Where to shop in the UK?

Blog

Forum

Finds

ElleH

Veteran

Specifically London, Reading, Bath, Banbury, Chippenham.

12 years ago

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Adelfa

Veteran

Harrods? LOL, I have no idea. Sounds like an amazing trip.

12 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I like Mark and Spencer for undies :p

12 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Always wanted to visit a TopShop

ETA I'd visit Alexander McQueen just to drool.

12 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I'm looking forward to a trip to Boots, Marks & Spencer, and SpaceNK for skincare products and makeup when I'm in the UK next month. I'd love to visit Reiss, but I'll have my husband in tow, and I don't know if he'd be down for that, lol. I also want to hit the Ormond Jayne boutique on Old Bond Street (perfume shop). Other than that, I really just want to pick up a nice china teapot (I currently have one in mind).

I'll be watching this thread for other suggestions. Thanks for bringing this up.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Liberty!

Also, I personally would go lingerie shopping. Much easier to find French and (obviously) British brands there!

12 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Another vote for M&S, also maybe Debenhams if your budget is higher and you want something a bit more fashion forward. I personally like the restrained exoticism of brands like Toast, Monsoon or East---but YMMV.

Boots is surprisingly good for both clothes and toiletries/cosmetics these days too. So seconding that one as well.

Also, would this help? http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Fashion-designers/ I have a bit of a weakness for Jasper Conran myself, inside the kitchen and out of it!

12 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

What do you want to shop?

For your fashion persona (from the profile): Top Shop, Monsoon, All Saints.

Other shops that are a bit more classic: Hobbs, Oasis, Clarkes, M&S.

12 years ago

Anonymous

How about Mango? Or if you fancy splurging a bit there is Karen Millen, I think she has some fab jackets usually, plus the usual good mix of dreses, knits tops etc.

12 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

When in London I would not hesitate to visit Selfridges department store. Top Shop on Oxford St is also an experience in itself.

I have always wanted to visit Dover Street Market http://london.doverstreetmarket.com/

In addition to those shops already listed I would head to the following High Street shops, Whistles, Joseph, French Connection, Kurt Geiger and Cos.

You may also wish to visit some of London's markets to get a sense of independent designers/ traders.

When out of London I would visit the above plus some of the local boutiques who often carry local labels or those pieces which are a little different.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm with RoseandJoan -- go to Selfridges! I didn't buy anything except a bra, but I had a great time looking. Lots of the boutique shops are in there.

A walk along Regent street is fun for all the big name shops. Go to Coz. Parsley came home with a whack of great stuff from there. None of what I tried on worked for my body type, but YMMV.

For my fantasy life, I would go to Paul Smith and see if the fall collection is ready to view -- gorgeous stuff!

Covent Garden has some fun shopping.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Selfridges and Whistles - my best!

Topshop - well, it's an experience I guess, and Harrods too. Personally, I can take or leave them. Although you will probably enjoy All Saints.

I vote Reiss, Karen Millen, French Connection, Hobbs, Cos, Paul Smith, Joseph and Berties too. And take yourself off to Covent Garden!!!

Do have the best fish 'n chips for me. I'll take mine with lots of vinegar.

12 years ago

ElleH

Veteran

Thanks everyone. I'm still jetlagged & went shopping in Reading for a little while, on 2 hours sleep. I didn't have patience & neither did DH, sonhere are my thoughts. I didn't love Topshop or Marks & Slencer or John Lewis. DH was over it before I could explore House of Fraser, which looked promising from the entrance. If I was alone & not tired with unlimited time I'm sure I would have found things of interest in all of those places. Hopefully DH will be more patisnt in London. I would love to do Covent Garden & Regent & Bond Sts. I used to work in Selfridges & loved the show so if I make it to the West End I will go there. Reiss, Paul Smith & French Connection are labels I know I like & I am keen to check out the others mentioned, such as Karen Millen, Cos, Kurt Geiger, All Saints.

Angie my allergies prevent me from having fish n chips but I will make sure DH has some for you. I don't think I will have to twist his arm. He has already had a pork pie with an egg in it, a gooseberry fool, sharp cheddar, good tea in bone china, & I just get to watch. I did have some back bacon today, none of that streaky stuff.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh you poor girl :(. Good job Mr. Elle! I don't eat mammals but I'm all over the gooseberry fool, cheddar, and tea in fine bone China.

12 years ago

ElleH

Veteran

Angie I didn't eat them for 13 years, got really sick & had to go on Paleo Autoimmune protocol. Have to take my own food on planes & eating out is difficult.

I actually only had that amount of sleep in about 48 hours so I don't think I gave the shops a fair chance. DH bought this bag that I want to borrow though, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Troop-.....p+TRP+0208 after loving his Sister's & I found out these shoes http://www.google.co.uk/search.....yiNKejM%3A hurt the ball of my foot in that kind of way that is almost like blisters on the inside of your foot. They were very comfy at home & I'm bummed because I didn't bring my Sam Edelman Louies instead. I packed 4 new pairs of shoes so I am hoping for better luck. I do have 3 that I know to be comfortable, one other ok pair & flip flops. Most comfy ones are very casual though & nothing is comfortable if I have to wear it every day. Walking isn't very comfortable for me. Yay for LA, where nobody walks.

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Another vote for Karen Millen, one of my favorite UK brands! Although we do have a shop in Century City, I'm sure the ones out there are better. Oh, and Barbour. Also was highly impressed with a coat I have by Atmosphere, which is apparently made by Primark. Maybe Ben Sherman to keep DH interested (they used to do women's stuff, too, but I think they stopped). Of course I have no idea if these stores are located where you will be, lol.

12 years ago

Category