Global flagships, distinguished Savile Row tailors, centuries-old jewellers and quirky concept stores; there are plenty of places to flex the credit card in London
From Burberry and Mulberry to Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney, the United Kingdom is home to some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands, and their flagship boutiques in London remain a big draw for wealthy shoppers.
More creative retail offerings include The Village in Chelsea, a development dreamed up by English fashion accessory designer Anya Hindmarch that features four permanent stores, a cafe and rotating concepts, including the Ice Cream Project in the summer and Anya’s Grotto at Christmas. Concept stores such as Notting Hill’s Couverture & The Garbstore, meanwhile, are the place to pick up independent homeware, accessories and ready-to-wear brands, such as British contemporary womenswear label Sideline (we love their embroidered dresses and wide-legged trousers).
You can’t say you’ve shopped in the capital without stepping over the threshold of the beautifully turned-out boutiques on Bond Street, where London’s iconic red double-decker buses zoom past rows of grand Georgian buildings and some of the city’s most upscale retail offerings are situated.
Swing by the two-story Burberry global flagship – a new VIP area opened last summer where overhead lighting replicates the iconic Burberry check – and look out for the limited-edition scarf and trench coat collection recently produced in partnership with King Charles’ residence, Highgrove.
Alternatively, pick up a Falabella, the original vegan tote bag at Stella McCartney’s flagship store, which plays unreleased tracks from McCartney’s rockstar dad through custom-built speakers. On the lookout for something sparkly? Admire the jewels and jadeite on display at iconic British luxury brand Asprey, which first opened its doors on Bond Street back in the 1830s; you can also shop for items like King Charles II Coronation tumblers, hip flasks and cocktail shakers here.
A who’s who of Brit brands, on Regent Street you’ll find Barbour, Church’s Shoes, Liberty, Laird Hatters and beauty brand Jo Malone’s flagship store, where you can stock up on scents and candles. Over on Oxford Street, get your Brit fix by swinging by Selfridges – British womenswear brand Rixo opened its largest-ever shop-in-a-shop here earlier this year – and high street fashion icon Reiss, a favourite of the Princess of Wales.
An established British brand in itself, at department store Harrods in Knightsbridge, you’ll find Aspinal of London, Dunhill, John Lobb and lesser-known Brit brands like Desmond & Dempsey (luxury sleepwear) and Emma Lewisham (natural skincare). Watch lovers, meanwhile, should drop in at Seven Dials in Covent Garden, a septet of cobbled streets lined with restaurants and boutiques; there’s a Fred Perry here while British watch winder firm Wolf has chosen to host its first-ever pop-up to commemorate its 190th anniversary. In addition to watch winders, the store stocks chic watch rolls and travel pouches.
Tailors started doing business on Savile Row in the 1800s, and it’s still the place to purchase a suit that’s built to last. It may be less than 300m long, but it features some of the biggest names in British formalwear, including Ozwald Boateng, Dege & Skinner and Henry Poole. One of the newer brands here (it was established in 2006) is Fielding & Nicholson: in-house cutter Raymond Chung has created suits for members of the royal family. In addition to formal wear, they offer custom-made shirts, polos and tailored jeans.
Following the opening of the Peninsula London in Belgravia, it’s worth dropping by the hotel’s ground-floor retail arcade, which features nine boutiques including one from jewellery maker David M Robinson, which offers diamond cut tennis bracelets and rose gold diamond rings alongside pre-owned Pateks and Rolexes. Once you’ve had your shopping fix, savour a quintessentially British afternoon tea – including roast beef sandwiches and scones with lemon curd paired with Cambridge 1928 gin and tonics – and admire your purchases.