London Calling! - YouLookFab Forum

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London Calling!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I'm very fortunate and will be going to London twice this Spring! The first time is already from tomorrow through Tuesday, then again a weekend in late March.

I'm not actually going for the shopping, but of course we need to have a look around. I know of the typical shopping streets and department stores, but London has of course much more to offer than Topshop, Gap and Zara. I hope to have a peek into J Crew, which will be my first:)

What are your best London fashion/shopping related tips? I'd also love to hear about fun things to do with teens (girls).

Thanks!

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Check Hobbs too. Some great stuff there always... I miss it

Have fun.

Astrid

Veteran

I'm going there too in April, so I will keep an eye on this thread! The only shopping I have planned so far is actually bra shopping. And I plan to drag my sister along. Not sure how it is in Norway, but I can't get my size in German stores at all and always have to order online. I helped my sister with her first bra last year, but we had to settle for the best fit available, she's still not in the right size IMO. I thought about going to Bravissimo.

http://www.bravissimo.com/stor.....#storeinfo

carter

Veteran

Great idea for a thread! I'll be there in June, so I'll be tagging this.

I have ordered several items from House of Fraser (dept store). I have no idea what to expect IRL, but it's on my list to hunt down while I'm there. I love everything I've gotten from there so far.

ramya

Veteran

Ok I am lusting at all the jcrew stuff;)

Mellllls

Veteran

I love house of Fraser online but sadly I haven't been to London in 10 years!!

VenusCow

(website)

A good site to check out is http://www.ukgrandsales.com
They have events throughout the year in beautiful locations like Ripley Castle, Burford, Cheltenham race course where smaller stylish vendors promote and sell their wares. These 2-5 day shopping events are a great way to see the best of the more obsure British brands in fab historical/beautiful settings. Some events there is a small cover, a few pounds but some are free to enter. A great way to combine shopping and a bit of culture/nature for your daughters.

VenusCow

(website)

Oh and don't forget to explore the London markets, Spitalfields in the City Of London E1 is now destination shopping, like a little sister to Covent Garden and Greenwich market is a great weekend market but more antiques and homey type stuff, art with some clothes stalls. And my favorite, The Kings Road, Chelsea, SW3 where you will find a plethora of small one off boutiques, it's a fantastic walk up and back AND there are the most incredible charity shops where you can find affordable COUTURE, the Red Cross and the Oxfam shop are my favorites. The Cancer Research shop is where I got my Chanel pumps, brand new in the box, £50.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

oooooh. Fun.

Get to my faves if you can: Selfridges, Whistles, Karen Millen, Hobbs, John Lewis, Berties, and LK Bennett. xo

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh yes. Ted Baker and Paul Smith too.

Day Vies

Veteran

Nothing to add but my glee that you're going to London 2x's this spring. YAY!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all ideas and advice, ladies! I'm going to see the Paul Smith exhibition, I hope, so that might give me some inspiration, too. I love Paul Smith and Ted Baker, Angie

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

You've mentioned the department stores but that's what I've found the most stuff in. Selfridges was fun eye candy but not really my style. 'Boring' places like John Lewis and Marks & Spencer were where I actually bought the most stuff.

I don't know what high street stores you have or don't have but uniqlo, Zara, jigsaw etc. may or may not be worthwhile. There's a Boden store or two, if you like them. there's a boot maker that will measure you in person in London and make custom boots - I think it's Duo?

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I love the Masterpiece Classics show "Mr. Selfridge" so I would have to go to Seflridge's!

Lyn D.

Veteran

Oh, exciting!
Looking forward to your London posts.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Lucky you!! Please share what your teen girls enjoy -- we will be taking our daughter next year and I could use some tips. She is younger than yours and not so interested in fashion, alas, but still....

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I will of course share, Suz!

Today we arrived a bit delayed, so our original plan had to be postponed. Instead we opted for the Science Museum and got more than we hoped for: First two interesting exhibitions about 1) the brain, mind and psycology, and 2) about all kinds of materials from textiles to plastics, metals, glass, concrete.... and what to make from it, how to recycle etc. Really interesting. The best exhibition, though, was a wonderful street photography/documentary photography exhibition by Martin Parr and a to me unknown photog, Tony Ray-Jones, called "Only in England". An absolute must-see and incredibly fascinating. I left feeling very touched and excited by the images.

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.u.....gland.aspx

karymk

Veteran

I am likely going to London in May too and I am going to be hitting Harvey Nichols, Topshop and Monsoon.

I would take my girl, who is 16, to see a West End show, and tea at the Ritz (book ahead, no jeans!) I probably would also go to Portabello road for the market. Just fab for treasures and people watching. Oh! and eat Indian food while in London! Oh! and buy perfume at Ormonde Jayne, hard to get anywhere else in the world but London and "Woman" is a heavenly scent.

Lisa

Veteran

No stores to add but have fun!