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Original poster

day in London clothes shopping with daughter (18) but also need choice for me , where to head?

35 replies

jenthehen · 13/04/2022 15:25

Having a day out in London and want to actually purchase some everyday outfits and rather than wandering aimlessly would like to focus on a couple of areas where we could both find a good choice of shops to suit our needs. Not looking for designer but want to feel that we're in London rather than a shopping presinct....contemplating Covent garden and King's Rd? Would there be better options for us?

OP posts:
Floisme · 13/04/2022 17:29

I've not been in London for a while but last time I was there the Spitalfields / Brick Lane neighbourhood had a mix of mainstream (e.g. Cos, Uniqlo,
& Other Stories and I think All Saints,) and alternative / independent stores plus plenty of second hand.

PartyPCN · 13/04/2022 17:30

How old are you both and what kind of stuff are you looking for?

Floisme · 13/04/2022 17:30

And I've had Coal Drops Yard (near St Pancras Station I think) recommended by a number of people although I've not been.

Ginajo · 13/04/2022 17:32

I would say that Soho is a good option. Good shops on Regent St and more boutique type shops around Carnaby St. For you there is & Other Stories, Arket and various other options.
Close enough to Covent Garden to go there as well.

Twizbe · 13/04/2022 17:41

Oxford street is the obvious place to go. Massive John Lewis as well as other more 'trendy' shops.

Other than that either of the westfields

Original poster
jenthehen · 13/04/2022 17:44

Thanks for the info, I’m 50 and my daughter is 18. There are some really useful answers here. We do visit London but not often enough to be really familiar. Cos and Uniqlo would definitely be the resort of shops I’d be interested in.

OP posts:
BlanketsBanned · 13/04/2022 17:48

Regent street might be a good place, there is a massive uniqlo opposite clothes shops your ds would like.

Mercurial123 · 13/04/2022 17:48

Kensington High Street and then walk to Notting Hill/Portobello Road. Friday is good for the vintage stuff in Portobello Market and lunch at Notting Hill.

cabansunset · 13/04/2022 17:50

Definitely Oxford street and Carnaby street (head to Kingsley court off carnaby street for lunch) or the rooftop restaurant at John Lewis in Oxford street.

PartyPCN · 13/04/2022 17:50

In that case I would say @Ginajo's suggestion would be the best fit for you both.

The pp is right that there are extensive vintage places in Shoreditch if that's your DD's style. But otherwise Soho/Regent Street should work for you both. Lots of nice places for lunch round there such as Dishmoon or Sketch.

Coal Drops Yard is nice but quite small @Floisme and more of a gifty place with lunch - if that makes sense.

saggyhairyass · 13/04/2022 17:53

As a London resident I'd say avoid Oxford Street. It's generally not a nice vibe, a bit smelly, grubby and pickpocket central.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/04/2022 17:58

Coal Drops Yard area is a lovely place to visit, but not many actual shops. There's a Paul Smith, a nice but very small charity shop, Wolf and Badger (fun to browse but not much that normal people could afford it have much call to wear) and I think there was a Cos last time I was there. Jigsaw, Other Stories and Space NK nearby. Dishoom and the excellent Spiritland for drinks, amongst many others.

Personally I'd send dd to Oxford Street then make her come and meet me in Liberty a couple of hours later.

actiongirl1978 · 13/04/2022 18:02

Regent St or covent garden. They both have Cos, Zara, other stories. Covent garden a bit more fun if you don't normally go to London.

Also if you want a glass of wine and the queue is massive, some of the outdoor bars will sell you a takeaway wine in a plastic glass and you can sit on a wall and watch the ents.

Original poster
jenthehen · 13/04/2022 18:03

This info is great, I’d googled and done Tripadvisor for ages this morning and you guys have answered my queries SO much better. Thank you everyone.

OP posts:
Pinkcadillac · 13/04/2022 21:21

If you go to Covent Garden and have time for lunch or cake, I can recommend lillys-cafe.com. It is amazing.

HelloDulling · 13/04/2022 21:30

In Covent Garden, Neal St and the roads off it have some great shops for your DD.

From there you can walk to Regent St through Soho-Carnaby St area also good for DD-in 15/20 mins. When on Regent St, you will have Anthropology, Uniqlo, Cos, &Other Stories. The H&M on Regent St is nice too. Then nip up to Ox Circus for Arket and the lovely Zara opposite John Lewis. JL itself has some great brands, and a nice cup of tea.

Jewel1968 · 13/04/2022 21:42

If you do walk from Covent Garden, Regent Street to Oxford Street then use back streets. The main streets will be very very busy so don't be afraid to dip off into the back streets and you never know what treasures you will find.

Milomonster · 13/04/2022 21:45

I’d say Regent Street. King’s Road is quite boring, and resembles any other high street - you’ll find the same shops on Regent’s Street. Take a walk down Marylebone Lane - close to Regent Street. Oxford St is pretty shit right now - loads of American Candy shops. Might be worth a trip to Selfridges though. Covent Garden is lovely for the experience, and you may find interesting boutiques.

aramox1 · 13/04/2022 22:04

People saying Oxford St is busy have you been there recently? It's dead. And the street feels grim. Covent garden etc much better, sadly.

milcal · 13/04/2022 22:09

Regents street and carnaby street were both good for shops when we were there. Oxford street was good but very busy.

Floisme · 13/04/2022 22:31

Ah thanks for the Coal Drops Yard intel PartyPCN and Remus - I'm hoping to be in London in a couple of weeks but only for a short trip so I'll probably give it a miss. Thanks for starting this thread op, it's useful for me too.

What's Marylebone like now? I used to enjoy it for a bit of genteel shopping and cake: from memory, Toast, Me and Em, Brora, some great charity shops and The Wallace Collection. But there might not be much there for a teenager?

MarmiteCoriander · 13/04/2022 22:48

If you decide on Bricklane in the East, note that Sunday there is a street market also and Columbia flower markets nearby- so will be incredibly busy. Most shops and some markets are open on Sat also, but sunday is the street markets also. The street market has a mix of bric-a-brac 2nd hand, and the Up Markets have more bespoke hand made items- bags, jewellery, art and clothes. Still a great day out, but the vintage shops will also be very busy those days.

The vintage shops around there can be expensive- even by London standards, and far from your bog standard, local charity shop. The range and quality can be better though. Here is one of the largest which is just off bricklane along cheshire st:
www.beyondretro.com/pages/store-locator-brick-lane

www.sundayupmarket.co.uk/cgi-bin/web/v2/index.pl

Nearby, closer to Liverpool st station, is Spitalfield markets.

www.spitalfields.co.uk/market/

All the above can be done from Liverpool st station or Shoreditch overground. IF you do go on a Sunday, I recommend going early 8-9am at the latest as it gets very busy- esp the flowers markets.

Original poster
jenthehen · 13/04/2022 23:03

Thanks for the cafe recommendation too.It does sound fabulous.

OP posts:
worriedaboutmoney2022 · 13/04/2022 23:07

It's a shame the huge top shop flagship has closed down I used to love that!

Floisme · 14/04/2022 07:46

18 year-old me would have loved the indoor vintage market in the Truman Brewery (Brick Lane). You'd have never got me out of there. I think that's open all week, isn't it