Online Shopping...A Brilliant Way To Shop!
FCaNK loves online shopping. It's so easy and you don't waste time traipsing around the shops. With the sophistication of the internet now and advances in retail online technology, you can shop at really savvy sites that offer wonderful shopping experiences. FCaNK has picked out their favourite stores for you to try. We have added a twist with some yummy online Eco/Fair Trade stores. A word of caution though. There are some dodgy sites out there selling counterfeit and even stolen goods. Check out our advice on our Knock Offs and Counterfeits page with advice on how to spot them. The Fur Coat Online Stores that FCaNK loves!
Toast
(retail outlet as well)
T
he Low Down On Toast
Toast is the etheral British store. We like them as they have a brilliant ethical policy. For example, they are using more and more organic cotton and they only use bi-products of animals to make their leather goods. Check out more at their Ethical Policy link.How Good Is Their Website?
Their website is streamlined and easy to use. It is simple and sleek. There is not much clutter, which some other sites seem to exude. We particularly like the way that they set out their sale items. The "Just a Few Left" link and different price points on their sale pages, make it very easy to find your Fur Coat bargains!Other than the Sale area, the site is divided into clothing categories. Accessories, footwear, jackets and knitwear are some of the links within the site. You can also search by size, colour and price.
You can sign up for Toast news, order a catalogue or simply view it on line.
We can't offer any advice on Toast customer services or delivery procedure. If anyone knows about this, please drop us a line at either emma@fcank.com or suzie@fcank.com and let us know! We would certainly appreciate it!
What Designers are In Store For Me?
Toast stock their product exclusively. The quality of their products is exceptional with clothing lasting for many season. They are committed to producing durable clothing and other goods that is not part of the throw away fashion culture.
If you are after something that is good quality and a bit countryfied, then step into Toast for a look around. Their demographic wings spread from about the late 30's woman upwards! Have fun at Toast!
Matches
(retail outlet as well)
The Low Down on Matches
This store is a real Fur Coat destination. Matches is where you come for an injection of style and originality! Since it's inception in 1990, the shop has become a style icon and brand rather than just a retail shop. The name is synonymous with style and fashion. If you are after some key pieces for the season, your first stop should be Matches. You can always shop in store as well at one of their 13 stores across London.
How Good is the Website?
The web site is easy to navigate. You can shop either by item or by designer. They even have a very helpful 'LookBook' which sets out the pieces together so you can see the look that you may want to achieve.
What Designers Are In Store For Me?
Amongst a myriad of others, there are:- Twenty8Twelve
- Alexander McQueen
- Stella MacCartney
- See by Chloe
- Anya Hindmarch
- MiH Jeans
- Velvet
- DVF
- and many many more!
ASOS.com
as seen on screen
The Low Down on ASOS.com
We weren't quite sure where to put ASOS as it is both a Fur Coat and a No Knickers destination. If you are a fashion savvy shopper between the age of 16-34 (of if you feel like being around that age!), then this a one stop shop for all your fashion needs. The only drawback with this site (and it is a huge drawback!) is that it's distribution and customer service are pretty shocking! See below for more details.
How Good Is the Website?
ASOS.com were one the first online stores and have always led the way. Their website is no exception. It is busy and ever changing, which appears to it's demographic. It is not for the faint hearted. You have to be prepared for a sensory overload every time you visit! The site is full of drop down menus. They need to as there is SO much content on this site. We do get a bit confused with it...but is that showing our age!You can shop either by product or shop. The shops consist of the ASOS own clothes and other designers and high street shops. Now this is a bit that we like! You can also shop according to your size. They cater for petite, maternity and (at last - a nod to the normal woman) the curvier woman! Yay - Mark Fast is leading a fashion revolution! ASOS.com also have an outlet store on line for all your Fur Coat purchases that you may want to buy!
We like this site as it has everything. It is easy to negociate if once you get used to all the content on the site. Embassingly, we can't yet personally comment on their delivery times and customer service. However, out in cyberworld on review sites, they are not fairing too well. The main gripe that people have is that their delivery services and poor and equally disappointing customer service. Please give us your feedback if you have had a good or bad experience with ASOS.com.
