Like New York, Milan, and Paris, London is a fashion and design mecca. Figuring out which shrine of conspicuous consumption to worship at can be a tad overwhelming. Great shopping is spread throughout London, so you can't let mere geography be your guide. Instead, you must settle upon which type of shopping excursion you most fancy. A one-stop-shop department store? High-end designer flagships? Independent neighborhood boutiques? Unique markets? Choosing your desired destination is a little like choosing your favorite Beatle: everyone has her preference, but in the end they're all essential to the experience.
When it comes to London department stores, there's the Fab Four: Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Liberty and Co., and, of course, the legendary Harrods. We heart Harvey Nicks for its mix of emerging and established designers, a frothy blend of the young, trendy, and fashion forward. You'll still find the latest and greatest at Selfridges–one of only two good reasons to visit the tourist trap of Oxford Street (the other being the legendary Topshop)–but the focus here is just slightly more on established brands and designers. Things get even more refined at Liberty, where the smaller, more exclusive collection is housed in an elegant old Tudor building with wood paneling and floors. If you decide to brave the ever-crowded Harrods, be prepared for a Lucy-in-the-sky-with-diamonds experience of kaleidoscopic proportions. You can buy everything from a treadmill to a bottle of perfume here, but we say skip all that rubbish and just hit the Food Halls and Urban Retreat spa.
Fan out into London's neighborhood crannies for more distinctive shopping experiences. Bond Street (both the "old" and "new" sections) is a who's who of the British fashion invasion–with luxury boutiques by the likes of Asprey, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, and Nicole Farhi– and international houses like Tods, Chanel, and Hermes (ahem, this is no Penny Lane). We'll understand if you decide Stella McCartney is, in fact, your favorite Beatles' creation. Moving onto Marylebone, you'll find independent stores with local charm such as Daunt Books, a travel book purveyor ensconced in an Edwardian storefront replete with oak galleries and stained glass windows. Head to Notting Hill for a taste of gentrified bohemia. The sprawling Portobello Road antique market is no longer the only draw here–Westbourne Park and Lonsdale Roads are crammed with specialty boutiques, bars, and restaurants.
Speaking of antique markets, round out your tour of the fashion forward with something, well, old. Score amazing vintage jewelry in one of over 200 vendor stalls at Grays Antique Market near Bond Street. Other notable bazaars include the Silver Vaults and the Chelsea Antiques Market. With so many shopping options, and so little time, you'll be wishing there really were eight days a week.
Photo of Liberty and Co. courtesy of heatheronhertravels on Flickr Creative Commons
