Indian Summer

I adore this shop and have to actively avoid it because there is nothing I don’t HAVE to have. Whoever their buyer is has a very good eye and it is a little Aladdin’s cave of beautiful things and even has pic n mix to fuel your rummaging! Unnervingly pretty blondes manning the till but all very nice and helpful. I have never left empty handed.

When I walked into Indian Summer I was expecting to be blown away but found the shop rather bland. The size of the shop is deceptive, I think whenever I enter large shops I expect it to be highly organized and focused. This shop is a mix of women’s fashion, kids clothes, and items you’d find in a gift shop, all of this is arranged into three separate sections.
When I entered the shop, the left side is the kids section. Since I wasn’t there searching for kids things I gave the area a cursory glance. The middle of the shop is filled with candles (which were lovely), cards and wrapping paper. The third section has women’s clothes and I found a great sweater. The shop is a mix and depending on what you’re looking you might find it here. It is a shop that you have look around to find what you want, things don’t seem to just jump out.

I came here the other day for inspiration of the Christmas present kind. It’s one of those places that you just have to describe with a sort of ultra generic, all inclusive sort of name. Maybe it’s a boutique or a gift shop or someone’s pet project? It has two sections inside which break up the generic mix vaguely into ‘child friendly gifts’ and ‘adults only’.
Not that I was looking for anything for children but I did notice they had loads of little band t-​shirts, the Ramones, the Stones… maybe if you break them into punk and rock early you can ruin Disney for them forever? Cruel to be kind? Maybe?
The adult stuff ranges from candles, kaftans, scarves, Tupperware, cups, glasses, boxes, baskets, bits of furniture, necklaces. It goes on. Honestly, it’s a right mix. Personally, I don’t feel the passion here or the sense of cohesion or mission. It feels a bit hollow, sure lots of these items are imported from India and they are genuine and in some cases rather nice but ultimately I couldn’t really think of anyone who would absolutely love something from here.

This gorgeous shop makes gift buying easy. With the exterior painted bright pink this shop is colourful and vibrant inside and out. The shop stocks a range of furniture, furnishings, jewellery and clothing. Much of the stock is sourced from India and other places abroad but there are also products from local designers. I especially love the kaftans and Catherine Tough hot water bottle covers. Prices vary but there is plenty to choose from at all budgets.