What Designers are In Store For Me?
You can find everything here from designer fashion through to contemporary, independent labels, high street labels and the ASOS own label.
Labels For Less at Browns Fashion
(retail outlet as well)
The Low Down On Browns Fashion
Now, here is the epitomy of style and cutting edge design in London! Browns has been around since 1970 when they opened their first shop on South Molton Street. Today it is a thriving in store and online business and is credited with launching some of Britain's best loved labels like Alexander McQueen.Browns has followed the internet trend to offer some fabulous all year round sales. You do have to be a true Fur Coat shopper here and have some serious cash on you to buy something even whilst shopping on their sale page, Labels For Less. But if you are after an investment piece, there are some beauties to be had online here!
How Good is the Web Site?
Like ASOS.com, this is a very busy site that takes some getting used to. The usual tabs pointing to fashion and products are found on the left hand side. The link that interests FCaNK though is to be found on the top right hand side of the site! Yes, that 's right, the Sale link! Browns Labels For Less.As Browns Fashion choose to use DHL to deliver their products, you can be sure that you are getting a good service. They dispatch within 3 days of an order to the UK and overseas. They offer a Rocket London next day delivery service within zones 1-3. Not bad!
What Designers are In Store For Me?
Oh well , there is a treasure trove of talent at Browns Fashion. Too many to list them all here. For a full list, click here. And don't forget, these labels are ALL on sale ALL of the time! Happy Shopping!Outnet
The Low Down on Outnet
Outnet is from the same fashion success who brought us Net A Porter. Shop here for all the latest designer wear at bargain(ish) prices! See Fur Coat's blog on Outnet at FCaNK.How Good is the Web Site?
Like Browns Fashion, there is alot of content on the site. It therefore, takes a bit of getting used to. Again, though, a good site with loads of options to choose from. You can shop by either style, size or colour. FCaNK especially likes the way that you can search from high to low or visa versa. We personally like to set it from low to high to see what bargains (if any!!) there are to be had!What Designers Are In Store For Me?
There are literally too many designers to name here - check out their list of designers here!GIVe
(retail outlet as well)
The Low Down on GIVe
GIVe is the latest brain child of George Davies, the man behind the successes at Next, George at Asda and Per Una at M&S. This time around, he aims to deliver quality clothing at high street prices. In store he pledges that he will offer a "whole new level of service". FCaNK thinks that this concept is sorely overdue in the UK!Shop here if you are a working girl who like to dress well for work and play without spending a fortune! GIVe is conservative and classic...more along the Hobbs line than the Karen Millen line!
How Good is the Web Site?
The website is savvy and easy to navigate. We especially like the catwalk video that shows the clothes in motion so to speak. It gives you a good idea about how they fall and move with the body.You can shop by either product (trousers, jeans, jackets etc) , by party girl or by collection. GIVe also divides their collections into colours. An interesting way of doing it and quite effective.
Check out their trend watch link which shows the upcoming and present trends. You can also get some style advice from the site. In store you can access tailoring.
GIVe offers next day deliveries on orders placed before 3pm, which isn't bad. There is a delivery fee of upwards of £5 charged on orders. They do deliver to offices and internationally as well.
Happy shopping!
What Designers are In Store For Me?
It's all George here with the price points not being too heavy on the wallet. Jackets are around £150. Dresses are around the £100 mark. We love their suits. They are good quality without the price tags and ooze a bit of style as well! You can pick one up from between £200 and £300.GIVe's bags are around the £120 mark. Watch out for their sales as they tend to slash prices at the end of the season! So FCaNK!
BunnyHug
The LowDown On BunnyHug
If you want some cutting edge designs, then look no further than BunnyHug.com. Their motto is "Fresh. Fashion, First" and they certainly add up to this! You can buy on trend bags here from JJ Winters or dip into some truly groovy Australian/British fashion from Antipodium.
How Good Is The Web Site?
Visit this site if you are young(ish!) and looking to keep up with the latest trends. They offer next day delivery within the UK, international deliveries, style advisors and trend guides. You can even score a 15% discount if you are an UK student! The website is a little overwhelming and required a bit of time to navigate around. This was mainly as there is so much going on. We found it easiest to go to the left tab and shop by either product, designer or colour.We love the fact that they give a little intro on each designer and what they are all about. It gives you a bit more a feel as what their products are all about.
