How we have missed you, you beautiful people. We are absolutely beyond delighted and very, very thrilled to be reopening the shop on Wednesday 2 December. While the packing elves have been busy with the craziness of online orders, the VM elves have been busy with getting the shop up and together for your arrival, just in time for all your Christmas shopping. Believe us when we say we are awash with all the good stuff.
It has been a world of packing chips, bubble wrap and cardboard boxes since we last saw you at the beginning of November. The First Floor, usually a haven of calm and immaculate womenswear, was repurposed as our despatch depot but the digital team have now moved back to their eyrie in the attic. The front counter, once a scene of cheer and wrap and personal transactions, was transformed into Rob’s courier command station but he has now moved back to his Basement lair. And so life at The Hambledon returns to some semblance of normality, for which we are inordinately grateful.
How better to mark the festive season than a teetering pile of parcels and presents? We’ve all been busy honing our wrapping skills to build these crazy towers which are absolutely all about colour and joy.
We’re a little bit old fashioned department store (and where better than B.Altman from the marvellous The Marvellous Mrs Maisel). We’re quite a lot classic Cecil Beaton in all his My Fair Lady glory (Audrey Hepburn in her monochrome stripes for the Ascot scene might have inspired a tablecloth). We’re something of a greengrocer’s with our plentiful fresh produce and repurposed supermarket carousel. And there’s always a touch of the fun fair with our crazy, vinyl topped tables and loops of colourful satin ribbons. In essence the theme for this time of year is anything goes, as long as it’s joyous and fun and beautiful or just plain silly.
We’ve laid up the tables to make your present shopping super simple. Gifts for him and her and diminutive hims and hers. Riffing on the Cecil Beaton-esqu black and white stripey theme, there are bowls and bowls and trays and platters of perfect presents. Shop the tables and shelves in Homeware, Menswear, Beauty and Grooming and Womenswear. The Kids department is groaning under the weight of brilliant stocking fillers, toys and books.
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without our traditional shop front garland. Papa Mike and Granny Wendy have been tramping the woods and hills of Dorset to gather the wherewithal for our fresh greenery swag. Sadly this year they won’t be doing their annual PA and installation (we’re keeping these precious beauties safe) but the store team will attempt to match their exacting standards up the ladder.
On the First Floor new Spring 2021 is beginning to be delivered. It’s looking very, very lovely, and Lord knows, we’re ready for a new year and a new start and new things. Check out Stine Goya for some sparkly Christmas treats (super nice) and new Ganni is deliciously Ganni-ish and well worth a visit. And fingers, and everything else, crossed. Bellerose will be on its merry way very shortly. In the Basement New York’s finest, Adsum, is in the building. Colorful Standard are solving your gifting dilemmas with new beanies and boxers. And Rototo socks to the rescue as ever.
Selected Menswear and Womenswear is reduced by 25%, all marked by orange stickers. Find the stickers, claim the reduction!
Our opening times are Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-4. If you can’t make the journey to Winchester we’re very much open online at thehambledon.com but it’s extremely nice finally to be able to say we’re also very much open in store.
A great big enormous thank you to all of you who have supported us through yet another extraordinary time. Season’s Greeting. Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays to one and all. We’re soooooo looking forward to seeing you.
