Victoria Clothing
Katie Hale
This venue is permanently closed. Find other nearby venues.
Victoria Clothing is an independent clothing boutique in the centre of Penrith, specialising in goods by small-scale British artisans and Fair-Trade apparel.
Even before you step across the threshold, the purple-painted shop is a riot of colour. Inside, you’ll find an array of individual garments, with a focus on natural fibres, and on eco-friendly dyes. Bright pieces of statement jewellery sit alongside hand-sewn upcycled purses, and smart wool jackets alongside stylish casualwear.
Whether you’re looking for an occasion piece, or something quirky to lift your everyday style, Victoria Clothing is a place for standing out from the crowd. (Even the building has an interesting story, with a former life as a Temperance Hotel – though in a town so steeped in history, it’s probably harder to find a building that doesn’t have a story to tell.)
As well as clothing, you’ll also find jewellery, bags, and occasional giftware, all following the same grassroots and environmental philosophy.
Victoria Clothing is run by – yes, you guessed it – Victoria, whose ethos shapes the business: “Community is important. As is our effect on the world at large.” This is why all the items for sale here are quality items, supporting individual makers and community enterprises, not just in the UK but across the world.
But the sense of community goes beyond the items that are for sale. There’s a feeling of local community here, too, and of care. As Victoria says, “Penrith is still the sort of town where you can dash out in the morning and pass four people you know, who’ll stop and pass the time of day.” Step into the shop, and you’re instantly greeted as part of that community. Friendly staff will be happy to strike up a conversation, and are always happy to help you decide on a purchase.
As you’d expect from a shop with such strong ethical values, the packaging is all plastic-free.
