Joy

I do like Joy, and their range of quirky, retro inspired clothing. I have bought many a cute little dress from Joy (which sadly no longer fit, and no, they didn’t shrink).
I have a few bug bears though. Firstly, that the clothes are all made from horrendous artifical material — acrylics and nylons etc. No cotton to be found! This is fine for some garments, but I don’t really like the feeling of acrylic right next my skin in say a blouse or a shirt, so it puts me off buying quite a lot of the items here, which is a shame, as the designs are lovely. Secondly, some of the prices are a bit far fetched I think, given that the material is so cheap. Today I saw a lovely mustard yellow jumper, but it was £49 quid! £49 quid for an acrylic jumper when I could go next door to H&M and get one for less than half that, hmm…
So I’m selective with what I buy here. I would LOVE to see Joy produce clothes in some better quality materials. They often do good deals too — like if you spend a certain amount, you get a free dress.
They also stock a nice range of fun and lovely household and gift items too. Today I saw some pretty little glass trinket dishes, and a lovely blue glug glug jug, and a vase (I think it was a vase) shaped like a bunny rabbit head, with the ears being the holes to put the flowers in (I think), and also a garden gnome piggy bank. They always have fun mugs and books, cute lunchboxes or cake tins — that sort of thing. Great for gifts.
Staff are always helpful, and the store is nicely laid out, with plenty of space for browsing and pondering.

Funky clothing and fun and silly gifts. If you want a washing up brush that looks like a disco diva or ice cube trays shaped like moustaches this is for you. Hipster wannabes a plenty!