I'm a Fashion Expert—This Is My Ultimate Designer Shopping Destination

As a fashion editor, I'm often asked where I buy my clothes. Anyone in the industry will tell you that compliments from friends, family and absolute strangers come in somewhat regularly, and every "I love your dress" comment is inevitably followed with "Where did you find it?" It sounds like a soft brag, but actually, the real bragging rights go to Bicester Village, where I've been buying many of my pieces lately. In case you're not familiar, let me enlighten you. Bicester Village is an outdoor designer shopping destination just outside London, towards Oxford, that has every brand you could possibly wish for from contemporary heroes Jil Sander and Acne Studios to more affordable luxury brands like Monica Vinader and Reiss. And in addition to fashion and jewellery, Bicester Village has homeware, tech, luxury watch and beauty retailers, which explains why it's my favourite weekend activity and just about every fashion person's go-to shopping destination.

Unlike most in-person retail experiences, Bicester Village's stores offer the latest collections at full price and archive pieces at competitive discounts. I love that every time I go, I never know exactly what I'll find or come away with, unless, of course, I make use of the handy virtual shopping service, which allows you to speak to a team of dedicated experts via Whatsapp who can tell you exactly what's in store. And if anything takes your fancy, you can come down to the village to buy it and have a browse, or the team can take payments virtually and send the product to you for next-day delivery.

Because I'm such a Bicester advocate, the team kindly asked me to spend a day there and report back with all the best insider tips and tricks to get the most out of the experience. So if you want to know the inside scoop, keep reading for my big day out at Bicester Village.

At any popular destination, it pays to arrive early. I got the train from Marylebone to Bicester Village (in less than an hour, may I add) and arrived just after 9 a.m. when the village opens. Of course, there's also plenty of parking available for those who want to drive. At the station and village entrances, there are concierge staff waiting to answer any questions you may have (like if you're making a beeline for a specific store and want to know the most direct route). One staff member told me that downloading the Bicester Village app is essential for getting the most out of your visit. On the app, you'll find a digital map so you can plan your route around. You'll also find info on the membership scheme, which is free to join and has three tiers and various perks such as private sales, members-only rewards and events.

Because I arrived early, the stores were quiet, so I headed to the designer boutiques that I thought would get busy later on. I spent most of my time in Acne Studios, Marni, Jil Sander and Isabel Marant as I feel like they cover different aspects of my capsule wardrobe. Jil Sander is a go-to for neutral tailoring perfect for work or weddings, and Acne Studios is one of my favoured brands for cool cult buys. I actually found the Musubi bag in snakeskin and the signature leather biker jacket at over 50% off, which I was extremely excited about. Although I usually embrace a monochrome palette, Marni feeds my occasional love of colour and print with its bold, floral motifs, block colours and statement accessories. Finally, Isabel Marant is where I recommend heading to if you've got a holiday booked and are looking to inject some life into your vacation style. Expect boho details such as fringe, suede and studs that have an L.A. spirit fused with the brand's inherent French-girl style. And, as if the choice of luxury stores couldn't get any better, I noticed that Ganni, Pangaia and Ami Paris were all set to open within the next month. 

One of the many things that sets Bicester Village apart from other retail experiences is the excellent array of food and drink options. The sense of opulence is apparent in both the calibre of designers and the fabulous dining establishments. We all know that uttering the words "Soho House" to any fashion person will see them flock. Well, how about this: I had the pancakes for breakfast at Farmshop, a rustic restaurant designed very much like the ever-popular Soho Farmhouse, and then headed to Cecconi's, the House's Italian eatery, for pasta in the afternoon. Both were truly exceptional dining experiences with grand interiors that felt good enough for celebratory occasions.

Though I loved these two restaurants, I have to say I was spoilt for choice. There's Asian cuisine at Shan Shui, more Italian at La Tua Pasta and fish and chips at The Mayfair Chippy. Fancy a coffee? Head to the Grind van on your way in for a takeout flat white, and if you're after a drink drink later, there's a Veuve Cliquot van with outside seating perfect for a beverage in between browsing. Booking ahead for any of the above isn't necessary but not a bad idea if there's a specific time and place you'd like to eat.

If you want to shop for something in particular or need some styling guidance, I highly recommend the complimentary personal shopping service. The personal shopping suites are located in The Apartment and are dedicated to providing clients with everything and anything they need. Whether you're looking for a wardrobe overhaul and need everything from casual to professional outfits or looking for an outfit for a special occasion, the on-hand, experienced stylists have an intimate knowledge of the boutiques and their stock, so they can select pieces that will work best for whatever you're after. One of the best things about the personal shopping suite was the ability to try on items from different designers together—it can help you get a sense of how much a piece will work with the rest of your wardrobe.

What's more, you can keep in touch with your stylist via the 'Shop from Home' tool on Whatsapp or WeChat. This way, you'll always be the first to know if your most-loved designer store gets in something you may like, and you can buy directly with the stylists and have it sent to your home.

During my day at Bicester Village, I created one full look from each designer for a different occasion. Minimalist trailblazer Jil Sander's pastel shades, creamy whites, and dark neutrals are the epitome of elevated workwear. Don't get me wrong—I'd be happy to wear almost any of the brand's items outside of the office, but the oversized silhouettes and contemporary cuts make them perfect for premium professional styling. I opted for a suit with black sandals and a bag, but my favourite piece was this fuzzy, peach tank top, which gave dimension and texture to a tailored look. In Isabel Marant, I was excited to find this black maxi dress. Its one-shoulder neckline and elasticated waist allow for easy styling whether I want to wear it with heels for a wedding or with sandals for an evening drink on holiday.

Acne Studios gave much in the way of cool, casual staples, with a wide selection of denim hues. I paired my jeans with this oversized, printed, long-sleeved T-shirt and this white-leather biker jacket (possibly the greatest jacket I've ever worn). Leather and shearling outerwear is a house signature and therefore an excellent investment piece. I loved the quantity of zips, the oversized shape and buttery-soft leather that I think will only get better with age. What's more, it was more than half off! The selection in Marni really quenched my thirst for vintage style. So many of the pieces nodded to the '60s or '70s with orange-and-green floral prints, flared trousers and accessories such as large, round sunglasses. In all, each store had its own stand-out pieces and discounts. During events such as Member's Week and the Extraordinary Sale (mark your calendars—it's happening now and runs until 15th August), all the stores celebrate with a different offering, so downloading the app is the best way to keep abreast of what's on offer.

No matter where I'm shopping, my rules are always the same: Look for pieces with longevity; try not to buy items that are too trend-led so you can wear them multiple times in different ways; and don't buy anything you don't feel 100% comfortable in as it will end up at the back of your wardrobe, unworn, in a year.

Want to discover more about the world of Bicester Village? Find more info here.