Karen Millen is about as close to designer style as you can get on the high street. Unfortunately the prices reflect this - while never outrageous, they are just a little higher than those in the average high street shop. One of the wonderful things about this shop is that you can't pin it ... Read review
Advantages: Gorgeous, glamorous, fashion-aware Disadvantages: A little expensive, not always practical
Karen Millen is about as close to designer style as you can get on the high street. Unfortunately the prices reflect this - while never outrageous, they are just a little higher than those in the average high street shop. One of the wonderful things about this shop is that you can't pin it down to a certain style, mood, or customer - clothes tend to keep up with the latest fashion trends, rather than remaining true to any central ethos. However, ... ...highly covetable. Karen Millen isn't a shop for basics, in the way that Gap is, for example. It's where you can find special items to add a touch of glamour, sex-appeal or sophistication to your wardrobe. Last season I bought a suit there that had been featured in at least four different magazines and newspapers. It was quite expensive at £260, but every time I wear it people come up to me and tell me how gorgeous I look - not just my friends, but ... more
Karen Millen is about as close to designer style as you can get on the high street. Unfortunately the prices reflect this - while never outrageous, they are just a little higher than those in the average high street shop. One of the wonderful things about this shop is that you can't pin it down to a certain style, mood, or customer - clothes tend to keep up with the latest fashion trends, rather than remaining true to any central ethos. However, they are almost always luxurious, beautifully designed and coloured, and highly covetable. Karen Millen isn't a shop for basics, in the way that Gap is, for example. It's where you can find special items to add a touch of glamour, sex-appeal or sophistication to your wardrobe. Last season I bought a suit there that had been featured in at least four different magazines and newspapers. It was quite expensive at £260, but every time I wear it people come up to me and tell me how gorgeous I look - not just my friends, but shop assistants, men I see in bars and complete strangers. This is not how people usually react when they see me, and goes to show how potent the effect of Karen Millen can me. There are some amazing shoes there at the moment - again, at over £100, they're not the most affordable around, but would be perfect for a special occasion. Service is usually very helpful - I remember wanting to buy a cardigan last year to go with a dress I had just bought, and several shop assistants spent half an hour helping me decide on the perfect one. They are usually as excited by the wonderful clothes as the customers are, which encourages you to spend even more money there! My only quibble is that they often don't let you return things - at these prices, it would be nice to know that you could get your money back if you changed your mind. Having said that, almost anything from Karen Millen would be a valuable addition to your wardrobe.
Advantages: Classy with a capital C, items for all occasions, easy to find an outfit or separates, staff are helpful Disadvantages: expensive, sizes irregular, fragile
...I only started visiting the Karen Millen stores this Christmas after a friend of mine purchased a stunning dress for half price in their January sale - lucky one off you may think, but this is not the case. KM holds regular sales (not sure when exactly but there is one on now!!!)and each time there is stock reduced by up to 50%.
The clothing sold ranges from basic jumpers and vest tops (similar items can be found in the gap, 1/3 of the price but ... ...the clothes. The designers at Karen Millen are very fond of beaded items, with sequin patterns, logos and general bead splatterings always on offer. They do provide you with a little bag of replacement beads, but who in their right mind will sew intricate patterns back onto a skirt they have already had the pleasure of paying nearly £100 for? (no bitterness there at all...). Also, sizing can be a bit irregular- i was a certain size in the skirt described ...
Heather_D 08.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Karen Millen (Shop)
Advantages: good quality Disadvantages: very expensive
I have been into Karen Millen a few times and think it is ridiculously expensive! Although the clothes are well made and of high quality they are extremely expensive for what they are. They are a high street store which have shops in most major towns and cities. They are usually fairly small shops and have a very nice layout, posh, well dressed staff and good displays all of which help the shop to look more high quality and expensive. They use a ... ...spot in the crowded shopping centre. They tend to be placed in the more high quality places in a town, sometimes in department stores like Selfrigdes and House of Fraser.
They sell clothes aimed at young women who have money (not me then) and are probably best suited for young professionals who want a special ouutfit or work clothes. For everyday clothes I think that they are very overpriced and nothing special (you could find nicer items elsewhere ...
emmahancock99 14.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Karen Millen (Shop)
Advantages: Well made, attractive clothes Disadvantages: Not for those on a budget
Karen mIllen used to be a shop I went to once or twice a year (particular around xmas and birthdays) when I wanted to indulge or if I had a very special occaision to go to and wanted something particularly lovely! Unfortunately for me, I now find myself looking in there more and more often (particularly now I've found their website!) and keep seeing things I like and want.
I say unfortunately as, just as others have put as a negative, the shop is ... ...just over £600 -ouch!
