Browns

 

Initially I was a bit apprehensive about going into Browns, the styling in the shop window wasn't exactly screaming my style but when I got in there it wasn't quite as bad as I'd thought. They tend to stock some designers that I like, but chose specific items which suggest an older customer, perhaps 40+ women, perhaps who have to attend PR events and want to look up-to-date but also demure, and who want good quality, but also that uniqueness you can get from designer goods as opposed to high street. 

Nobody in the shop approached me, which I found unusual because I did look out of place, and people tend to ask as part of their custmoer service anyway, do you need any help, etc? However thinking about this further, the places where people asked if I needed any help were Matches, Acne, Start and B-Store.

I noticed that Browns was made up to look as though you were shopping within your own home, with fixtures and fittings made to look like wardrobes and drawers, and a coffee table and couch up on the top floor. They organised their shop by floor, which the evening wear on the top, and shoes on the bottom. This works for if the customer knows what occassion they want their clothing for, but also works for if a customer wants a bit of everything or is unsure, they can look through the different floors and pick up a couple of things of each floor, kowing they will all offer something different.

I found that the shoes department had a very limited selection, which was the same for Acne, perhaps shoes and accessories aren't what sell in these kind of high end shops, and are usually an afterthought, with different shops that sell solely jewellery required instead.