STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I've never been ...but enjoy!!!!

I'm from England but haven't lived there since before college (aka a REALLY long time!) but I do go back often. There is a giant TopShop in Oxford Circus, it's often mobbed but I'd really avoid weekends. Also there's an accessories store called Accessorize that should have a ton of stores throughout London, I always find cute, inexpensive jewellery there. Marks and Spencer is a great store for basics and has a couple of capsule collections that have great items. It's terrific for underwear and sleepwear, both basic and more special. I believe their flagship store is in Marble Arch. (They have great premade food too!) Monsoon, Hobbs and Coast have great clothes. You should totally walk around Harrods just for the spectacle (and to see the Diana and Dodi Memorial!) and Harvey Nichols because it will make you feel like you're in "Absolutely Fabulous".

My mother loves Selfridges (another dept store). Just make sure you remember when you look at price tags that you're seeing prices in pounds not in dollars - I'll often see something cute and think "ok, I'd spend $80" on that but in reality it's 80GBP which is more like $125!

The UK has two super crazy cheap clothing stores that people go crazy for, and environmentalists hate because it's such disposable fashion. I haven't shopped there much because there aren't any near my parents' but they might be worth a visit - Primark and Matalan.  Also Anthropologie just opened their first store in the UK last Fall. Apparently the merchandise is specific to the local market so the merchandise there should be different than other stores - I'm dying to go! If I can think of more I'll post again.

Have a fabulous time - I'm totally jealous. I'd love to have a job that sent me back to the UK!



-- Edited by twinkle_star on Monday 8th of February 2010 02:06:47 PM