Karen Millen is top end high street, in the same price range as Coast for dresses and Reiss for work/dayime wear and like these other stores, has a distinctive signature style.
The style of this brand is fitted, figure hugging and curve enhancing. It is very feminine and sexy, think 'saucy secretary' for workwear, fitted pencil skirts, slim cut trousers, fitted shirts, pussy bow tops etc. The evening wear is split between ...
Geeves30 09.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Karen Millen (Shop)
Advantages: Fantastic Evening and Formal Wear Disadvantages: Expensive prices for some badly made outfits
I discovered Karen Millen nearly 8 years ago and have bagged some lovely, timeless and classic outfits. Unfortunately, for the past two years, the standard and quality of their clothes have been poor. The style, selection and range are becoming lacklustre and "same-ish" lacking the classic look synonymous of KM - more specifically in the poor quality manmade fabrics used nowadays to create certain outfits but still with a very high price tag. I have ...
Mongouge 13.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Karen Millen (Shop)
Advantages: well made, expensive looking quality Disadvantages: price - to a degree but often worth it
I needed a treat - some designer shoes a bag - just something to make me feel special. I wandered into this shop and I got it... big time. The assistants were attentive - not intrusive. They had some gorgeous clothes, shoes, bags and coats.Better still lots of the items were on a promotional discount. I started with a very, very well made top with gorgeous detail. I was whisked into a curtained changing room and helpful advice was given. The top ... ...shoes, and my goodness there were some nice ones to choose from. Stock looked low but when I asked for a 37.5 it seemed to be available from the stock room in whatever style I chose. Shoes and a bag decided upon and bought, both look fantastic and feel great to wear. The quality is always commented upon by people who see them - this is definately by favourite place to shop. ...
tallullah 25.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Karen Millen (Shop)
Value for money
Layout & presentation
Selection & range
Availability
In store customer service
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Advantages: Undercover shopping, Modern, Mix of Designer Shops and High-Street Fashion. Disadvantages: Can Get Very Crowded on Weekends, You Have to Walk a Long Way Round to Go Up or Down to Next Level, Can get Quite Hot in Shops.
shops such as:
Gap
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Waitrose (supermarket)
Habitat
Natural World
Pumpkin Patch (children clothes)
French Connection
KarenMillen
Oasis
Kew
Gamleys (toy shop)
Bear Factory (you can chose a bear to be made for you)
Of course there are many more shops in West Quay, please take a look at there website www.west-quay.co.uk
***GOOD POINTS***
Undercover shopping so you don't get wet in bad weather.
A good selection of shops.
There are more shops outside West Quay on the highstreet such as Topshop, Primark, Miss Selfridge, TK Maxx (about 5 minute walk). Plus there are two other undercover shopping centres within minutes of West Quay....(Marlands and Bargate). Marlands contains shops such as West One, Mark One and Bay Trading. Bargate contains more unusual shops and a place where you can have your ...
Advantages: Cheap, large range, fashionable sizes 8-18 in core clothing ans larger sizes available Disadvantages: QUALITY!!!
fit a 9 year old!!!
I must admit that much of my wardrobe is still full of new look stuff cos I got great staff discount and I had to wear the stuff fr uniform, but aside from that some of it is actually good quality... but you need an insiders view to know exactly what to look for where quality comes in.
On the plus side, the stuff is so cheap!!! I got 2 pairs of shoes for £10 in the sale... one pair were leather too!!! And on the first day of sale in oxford street EVERYTHING was buy one get one free... a leather jacket in the sale for £40 and a beige funnel neck coat free!!! Can you complain? Yes when the colour from the leather coat rubs off on your KarenMillen bag!!!
BAsically when shopping in new look, you have to weigh up whether its enough of a bargain to warrant letting you quality standards slide a little. If you hunt ...
SylvsDiva 23.02.2001
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Advantages: Cheap, wide selection and some unique pieces Disadvantages: crowded, time consuming
What do you mean you can’t walk around with TK Maxx bags cause it’s not cool? The clothes certainly are cool and I will not let those ignorant people stop me. Do not however attempt to step inside if time is not on your side...
Fair enough I might not be super rich yet to be shopping at KarenMillen (non-sale) but I will not be stopped when trying to look good in a bargain deal!
Now for all of you that read my opinion on Jane Norman, Miss sixty and Mango will know that I am a fashion victim and to make matters worse a shop addicted spoiled little brat. Even when I don’t have the money I will try and sneak a bargain!
TK Maxx was introduced to me by my best friend Sameena, who is now in Guatemala on her year of travel. She said it’s good and it’s cheap BUT don’t ever get caught with TK Maxx ...
aggapimou 27.09.2002
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