@Countmeout, the Designer Outlet is on the outskirts of the city, but it is only a few miles (three?) from the centre, and there are regular direct buses which run between the rail station and the shopping centre.
York is a wonderful city break destination and now is a particularly good time to go as there aren’t the usual hordes of overseas visitors. We managed to find extremely reasonably priced accommodation accordingly.
The Margaret Howell shop stocks the previous year’s in-season stock so they’re just finishing their spring-summer sale, but it will typically have been in the mainstream shops the year before. This matters not a joy to me (or anyone who appreciates Toast I imagine) as Margaret Howell, in my opinion, is just about the slowest fashion there is!
The shop stocks womenswear and menswear in Margaret Howell and MHL ranges, plus accessories (belts, purses, jewellery), footwear (brogues, boots and trainers from her collaboration with the Japanese label Mizuni) and homeware ie her special edition Anglepoise lamps, woven in Wales blankets and cushions and linen aprons etc.
To give you an idea of prices, I eyed up a beautiful twill grandad-collar shirt in a fine stripe; the original RRP was £335 and the outlet sale price was £135. Linen t-shirts (much weightier than the Toast versions) we’re reduced from £95 to £35.
Ask if you need any more information!