LEEDS SHOPPING.... THE OLD AND THE NEW

The long-awaited John Lewis recently opened in Leeds, the flagship store to the brand new Victoria Gate shopping centre.  We were very excited to check out not only John Lewis, but some of the new-to-Leeds stores, while some old favourites have moved into spanking new premises.

Anne H was over the moon to visit her favourite shop, Cos, which has never had a store in Leeds - the nearest probably being in Manchester.  Obviously she bought something there, and with a few (not so subtle) hints, I might have solved the dilemma of what to buy her for Christmas this year......

While the new Victoria Gate has a good range of designer and higher end high street stores, just across the road is the traditional, and stunningly beautiful Victoria Quarter.  This was an original Victorian arcade and a couple of outdoor streets, which I remember from my youth. Some years ago the developer very cleverly incorporated the original arcade with the street, topped it off with a glass dome and it became an up-market indoor shopping area adjacent to Harvey Nichols.

Leeds has become one of the destination shopping cities in the north, rivaled only by Manchester.  Recently named as the UK's best shopping destination by the Rough Guide to Britain, Leeds now has more than 1,000 shops, selling everything from designer to quirky vintage, independent boutiques and everyday high street brands. 

Only a couple of years ago, we welcomed the opening of Leeds Trinity, another brand new covered shopping centre which features well-known favourites such as Next, Mango, Coast, Top Shop and Marks & Spencer.  What we love about Trinity (apart from the stores) is the fabulous Everyman cinema, where after a spot of shopping, you can relax with a glass of Prosecco and a pizza and hunker down on the sofas to watch a good movie.

Nearby Trinity Kitchen also offers the most amazing selection of foods from around the world - even including Vietnamese street food of all things!

Anne C's outfit for the latest shopping expedition is a favourite pink crushed velvet and chiffon jacket with diamante button from Kaleidoscope which she has had for ages, teamed with a cream silk and diamante blouse from TK Maxx and black crepe tailored trousers bought several years ago from Ann Harvey, which no longer has stores on the high street.

Her jewellery is from Simply Devine in Tadcaster, gloves from Marks and Spencer, scarf was bought in Santorini, black patent boots from Faith at Debenhams a couple of seasons ago (though similar ones are available here) and the black patent handbag was bought from a random little stall during a visit to Wharfedale Hospital which she visited for a scan!! 

Anne H's outfit for our shopping foray into Victoria Gate and John Lewis included a long line cable knit cardigan from Next with a lovely grey chunky scarf from The White Company .The latter has a fabulous new store in the centre which offered plenty of temptation over two floors with fashion, homewares, scents and those all important Christmas presents. 

She combined this with some tweed trousers from MaxMara Weekend which she has had for ages and a roll neck jumper from &OtherStories, which she particularly likes as it has a tight fitting neck that doesn't bag and lovely long sleeves.  

Her silver necklace was a gift from a friend in Bali, her glasses are from MiuMiu and her Devonshire Tote handbag from Loxley England.