WhyWaitForever - London
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WhyWaitForever - London - Shops
This page contains links to famous and not so famous London shops. There are clothes stores, fashion houses, department stores, lingerie stores, hat stores, sports stores, music stores and everyone's favourite, toy stores. Yves-Rocher is a natural beauty source.
Why not spend a few days in London? Hotel rates can be much lower at the weekend than during the week. You can shop but why not also visit a gallery, take in a show or go clubbing. A hotel within a short walk of Oxford Street or Knightsbridge will leave you with much more energy to enjoy yourself.
And who knows you may be lucky. The National Lottery has winners every time.
WhyWaitForever - London - Shopping for home has ideas for furnishing and maintaining your London home. WhyWaitForever - London - Lifestyle Shops provides ideas for the active Londoner.
For visitors unfamiliar to London, WhyWaitForever - London - Shopping Areas has an introduction to its most famous central shopping areas, with a suggested walk for you to do. Walking can be the best way to see the city. Initially the size of London can seem overwhelming. But think of it as a series of small towns e.g. Piccadily, Soho, Covent Garden, Mayfair, The City and Westminster etc and explore little by little. You can always come back!
Further afield, to the east of of London on the M25, are two very popular shopping malls. Bluewater Shopping Centre lies just south of the River Thames and Lakeside Shopping Centre lies just north of the River Thames. In addition to Britain's most famous stores, you'll find restaurants, cinemas, food halls and lots more.
Clothes
These are some of London's most famous clothes stores.
- Aquascutum
Menswear, womenswear, rainwear and more on Regent Street.
- Austin Reed
On Regents Street for over a hundred years.
- Benetton
Jumpers and knitwear in bright brash primary colours.
- Boden
Lovely clothes that complement the season.
- Burton
Menswear major chain of shops.
- Café Coton
Mens shirts with "french" styling.
- Charles Tyrwhitt
Shirts from Jermyn Street.
- Coles Shirtmakers
Shirts from the Jermyn Street shop. Pearl buttons, comfort and style.
- Crombie
Mens clothes from the shop in Jermyn Street.
- Daks
Mens clothes from the shops in Jermyn Street and Bond Street.
- Diesel
Denim jeans and jackets and jackets and jeans.
- Dockers
The US site for these jeans derivatives.
- Dorothy Perkins
A ladies clothes shop down Oxford Street and elsewhere.
- Dunhill
The mens clothes shop in Jermyn Street.
- Evans
Ladieswear large chain of shops.
- French Connection
In the UK they advertise with the "trompe d'oeil" fcuk.
- GANT
Mens wear and boys wear in Bond Street and Brompton Road.
- GAP
Lots of shops with a washed out take it or leave it feel.
- Giant Clothing
Ladieswear in shops in shops in Debenhams Selfridges and elsewhere.
- Hackett
Essential British kit.
- H&M
Ladies clothes as adverised on side of London buses.
- Henry Poole
Established in 1806 bespoke tailoring in Savile Row.
- High and Mighty
Clothes for big or tall men.
- KOOKAI
Nice shop a favourite near Oxford Street Tube.
- Laura Ashley
The shop in Sloane Street off Knightsbridge.
- Lacoste
The green crocodile with the red tongue.
- Levi
Jeans and jeans for the step back in time look.
- Madhouse
A large jeans retailer in Bluewater and elsewhere.
- Mary Quant
The shop in Montpelier Street off Knightsbridge.
- Monsoon
Another one down Oxford Street.
- Moss Bros
Range of menswear stores, Cecil Gee, Blazer.
- MUJI
Various shops including the one in Tottenham Court Road (in Japanese).
- Next
Ladies clothes and where I have spent many an hour.
- New Look
Ladies clothes and fashion wear not just for the tweens.
- Oasis Stores
This most excellent chain of shops.
- Principles
Ladies clothes with shops in many places.
- Racing Green
Ladies and mens clothes with a shop in Regents Street.
- Richard James
Tailors from Saville Row.
- River Island
Ladies and mens clothes with shops all over.
- Savile Row Company
Mens formal, casual and accessories.
- Style
A host of brands which I find thoroughly confusing.
- Suits You
Mens' suits for those in organisations trapped in the past.
- Eton Shirts
Shirts from the shop in Kingsway near Covent Garden.
- Thin Red Line
Shirts from Saville Row.
- Thomas Pink
Wonderful shirts from Jermyn Street and elsewhere sold with the fox.
- Tie Rack
Oxford Street and everywhere.
- T.M.Lewin
Long established shirtmakers of 106 Jermyn Street.
- Top Shop
Oxford Circus tube, up the stairs on the corner.
- Top Man
Top Shop for men.
Fashion and Haute Couture
The name of a fashion house can mean many things. What's in a name?
A fashion designer is involved in fashion that bears the designer's name in a number of ways.
The first is direct involvement in designing and producing the finest made to measure garments for individuals.
The second is closely supervising trusted assistants in the design and production of the finest made to measure garments. These assistants can form fashion houses in their own right.
