Best London shopping?

viva

Hi all,
Happy end of summer! I’ve got a very quick London trip coming up later this month. If I have time for a little shopping - and I’d love to find something special - where should I go? Would love your recommendations.
Vivian

6 years ago

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from Roberta

Sal

Veteran

It has been a long time for me but I always love Chelsea (Kings Road area and off there), Covent Garden and Islington. I think Shoreditch is supposed to be very cool.

Oxford St can be very overwhelming!!

Have a great time.

6 years ago

Carla

Veteran

Harrod’s, Selfridge’s, Marks and Spencer for department store fun.

6 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Sounds fun! I’m biased because I work by Sloane Square so the below are my preferences -

Zara at Duke of York Square is very good and there are various other brands and stores adjacent - Massimo Dutti, Whistles, Boden, Cos.

Duke of York Square is on the Kings Road which has other newish brands like Rixo, Cefinn, Essentiel Antwerp

Duke of York Square is also adjacent to Sloane Sq tube and that is by Sloane Street for higher end brands - Maje, red Valentino, and other luxe brands.

For coffee during shopping, Pavilion Road is cute and English and fun, 1 min from Sloane Sq too. (There is an amazing stationary shop there too!)

Peter Jones a massive and well loved department store is on Sloane Square too.

6 years ago

notsaf

Veteran

Not an expert, but I second Carla's recommendation for department stores, especially Selfridge's and John Lewis, to which nothing in the US can really hold a candle!

Your choices would depend more on personal style, but there are many great UK-based high street brands which are a bit cheaper to shop over there, including Toast, the Fold, Baukjen, Whistles, Hobbs.

You might also take a peak at Who What Wear's UK site: https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/

I also follow this blog (also on Instagram) and she's done a few round-ups of London shopping districts: https://the-frugality.com/

Depends on how special you want to go, but a Mulberry bag is about the most special thing I could image getting in London.

Have a great trip!

6 years ago

Carla

Veteran

This is an uber cool place. DS#1 got a brolly here, and they packed it in a tube for him. He had no trouble getting it home. If I recall correctly, it's not too far from St. Paul's (30 min walk?)

https://www.james-smith.co.uk/

6 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Jane said! And head out to Shoreditch if you have time.

6 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Having been shopping in London with Jane I would say that she is definitely the Master so take her advice on this one!If you have time Liberty's is a very interesting and iconic London shop to visit.

6 years ago

viva

Veteran

Thanks all! I really appreciate these words of wisdom.

Carla and Notsaf, I'll be very close to Selfridge's - so thank you for the department store recommendation. Even if that's the only place I go, I'm sure it will be great.

(Notsaf, thanks for the links. I wanted a Mulberry bag for sooooooo long. That is a great recommendation! Not sure my wallet will allow, but I'm going to think about that for sure.)

Jane: Thank you for the detailed info! I'll see what I can squeeze in, lots of great ideas there.

And CardiffGirl, Liberty's would be so wonderful.

Angie, I would love to get back to Shoreditch - I remember a few fun shops there when we went 5 or 6 years ago.

6 years ago

Muffin

Veteran

I’m sure you will find just the perfect souvenir! If you are flying out of Heathrow and have a bit of cash left the prices are excellent on “designer” items (Mulberry, Smythson, Burberry, etc). You gamble on what is available but I’ve been able to find great treasures in the past.

6 years ago

anchie

Veteran

I like shopping in Regent street - all my favorite brands in one place.

6 years ago

viva

Veteran

Muffin, airport shopping sounds great! I will keep that in mind - many thanks!

6 years ago

missvee

Veteran

I’ll second Sloane Square for the variety of smaller shops and for its excellent department store Peter Jones. It has a great selection of brands that are slightly more affordable and its in-house brand John Lewis is good too. I bought a cashmere sweater there last year that’s holding up very well.

6 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

For me, on my first shopping trip to London, Knightsbridge, Harrods and Harvey Nic's were just totally fab and an experience in themselves. The best tourist experience I had in London was doing a 1 day bike ride around London with a history student. He had us riding our bikes across London Bridge and had wonderful stories and insights about London - such a magical city.

6 years ago

Roberta

Veteran

Bookmarking this post for my hoped-for trip to London next year.

6 years ago

Category