VIBE

A (relative) newcomer among the grand dames of the British department store scene, Selfridges was opened in 1909 by ambitious American Harry Selfridge and has since made a name for itself as a sassy fashion showcase and daring retail innovator. Selfridges created quite a stir back in the day by designing their store so that (gasp!) customers could actually touch the merchandise, and by dedicating spaces on site for attention-grabbing exhibitions (like the first public demonstration of a TV in 1925). Selfridges still shakes things up with cutting-edge designer fashions, breathtaking window displays, and engaging exhibitions, but it’s a bit more of a stately British institution than edgy new kid on the block.

USE A PURCHASE FROM HERE FOR

Wedding or housewarming gift; fashionable get-up

WHY WE LIKE IT

This is the best department store in town–it’s comprehensive without being overwhelming. The collections are perfectly pitched–fashion forward yet wearable. Given that they stock all our favorite designers, we could easily fill our entire wardrobes here. We like combining a trip to the decadent food hall with a spin around the latest exhibition in their in-store gallery and a browse through their fab lingerie department.

GOOD TO KNOW

If you dig French macarons (and we do), check out the newly opened Pierre Hermé boutique in their food hall. It’s the only place in the UK you can get your hands on his masterful macaron creations…mmmm…(And Hyde Park is only a few minutes' walk away, in case you want to put together a designer picnic from the macarons and other treats to be found in the hall.)

OTHER LOCATIONS

Birmingham; Manchester

CLOSEST COMPS

Harvey Nichols (London); Fenwick (London)

Read more about Selfridges in The Diary

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to London