Ollie & Nic

Having opened its doors in 2003, this candy floss pink boutique showcases Ollie & Nic’s stylish range of bright, elegant and fashionable handbags, purses and accessories.
There are some cheaper items as well as the more expensive ones, some of the bags creep above £100 and I have trouble justifying £28 for a purse, but that might have something to do with the fact that I wouldn’t have any money left to put in it.
I am tempted by the cute little clip purses though, and they’re a more affordable £12. If money’s tight in your world too, it’s worth checking out their sales as you can usually bag yourself a bargain for a snip of the original price.
Each bag or purse is beautifully made and adorned in Ollie & Nic’s signature style colourful lining, with big buttons, clips and buckles that add a subtle hint of retro to the collection.

I defy any woman not to adore this shop. It has handbags, purses, jewellery, handbags… did I already mention handbags? Everything seems really well-​made and most of the bags are real leather and incredibly stylish. It is a bit on the pricey end of the scale though, their earrings are about £15 a pair and the bags I tend to fall in love with are usually around £140 (eek!).
It’s worth bearing in mind though that you pay the extra cash for something a bit more unique, as there are only ten stores nationwide. And let’s face it, it feels damn good to own something that you aren’t going to see several other people wearing every time you head out the door.
If the thought of spending over £50 on a handbag makes you feel a little faint, you can get some fabulous bargains in their sales, which are often up to 70% off the previous season’s collection. Get in there early though the good stuff goes fast!

Ollie & Nic offers a variety of women’s accessories, including hats, scarves, bags and jewellery. They range in styles, but I found much of the knit variety — one bag in particular reminded me of the siwash coats up in Canada, with a big wooden button holding it together.
I wasn’t particularly impressed by anything, but the shop was large and easy to browse around in, even with the large Christmas shopping crowds.

Although a chain, Ollie and Nic is quite distinct from the hoards of other shops selling bags and accessories. They have a really unique signature style that runs through all of their bags and purses: their innovative use of pattern and texture. Though not necessarily my thing personally, I appreciate that many of the designs are really unusual, often using wool or corduroy for the exterior and leather for the straps. They are not afraid to use unusual combinations of materials and clashing patterns, creating a kind of patchwork effect. Whilst some designs are understated and more practical, using muted colours etc., some are extremely bold and would need to be worn with confidence! What I like about Ollie and Nic is that whilst the fabrics and detailing might be quite unusual, the shapes are often quite classic, inspired by 40s and 50s designs (structured tote bags with clasps etc.).
The Brighton shop is a good size and stocks a wide selection of their range, from clutch purses, all the way up to holdalls. They also have a limited selection of the jewellery and brooches, which are perfect if you need a little pick me up or a gift for a friend. What’s also good to know about the Brighton store, is that they often have a little sale section at the back, meaning jewellery can be up to half price!