Belle
20, College Approach, SE10
A dinky little Ladies clothing shop that I DO go into, but always feel rather awkward inside.
Why? Well - it sells clothes for grown-ups for a start and while that is something to which I one day aspire, I never seem to quite get there. There is an unerring sense here of a certain class of style rather than vulgar fashion which somehow leaves me feeling a bit small and grubby, however dressed up I thought I was when I left the house.
Belle's adverts in local magazines always include photos of beautiful Pre-Raphaelite-esque waifs looking wistfully into middle-distance, wearing boiled wool cardis with interesting buttons and timeless floaty cotton frocks with quirky detail. The clothes are not so much fashionable as classic - and I guess they ought to be at the price.
The shop, in the pretty-classic-itself College Approach is painted white inside, with plain floorboards and walls with Louis-style armchairs, rococo mirrors, scarves and jewellery draped casually across them which look wonderful until I catch sight of myself in them, spoiling the illusion entirely. Curiously, when I came to write this I couldn't remember whether they actually have chandeliers and lacy drapery, but my impression is that they do. It's that sort of shop. And any regular readers will know I am a big fan of chandeliers. There is a single table laid out with carefully folded knits, and a few rails with delightful skirts and jackets, each given enough room to be admired. Upstairs there are more mirrors and more rails of discreetly cute designer wear, never actually full, of course, darling. This isn't a bargain basement, you know. Just a few pieces, each individually selected for cut and colour.
Nobody's ever been snooty with me here - I always receive a friendly greeting and discreet offers of help, but I still don't feel comfortable. I know it's in my head, but I never feel quite right until I stop cluttering up this serene, exquisite emporium.
A dinky little Ladies clothing shop that I DO go into, but always feel rather awkward inside.
Why? Well - it sells clothes for grown-ups for a start and while that is something to which I one day aspire, I never seem to quite get there. There is an unerring sense here of a certain class of style rather than vulgar fashion which somehow leaves me feeling a bit small and grubby, however dressed up I thought I was when I left the house.
Belle's adverts in local magazines always include photos of beautiful Pre-Raphaelite-esque waifs looking wistfully into middle-distance, wearing boiled wool cardis with interesting buttons and timeless floaty cotton frocks with quirky detail. The clothes are not so much fashionable as classic - and I guess they ought to be at the price.
The shop, in the pretty-classic-itself College Approach is painted white inside, with plain floorboards and walls with Louis-style armchairs, rococo mirrors, scarves and jewellery draped casually across them which look wonderful until I catch sight of myself in them, spoiling the illusion entirely. Curiously, when I came to write this I couldn't remember whether they actually have chandeliers and lacy drapery, but my impression is that they do. It's that sort of shop. And any regular readers will know I am a big fan of chandeliers. There is a single table laid out with carefully folded knits, and a few rails with delightful skirts and jackets, each given enough room to be admired. Upstairs there are more mirrors and more rails of discreetly cute designer wear, never actually full, of course, darling. This isn't a bargain basement, you know. Just a few pieces, each individually selected for cut and colour.
Nobody's ever been snooty with me here - I always receive a friendly greeting and discreet offers of help, but I still don't feel comfortable. I know it's in my head, but I never feel quite right until I stop cluttering up this serene, exquisite emporium.
Labels: Shopping
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:23
2 Comments:
Dear Phantom (of the cloak-swirling moustache twirling variety) We,all three of us of the 'trendy brigade' that hangs out in the dinky clothes shope called Belle (actually we are quite big really as we have another floor) are sorry you feel awkward inside our boutique.As you rightly point out this is all in your head.
We have to thank you for your wonderful description and we are so glad you found us friendly. If you had revealed yourself we would have sat you down on one of our comfy baroque armchairs just near the amazing chandelier an offered you tea and sympathy. We could have even pointed you in the direction of a therapist.We know quite a few . We would like to think that we are not snooty westerners (though would love to appear in a spaghetti western) who stomp around in Barbours and wellies (though one of us may when she is walking her nutty spaniels in the park) and in fact you may sometimes find us slapping around barefoot. It has been known for one of us to hang out in sleazy pubs playing pool and drinking warm ale, very small and grubby!
You dont have to dress up posh to visit us and unfortunately we do not stock cloaks or masks but we do have some rather nice things.
So whatever 'sort' you are we welcome you. That is what makes Greenwich what it is, with its mosaic of characters.
P.S. The outdoor market opposite the IBIS hotel is not at all linked to the undercover one and the new plans for that area look good
The parrots are parokeets
The glazed cod is delicious for sure but so is Olivers - what can we do?
Hi Karin - what a great message. Of COURSE it's in my head - but basically I just need to stop being such a scruffy phantom. It's laziness, that's all. Oh - and a propensity to test all the food and drink in Greenwich leading to a certain broadening of the beam.
As for what we can do about Olivers - it's like every shop,restaurant and service we like in the area - if we like it, we must go in and support it. Don't worry - I will be coming back in to see you (and even buy stuff, shock!,) but don't be dissappointed if I don't reveal myself, even with the lure of tea and sympathy.
Good Luck - it's good to have shops like yours in the area - we have far too few of them.
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