Name: Nicki Grainger
Age: 25
Occupation: Web editor and Vintage boutique owner
1. How would you describe your style? What are you wearing today? How has your style evolved from say 3 years ago?
I would describe my style as boho meets baby doll!! I love my vintage so tend to accessorise with alot from the 50's, 60's and 70's. Today for work I wore black wide fitted trousers, a leopard print vintage blouse, long gold pendant chain and black heels. Though when I get throught the front door i revert to leggings, mens shirts and oversized jumpers!
My style has evolved in the sense that I dress for my age a little more now!! longer length dresses and skirts and I'm more confident to try different styles of clothing.
2. Where do usually shop for clothes? Favourite Place/ Store/ website?,
For the high street I do like Topshop - though often I fear I will a little 'factory' produced as so many fashionistas shop there too! I like the Oxford circus branch as its the only place you can really combine a unique ensemble i feel! I sometimes dip into asos.com, Mango and Zara - and have recently swayed more towards charity shops, flea markets and ebay for more one off individual items. I also love Camden market for a shopping spree.
3. If you can remember what is the most expensive piece of clothing you have brought? Or more treasured item?
Honestly - i don't think I have ever spent more than £60 on a dress - which was a navy blue silk dress to wear to the Elton John show in Las Vegas! I'm terrible - I would rather buy more items for less cost than staple items for more cost! My most treasured item is probably my beaten up vintage YSL tan brown bag that I have had forever - it has been with me to Italy, USA, Festivals, parties....lots of memories with that bag!!
4. What will you be wearing next season? Or believe is going to be a big trend?
Well I try not to follow 'seasons' too closely, but allow myself to be inspired by trends instead. Otherwise, you end up with a closet full of shoulder pads and bum bags that only suit the current moment, and just look plain bizarre in two months time!! I'm quite a girly girl so will be wearing lots of sheer layers, big bows, Parisian looking Gossip girls style colours like nudes, pinks, lemons - icing sugar tones! Yes, I want to look like a french cupcake! I think it will be welcomed after the more harsh 80's glam look that has dominated recently.
5. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Hobbies?
I spend alot of time travelling and sourcing vintage for my online boutique. I love antiques and flea markets, and enjoy going to the cinema, theatre and dining out. My hobbies include taking photographs, painting, exploring new towns and cities and writing.
6. What is your Favourite?
film:I love highly visual films like The Moulin Rouge, Sin City, Chicago, biographies like Walk the line and Factory girl and soppy romances like The Notebook.
music: I like a total mixture!! I love sickly pop (GaGa, Lily Allen , Katy Perry e.t.c) Soft Rock (The Script, Vertical Horizon, Counting Crows) and women like Sheryl Crow, Sarah McGlachlan and Nerina Pallot.
book / magazine / newspaper: I read mags which include Elle, LOOK, glamour, Vogue and Cosmo, a few local Artsy publications and always buy odd looking dusty old books from charity shops which are usually about Marilyn Monroe, fashion illustrations, love or women who are empowered!
7. Any tips, quotes or advice you believe in or live by?
It's been said before many times, many ways - but I have found when it comes to both my style and my life that you have GOT to be yourself. Its taken me a long time to reach a point where I truly feel Im happiest in my own skin and to hell with what other people think.Whether it's donning an 'out there' dress, crazy make up - or even the men you choose to be with, if they dont adore you for being you, then they don't deserve to be in your life. fact!
On average, how often do you go clothes shopping? and would this be physically to stores or online?
I used to go physically shopping once a week (bad habit left over from uni!) but now go physically shopping once or twice a month now instead. I shop online (ebay e.t.c) probably once a month too.
Do you enjoy clothes shopping?
Yes I love it!! The whole experience of shopping is what I love, not just what I have in my shopping bag at the end of the day. I love shop front displays, the music, the shop layouts, feeling the fabrics and trying on different things that I might not normally wear.
The only thing I hate about shopping is changing rooms - I’m super fussy and they stress me out!! I hate it when you have bad changing room assistants, when they are boiling hot, poorly lit, messy, when people let their kids pull back your curtain when you're half naked (!!) and boutiques that don't have mirrors inside your cubicle. Phew - rant over!
Do you set a day or time aside purely just for a shopping trip? Is there a specific time or day you prefer to shop?
If I had my way I would shop during the week when it is quieter, but work means I have to go on dreaded saturdays! I often have at least one weekend in mind to go shopping though. I used to enjoy late night shopping too.
What would be your main reason for going shopping?
Below are a few suggestions please choose all that apply or add your own thoughts,
When I try to shop for something specific it never works!! So I buy as i see and store things up for special occassions. I mainly go to update my wardrobe - whether its to suit the current seasons weather or to add to my work wardrobe.
Who do you usually go shopping with? Or prefer to go with?
I actually don't like shopping with anyone!! I like to take my time, feel no pressure and wander round slowly. I dont mind helping my girlfriends find things for them, but if its for me I prefer going solo!
This may sound strange but do you, prepare beforehand for a shopping trip?
Do you consider what to wear?
i.e Dress smart? Especially if going to higher end or luxury stores?
Wear clothes that are easy to get on and off for when trying items on?
Wear layers for changing temperatures and weather?
Ensure you are wearing socks if intent on buying shoes?
I never tend to dress smart when I shop- as I dont shop in high end stores - im more scruffy and I suppose sometimes I feel i want to look funky if going to a trendy area of London for example, but mostly I just like to be comfortable. Clothes that are easy to take off, and comfy shoes are a must.
Do you plan your trip?
Write a shopping or wish list?
Print off web pages of items you like to seek them out?
Look for vouchers or money off coupons?
Make a route of what shops to go to first and last?
Take a shopper to avoid using plastic bags?
Other?...
I usually take a giant pink polka dot shopper with me folded up in my bag, and always take a bottle of water. I make lists for other shopping - but not clothes, just food, stationery, presents e.t.c
What would attract you, or put you off from a certain store?
Ques? High Prices? Value for money? Loyalty points? Interesting window display? Helpful assistances? Well laid out? Tidy? Mess? Too much choice? Too little choice? Bright lighting? Heating to high/ low? Other?
Really busy shops put me off, Im happy to queue as long as its purely because of high volumes of people, not because tills are understaffed or staff are being dippy!! I also hate bad lighting in stores (i'm a lighting freak) and am really put off my young girls in stores who lack customer service and talk loudly as they work about their weekends/boyfriends/salary!
I'm attracted to stores which are great window displays, well dressed, polite staff, awesome changing rooms (see earlier rant!!) and good music helps.
Nicki is absolutely fantastic, I really appreciated her willingness to help me out and take the time to do this questionnaire. Her vintage clothing boutique The Cherry Closet is to die for, already have my firm eye on the bohemian tan clutch. I have also been a long term follower of her sweetly named The Cherry Blog with post upon post of inspiring imagery. 
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