Slightly north east of the city of Christchurch, nestled within the walls of a bustling old tannery, lies a boutique that exudes character, charm - and walls of gorgeous jeans. Encompass has an array of fabulous denim, including brands from Please, Nudie, Diesel, Ksubi, Nobody, G-Star … and more!
It's a fabulous setting steeped in history but what makes this boutique truly special - is Benji and Becky, the store owners - and Jean masters! Rana has been a loyal customer over the years and made it her mission to introduce me (and many others) to them and their iconic denim destination!
What I’m about to discover, is it’s a shopping experience like no other! As we arrive, Rana introduces me to Benji, originally from the UK and a seasoned NZ resident of 18 years. We are both made to feel at home - like we just knocked on his front door ‘would you like a coffee?’ (We love coffee!!) and we are being invited to drink it in his clothing store!
Before getting down to trying on jeans, Benji invests in you - the camaraderie, the shared obsession for denim and the unique sense of belonging that comes with supporting a local business turns our shopping excursion into more than acquiring a new pair of jeans! The ambiance is as exciting as the denim selection itself, the aroma of fresh coffee and great music fills the air, creating the perfect backdrop for exploring endless denim possibilities. With a simple measurement using only his expert eye … he works his magic, producing a variety of jeans to suit our lifestyle and desired looks - all fitting like a second skin!
Denim is not just fabric - it's a way of life, it will take you from dressed-up nights out to casual outings, from ripped to perfectly tailored, fitting to flared from baggy and carefree to sleek and skinny, denim is effortless and its fair to say - we are all about it! Designer jeans may come with a price tag, however, Rana and I both have pairs purchased 25-30 years ago and refer to them as ‘investments’, when you consider the cost per wear dwindles to mere cents, making each pair a worthwhile wardrobe addition - and for us - a season staple!
As we leave Encompass, denim-clad and content rich, (ok - with a few things on hold too!) We all reflect on a fun morning well-spent - in what feels like, the company of a true friend and making plans to visit again soon.
Keep your eyes peeled for more content on how to look after your precious denim and if you are in Christchurch - drop in and truly treat yourself to a wonderful experience at Encompass!
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