The third is designing ready to wear ranges of clothes where approved compromises are made on hand finishing, choice of fabrics and production.
The fourth is allowing the name to be used in approved ready to wear ranges designed and produced by others.
The fifth is allowing the name to be used without any control over any of the artistic, design or production elements.
- Alexander McQueen
Known for the occasional provocative collection.
- Armani
Famous for suits. This is a very grey dark site.
- Chanel
Not just famous for that perfume and the insignia.
- Christian Dior
The fashion design house from Paris.
- Christian Lacroix
The frenchman with a certain following.
- Donna Karan
The New York fashion house with the mnemonic DKNY.
- Fendi
Clothes and more from the italian fashion house.
- Gianfranco Ferre
Another who designs clothes and more from Italy.
- Givenchy
Perfume, parfum and more.
- Gucci
The bag maker and frock maker and ..
- Hugo Boss
First impressions are dark dark gray grey clothes.
- Maria Grachvogel
Sleek, tailored and seductive in South Molton Street.
- Moschino
Another dark dark slow slow italian job.
- Nicole Miller
A bright New York fashion house.
- Paul Smith
The British fashion house.
- Ralph Lauren
The famous name.
- Ted Baker
Fashion for men and women from the Covent Garden store.
- Tommy Hilfiger
The one who has a penchant for colours used in dingy sailing.
- Valentino
At the heights of italian chic.
- Versace
A one time major fashion house.
- YSL
Yves St Laurent the french fashion house.
Social occasions were the opportunities to see and be seen. The Season of our Grandmother's generation is on its last hooray and has handed over to the new sports oriented world of today.
The Hurlingham club is the place to start. The vicious and aggressive game of Croquet. The ancient and exhaustive game of Real Tennis. A little further away is Wimbledon and Lawn Tennis though the tournament is a tad too crowded for my tastes. In the UK the Hurlingham Polo Association is the governing body for this fastest of sports. If the finest horses are to your taste then there is still Royal Ascot.
Moving away from the safety and certainty of London towards the water there is rowing Henley Royal Regatta and there is yachting Cowes Week. Never forget the romance of a boat in the evening on the Serpentine or a punt along the Backs in Cambridge.
Department stores and more
The department stores are the ocean liners of shopping in London. They address the widest shopping needs and have the most space to display their vast range of goods. If a visitor wanted to know how Londoners lived and worked the department store is the place to visit.
- BHS
I remember it as the British Home Stores.
- Debenhams
A favourite on Oxford St towards Tottenham Court Road.
- Fenwick
In Bond Street I was turned away for not wearing a tie (c1965.
- Fortnum & Mason
The store in Piccadilly famous for hampers.
- Harrods
The large store on Knightsbridge.
At the start of the seventies I knew Harrods for its food hall, its pet shop, its piano room and as a source of gifts at Christmas. The pet shop was exciting. It had lists of wild animals that people wanted. It would send expeditions all over the world to get these animals. It would get any animal. Lions, tigers and bears were commonplace.
Later at college I frequented the excellent sports department for squash and hockey. Occasionally the clothes department whose name was something like Way In or Way Out and looking back with hindsight should perhaps have been No Way. Then Kings Road happened and I have never been back there for clothes.
Imperial College was tough and now they have let in the medics. IMMHO medicine is a black art not a science. So what kept my sanity and prevented me from jumping from the Queen's Tower, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Croquet, the French Lycee, the Royal Ballet School, The Royal College of Art and Beauchamp Place....aahh. Not forgetting Spiderman on TV on Thursday mornings.
- Harvey Nichols
In Knightsbridge also known affectionately as Harvey Nicks.
- House of Fraser
A number of department stores including one in Oxford Street.
- John Lewis
A favourite in Sloane Square and Kings Road ... ok and elsewhere.
- Liberty
Regent St that most regal of streets. Lovely shop.
- Marks & Spencer
A venerable veritable institution.
- Selfridges
The Oxford St. store now cloned in Manchester.
When I was little, I knew Selfridges for the revolving doors, the olfactory overwhelming welcoming perfume hall, the toy department, the childrens shoes, childrens hairdressing and at Christmas Santa and the special German cakes.
Shoes were always Clarks white jumping jacks. It was always a choice between Selfridges and Lilly and Skinners (now long gone). Both used to Xray our little feet.
A haircut was a chore. If I was good I could ride the rocking horse. On most occasions I just had to watch others. The only thing that calmed me was if I was given a corner of the covering bib. Hair and all I chewed it, tore it and sucked it and I would be quiet. Still not good enough though to ride the rocking horse.
Shoes, hats, gloves, bags and
accessories
- Accessorize
The chain of accessories shops.
- Barratts
The large national chain of shoe shops.
- Bates Hats
Long established Jermyn Street hat shop.
- Buffalo
Boots and shoes in Covent Garden.
- Clarks
Shoes. Didn't we all grow up with Jumping Jacks.
- Crockett and Jones
Shoes from Jerymn Street and Royal Exchange.
- Dr Martens
Shoes, boots and "air wair". from the shops in the West End.
- Ecco
Shoes. From the store in Oxford Street.
