The Pick of Bath Fashion Shops

Looking for fashionable or unusual clothes for men or women? Bath fashion shops provide for all your needs, whether it be to browse and try on, or just press your nose against the window and drool!

Women's Clothes and Shoes

We all know what to expect from the chain stores, so this site concentrates on the smaller chains or independent shops, of which there is such a great range in Bath England – they may be more expensive, but they offer something a little different to liven up your wardrobe, you will get some good advice from the staff if you ask, and often there are real bargains in the sales.

These are the Bath fashion shops I always like to look in on my visits, even if I’m not buying. As always, I start at the top end of town and work down towards the river.

Toast started as a mail order fashion company and now has a handful of shops, including the one in Bartlett Street, the pedestrian street connecting George Street and Alfred Street. Beautiful natural fabrics are used for Toast clothes, which often make me think of the Thirties, Katharine Hepburn and so on - wide-legged trousers with turn-ups, well-cut coats, silk blouses, that kind of thing. I've never bought anything here, but this is where I'll look for my booksigning outfits when I'm a bestselling author ...

Blue is at the top of Milsom Street and always has an interesting window display which draws you inside. Clothes tend towards what I’d describe as ‘arty’ – lots of flowing, drapey fabrics - by European labels you don’t find elsewhere plus unusual jumpers and chunky jewellery.

Hobbs, just down the road from Blue in Milsom Street, is of course a chain but is still one of the Bath fashion shops I like to regularly look in. Recently I have seen some snide remarks about the dowdiness of the clothes in several national papers, but this does not appear to be an opinion shared by many Bath ladies, who throng the shop and are noticeably well-dressed. Hobbs have a great range of linen for the summer, if like me you are almost allergic to synthetic fabrics, and their shoes and bags are definitely covetable, if on the pricey side – wait for the sales!

Duo in Milsom Street for a large selection of shoes you don’t see anywhere else. In autumn they get in their stock of boots with different calf sizes. I tried some on this year and my calves were measured before any were brought out - a huge relief if you have ever suffered the embarrassment of trying to squeeze into boots cut too small!

If you're into designer labels, chances are you will already know of Square in Milsom Street, perhaps the best-known Bath fashion shop through its regular mentions in Vogue and other fashion magazines. A well-established stockist of just about any top label you could mention - Dolce e Gabbana, Gucci, Prada, need I go on? The Square shoes, bags and accessories shop is in Northgate Street if your credit cards can stand it.

Browsing in Shoon on New Bond Street always lifts my spirits for reasons which seem to be above and beyond the simple fact that it stocks a beautiful range of casual clothes, shoes, jewellery, baby things and appealing bits and pieces. Perhaps it’s something to do with the space, the expanse of stone flooring and the red walls! Makes such as White Stuff, Oska, Birkenstock and Mephisto – no stilettos here! Café on the 2nd Floor for refreshment when you have tired of shopping or just looking – see Bath cafes page.

Jigsaw, New Bond Street – yes, OK, it’s a chain, but still a haven if you’re shopping-deprived like me! Pretty, boho-style clothes and wonderful vintage-esque shoes and jewellery. Little girls’ clothes to die for. A recent article in ‘The Times’ described shopping in Jigsaw as like entering a club which doesn’t want you as a member. I have had this experience at times, but at others I have found assistants so helpful I’ve ended up with countless items I wanted but not the budget!

Men's Clothes and Shoes

Men are equally well catered-for by Bath fashion shops, whether they want rugged outdoor clothing or smart togs for a special occasion.

Itchy Feet at the top of Bartlett Street is not really my idea of a Bath fashion shop, but this is the page it fits best on, and it will probably be received with considerable enthusiasm by your menfolk! Itchy Feet stocks everything you could want for travelling, from maps and books to start the planning, to clothes, bags and all kinds of ingenious accessories designed to preserve your health and wealth. Just try to persuade the chaps not to wear that padded coat and the many-pocketed trousers everywhere!

Gabucci in Milsom Street often have a window display of colourful garments which would gratify the most flamboyant of footballers! Don't let your man be put off - inside there is a wide choice of quality clothing in less outrageous colours and attentive service.

Shoon in New Bond Street stock a large range of casual clothes and shoes for active men from brands such as Patagonia, Gant, Camper and Merrell. Plenty of boys' toys attractively displayed in glass cases.

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