Knightsbridge
Emma Killick knows London well. And like us, she prefers a map-free, app-free guide to the best shopping in Knightsbridge – from Gucci to Chanel via Harvey Nichols.
Put on your best frock and give your credit card company a warning call: you’re off for a day of shopping in Knightsbridge.
1. Exit Knightsbridge tube station on the London Underground train network and take a gander at the modern buildings in front of you: One Hyde Park is currently the most expensive real estate in the world. At £136 million for the penthouse, I don’t think the people that bought these flats were sitting next to you on the tube, but you may find them in the shops you’re about to visit!
2. Now turn right and cross the street for Harvey Nichols. You’ll feel absolutely fabulous (sorry – it was the mainstay of every Absolutely Fabulous episode!) after you’ve picked up some of their exclusive and up-to-the-minute offerings. And even better if you stop for a drink on the fifth floor – admire the other fashionistas at the bar, café or restaurant.
Harvey Nichols' iconic clock
3. Now, go back on yourself, past the tube and down Brompton Road. You’ll see a ginormous Burberrys across the street on the corner. Pop in for some traditional and timeless gorgeousness.
4. When you’ve had your fill of trenchcoats, get back on Brompton Road and walk for about three more minutes and you’ll hit Harrods. Get past the throngs buying the distinctive green, shamelessly branded items and check out the amazing food hall, toy department and acres of fashion. Don’t miss the windows if you’re there at Christmas.
5. You’re probably looking too fabulous and carrying too many bags to make a quick detour into Hyde Park, so save that for another day and head back to Knightsbridge tube. If your credit card company’s anti-fraud department hasn’t already put a hold on your card, don’t leave the area yet: turn right onto Sloane Street just after the Knightsbridge tube station (and be tempted by the likes of Gucci, La Perla, and Chanel) then continue down the road until you find the tube entrance on the other side of Sloane Square.
Emma Killick is a contributor to The Holiday Goddess Handbag Guide to Paris, London, New York and Rome (HarperCollins). Images Emma Killick and Wikimedia Commons.
This was originally published on Holiday Goddess and has been republished with full permission.
Comments
39 Comments so far
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Ooooh, and I totally forgot one of my favourite day trips – Bicester Village! Awesome bargain shopping. Think DFS, (is that what the bargain chain is called in Melbourne?) but with beautiful brands. Amazing childrensware shopping (White Company, Marie Chantal etc), homeware (Le Creuset etc), midlevel stuff (Emma Bridgewater, Aubin & Wills, North Face, Hobbs, Reiss) more upmarket stuff (Smythson, Anya Hindmarch etc ), also the high end brands like LV, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Celine, Mulberry etc. About an hour out of London. Heaven on a (often much cheaper) stick.
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Sorry, I am not usually one to criticise articles (more a don’t bother reading type), but this a really average guide to shopping in the fashion/shopping mecca heaven that is London. You’d get better in any daggy guidebook. Not so sure about all these Holiday Goddess articles to be honest – haven’t really rocked my boat but haven’t bothered commenting til now.
Some great tips below, also can try TimeOut, they always have good secret London shopping guides, also weebirdy, the Luxe Guides, so many.
My personal favourites are the antique markets (Kempton and Ardingly), wandering the East End (which has gone very Scandi amongst the vintage in recent years weirdly), Westbourne Grove, for a slice of every high st Parisian boutique in one spot, Westfield Sheperds Bush for a hideous but convenient shopping mall, Liberty for the most beautiful department store shopping (seriously, skip Harrods, and I’m not saying that in an I’m so cool and anti-touristy way – have a look at the food hall and move on), Portobello Market is great fun on a Saturday, but expect to eat and people watch and not really buy much, Marylebone is a sweet (if completely gentrified) little shopping strip, hop down to Sth Ken if you want some seriously exey but amazing designer homeware type stuff, wander the Kings Rd to watch the Sloanies at work, check out Cos (upmarket H&M – fab workwear), the new ACNE store, APC shop, Vanessa Bruno shop, drool over ridiculously priced Anya Hindmarch handbags, Uniqlo for ace skinny jeans (free alterations the same day!) and amazing ‘heatech’ undergarments, the Oxford St Topshop and Primark are the best in town (go as soon as they open to avoid the crowds and don’t do a Saturday unless you are very very good in crowds and long till queues), for amazing high-end boutiquey fashion, go to Browns and Matches, Foyles for one of Europe’s biggest and oldest bookshops, Daunt for a couple of London’s smaller and sweeter bookshops, Books for Cooks (Notting Hill) for a cookbook only heaven shop, Jermyn St for lots of mens shirts and ties type places, I adore Fortnum & Mason for its history, beautiful stores and (yes a bit touristy but still pretty) teas and jams, Dover St Market for its avant garde fashion (and check out the Rose Bakery), Borough Market for stunning food (go early to avoid the crowds), Columbia Rd Market on a Sunday morning for amazing flowers, people, and coffees….oh dear, I could go for days..
