For the men, the view down Wendover High Street towards the clock tower and beyond to the Chiltern Hills is truly magnificent. For the women, there is an equally magnificent view, called The Forge. I left my man to “stop and stare” while I pushed open the door to the sound of a tinkling cow bell and stepped over the threshold into this much talked about dress and accessories shop.
I was greeted by a friendly smile from the assistant. Her shiny white bob, silver rimmed spectacles and matching jewellery against her black clothes made for an elegant combination. She was sitting behind an antique retro desk instead of the expected counter. No till either, just an invoice book and pen. This lack of modernity was no indication of what was to be found on the rails.
Linda Moda was the label and the clothes were both timeless and fashionable in beautiful fabrics of jersey, chiffon and silk. Think: Italian style clothing. Think: affordable prices. The obligatory leggings were available in shiny black, along with a variety of jeggings displayed in a cobbler’s bench. Blouses, dresses, skirts and trousers all hanging on industrial steel rails.
Clean fresh whites at one end of the rail transcending into buttery creams at the other end. Sky, aqua and petrol blues trailing into merchant navy. Sunflower yellow mellowing into primrose and lemon. I turned 360 degrees, checking for all the colours of the rainbow, to find that orange was the only one missing.
Above the rails, on wooden slats, there were large handbags, which I mistook for leather. However, the assistant explained they were a soft man-made fibre and they felt beautiful to the touch. On closer inspection, I noticed they had a smaller matching handbag inside, very convenient. As the ceiling is low, the bags are within easy reach. Again, any colour your heart desired, including lollipop orange.
A small step at the rear of this eighteenth century building, takes the shopper into an Aladdin’s cave of footwear. Boots with shiny buckles, diamante sandals, ballet pumps and much more. This is where I found the sale rail. All items knocked down to half price but, unfortunately, nothing in my size.
A cherry pink dress with raspberry ruffles on the yoke caught my eye and I draped it across my already heavy laden arm and headed to the changing rooms. No electronic tags here or plastic tags with numbers. The room was spacious, with heavy drapes giving complete privacy. The mirror was sparkling clean and the lighting flattering.
Unfortunately, there weren’t enough hooks for the six items I had brought in, so I resorted to hanging some of them from a water pipe running along the top edge of the ceiling. I hoped it wouldn’t burst. Twenty minutes later with no water sprung I opted for two items instead of the one I had intended – always a sign of a well managed shop.
The assistant complimented me on my purchases and with old fashioned courtesy and no pushiness, suggested some jewellery to compliment the outfit. I won’t tell you whether I succumbed. I watched enchanted as she hand wrote my invoice with great care and then, unexpectedly, produced the latest technology from under the table. I handed over my credit card and at £77 for two pieces I was very pleased.
I’ll definitely be going back and, believe it or not, my husband was still there when I came out, taking in the view.
3 The High Street, Wendover, Bucks HP22 6DU Tel: 01296 623154
Opening Hours:
Monday – Saturday 9.30 am to 5 pm
Sunday 11 am to 4 pm
There are two further stores at;
280 High Street, Berkhamsted, Herts., HP4 1AH
Tel: 01442 862255
32 Station Road, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL9 8EL
Tel: 01753 887577
www.forgeboutique.com
