Shopping in London is one of the joys of life. The capital has so much to offer, your wallet will most definitely take a hit, but you’ll have a grand ol’time of it and won’t mind one bit.
Londoners can be found all over the city handing over their hard-earned cash for any number of wonderful goods, be it the latest fashion, vintage finds, food or weird trinkets they’ll probably never use but really need-right-now.
But have you noticed how shopping in London seem to only consists of an afternoon walking up and down Oxford Street for visitors? Some tourists don’t know where to shop in London, heading to Primark, Zara and H&M and calling it quits.
If you haven’t spent all your cash shopping in Central London and actually want to do London shopping right, fear not. We’ve got the nitty-gritty on all the things nobody told you but you should really know about shopping in London now that you’re allowed back in the country.
1. Not all London areas were created equal
London is massive. That’s probably the understatement of the year but it needs repeating: London is big.
Shopping in London means very little, because not all London areas have been created equal when it comes to consumerism.
Are you shopping in Knightsbridge or in Hampstead? Portobello or Brixton? Camden or Shoreditch?
Whether you’re north, south, east or west, London has something for you. Everywhere has its own distinctive feel, and its own distinctive shops.
You wouldn’t be looking for alt garbs around Harrods and don’t look for anything particularly unique on Oxford Street. In the same vein, if designers are all you’re interested in, Brixton may not be the place for you.
2. Oxford Street isn’t all that
Shopping in London as a visitor is very much an Oxford Street affair. It’s packed with people, all trying to buy things they didn’t need to come to London to find. We’re pretty sure there’s a Zara near you, wherever you live.
While Oxford Street is great for high street brands, it’s also not proper London shopping.
If you don’t have the time or energy to head too far afield, try walking south into Soho or Covent Garden and Neal’s Yard, or north into Fitzrovia. It’s always worth getting off the beaten track, and that definitely applies to Oxford Street.
3. There are some things you can only get in London
London is a big city, and shoppers can get virtually anything they want.
Fancy pretending you’re in Korea? Yep, you can buy all your Korean brands in London. Want French cheeses? You can find it in London.
However, while London will provide you with everything you can buy elsewhere, it’s also got things you can only buy in the city.
If you like history, go all out with a James Smith & Sons’ umbrella or a hat from Lock & Co.
Give the city’s free museums some love (and thanks) for providing you with a fantastic rainy afternoon activity and all the knowledge by buying something from their shops.
Or buy something from one of the London designers who hasn’t made it big yet.
A good place to look is the UAL not just a shop on High Holborn. The University shop offers goodies from its students and alumni. That’s the old University of Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Rankin, Quentin Blake… you know what, there are just too many to list.
Alternatively, look out for vintage or current sub-cultures goodies. Virtually every major cultural movement of the last century started in London, you’re bound to find some remnants if you look hard enough.
4. London markets are the best place to shop
Harrods is great and all, but most Londoners would probably rather go to Portobello Road or Old Spitalfields instead.
Is you want a truly great London shopping experience, you can’t beat the markets.
Camden and Covent Garden are as touristy as it gets, but still fun to look around.
For some real gems, go to Borough, Columbia Road, Broadway, Greenwich, Brixton, Portobello or Brick Lane instead.
5. Bargains, bargains everywhere
Shopping in London doesn’t have to lead to poverty.
Yes, a lot of shopping can be done, but it’s also a bargain hunter’s haven.
One of the worst kept secrets of London is the Burberry Outlet Store in East London. It’s on Chatham Place in Hackney, in case you didn’t know, and you can’t go wrong with just popping in to look.
London is also one of the best places in the world for second-hand and vintage. From the designer garbs of the rich and famous at Chelsea’s British Red Cross to the vintage treasure trove that is Traid in Brixton, shopping in London is a massive playground for the treasure- and bargain- hunters.
Sarah Kante
