Weekend in London - where should I shop?

[Herecomesbod]

Hello fashionable ladies, DH and I are having a weekend in London, a rare treat these days, and I'll have limited shopping time on Saturday (about 5 hours ish).

I love fashion and having dropped all the baby weight and more, can now wear lots of things I never thought of before (skinny jeans - gasp!)

To really make the most of a Saturday in 'the big smoke', can any of you suggest key pieces I should think about buying for A/W and where they can be found?

I know Saturday on Oxford Street is bound to be hell on wheels but am prepared to go for it if you all think it's worth it!

The tube station nearest our hotel is Green Park, so we're really central to most places I think. It's just so long since I've 'done' big posh London that I really want to get the most out of it. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

Westfield is good for shopping (Shepherds Bush).

Oxford Street is utter hell on a Saturday - for me not worth it - but then I thik I am probably older and more feeble than you!!

Zara on Regent Street, the Flagship topshop on Oxford Street ( though full of teenagers on a Saturday) big H&M, Next, 2 M&Ss, all full of stuff you don't see in the provinces!!

You could get tube to Westfields.

what budget do you have in mind?

I wouldn't go to Westfield, I would definitely go to Oxford Street. From Green Park you can walk up Bond Street and window shop! You could then go to Selfridges and the big Primark opposite, also the M&S. Then further down you have Uniqlo, House of Fraser etc. Then cut through Hanover Square to miss the crowds and you have loads of really good shops on Regent Street including Levis, Esprit, Banana Republic etc.

I know it is busy, but it really has the best choice of shops. If I was shopping with the DC'c I would chose Westfield, but would brave Oxford Street if I was not with them. Nice lunch places in Christophers Place too.

Dont go to Westfields - the fashions are quite dull and pricey. I'd brave Oxford Street/Regent Street as you are so close. Depending on budget, Reiss on Regent street has really helpful staf that will bring you loads of things to your dressing room.

Tell us what stores you are looking for. Plenty of viable alternatives to Oxford St, or short distance away if you start there and can't bear it.

Tell us what stores you are looking for. Plenty of viable alternatives to Oxford St, or short distance away if you start there and can't bear it.

Hate Oxford Street and would never go there if I only have half-day of shopping.

I don't find Westfield to be dull or pricey, they have pretty much everything that;s on the high street. Banana is online now, so is Selfridges.

I would go to Westfield, or, if you don't want to be indoors, I would go to Sloane Sq.

Sorry, effing phone constantly double-posts

Sorry, effing phone constantly double-posts

If you want to keep things less hell-ish, go to Selfridges, which really does have something for more or less every budget, and every sort of dressing occasion. There is also a big Reiss, as well as a Jigsaw and a Whistles around St Christophers Place (near the side exit of Selfridgges) which will be less crowded than the ones around Oxford Circus / Regent St. Selfridges stock Sandro on the third floor now, a funky French brand which you don't get everywhere though sadly a bit pricey.

Then, you could nip down Bond St to Fenwicks (more niche designers, and lovely for a browse as it is quite small), through Hannover Sq, and out onto Regent St near Bananna Republic (for classic workwear), Cos (to look like a Danish architect) and Massimo Dutti (for the preppy look). Cos and Massimo Dutti also aren't available online yet either.

Personally though, I would avoid Oxford St itself, especially immediately round Oxford Circus tube.

Oooh, thank you all so much! Sorry for posting and running, am at work and got side-tracked.

Although Westfield sounds good in principle, I'm keen to stay central as we have to be somewhere else by 3.30pm, so I'd be focusing on central shops.

Budget isn't too much of an issue (within reason!) as it's pay day on Friday Style-wise, I'm 38, size 12, curvy hourglass figure, stumpy legs. Like the idea of a leather A-line skirt for example but it would have to be on-the-knee as opposed to a mini IYSWIM.

Some great ideas here - Selfridges sounds good and quite civilised, maybe Sloane Sq for a bit of fresh air and people-watching (!), with some Banana Republic, Reiss etc thrown in.

I did wonder whether anyone would suggest TopShop on Oxford St as it's the flagship store, but it's going to get messy on a Saturday isn't it? Will avoid. Thanks again all.

Ok- advice you may get twice!

There's a Reiss and Banana Republic and more on Long Acre in Covent Garden, well away from market and jugglers etc. Changing rooms will be quieter than Regent St, esp in the morning. Use Leicester Sq tube from Green Park, although only a 15-20 walk. Or top end of Kings Road has a reasonable selection of places.

I agree that you should head for Bond St/Regent St and avoid Oxford St. Regent St really does have a lot of decent shops and some of the streets off there do too (Carnaby St, Argyll St, etc). Or you could hop on the jubilee line to Canary Wharf. It's deserted at the weekend (or it was last time I was there) and there are loads of shops.

FWIW, I wouldn't go near Selfridges on a Saturday!

Neal Street (covent garden) good for shoes, makeup and various trendy jeans places. Also pedestrianised.

Neal Street (covent garden) good for shoes, makeup and various trendy jeans places. Also pedestrianised.

Neal Street (covent garden) good for shoes, makeup and various trendy jeans places. Also pedestrianised.

Selfridges, then on to St Christopher's Place for more independent shops( a side st v close to Selfidges that has good cafes, too), then down South Moulton St to Fenwicks, back up Bond st to House of Fraser, or on to Regent St.

Or go up St Christopher's Place to marylebone High St?

Do you have a Uniqlo where you live? If not go there, on Oxford St.

Do not venture into TopShop!

OR Sloane Sq / peter Jones and down the King's Rd is less crowded than Ox St, IME

I would go to Selfridges. Yes, busy on a Saturday but you don't really have to go anywhere else...vital if you only have a couple of hours.

If you can get to Oxford Street before midday I always find it's okay. Top Shop opens at 9 and most other places open at 10 so if you can get Oxford Street out of the way early then might not be as bad as expected.

Yes - as they open the doors is definitely best!

Why does no-one ever suggest Liberty? I think it's easily the best of the department stores and is more like a very large boutique.

Marylebone High Street is also very nice too. I'll also give another vote for Fenwicks.

I wholeheartedly agree with those who suggest giving Oxford Street a miss, you'll really not be missing anything, afterall, I think if you're in London for a treat, it's best to go to shops you're not going to get at home :

(Liberty is on Great Marlborough St, COS is on one corner of the street and Banana Republic on the other. It's about a 10 minute walk from Green Park)

Yes to Liberty - and you must must must must go to Anthropologie on Regent Street. It is the most gorgeous shop you'll see - beautiful clothes and home stuff. (can you tell I love it?). There's only 2 anthropologie shops in the UK - the other one is on the kings road if you head to sloane square!

Oh yes, I second Liberty. Also a lovely place to get tea and cakes. Anthropologie also within strolling distance.

Oh, yes COS. Cos is fabulous. And Liberty and the streets behind, all around Carnaby St - with Uniqlo in Regent St, too.

Liberty is expensive, though.