What Designers Are In Store For Me?
Bunnyhug sources it's products from all over the world, with most coming from the UK, the USA and Australia. Click here for the Designer Directory.Boden
The Low Down On Boden
We know it is a little middle class, but you have got to admit, Boden has been a resounding success since it's inception in 1991 by Johnnie Boden. The Boden woman is distinct but not because of her personaltiy or socio demographic place in society. It's just that you can pick a Boden woman out a mile away by the Boden clothes that she is wearing. Boden has a distinct style that never really changes and is safe, conservative and very successful precisely because of these two factors. Come to Boden if you are looking for safe, good quality and fun clothing at a good price. Just beware that you don't end up looking a little twee! The FCaNK Twee Alert is very much in place with Boden! Boden is nearly always on sale and always does good deals on postage and packaging.How Good Is The Web Site?
The web site is very easy to navigate. You can shop for women, men or children. Their delivery service is second to none. Watch out if you get on the mailing list though. Johnnie Boden is pretty persistent with this. We have tried to get off the mailing list a couple of times to no avail! We love their ethical stance as well as they trade fairly! Yay!.What Designers Are In Store For Me?
Boden does great basics. Their macs - short or long - come in fun colour ways and styles each season. You can be sure to pick up some tees and other jerseys in an array of colours from the rainbow. They do lovely safe cardis and other knits. Fur Coat's cousin loves the Boden dresses as they are so easy to throw on for both work and play. Their stuff lasts as well and doesn't usually fade.Joules Clothing
(retail outlets as well)
The Low Down On Joules Clothing
Is Joules the love child of Boden and Cath Kidston? That was Fur Coat's first thought upon spying a Joules clothing concession in Peter Jones one day. It is a very safe classic label with a twee twist to all the clothing. Joules started out as a market town label in the early 80's and grew to be Joules in the late 90's.
How Good Is The Web Site?
We do love their retro site and find it very easy to navigate. It is very like Boden in look and design. That's okay, as Boden is a winner to navigate around. The site is not too fussy and is streamlined making it easy to find what you are looking for. We especially like Joules Wardrobe shows videos of how to wear some of their clothing.
FCaNK can't comment on their delivery and customer services. A cyber search by us has revealed that most people are very impressed with their delivery and customer service! Let us know if you have had a good or bad experience with Joules Clothing and we'll post it on the site!
What Designers Are In Store For Me?
All Joules of course! Come here for practical clothes that are very sweet on. You will find cord jeans in an array of colours. Wellys come in many styles and colours and are some of their best sellers. Shouldn't we all be wearing Hunters though?!
Mail Online femail Fashion Store
The Low Down On Mail Online femail Fashion Store
Isn't this a find?! We love it. It is an eclectic collection of fashion from Marc Jacobs to M&S! We wonder whether if it is just everything that took the fashion editor's fancy at the time? Maybe. Come to this site if you are a Mail online kind of gal who wants to keep ahead of fashion.You will need a bit of cash to spend as most of the stuff on the site is very much Fur Coat stuff. They do drop a bit of M&S in there though! Take a look and check it out at the Mail Online Fashion Store.How Good Is The Web Site?
The site really is just a portal to other sites which sell the products. You just get to see what the Daily Mail considers to be hot on trend this season! It works for us at FCaNK! The site is pretty easy to navigate. It is very busy and not as chic as other web sites. But we don't think that it is designed to be so. The fashion Store is part of the Mail Online Femail page, which is one of Fur Coat's guilty reading pleasures!
What Designers Are In Store For Me?
You will find anything and everyone here! As we said, we think that it is pretty much the editor's choice here. Some of the brands you will find are:- 18th Amendment
- Faith
- M&S
- Calvin Klein
- Cake Lingerie
- and many many more! Take a look for your self!
Red Direct
The Low Down On Red Direct
Red Direct is one of No Knicker's favourite online stores. She just loves it as you can find the most quirky designs here at tiny prices! Red Direct is the spin off the successful Red monthly magazine. It was started in response to Red readers' requests to stock that hard to find item featured in the magazine. We love Red Direct as they often stock exclusive pieces that you won't find anywhere else.
