Sales
The two best times to shop: January winter sales and July summer sales. Prices are often cut in half, sometimes from day one. All stores, from the most stylish to the most basic, are transformed into joyful bazaars with a wonderful ambience. If you miss these annual events, keep a stiff upper lip, since year-round promotions and other discounts are still available throughout the capital.
Department Stores
An institution as much as a store, Harrods in Knightsbridge is definitely worth a visit. Prices are up to its luxurious reputation! Several departments, including the seasonal Christmas department and the Food Hall, are world famous. As you’re leaving the store, at the base of the staircase, a monument has been erected by the owner in memory of his son Dodi El Fayed and Diana Spencer.
More middle class, less touristy, and especially popular with Londoners, Harvey Nichols, its close neighbor, is home to many designers. Selfridges on Oxford Street is the ultimate fashion store. Liberty on Regent Street has an impressive Tudor facade and inimitable floral prints. Peter Jones of Sloane Square has the discreet charm of upscale stores with irresistible kitchen linens and housewares. And the affordable Marks & Spencer chain offers good deals on kids’ clothes and woolens.
Stroll down King’s Road
Less touristy than Oxford Street, less snobby than Bond Street, less ostentatious than South Kensington, and less crowded than Sloane Square neighborhood, Knightsbridge, King’s Road in Chelsea is perfect for family shopping. Some good finds: Hackett’s striped polo shirts for men, Hobb’s, Jigsaw, and LK Bennett’s clothing (larger sizes available) for fashion mavens, Trotters and Petit Bateau for children. Brora for cashmere at competitive prices; Joseph Bamford for its refined collections; Penhaligon’s incredible colognes offer good value; Body Shop and Boots for skin care, Peter Jones, Heal’s and Habitat for the home.
Brit must-haves
Although it’s tough to choose, certain stores have a worldwide reputation for particular products. For tea: Fortnum & Mason (SW1). Century-old style temple umbrellas: James Smith and Sons (WC1). Made-to- measure shirts: Turnbull & Asser (SW1). Daunt Books (W1U) is a vast Edwardian library. Hamleys (W1) is a unique toy store. Conran Shop (SW3) for the design guru. Smythson (W1) is the king of stationery. Church’s is a must for shoes, Burberry for trench coats, and Paul Smith for costumes.
Flea markets and charity shops
Open weekends in London’s, flea markets offer the best and worst. There are lots of finds from the 1970s including dishes, silverware, jewelry, carvings and a multitude of miscellaneous vintage and ‘antique’ finds. Portobello (W11) is one of the better-known markets. You can also discover Camden (NW5) and Brick Lane (E1). Charity’s shops are numerous and sometimes yield a surprise designer bargain.