I'm in Johannesburg, away from my home town of Cape Town. With very little else to do today, I embarked on an experiment that involved spending a full 10 hours confined to the Sandton City mall to see what I could find to do and how I would fill my day. It is now drawing to an end and I thought that I would share some of the lessons that I learned with you.

It all began at 7.30am this morning when I was dropped off in the empty underground parking garage. I rapidly sped my way to the Mugg & Bean in an attempt to get a coffee and plan my day. En route I got lost, together with a quite charming older man from Durban. We passed the time attempting to find our location in the age old way, by discussing the weather. On finding the restaurant I was greeted and served by a lovely young lady named Polite. I felt that this was an auspicious start to the day.

Lesson 1: Not all Stuttafords are equal

One of the first activities that I embarked upon this morning was a visit to Stuttafords. Now my local iteration is a poor one indeed. I popped in three days ago and found almost all the rails half empty and stock from September 2008 still available.

But this is not the way of the bright, shiny Sandton store. Oh my goodness, no. Not only is it fully and recently stocked, but the layout evokes a slight whiff of the hallowed Harvey Nicholls.

I was quite delighted and happily spent an hour or so browsing the rails and enjoying the rarefied atmosphere of this bastion of departmental shopping.

But please, Mr Stuttafords, please can you bring this approach back to Cape Town?

Lesson 2: Banana Republic really suits me

Having been lucky enough to have made a dozen or so trips to the United States over the past 10 years, I have come to realise that there are certain stores there that really work for my less-than-skinny body shape.

My foray into Stutts this morning brought me back to the Banana Republic label, and it was a revelation.

The Sandton store has created a concession area for this line that looks and feels very much like a real Banana Republic store. It is also vast. I stocked up on dozens of items and trekked off to the changing room. This too was vast and fitted with more mirrors than any human woman needs in her lifetime.

It must be said that the pricing of this line is in the 'bloody expensive' category. Luckily I had a few great British pounds at my disposal and was able to update my wardrobe with a couple of new items that I love a lot. The good news is that two items that really work well from this line will last me a few years. Classic, well-made with excellent fabrics — this is investment dressing for someone like me.

Lesson 3: Country Road rocks

I knew this already, but with time on my hands, I had a fantastic opportunity to really get stuck in and try on loads of the latest Country Road line. Well, unfortunately the GBPs were running out at this stage, even though there were some wonderful items on sale. I did manage to reign myself in and sadly handed back almost all of the goodies. However, I did feel that I deserved a gunmetal grey silk dress with a deep ruffle v-neck.

Though on the pricey side, Country Road is well-sized, well-merchandised and well-served. It is a real pleasure to find such easily accessible fashion items that are so well made, with such wonderful fabrication. And it is a real treat for a girl in search of the perfect summer dress.

Lesson 4: Update your trend knowledge for free

When you have hours to kill, there is nowhere more comfortable than the lovely Exclusive Books. Not only is it full of fashion information, but there are squashy chairs to curl up in and take a load of your, by now, weary feet.

I started with the fashion magazines from the US. I generally keep up with the UK fashion online, but find that I run out of time before I cross the Atlantic. So I paged through five or six magazines, getting an excellent idea of what we can expect come autumn/winter 2009.

Then I moved on to the books in the fashion section. This is a small section and really can be better stocked, but if anyone wants a good fashion reference book that is available in most of the EB stores, you can't go wrong with the Harpers Bazaar Guide.

I wandered out of the store after a couple of hours, fully stocked up on the latest fashion information and knowledge and inspired in so many ways. And yet, after the expense of my morning, I spent not one cent on this rewarding undertaking.

Lesson 5: Shoes and boots are 'it'

After a hearty late lunch, I began a quest to check out the footwear of Sandton City. I spotted some interesting directions on the feet of the shoppers, not least of all several young ladies wearing cowboy boots. Now I have nothing against these classics, but they simply aren't fashion items for summer 2009.

It is interesting therefore that there are a few people still making them work and I doff my proverbial cap to them.

If you are considering fashion boots for next winter, you need to think first of the equestrian boot (flat riding boots are still big news), and second of the revived Doc Marten — back in black, of course, as well as a range of bright colours.

Someone once told me that I needed to throw mine away as no one over the age of 25 can wear Doc Martens. Imagine my annoyance now that I listened!

However, shoes for winter are taking an altogether different direction. Known as Cage Shoes, the intricate, strappy, high heels are huge around the world right now, and I was delighted to see loads on offer already in the shoes shops of Sandton City. Aldos definitely has the best of these. Just remember, anyone who suffers the curse of the cankle like I do, they are strictly for use with trousers or maxi dresses only.

And so, with an hour left to complete my experiment, I can say that it was not nearly as difficult as I was expecting. There is so much you can do to fill your day and enrich your fashion understanding and knowledge. But right now, all I want is a bit of fresh air.

For more information on Robyn and photos of people who get this style thing right, go to: http://styleguidecapetown.blogspot.com