As part of writing a lifestyle blog, I’m sometimes asked where I choose to purchase my activewear looks and/or accessories. Up to this point, it’s usually from occasional department store visits. However, things are changing, and today I’m happy to share a little treasure chest of lifestyle finds – Bicester Village. Traditionally thought of as a pure ‘designer outlet’, the shape of their offering is changing, to reflect the different ways that you and I express our shopping impulses! Sportswear has long since joined the ranks of the luxury maisons and to mark the landmark opening of the Lucas Hugh boutique (I’m pictured with founder, Anjhe Mules who I interviewed HERE), I hopped up to Bicester on the direct train from Marylebone, and discovered a wealth of healthy lifestyle shops with proper discounts! This post documents my experience so that you can see if it might be for you too!
We’ve been trained to think that high quality investment pieces come at a weighty price, but Bicester Village regularly teaches us that they needn’t cost as much. Along with 6,299,999 other people, I visit this outlet village a few times each year to seek out awesome pieces at a substantial discount from up to 60%, and in some cases 85% as the final reductions wrap up! If your heart feels anything at the sight of Missoni, Bally, Oscar de la Renta, Ermenegildo Zegna, Diesel and MANY more classic luxury brands, the direct train from Marylebone takes a mere 46min and is absurdly convenient. I was on the first Sunday morning train arriving at 09:30 into the village. My first stop? The below delicious breakfast at Farmshop, a wooden oasis of hearty warmth amongst an otherwise snow-dusted Oxford landscape. The ‘holy trinity’ of Sunday morning breakfast was checked off; salmon, avocado and eggs! An awesome start to the day…
Next up, I visited the freshly opened Lucas Hugh pop-up at the heart of the Village; if you’ve admired their elegant aesthetic in the Hunger Games, they’re on sale ‘40% off’ here! I’ve featured their clothes a few times on this blog, here in Lake Como and here in Ascot. Indeed the pinstripe look from the latter (below) is available in the pop up!
I then moved on to Asics, who recently opened a generous boutique here as well, and who focus no less on functional performance and design. I went for a pair of classic Tri Noosa 10 trainers, plus leggings and a top – all at around half the equivalent retail price! For your fitness staples, that is quite compelling.
Then I picked up a little high-quality cookware to help with my healthy recipes at one of my favourite shops, Le Creuset, which will be making an appearance on the blog soon enough :D …
…After which, deliciously hearty & healthy Itsu fare to the rescue – also recently opened! Sashimi, a ‘Beauty Smoothie’ and a pot of ‘Green Grains & Glory!’ did the trick!
It’s an awesome day of retail therapy that now includes more health and wellness than ever before. An installation of ‘Le Pain Quotidian’ is coming soon enough, and the Village promises plenty of exciting new developments, some of which I feel will be an enhancement to the activewear lineup! If you fancy a trip, head out early before it gets too crowded, and just enjoy the experience!
Faya x
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THIS POST INCLUDED A SPONSORED COLLABORATION WITH BICESTER VILLAGE AROUND THEIR NEWLY OPENED ASICS STORE AND LUCAS HUGH POP-UP; MY OPINIONS ARE GENUINE. FOR MORE ABOUT WHY I TAKE ON SUCH PROJECTS, PLEASE SEE MY DISCLOSURE PAGE HERE.
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