Go no further than Takapuna for all your fashion needs this winter. A sortie along Hurstmere Road and the side streets proves reveals a wealth of women’s fashion choice. With garments arriving now, it’s time to plan ahead for cooler days.
Sophisticated and feminine fashion at Repertoire, at the intersection of Lake Road and Hurstmere Road, combine with styles that last beyond a single season. As the new season’s garments arrive, look out for tweed in every hue, and lots of gold, high necks and ruffles. Animal print leather augments still-popular animal print tops and skirts – and this season’s boots to the knee take us right back to the ’80s.
Just along Hurstmere Road, The Closet is a fashion hub with dresses, tops and more to appeal to the young and young at heart. For winter, the main trends will be comfort with style, moving from bright summer colours to dark shades in most colours, and with a focus on casual wear – think hoodies and jackets.
Tuesday Label
Further along, stop in at Tuesday and immerse yourself in the colour and freshness of Biddie’s collection of locally-designed dresses, skirts, tops, and jumpers. For autumn, visit Tuesday for beautiful sage green tones alongside pops of hot pink, stunning new moody floral prints, must-have shorter length wool coats in three colour options, and an absolutely show-stopping cord suit.
Next stop Augustine, a world of vibrant colour and exuberant styles that take you from barbecues to formal balls; perfect for that dress, skirt or top in flowing fabrics and styles that mark you as someone with panache and stylistic flair. Watch for the Augustine and Charlo winter collections that started arriving in mid-March.
As winter collections arrive at Seed, enjoy rich browns to offset season-busting cotton, linen and denim classics. While you’re in-store, check out the shoes, bags, jewellery, scarves and wraps. Oh, and don’t forget the kids’ and teens’ collections, and the sport- and leisurewear – stylish gear and bags that take you from bike to beach and right on into winter.
Next door, at Decjuba, autumn continues a penchant for animal prints, plus plenty of edgy black and white street styles, with jackets and long sleeves a-plenty for the cooler days and longer nights ahead.
Cross the road to browse at Kilt, where garments are all designed and made in New Zealand. Kilt boasts an ever-evolving release of new styles as well as repeats of favourite garments and colours. Purchases here are always on-style for whatever the season dictates as well as suiting what the Kilt designers know New Zealand women want.
Recycle Boutique purchases only great brands and high quality garments and accessories on consignment – no fast fashion here. This welcoming hangout environment is especially popular with teens after school but with seasonal fashions, shoes, hats, bags and accessories, there’s something for everyone. They’re now accepting winter fashions – check out their Facebook or Insta pages for details.
New Zealand-based label RUBY is a haven of gorgeous styles, fabrics and designs, and an aesthetic that cleverly draws on chic prints and fresh palettes. The focus this season is on soft blues and prints, long dresses, wide leg pants, and skirts in a range of styles and colours. By the end of March watch out in-store for RUBY’s alpaca, merino and mohair sweaters.
Superette
Just off the main drag are four other long-time Takapuna fashion store favourites:
Superette is firmly established as one of Australasia’s top online brands but boasts a strong bricks-and-mortar presence in Takapuna, where the brand originated. Tucked behind Madam Woo, Superette is a treasure trove of the latest in men’s, kids’ and women’s cool, complemented by an expertly curated lifestyle collection of accessories and homewares constantly updated to create a unique vision of on-trend luxury living.
Tosca & Salome in The Strand is the epitome of boho – with stylish-but-casual dresses, skirts and tops in natural flowing fabrics. Autumn oranges and browns signal the change of season, perfect for an extended summer, or for layering as the weather gets cooler. Tosca & Salome’s feminine styles take you from the beach to barbecue or an evening out, complemented by an impressive collection of knits and accessories.
Trelise Outlet is perfect for price-conscious shoppers, with a bold aesthetic in garments from casual to evening wear. Brilliant colours, strong styles – and something for every season. New stock arrives every Tuesday; browse the vibrant colours, patterns and textures and revel in the ranges of natural cottons, linens and silks.
For streetwear, you can’t – mustn’t – go past Federation, with its mix of quirk-plus-cool in a range of women’s, men’s and kids’ styles. This autumn, camels and earthy tones contrast with – or complement, as you choose – exciting pinks and blues with bold prints. Or look for the boldly print Wrap Me skirts, or the latest in pants, dresses and tops – all mixing elements of design with Federation’s distinct aesthetic, and quality construction.
CueBeyond the high street stores – or perhaps before you get there – make sure you check out the riches of Shore City Shopping Centre, With Cotton On, Country Road, Cue/Veronika Maine, Farmers, Glassons, Hartleys, Jacqui-E, Just Jeans, Max and Portmans (and that’s just clothing, never mind shoes and accessories), there something for every price point and occasion, and something to suit everyone’s style. Check out the Shore City’s Style Notes blog for style tips and autumn trends once the weather gets a bit cooler, but in the meantime, with a dozen fashion stores and dozens more brands, if your summer styles are feeling a little tired and now’s the time to give your wardrobe a refresh, Shore City offers oodles of options all under the one roof.
All that shopping is likely to create an appetite or at least a need for a dose of caffeine, if that’s your guilty pleasure. In Shore City, check out the food hall options, and while you’re there, take five to download the Shore City app so you receive all the latest news, events and special offers.
Out on Lake and Hurstmere Roads, and in the alleyways between Hurstmere and Anzac Street, there’s no excuse to flag shopping for want of refreshment. Treat yourself to some between-shopping hospitality. Grab a coffee, tea, kombucha, ice-cream, smoothie bowl, sandwich, cheese scone, sweet muffin, or something more indulgent. Or take longer respite from the rigours of your retail exploration; shout yourself and your shopping companion to a lunch as light or as hearty as the shopping you’ve been doing. There’s no reason why not, and every reason why, with around 150 eateries to choose from. Talk about spoilt for choice in fashion and food. Go on. Just do it.
