3 days in London, no kids and my 40th birthday, where to shop?

[Themasterandmargaritas]

This is a once in a 10 year opportunity to shop on my own in the UK, where shall I go?

I need summer work clothes but more importantly I need a party frock.

Personally I love Selfridges (you could do the personal shopper thing), though the rest of Oxford Street is loathsome.

There are lovely shops on Conduit Street and Regent Street. High Street Kensington is good for the high street stuff (and less busy than Oxford Street). There are also really nice places around Kensington, like Harvey Nicks.

I guess it depends if you want to spend squillions or not?

Westfields - is that what used to be sheperds bush roundabout?

I dont want to spend squillions but I do like the idea of a Harvey Nics or a selfridges session, as a sort of grown up treat.

I second Westfield, just because it's a fantastic place to spend some time...loads of different shops and loads of space too, very close to Shepherds Bush tube so dead handy.

Selfridges love.

I might get shot by the fashioistas but I think John Lewis on Oxford Street is pretty good.

Topshop but only for the belts.

No idea who the fashioistas are clearly I meant fashionista

Oxford Street for me....lots of choice (and John Lewis, my fave shop, sad middle-class mummy that I am....).

But hang on, three days with no dcs? Bugger the shopping.....go drink champagne at Harvey Nicks, dahling!

I can never afford to buy anything in there but i just love Liberty, I like to just wander around it and look at everything! It's such a beautiful shop - and Carnaby St pretty trendy again these days with lots of little shops on the little roads leading off it - also not far from Selfridges/Marylebone High St.

And make sure you treat yourself to afternoon tea at one of the posh hotels, or maybe a late breakfast at the Wolesey?

Sounds wonderful - enjoy!

regent st much better than it used to be. Also love Marylebone High St. Selfridges good too.

Second breakfast at the Woseley or Dean Street Townhouse in Soho

I'm going to go against the grain here and say to avoid Westfield. It's a great shopping centre but there's no charisma, loads of kids and babies (mine included) - just not the place I would want to visit on a special break.

May I suggest the following itinerary:
Start at Selfridges, then walk down South Molton Steet (after window shopping at Browns, step into the new Maje store & the Sandro store which both have great affordable pieces). Hang a left up to Bond Street, stopping at Fenwick, then stroll up Bond Street seeing the various high end shops on the way up to Old Bond Street, where you can drool at the window displays at Harry Winston, Tiffany's and the like.

Then jump in a cab to Harvey Nichols. When you're done spending you can walk up Sloane Street and grab lunch at the Botanist at Sloane Square.

One more thing. Can I come please!?

Black swan, could you please recommend a suitable hotel to facilitate this dream shopping ? Not mega bucks please, doesn't need to be cool or boutique . TIA

I would personally go to the Kings Road, Peter Jones at Sloane Sq is great, loads of great shops along there both high end and lower end (LKB, Hobbs, Jigsaw, Oasis, Warehouse, Zara, Reiss, Whistles etc) (and there is Duke of York Sq (great zara there))

you must go to R and P and get fitted with a really decent bra

BlackSwan, I agree - avoid Westfield! There are so many far nicer places to shop. I like your suggested route, in fact can I come too?

Kristina - I live in London so I haven't stayed in a hotel here in years. But I would check out tripadvisor.com for reviews - it's a really helpful site. Also laterooms.com have well priced deals. As you know london accommodation is notoriously overpriced. Best of luck!

LifeInTheSlowLane - let's go!

Thanks

Westfields if the weather is shite.

Nice route Black Swan. I also like the afternoon tea, brunch and cocktails, how fabulous to be able to stay out ALL day.

I'd better get saving.

black swan's itinerary is fab, though I would do it a bit differently start at top of Marylebone High Street walk down. At the end hang a right for v close Selfridges or alternatively hang a left and go down St Christopher's Place. Then cross Oxford Street down S Molton Street and into Fenwick's. Do Bond Street if not too knackered but alternatively now jump in a cab and go to Harvey Nick's/King's Road (check out Anthropologie).

Bliss

Westfield-nooo, not for a special grown up day out, there are some good shops there but apart from being sparkly new and huge you could be in an out of town mall anywhere. Blackswans itinerary sounds fantastic, although challenging timewise, personally once I am in Selfridges I find it very hard to get out, time just seems to fly! Maybe spread the route over two days if you have the same experience! Have a lovely time

Black Swan's itinery is great, but I'm telling you, if it starts pissing down, you won't give a shit that you are not floating along Bond St .

Shop at Westfields (lacks charcater, but fantastic selection of shops, including designer, plus an abundance of clean toilets and places to sit down [grin). A treatment at Spa NK in Westbourne Grove or the Cowshed Spa in Holland Park, drinks/dinner in nearby Notting Hill, or central line it to the west End in 15 mins. Sorted.

Liberty and Anthropologie for me. I'm deeply envious now. Enjoy!

And my hotel recommendation would be Ramada which is definitely neither cool nor boutique but is directly opposite Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park and within easy walking distance of Portobello Road.

It's pretty soulless but it's pleasant enough and I've always found it to be the best price/location compromise.

Ooops! Ramada

I too would avoid Westfield and Oxford Street unless you want to go to Selfridges like the plague.

I would thoroughly recommend on the Kings Road which also has a lovely restaurant and Browns which has a few locations.

South Molton Street has lovely shopping, as does the Kings Road, which has Anthropolgie which has previously been mentioned, as well as a good Whistles, LK Bennet and Zara and if thats more your thing. The new Brora flagship is just behind John Lewis, very close to Jo Malone, White Company and French Sole, which if you wear ballet pumps will be your dream come true.

Have a fab day and happy birthday :o