Department stores
Selfridges
If you’re after bags, shoes, cosmetics, soft furnishings, books, a foodhall, cafés or even a tattoo, you’ll find it in this amazing one-stop department store (www.selfridges.com/)! There’s an extensive designer clothing section catering for men, women and children, and the Superbrands department includes Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabanna and Alexander McQueen amongst other fashion leaders.
Marks and Spencers
Famous in the UK for providing the basic fashion essentials for any wardrobe i.e cotton t-shirts, jumpers and underwear; M&S (www.marksandspencer.com/) (as the locals call it) also has a designer autograph range if you are looking for something special. The new ‘Per Una’ range has given womenswear in particular a more boutiquey feel with great retro appeal.
John Lewis
This well-established chain of department stores combines high quality with keen pricing. John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com/Default.aspx) stocks nearly half a million products from buttons to beds, cushions to cufflinks. A number of services are on offer, so you can benefit from free advice on furniture, fashion and nursery items, and much more.
Debenhams
This popular department store (www.debenhams.com) stocks affordable ranges from a number of talented British designers such as Jasper Conran, Ben de Lisi, Frost French and Julien Macdonald. There is a large shoe department, extensive lingerie section and a cosmetics hall with all the top beauty brands represented.
House of Fraser
Housing a huge variety of brands, House of Fraser (www.houseoffraser.co.uk/) offers the younger audience high street names such as Miss Sixty and Warehouse, whilst offering the more traditional customers familiar brands such as Austin Reid and Crombie. The store also has a range of homeware products to choose from.
Liberty
Opened in 1875, Liberty (www.liberty.co.uk/) has long been regarded as a traditional store but venturing inside reveals a host of cutting-edge ranges. Innovative womenswear and menswear labels include Vivienne Westwood, Chloé, Martine Sitbon and Dries Van Noten. Extensive accessories, bridal wear and speciality food departments plus an impressive beauty hall are just some of the areas to be discovered.
Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols (www.harveynichols.com) brings together an impressive range of designers from around the world – D&G, John Galliano, Space NK, Burberry and Jimmy Choo are just a few of the labels found here, supplying an elite clientele with fine clothes, accessories, cosmetics, food and shoes.
Harrods
A London icon, Harrods (www.harrods.com) is considered an attraction as well as a world-class store. With over 300 departments on seven floors it’s easy to spend a lot of time (and money) here. The spectacular interior décor is unique; look out for the Egyptian-inspired elements.