London, Paris, Milan and… Norwich? Yes, it’s true: this little city is a small epicentre of style that has managed to stay quite secret from the rest of the UK. You may be surprised to hear that the only city in the largely rural county of Norfolk has a whole lot to offer – I certainly was when I first arrived here – but I think that its somewhat tucked away nature allows for a fashion ecosystem to develop that is completely unique from most other cities in England. 

But allow me to back up my claims before I get ahead of myself. I can’t talk about the best spots to shop without firstly discussing the two large shopping centres that Norwich houses, Castle Quarter and Chantry Place. Both house clothing chains you would see in most parts of the country, such as TK Maxx, H&M and Urban Outfitters, but it is not shops like these that highlight the beautiful local style that you can find in Norwich. Chantry Place is home largely to chain stores, however, in Castle Quarter (formerly Castle Mall), thrifters and second-hand lovers can find a haven in the EmmausandYMCA charity shops, where they can not only can upgrade their wardrobes with upcycled and sometimes even luxury goods for bargain prices, but also know that the money they spend is going to good causes. Another sustainable source for new finds is New-U, in which you can not only buy second-hand clothes but also bring in old and unworn items in exchange for something in their store. 

However, perhaps Norwich’s most iconic shopping area, the Norwich Market, houses even more unique and unusual places to buy clothes that are also perfect for eco-conscious shoppers. For avid fans of camo print, there is an army surplus store called Combat Zone featuring just about every iteration of camo on every imaginable article of clothing. For lovers of vintage, the market houses multiple stalls that will be perfect for you. Taxi Vintage Clothing is a wonderful place to find authentic clothing that largely dates from the latter half of the twentieth century, so if you want to dress like a true Sixties mod or eighties goth, this is the place to go. Lovering & Co is another excellent vintage stall in which you can find a selection of hand-picked clothing and accessories  with some high-quality items such as authentic Levi’s, that you will be able to purchase at a much lower price. For jewellery lovers, Olivia’s and Norwich Goldsmith’s are two stalls in which have both first and second-hand jewellery. And for those who prefer to make their own clothes, The Yarn & Craft Store is a perfect spot for anyone looking for materials for their next knit or crochet project.

For the more luxurious amongst you, Norwich also has a vibrant and sprawling independent department store, called Jarrolds. This intriguing five floor store houses big names like Michael Kors, MAC, and AllSaints, and has been an iconic spot in Norwich since it came into being in 1770, over 200 years ago, whilst managing to remain as a family business the entire time. Though not necessarily the best place to go if you are a bit strapped for cash, anyone that does opt to have a look can certainly have a bit of fun browsing and window shopping.

The Norwich Lanes are another shopping hotspot. Imelda’s is an independent shoe and footwear shop, that aims to bring vibrance and colour with everything it sells. It would also be ridiculous of me to not mention Lisa Angel, a small chain that resides in Norfolk, and sells items that could be described exclusively as cute and elegant. They sell a little bit of everything, but one of their more well-known points of interest are their jewellery, which is all gold or silver plated, and can be personalised – but without a super steep price. I have previously bought an engraved bracelet from there for my dad for Father’s Day. 

For those of you wishing to make more permanent alterations to your style, don’t think Norwich is short of places on offer. Factotum is a well-respected tattoo and piercing studio, with incredible housing artists that create beautiful work, such as Shani Dean who etches flowing flowery pieces onto people’s skin. Indigo Tattoo is another shop featuring fantastic artists, and I myself have upgraded my look with several piercings there and will likely get more because of how friendly the people there are. 

So, conclusion? If you are new to Norwich and fearing for the state of your wardrobe, worry not. Norwich is home to a tonne of independent, unique places to buy things and level up your look. Everything I have written here only touches the surface, and I must encourage you to explore the city yourself and see what they have on offer.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons