Whistles - final score: 21/40

Address: 12 St Christopher's Place

Map: Click here to find this store

Score last year: N/A

Verdict: Branded product stands out at Whistles, as does the best customer service on the high street.

Looks - 7

Trends are largely led by the branded product in this Whistles store, which includes Antik Batik, By Malene Birger, Fleur Wood, Radcliffe Denim and Rutzou.

From these come heavily embellished kaftans, embroidered smocks, crochet sleeveless dresses, bright prints, and lots of silk. Whistles own product is more basic, but ruffled blouses were spotted as well as a cute pussy bow blouse.  

Mix - 6

Dresses are still prevalent for Whistles this season, although less dominant than before, with tops making up more than 50% of the offer for spring.

Outerwear is quite thin on the ground, as are trousers and skirts. This makes it difficult to work out what to pair tops with, especially on the ground floor, where new season product jostles for space with packed Sale rails.

Store - 7

The retailer has clearly decided that its branded product is more of a draw than Whistles' own offer, so the store's best space upstairs is dedicated to showcasing the other brands.

Staff here are super knowledgable and keen to explain about the different product lines. This attention and interest is flattering, although assistants need to be careful that their helpfulness doesn't flip over into an off-putting hard sell.

The changing rooms reflect Whistles' boutiquey feel, with opulent lace, net and velvet curtains and a chaise lounge, and there is a tailoring service to help staff seal the sale.  

Value - 6

Prices are at the upper end of the stores visited. A cotton blouse at £70 is quite a lot, although £95 for a silk top with neck detailing seems reasonable given the fabric. A casual cotton jacket is a substantial £180.

An all-in-one knitted tank top and ruffled shirt is £80, but a lace-edged cotton short-sleeved top is better value at £45. A black and blue silk dress with heavily embellished hem is £220, so is only one to buy if you have a number of events to wear it to.

In terms of brands, a heavily embroidered silk top from Antik Batik is a very expensive holiday piece at £185, and requires an extra purchase for something to cover your modesty underneath.  

Vox pop: Charlotte Doyle, 28, accountant

• Are you a regular shopper here? 
No

• What does this shop mean to you?
I was just walking around and popped in.

• How impressed are you with this season's offerings?  
Yes and no. It's not really high fashion stuff, but they have some good classic pieces.

• What is it they're doing well?
They aren't doing anything really well.

• What have they missed out that you would have liked to have seen? 
I was looking for jeans that aren't skinny legs and I couldn't find anything like that here.