Lucy Davies, of The Dress Room on King Street, Southwell, urging shoppers to support local businesses instead of buying outfits online

After marking seven years of dressing the ladies of Southwell to the nines, a hat maker and dresser is appealing to the community to embrace her fully personal services that you just can’t get by shopping online.

Lucy Davies, of The Dress Room on King Street, celebrated seven years of business on Monday (November 3) after beginning life as The Hat Parlour to embrace her love of fine hats, nurtured from her years of attending the races both in Southwell and further afield.

“I was doing it part-time, and thought I should do it properly so I booked myself onto a millinery course and just carried on from there,” she said.

Her hat service sees her not only offer to create a bespoke hat for ladies for events such as Southwell Ladies Day — which she won herself in 2023 — but also rent hats as well for those on a smaller budget.

After a time, Lucy noticed that more and more women coming into the shop to buy a hat for a special occasion were saying that they weren’t happy with their dress so she decided to also invest in a number of dresses as well, ranging from mother of the bride outfits for weddings and occasionwear including for the races and black tie events.

But this came to an abrupt stop as she launched The Dress Room to embrace the dress side of her business in February 2020, just three weeks before the Covid-19 lockdown and she was unable to sell the many beautiful dresses she had bought in.

Thankfully, The Dress Room survived the pandemic — but now as with many high street retailers, Lucy said that the businesses is being affected by internet shopping, particularly the increase in the use of second-hand clothing apps.

“The problem is people will just buy something online these days, that’s just people’s mindset and apps like Vinted are killing shopping locally as people wear an outfit once then sell it for half-price,” she said.

“But buying a special outfit is always best done on a one-to-one basis as often people will insist they don’t want a certain style, but when they do try it it really suits them.

“Also, a lot of the time, sizing varies so much online that people have to buy two or three different sizes and then send them back so they spend more money on postage.”

This is where Lucy’s one-to-one personal shopping approach comes in, as she will spend whatever time you need discussing your needs — whether it’s the theme or colour scheme of the wedding for the mother of the bride, or the vibe they want to go for at the races — and tailor your dress or hat to your preferred style — a service you wouldn’t get online.

The Dress Shop’s bespoke services with Lucy to discuss your dress or hat needs are best booked with an appointment, which can be booked online at www.thedressroom.co.uk/ or calling 01636 555888

“I’m not pushy at all, it’s very informal and relaxed and I won’t tell someone that something looks good on them when it doesn’t just to get a sale,” Lucy said.

“I also offer advice on shoes and underwear, it’s a whole personal service.”

But in the current climate, it’s so important to support independent retailers, Lucy said, as people are increasingly going online to buy something quickly.

“So many shops have closed down because the support for local businesses just isn’t there anymore,” she added, “After the pandemic everyone was saying we should shop local, but people’s habits have just changed so much.

“It’s always best to buy an outfit with a one-to-one advice so you can be sure that it will fit and suit you, and you just don’t get that service online.”