Where To Go Clothes Shopping In Central London

Clothes shopping in Central London are mainly centred in these shopping districts:

1. Oxford Street
2. Regent Street and Piccadilly
3. Mayfair
4. Covent Garden
5. Chelsea and King's Road
6. Knightsbridge and South Kensington, and
7. Kensington High Street and Notting Hill Gate

Oxford Street 

Oxford Street is a premier shopping location in Europe.

Selfridges is considered to be as much a London icon as Trafalgar Square. Selfridges first opened its doors to shoppers in 1909 and has recently celebrated its 100th anniverasary. It offers top-end ranges of clothes for women, men and children.

John Lewis is all about sensible, value for money shopping, and promises that if you can find what you bought there cheaper elsewhere, they will refund you the difference.

Other major department stores in Oxford Street include House of Fraser, Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, British Home Stores and Primark.

TopShop - "the world's largest fashion store" - attracts hords of fashion conscious shoppers on a budget with its affordable young designer clothes such as Sophia Kokosalaki and Marcus Lupfer labels.

Regent Street and Piccadilly

Regent Street stretches nearly a mile from the northern end, around Langham Place, to the southern end, around Piccadilly Circus. Most of the clothes stores are situated in the southern half of Regent Street between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus. There are flagship stores of many major high street chains including Zara and Mango, several branches of Gap, Laura Ashley and Karen Millen.

• Aquascutum - (100 Regent Street, W1 Tel: 020-7675-8200) famed for its smart showerproof raincoats. It now does a range of weekend men's clothes and women's wear.
• Harvie and Hudson (77 and 97 Jermyn Street, SW1 Tel: 020-7839-3678) - they are the shirtmaker, tie and men's wear specialists and is the only shop in Jermyn Street to still have a workroom on site.
• Hugo Boss (184-186 Regenet Street, W1 Tel: 020-7734-7919) - renowned German label has a reputation for fine  fashion clothes for men and women.
• Karen Millen (262-264 Regent Street, W1 Tel: 020-7287-6158) -
   slightly on the expensive side but its designer clothes are glamorous and fun.
• Zara (118 Regent Street, W1 Tel: 020-7534-9500) - this Spanish chain offers a combination of value for money and up-to the-minute style of clothes for men and women.

Mayfair

Mayfair is one of the classiest parts of London. It takes in the bespoke suits of Saville Row and the fashion designer areas of New and Old Bond Streets and the Burlington Arcade.

• Burberry (21-23 New Bond Street, W1 Tel: 020-7839-5222) - a British luxury fashion house well known for its distinctive tartan pattern. They do a stylish range of clothings for men, women and children.
• Browns (23-27 South Molton Street, W1 Tel: 020-7514-0000) - for designer wear and clothing from Marni, Chloe, Balenciaga, Diane Von Furstenberg and more. They also do designer wedding dresses.
• Calvin Klein (53-55 New Bond Street, W1 Tel: 020-7494-9696) - This large store is a one-stop shop for CK jeans, Khakis and the CK collection.
• Donna Karen (19 New Bond Street, W1 Tel: 020-7495-3100) - the fashion designer and the creator of DKNY clothing label - for DKNY's tops, sweaters, jeans, pants, dresses, skirts and jackets.
• Gianni Versace (34-36 Old Bond Street, W1 Tel 020-7907-3800) - Versace is a cutting-edge fashion designer of colourful garments, accessories and lifestyle for men and women.
• Ralph Lauren (1 New Bond Street, W1 Tel: 020-7535-4600) - for men's wear, women's wear, children's wear and sportswear.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden has a lively atmosphere and attracts a variety of people including opera and theatre goers.

• Diesel (25 Neal Street, WC1 Tel: 020-7497-5543) - Spread over three floors, this hip Italian company's most sought after items are its well-cut jeans in stressed denim.
• The Duffer of St George (29 and 34 Shorts Gardens, WC2 Tel: 020-7379-4660/7836-3722) - Cool clothes for 18-30 somethings. Sportswear, t-shirts and tracksuits for men and women.
• Miss Sixty (39 Neal Street, WC2 Tel: 020-7836-3789) - for brightly coloured trousers, tight t-shirts. Popular with those of model-size proportions.

Chelsea and King's Road

King's Road used to be a hip place to hang out. Today, the street still attracts a trendy young crowd but it has become more mainstream.

• Aware Underwear (182 King's Road, SW3 Tel: 020-7351-6259) - has become one of the hottest brands in underwear. Men's underwear has finally been given its own fashion space.
• Ben de Lisi (40 Elizabeth Street, SW1 Tel: 020-7730-2994) - fashion designer for elegant and feminine long dresses and wedding gowns.
• L.K.Bennett (239 King's Road SW3 Tel: 020-7376-7241) - stylish and luxurious dresses for day and evening functions.

Knightsbridge and South Kensington

The shopping areas in Knightsbridge and South Kensington are for big spenders. The main players here are Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

• Alberta Ferretti (205-206 Sloane Street, SW1 Tel: 020-7235-4113) - an Italian fashion designer and dressmaker well known for her pretty chiffon dresses and bridal collection.
• Catherine Walker (65 Sydney Street, SW3 Tel: 020-7352-4626) - is a fashion house located in Chelsea. She is best known as a designer who turned the late Princess Diana into a fashion icon. Also renowned for her wedding dress collection.
• Gucci (18 Sloane Street, SW1 Tel: 020-7235-6707) - well known for its sexy, ultra-modern styles in clothing and accessories.
• Oilily (9 Sloane Street, SW1 Tel: 020-7823 2505) - Children's boutique offering colourful and funky wear for children.

Kensington High Street and Notting Hill Gate

This west London shopping district has a more relaxing shopping environment. Most stores are of the high street variety like H&M, Marks and Spencer, etc, but they stock a more sophisticated range of products for wealthy shoppers who prefer High Street Kensington to Oxford Street. Since October 2008, the Westfield Shopping Centre has been added to the list of stores in this area.

• Barkers of Kensington (63 Kensington High Street, W8 Tel: 020-7937-5432) - belongs to the House of Fraser chain offering a one-stop shopping in the stores fashion, beauty, electrical and homeware department.
• Westfield Shopping Centre (Ariel Way, W12 Tel: 020-3371-2300) - Located in Sheppards Bush, Westfield offers the ultimate shopping experience with 255 shops from over 15 countries, plus 16 brands that have never been seen in the UK before.
• United Colors of Benetton ( 129 Kensington High Street, W8 Tel: 020-7937-3034) - the clothes are pretty classic multi-colour knitwear.
• Urban Outfitters - (36-38 Kensington High Street, W8 Tel: 020-7761-1001) - great for streetwear including T-shirts and sweat-shirts.

Return to Home Page London shopping offers the best shopping experience in the world
London shopping for seasonal sales and bargains