the coaches arrive .

Original poster

FizzyPink · 19/12/2019 09:24

Great thank you, will definitely be getting there before it opens and get in and out as much as possible. I’m not really that bothered about going but DP is a total shopoholic and loves the place.

OP posts:

Karcheer · 19/12/2019 10:17

I think shoes are the biggest bargain.

MontanaSkies · 19/12/2019 11:09

There's a really big Pret.

oohnicevase · 19/12/2019 14:57

They have a great park and ride system , mulberrry is great but to be honest a lot of the shops are full of very small sample size clothes .

ReginaGeorgeous · 19/12/2019 16:31

Handbags from either Coach or Kate Spade.

Howgreenwasmyvalley · 19/12/2019 16:32

I knew someone who went 2 weeks ago and said it was hellish.

dontmentionbookclub · 19/12/2019 19:01

Get there before it opens as pp have said and go for coffee. Pain Quotidien is very nice! I always look at Timberland and Le Creuset, L'Occitane and Cosmetic Company, as they are my favourites, but lots of them are good. Some are extremely high end and way out of my price range, so I don't even look!

oohnicevase · 19/12/2019 19:13

It's not that bad if you use the park and ride , don't even bother trying to drive in. The park and rides are quite a way away but are efficient and regular . We queued for 5 mins for most shops but that's ok.

AmethystMoonShine · 19/12/2019 19:14

The Woseley is a nice treat for breakfast.
White Company has proved fruitful over the years. I used to adore Mulberry but now all the old stock has gone, it’s just the new style poorer quality products, which means I rarely bother.
Coach can be good and Kate Spade. I miss Marc Jacobs
Cosmetic ls Company is great if that’s your thing. Ralph Lauren is good for genuine bargains if you avoid the ‘made for outlet’ tat.
Burberry is wonderful if you’ve the funds.
Always check the website before hand to see what pop ups are there. They’ve had Brora and Elemis in the past.
Swarovski and Links can be fab if it’s your thing too.
Enjoy! I’m quite local but can’t get there early enough for the foreseeable so am avoiding

Original poster

FizzyPink · 21/12/2019 17:12

So we went this morning and I was honestly shocked how quiet it was. We got there around 8.45 and had breakfast at Cafe Wolsey before we started. The only place that I saw a queue was Pandora! Really pleased we went, got some adorable kids stuff in Ralph Lauren really cheaply as well as gifts in Rituals and a bag for my mum in Kate Spade. All Saints we’re doing another 40% off already discounted prices so DP picked up a lot. We were in and out by 11.30

OP posts:

AmethystMoonShine · 23/12/2019 06:36

That’s the way I do it.... in and out early before the crowds arrive
Really pleased you had a good trip!

Pomegranatepompom · 23/12/2019 07:13

Mulberry - although agree, check quality.
L’occitane, White company, cos, there was also a Clarins pop up shop mat time I was there. Can get enormous bargains on Jimmy Choo, shoes for £250-300.
The Wolsey is lovely - try the florentine’s.

ChocoChunk1 · 23/12/2019 07:17

My mum lives in Banbury so the train from London is packed full of Chinese and Arab tourists, then empties out almost completely at Bicester. It's a good cash cow. I haven't been in over 20 years!

beanaseireann · 23/12/2019 20:56

I believeclots of products are just produced for brand name shops in outlets - as in they haven't been for sale in the brand's high end shop on a street.
Channel 4 did a documentary on TK Maxx about this.

NightsOfCabiria · 23/12/2019 21:01

I thought it was stuffed full of second rate stuff? I last went two years ago and didnt buy a thing. Plus, it was overcrowded with mainly Chinese tourists. Its a very odd place.

Pomegranatepompom · 23/12/2019 21:33

I think some things are produced for outlets, you need to research. My jimmy choos were definitely for sale at full price.
Need to be careful on Coach and Kate Spade, it’s normally obvious on bags by the logo, (more obvious) if less brass wear etc

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