Oh, and this week – hang around Somerset House for a true slice of fashion – it’s London Fashion Week, and the stars and fashion are AWESOME!
x
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ACNE? What were they thinking with that name?
I miss Columbia Road.
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lol! It’s swedish, stands for something like ‘ambition for novel expression’ – I lust after it (mostly on ebay)…
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Kateinlondon – I haven’t been here long but you are spot on girl! Amazing overview of some of the best shopping this town has to offer! Well done! And you’re right – there’s still more!
Whilst Harrods, Harvey Nicks & Burberry are fabulous they are not always in everyone’s budget. I was so excited about reading this article as I thought it would be about shopping for the everyday person, not those with a high salary.
Thanks again Kate!
)
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Now this a good article on London shopping! Give Kate the job as travel shopper writer.
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Classic – I read this as man free guide to shopping in London, however in all seriousness I do need a man free guide to NYC for when my best friend and I go alone to celebrate her 40th in September this year, any tips would be greatly welcomed.
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Where to start! 5th Avenue is a must for all luxury outlets. Opposite end of the spectrum, the colossal Forever 21 at Times Square. Macy’s is also great for homewares, hello Ralph Lauren towels $20. Also loved Urban Outfitters, GAP for basics and the ZARA on 42nd is fantastic, so so much better than Australia. PS stock up on MAC. NYC is my favourite place in the whole entire world.
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Yes, walk the length of 5th and you’ll come across almost every good chain store. I love Bloomingdales (is it just me or do others call it Bloomies in their head like Rachael from Friends used to?), lots of good brands in one place and they always seem to have discounts going on.
I would also get completely lost in the Village (both sides) just wandering around – awesome little shops everywhere. Williamsburg is also ACE for smaller shops (and great cafes) – be warned that Raybans are compulsory, and generally worn inside also. Luxe guide has some good shopping guides that take you district by district (think they may be available on phone now too?). Some of the shops are OTT, but they’ll generally take you on a good tour of the shopping areas where you can find your own favourites. There is a GOOP app – her restaurant recs (mostly quite expensive although some reasonable) were quite good, shops were a bit more useful if you lived there i think (homewares etc). My favourite two shops for expensive (but not ludicrous Prada style stuff, more J brand, Rag & Bone etc) mixed brands are Intermix and Scoop, there are a few of them dotted around. NYC is the BEST place I could imagine for a girl’s 40th trip – have a BALL!!! x
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Primark is incredibly cheap but as someone has pointed out, it falls apart very quickly. You also have to ask yourself how they can afford to make it so cheaply.
I think this post would have worked better with a less misleading title. It’s not really shopping in London, it’s ‘Get out at Knightsbridge and look at all the Expensive Stuff’.
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I am still wearing my Primark jeans 5 years later- love them! Also have a scarf that has stood the test of time. My 2 pairs of shoes fell apart within months though!
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yep! hence my use of the phrase ‘some styles’
haha the shoes are crap, but my dresses are still going strong. PRIMARK JEANS ARE THE BEST!
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The underwear from Primark is great. I do get what youre saying about price though
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If you have lots of money, that was great. If you’re the other 99%, that wasn’t that good, I’m really sorry!!
How about the markets? Brick Lane, Portobello, Camden Town is great. Covent Garden? Great market, great shops! Carnaby Street (AMAZING!),
Oxford Street has Selfridges and the other big department stores – it kind of goes from Marble Arch to Oxford Circus, and has most of the big stores! plus some cute little ones! Tottenham Court Road is also good! The topshop around Covent Garden is awesome – it feels like you’re in a club sometimes haha
(fun fact- Oxford Street is said to be the busiest shopping street in Europe. it feels that way. Use your elbows.)
Bond Street has lots of luxury stores, but it’s nice to walk along and play ‘if I had 10 million pounds’. Same with some areas around Chelsea etc. Wear your best stuff hehe.
Head to Seven Dials – it’s an area just near Covent Garden, that has lots more independent shops, vintage shops, and shoe store after shoe store and the prices aren’t ridiculous. If you explore around Covent Garden you won’t be disappointed! I remember there was a fantastic vintage store just up and behind Marks and Spencers – I spent a good 50 pounds there! lot of money for me hahahaha.
General shopping, Primark is great, but some styles fall apart quickly. But it’s so insanely cheap who cares! They’re always on trend, you can find some fantastic stuff! cheap underwear and jewellery, I swear half my salary was spent there. H&M has a new range at the moment and it is SOOO cute, I wish it was here. Cheapish clothes, stylish, nice fabrics, favourite shop by far. Zara in the UK is so much better than in Aus. New Look is good, a bit more ‘upmarket’ than Primark (not by much though) and they have the nicest shoes! I love River Island, they fed my maxi skirt/dress and flowing tops phase extremely well. Really lovely stuff, good shoes, GREAT accessories.
