There's something about July that makes you want to say yes to everything.
A last-minute BBQ after work. A festival you've completely forgotten you booked tickets for. Weddings, birthdays, harbour walks, outdoor cinema nights, markets, picnics in the park… suddenly the diary is full.
It's also that time of year when lots of us stand in front of the wardrobe thinking, I have absolutely nothing to wear.
The temptation is to rush online and buy something cheap that might only get worn once. We've all done it. But over the years, we've found that the best summer wardrobes aren't the biggest ones - they're the ones filled with pieces you genuinely love pulling out year after year.
At Prior Shop, we're much more interested in helping you find those forever favourites. Beautiful jewellery that works with almost everything. A bag you'll take everywhere. Accessories that feel a little different because they're handmade by someone who genuinely cares about what they create.
Summer is all about the little things
We always think it's the accessories that make an outfit feel like you.
A pair of colourful earrings.
A beautifully made crossbody bag.
A lightweight scarf when the Bristol weather inevitably changes its mind halfway through the day.
These are the pieces that somehow end up in every holiday photo. The ones you reach for without thinking because they just work.
The lovely thing about shopping with independent makers is that you're far less likely to bump into someone wearing exactly the same thing.
Dressing for festivals without buying a whole new wardrobe
Festival season has somehow become synonymous with buying an entirely new outfit every year.
But honestly?
Some of the best festival outfits are simply clothes you already own, styled differently.
A simple dress suddenly feels completely different with bold handmade jewellery.
A classic white shirt becomes festival-ready with colourful accessories.
A pair of comfortable trainers, your favourite bag and a few carefully chosen pieces often look far more effortless than chasing whatever trend is filling Instagram that week.
We love stocking makers whose work helps you build your own style rather than follow someone else's.
The pieces you'll actually keep wearing
One of the questions we often ask ourselves when choosing products for the shop is:
"Will someone still love this in five years?"
If the answer is yes, we're interested.
That might be a beautifully made leather wash bag that comes on every holiday.
A necklace that becomes part of your everyday look.
A pair of earrings you always seem to wear to weddings.
Or a handcrafted tote that somehow ends up carrying everything from beach towels to vegetables from the farmers' market.
They're simple things, but they're the pieces that quietly become part of your life.
Summer weddings don't have to mean fast fashion
Wedding season can be expensive.
By the time you've bought an outfit, shoes, a gift and travelled there, it soon adds up.
Instead of buying something completely new every time, why not refresh an outfit you already love?
A new necklace.
A beautifully made bag.
Sometimes that's all it takes to make something feel completely different.
It's also a much kinder way to shop—for both your bank balance and the planet.
Gifts for all those summer celebrations
Summer always seems to bring celebrations with it.
Housewarmings.
Birthdays.
Engagements.
Graduations.
Thank you gifts.
If you're looking for something a little more thoughtful than the usual bottle of wine, this is one of our favourite times of year.
We're constantly unpacking deliveries from independent makers, so there's always something new to discover.
From handmade jewellery and beautiful ceramics to ethical chocolate, homeware and cards illustrated by independent artists, every item has a story behind it.
We think gifts feel far more meaningful when you know who made them.
Why we still believe in shopping independently
One of the nicest comments we hear from customers is:
"I've never seen anything like this before."
That's exactly what we're aiming for.
We're not trying to stock thousands of products.
We're trying to fill the shelves with things that make people stop, smile and pick them up.
Shopping with independent businesses means discovering brands you won't find everywhere else. It means supporting artists, designers and small businesses instead of huge corporations.
For us, that's always been what Prior Shop is about.
Bristol is full of brilliant creatives
One of the reasons we love being an independent Bristol gift shop is the people we get to work with.
There are so many talented artists, jewellers, ceramicists and designers making beautiful things right here in Bristol and across the UK.
Being able to introduce customers to their work is genuinely one of the best parts of what we do.
It's also why our shelves are always changing. New makers arrive. New collections appear. Every visit feels a little different.
Buy less. Love it more.
We know sustainable shopping can sometimes feel overwhelming.
But it doesn't have to mean being perfect.
Sometimes it's simply choosing one really lovely thing instead of three things you'll forget about next month.
Buying a necklace you'll wear for years.
Choosing a handmade bag that gets better with age.
Supporting a local maker instead of a fast-fashion giant.
Small choices soon add up.
Come and have a browse
Whether you're heading to a festival, planning a summer holiday, going to a wedding or just fancy treating yourself, we'd love to help you find something you'll genuinely enjoy wearing.
You'll find handmade jewellery, sustainable accessories, beautiful homeware and thoughtful gifts from independent makers who care just as much about quality as we do.
If you're exploring Bristol this summer, pop in and say hello. Have a browse, discover someone new, and hopefully leave with something that makes every summer event feel just that little bit more special.
