Sometimes, it's a nice idea to steer away from mainstream high street fashion and give smaller boutiques some love.
Often with high street shopping, our choice of outfits can become slim, with many big clothing retailers offering duplicated products of on-trend items that aren't always the best quality. Unlike regular retail stores, boutiques are said to offer a more 'personal touch' with one on one assistance and interaction.
I recently visited 'Oxton Boutique' on Rose Mount in Oxton and was immediately blown away by the vast array of dresses, casualwear, accessories and even candles on offer. I spoke to owner Michelle Fenton about her boutique to find out more about her hidden gem, nestled away in the quaint streets of Oxton.
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Michelle opened the Oxton Boutique five years ago, but had two years of that in lockdown. She said: "I feel like I'm doing okay after COVID, touch wood. Lockdown has really affected us, with last year being the hardest. I had to do my own delivery service to get by, but I do know that restaurants around here are particularly struggling."
She continued: "Small businesses have to help each other out really. There used to be a more expensive boutique that opened a month before me in Oxton, but it had to close down."
Oxton Boutique is all about clothing 'for all ages and every size' which was very clear to see as soon as I entered the cosy and inviting setting. The shop is filled with various pieces, including appropriate autumnal tones and soft fabrics.
There are a range of cute earrings and vibrant dresses on show, as well as formal gear and casual wear. Being 27-years-old, I could easily find some lovely outfits in here for work or casualwear, which backs up the Oxton Boutique ethos of 'clothes for every age'.
When speaking about her boutique, Michelle said: "I love it. It's for people of all sizes. We as women are often so fixated on sizes. I've actually got a pair of jeans in at the moment and everyone is dropping a size down in them so they're really popular.
"I want to make people feel good about themselves. I often have people sending photos on Instagram when they're on holiday and they feel great and it makes me happy. I just want to get people out of their comfort zone if they've lost their way."
Michelle also said she gets a lot of mums visiting the boutique, in need of something comfortable and flattering. She continued: "I have some 100 stars kimonos coming soon which are really popular at the moment, they're just so comfortable."
After looking around it's clear to see the sheer range of clothes on offer. The cosy warm atmosphere in the boutique offers a pleasant experience - far more pleasant than a packed Primark filled with hustle and bustle.
I've never really thought to shop in a boutique, but I'll definitely be visiting here more - especially after spotting their sweet scented candles and dainty jewellery, too.
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You can find Oxton Boutique at 19 Rose Mount, Oxton, Birkenhead, Prenton CH43 5SG.
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