Oh, Oxford (as in the uni town) has FANTASTIC shopping. Lots of student specials, and lots of little independent places as well as the big ones! It’s not that far out of London, you can get buses there easily. It’s also incredibly pretty, EVERYBODY GO TO OXFORD.
There is so much more, just explore! My village had some great shopping too, if you head out of London sometimes you can find some real unique gems.
Oh god I miss London so much. A year there was sooo not enough
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Thank you so much – that is a great list of ideas – printing that out
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you’re welcome
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Gosh yes, that was a much more realistic guide. I am printing that out for my upcoming trip
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I so wish I was living back in London too after reading that!
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Having just been to London, spot on. I heart Primark!
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great tips georgiepie
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Hit the nail on the head georgiepie! Nice one!
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We spent up big at Superdry too…love.
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Primark! At the Marble Arch end of Oxford St. Extraordinarily cheap, some looks cheap, but great for stocking up on leggings, hats, layering tops etc. Zara is great and SO much cheaper than the Aussie stores. John Lewis also very good, bit like Myers, sales are great. Ditto for Debenhams. I was there 2 weeks ago and bought everything in the Esprit store as it was about 1/3 of the price it is here. Love Selfridges but it is pricey. Boots the chemist for cosmetics, again, many are 1/3 of the price they are here. Marks and Spencer great for kids wear and business wear (but a bit mumsy for the rest of their range). Next is also fantastic, slight cutting edge fashion and good prices. I could keep going…
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Unfortunately the content of that article did not live up to the heading. However it would be almost impossible to capture the sheer scope, variety and extent of shopping options in one article. London is my absolute fav shopping destination because there is something for every shopping dream. High street? Markets? Vintage? Retro? Department stores? Design? Quirky? It’s all there.
Just quickly, I adore the Spitalfields markets.
I have done a shopping day tbased on India Knight’s fantastic book ‘The Shops’ I recommend it for a great non guidebook guide.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shops-India-Knight/dp/0141011483/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1329542452&sr=8-4
For a more trad guidebook try Time Out’s Londons Best Shops.
On my list to buy is Andrew Whittaker’s ‘Secondhand & Vintage London’
Wish I could jump on a plane now …..
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LOVE THE SPITALFIELDS MARKETS!
(accidental caps, leaving them there because I love them so much they deserve to LOOK EXCITING!)
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That’s an OK guide if you’re rich and after predictable, iconic London – but not so great for affordable and beautiful British clothes. I can’t remember exact locations but my must-see and most missed British stores are:
- Boden
- The White Company
- White Stuff
- Anthropologie (actually American but in London)
- Cath Kidston
- Molton Brown (toiletries)
- Emma Bridgewater (crockery)
All have online stores if you can’t make it to Britain!
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Nnnngggg oh Anthropologie…….
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OBSESSED with The White Company! Love, love, love!
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I enjoyed Fortnum and Mason and teas are easy to bring home as gifts.
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Lucky you! Last time I took an F & M hamper from London to NZ via the US it caused a real headache – US customs took it apart only to tape it all up again, in time for NZ customs to decide to open it up to autoclave the fruit tea in it! Hilarious, considering Twinings must import tonnes of the stuff every year! It was the best wrapped Christmas gift my stepmother ever had.
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Bluewater in Kent is my favourite shopping place when I go to the UK. Yes, it’s a soul sucking shopping centre but I love it. The new Stratford Westfield looks lovely as well.
Harvey Nicks is so much better than tacky Harrods. Selfridges is a day trip all by itself. Love Covent Garden but the last time I was there it seemed to have been overtaken by chain stores. Neals Yard is worth a visit, though.
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I hated Harrods… I only went there because it’s Harrods but honestly, I was revolted by it. It was like a shrine to consumerism. There were baby dresses (like for a one month old) on SALE for 300 pounds. Disgusting. Covent Garden and the West End in general is by FAR the best place in London for shopping. It’s divine!!!
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I though Harrods was daggy- I was disappointed.
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I used to go for the jellybeans – over 40 flavours when I last went. I’m sure J. K. Rowling got her inspiration for her ‘every flavoured beans’ from there …
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How timely! Just this morning I extended my overseas trip to add on 3 weeks in London before I go to USA!
Thanks for the tips.
Is there a chance you could give some more budget friendly shopping tips though? Would love to shop high end but just can’t afford it before NYC.
Thanks!
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H & M if you want fashionable but cheap. New Look is good too, got lots of bargains there. Shopping in London is fantastic at the moment because of our dollar. Things are cheaper over there now.
Harrods is a must just for the escalators and the food hall!!
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the food hall…so good.
go up to the fifth floor (I think) and check out the pet section. You will die of laughter – they were selling bridal dresses for dogs. BRIDAL DRESSES. tiara and everything!!
last time I went there was an opera singer on the side of the third floor escalators. Just casually belting out La Boheme…as you do
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Dorothy Perkins is awesome too!
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Yes! Love DP! Miss them sooooo much since being back in Australia.