How Good Is The Web Site?
The site is very easy to navigate around. We like it as it is simple and streamlined. You can search for jewellery and the other categories on the left hand side of the page. Each category is then broken down again making it very easy to find what you are after. Red Direct offers a standard UK delivery for £4.95, Monday To Friday. If you want to return something, you will have to pay for the costs.
What Designers are In Store For Me?
Red Direct stocks pretty much everything you need, except clothes! You will find bags, jewellery (see our November '09 Newsletter for some groovy Red Direct jewellery), clothes, pj's, mittens, wellies, kids wear and even interiors. There is something there for everyone at every price point! Check out the designers by clicking here. You won't be disappointed.
Not On The High Street
Womenswear from notonthehighstreet.com
The Low Down On 'Not On the High Street'
Not On The High Street is really a conglomerate of shops all under the one roof. As the name suggests, they specialise in items that you won't find on the high street! Come here for both some Fur Coat and No Knickers items. How Good Is The Web Site?
This a pretty easy site to navigate around. We like the way that there are thumbnail pictures guiding you to each category. Like The Mail Online Fashion Store, this site is really a portal to the seller's sites. There is quite a complicated delivery process that every seller follows. Click here to take a look at the policy.What Designers Are In Store For Me?
There are simply loads and loads here! Some of them are:- Saltwater
- Bloom
- Allsorts Jewellery
- and many more!
More Stores Coming Soon!
- Bonsoir
- Great Plains
- Eric Bompard Cashmere
- Pure Collection
- People Tree
- Gabriella Sandham
- Wove Online
- Wear It To Work
- Boohoo
The No Knickers Online Stores that FCaNK loves!
La Redoute
The Low Down On La Redoute
La Redoute is a leading French online shop for the whole family. If you are looking for easy to wear, trendy but still quite safe fashion, then La Redoute is your destination!Their materials tend to be man made so don't look beyond a few seasons wear with this fashion. This keeps the prices down though. You can pick up dresses for as little as £11 and jeans for the nice price of £29.
How Good Is Their Web Site?
We love their web site! Do we just love the clean cut web sites at FCaNK?! Probably! The site is divided into men, women, etc. One category that we love is their Plus Size Shop, which quite frankly shows some pretty normal women on the pages! They also have La Redoute Shops. Their Taillissime shop caters for size 14-36! Delivery and customer service are second to none. There is nothing fancy about their packaging but you do get your parcel pretty much when they say you will.What Designers Are In Store For Me?
La Redoute mainly stock their own designs although you will find some other designers in store as well.Match Clothing
(retail outlets as well)
The Low Down on Match Clothing
Match Clothing has been trading for over 30 years! They have a lot of experience in providing trendy clothing at affordable prices. With stores based all over England as well as their online store, they are well equipped to provide us with some good quality No Knickers fashion! 
How Good is Their Web Site?
FCaNK likes this website. Maybe we are a little staid and conservative as we tend to like the streamlined and simple web sites more?! Are we getting a little long in the tooth??!What Designers are In Store For Me?
- Lipsy
- Yumi
- Miss Sixty
- The Real Miss Dolly
- Vila Susa
- and many, many more!
Lipsy
The Low Down on Lipsy
Lipsy's aim is to deliver the catwalk to the high street as soon as possible. Shop here if you are after some fast and cheap fashion that copies the latest trends. The price tags are No Knickers so you can shop to your heart's content and not break your budget.
How Good Is Their Web Site?
We like this website. It is easy to navigate your way around. The site has drop down menus and is divided into different types of clothing as well as highlighting the latest trends and the most popular selling items of the moment. There is a box to sign up for their newsletter as well if you are in the mood! You can subscribe to their blog as well. What Designers are In Store For Me?
You will only find Lipsy fashion in this store. They are a star when it comes to fast fashion party dresses. Go here if you are very young - we mean in your 20's and need a few dresses for all your nights out!
More Stores Coming Soon...
- Bagslag
- Fashion-Conscience
- Yumi
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