One of the benefits of being a student at Oxford Brookes University is its close proximity to Bicester Village. 

 

Students love bargains and I am certainly no exception! Bicester also benefits from many ready and eager students looking for part-time work to support the increasing cost of study and subsequently employs a great many of them.

 

According to their website Bicester is the home of "chic outlet shopping" and somewhere, "luxury awaits". 

 

 

But what does luxury really mean?  Isn't buying luxury at a discount price a contradiction in terms? Doesn't something have to be expensive and unattainable to be considered authentic luxury?  Surely words like bespoke, exclusive and quality equate with luxury whereas discount, available and "masstige" (prestige for the masses) means cheap?

 

Apparently the Duchess of Cambridge is often spotted at Bicester but I've never seen her.  I wonder if hunting for a bargain actually becomes more attractive if money is no object?

 

Perhaps people shopping at Bicester simply appreciate quality and if it is important to you to have the luxury label then why pay more?

 

Bicester village is certainly doing good business.  With a new "park and ride", ever-expanding car parking facilities and a shuttle from London, as well as coach trips, it is more popular than ever. 

 

For me, going to Bicester on a Saturday or Sunday takes the pleasure out of shopping because the experience is too busy to be enjoyable.

 

I would be interested to hear what you think.  What does luxury mean for you? How would you define it? Does the definition change if you're describing luxury products as opposed to luxury experiences?