Monsoon - final score: 28/40

Address: 264 Oxford Street

Map:Click here to find this store.

Score last year: 24

Verdict: Spring has sprung at Monsoon with a treasure trove of holiday pieces looking fabulously fun,

Looks - 8

Monsoon comes into its own in summer. Bold prints, bright colours, luxurious silks and plenty of sparkling sequins characterise the product in this store, and tap in perfectly to the customer looking to pep up their holiday wardrobe.

In terms of trends, Monsoon has made more effort this season, and there are some big bloom and petal prints, dip dye shift dresses, broiderie anglaise necklines on cotton tops and a strong tribal story with lashings of ethnic beading.

There are also some cute gingham pieces which add younger tones to the mix. 

Mix - 6

While 75% of the store is dedicated to summery daywear, Monsoon is also famous for its evening gowns, and doesn't disappoint with tiered silk dresses and a host of prom suitable frocks for the teenagers approaching their spring balls.

There is less swimwear than expected, confined to the small mezzanine level, and day dresses aren't as prevalent as last spring, with more focus on embellished tops.  

Store - 6

This store is small and narrow, similar to its Jane Norman neighbour, but the retailer has risen to the challenge, creating more of a boutique feel by featuring a gift section of ornate picture frames and vintage style perfume bottles at the back of the shop to give browsers some breathing space.

There is some odd merchandising upstairs, where swimwear sits alongside the bridal range and rows of linen trousers and super casual cargo pants.

The window displays are bright and inviting, appealing to Monsoon's cruising customer, showing off kaftans and maxi dresses around a hot pink colour theme.  

Value - 8

Monsoon offers some really well priced product for the contemporary category. Linen Capri pants are just £40, safari jackets are £55, a fine knit cardigan is £36 and silk dress with beaded bust is a bargainous £55.

Kaftans are intricately embellished to make their £75 price tag and embroidered silk tops are £65, but the prices jump for the Monsoon Originals range, where a three tiered silk black dress with applique flowers is £160. A satin dip dye day dress is expensive at £160.  

Vox pop: Victoria George, 19, student, University of Southampton

• Are you a regular shopper here? 
I shop here occasionally.

• What does this shop mean to you?
I think of it as the place everyone goes to buy their ball gowns.

• How impressed are you with this season's offerings?  
I wasn't very impressed today, because they didn't have a dress I had seen in another store and wanted for my college ball! It was a kind of burnt orange colour – typical Monsoon.

• What is it they're doing well?
They do eveningwear really well. The colours are really distinctive – rich, jewel-like turquoise, orange and hot pink.

• What have they missed out that you would have liked to have seen? 
I would never buy Monsoon clothes to wear on a day-to-day basis, so maybe they could improve their casualwear. But I don't think I would want the shop to change its style, because it is unique, it's not trying to follow the crowd.