- Faith
Shoes. In a number of stores in Oxford Street.
- John Lobb
The shoe shop in Jermyn Street.
- Jones Bootmaker
Long and short fashion boots.
- Louis Vuitton
Clothes and bags and bags and clothes.
- Office / Offspring
Shoes, boots and sports shoes in a number of West End shops.
- Prada
The little bags, the black dress and haute couture.
- Russell & Bromley
Court shoes and more from the shop in Bond Street.
- Sole Trader
Boots and shoes in Covent Garden.
- Swear
Shoes in a Covent Garden shop.
- The Shoe Studio
Shops throughout the West End with names such as Nine West, Bertie, Pied a Terre and Roland Cartier.
- Timberland
The rugged utility footwear for city "lumberjacks".
Lingerie and underwear
- Agent Provocateur
The Soho shop with influences even unto Marks and Spencer.
- Amanda Kiss
Spice up your life.
- Ann Summers
The shops that cater for sensual lingerie and more.
- Bodas
Beautiful everyday underwear and nightware.
- Bra Select
Bras and more from this on-line retailer.
- Eda
From the shop in Kensington High Street.
- Figleaves
Over 70 brands includes lingerie, mens, hosiery and swimwear.
- Janet Reger
In Beauchamp Place near Knightsbridge one of my most favourite London streets.
- Joe Boxer
Underwear as fun.
- Maple Direct
Lingerie on-line backed by Bainbridge & Boston.
- La Perla
Lingerie from the shop in Slone Street between Knightsbridge and Chelsea.
- Victoria's Secret
The US shop from NY, Boston and elsewhere about to appear here in London.
- Wolford Kensington
Wien, Paris and Kensington Church Street.
The clothing closest to the skin means many things. A special occasion demands a particular mood. Try these links to some of the more famous (and heavily advertised) brands Aristoc, Berlei, Gossard, Playtex and Wonderbra.
Sports and outdoors
These shops allow you to get the right clothing. WhyWaitForever - London - My Lifestyle has links for the activities and passions of Londoners. Additional to these shops the department stores have large sports departments.
- Blacks
Outdoor clothes and equipment.
- Field & Trek
A favourite for outdoor clothing and equipment with a store in Covent Garden.
- FirstSport
A chain of sports shops.
- Hargreaves
A chain of sports shops in Bluewater and elsewhere.
- InterSport
Another chain of sports shops.
- JD Sports
Yet another chain of sports shops.
- JJB Sports
On-line shopping from the Oxford Street shop.
- Rohan
A favourite for travel clothes.
- Snow and Rock
Outdoors, winter sports equipment and clothes.
- Stadium-Intersport
A chain in Barnet and in Hertfordshire.
- Sweatshop
Sports footwear, clothes and accessories.
- sweatyBetty
Sportswear for women in Fulham Road and Westbourne Grove.
- YHA Adventure
The Youth Hostel Association excellent outdoors shop in Covent Garden.
Children and toys
Some children like shopping many do not. WhyWaitForever - London - Children has links for children and young adults in London. No claims to eliminate the tedium and boredom of trying and retrying and retrying stuff on and then going back to the first one but we try.
- Baby Gap
Childrens clothes from the Gap chain of shops.
- Beatties
Model trains, planes and automobile.
- Early Learning
Childrens toys especially for babies, toddlers and pre-school.
- Hamleys
The finest toy shop in the world.
- Mothercare
Mothers, fathers, babies and toddlers.
- ToysRUs
The out of town toy shop.
Music to buy
- HMV
His Masters Voice - the one with the dog and gramophone and a favourite of mine.
- Our Price
Brash loud colours.
- Tesco Entertainment
DVDs at excellent prices from the world leading supermarket.
- WH Smith
The national newsagent.
- Virgin
The ubiquitous one.
Musical instruments and sheet music
Music is great. Go on buy a penny whistle or a set of small drums and let rip.
- Boosey & Hawkes
The Regent Street shop near the BBC.
- Chappell
The Bond Street shop for the full range of music.
- Foote's Music
Music instrument shop for orchestras, bands and individuals.
- JP Guivier
My most excellent violin shop just off Regent Street.
Impartial advice
- Consumer
UK Government consumer advice.
- NCC
UK National Consumer Council for consumer advice.
- OFT
UK Government Office of Fair Trading.
- Trading Standards
UK Government Trading Standards.
- Which
Provides consumer advice and runs independent tests.
Virtual shopping
There is a place for buying from catalogues. But it can be so much better to actual see and touch the item before buying.
There are some shops which understand the physical demanding side of shopping. In these shops it is possible to select the item, make a note of the item code and (at sometimes reduced prices) order there or later over the Internet. This is excellent since it avoids carrying goods. If the particular size and colour is not available in the shop the item can still be bought without revisiting the shop. Finally if there are problems with the item it can be returned.
Some shops are beginning to transform from interesting wharehouses defined by wood effect floors and open shelves with large numbers of related items covering all colours and sizes to more interesting displays with fewer items. These assume the purchase will be made later on-line.