Read about London’s best vintage shops

The owners of this boutique are natives of France and sell only things French from Christian Tortu candles to clothes by Barbara Bui, Claudie Pierlot, Sonia Rykiel and Zadig and Voltaire.

More Photos (3)

Bourdon House, a stately Georgian mansion, once home to the Duke of Westminster, has been transformed into the latest flagship of Alfred Dunhill. There’s a lovely central courtyard walled off from the street that you pass through to enter the shop. Polished wooden floors, Oriental carpets and handsome brass columns offset the essentials of the well-dressed man that are sold on the main floor. Upstairs, a museum of the company’s artifacts complements the custom leather and menswear. After having a tailor take his measure, a man can also visit the on-site barber. His “shop” is outfitted with wood paneling, caramel-colored leather barber seats and plasma TVs. The basement boasts a bar and one of the sleekest private cinemas in the city. The boutique may feel like a gentlemen’s club, but it’s the wing next door that actually houses one. Alfred’s, a private members club, features four bedrooms, a stately restaurant and even a chauffeur driven Bentley. Membership is by invitation only.

Enlarge Photo

A mutliple winner of the British Fashion Awards for Glamour, Amanda Wakely has built her fashion house over the past seventeen years with a distinct vision of English elegance that is noted for its clean lines and luxurious fabrics. Her flagship store on Fulham Road, but you can also find her collection at Harvey Nichols and Harrods. Last fall, she introduced a new jewelry line with very beautiful contemporary pieces. Her next step: a line of handbags.

More understated than your average logo are the little black bows that distinguish the bags of Anya Hindmarch. The whole collection as well as the totes that can be customized with your own photos and her wildly popular I’m Not a Plastic Bag can be found in her Chelsea and Notting Hill boutiques.

More Photos (3)

Austique is a high-end boutique with an interesting mix of glam designer labels. Among the lines that they carry are Alannah Hill, Thurley, Lover, Karen Walker and Fleur Wood. They also carry lingerie, perfume and chocolates.

Lady Bamford sells the kind of gorgeous clothes that she herself likes to wear and the beautifully made elegant objects that she chooses to be surrounded by. Quality trumps trend here, where materials and lasting beauty are what matter. In fall, you’ll find seriously seductive fur jackets, cashmere wraps and tony loafers. The spare white space sets off the subtle workmanship of the wares. This is truly a shop not to miss.

More Photos (3)

London’s hippest maternity store (both Gwyneth and Posh shopped here), with exclusive pregnancy pieces by top designers like Diane Von Furstenberg.

Enlarge Photo

An excellent source for refreshingly simple underwear, bathing suits and pajamas in natural fabrics and original styles.

The shops of this Scottish cashmere house burst with gorgeous cashmere in a range of mouth-watering colors and contemporary styles for men, women and children.

Founded by Joan and Sydney Burstein in 1970, Browns is truly a fashion institution in London. It was the first boutique in England to sell designers like Alexander McQueen and John Galliano and has grown from a small shop to an emporium in interconnecting townhouses on South Molton Street. Its outlets now include a bridal gallery, Brown Focus for edgier styles and—its latest addition—a new jewelry section. The chic salespeople serve as personal stylists to many loyal customers around the world. Closed Sunday.

Tip: You can browse at home and buy online at their site.

Enlarge Photo

A girly haven of feminine, flirty fashions. Founded by two self-avowed fashionistas, one of whom hails from Sydney, Coco Ribbon sells labels like Manoush, T-Bags and Rebecca Taylor; shoes from Pedro Garcia and JBrand jeans. The collection runs from lingerie and perfumes to jewelry and furniture, anything that catches a girl’s fancy. Not surprisingly, quite a few Aussie brands made their UK debut here.

The company that supplies leather for Rolls-Royces and Bentley’s brings the same level of elegance and serious craftsmanship to exquisite men’s and women’s wear. Joseph Ettedgui of the Joseph brand is the man behind the sophisticated country look—think of a movie star couple as they would be styled for a drive in the countryside in an old-fashioned convertible and you get the idea. The designs are classic, nothing cutting-edge here, but the materials and attention to detail stand out. Reversible shearling/rabbit coats and suede trenches in dove grey will make you yearn for your own glamorous weekend escape.

Emma Hope’s shoes combine sophistication with wearability. They have a bit more boho flair than their sophisticated brethren Manolo and Jimmy.

Emma Willis, renowned for her skills and fabrics, is one of the few female tailors. She also has a small women’s shirt collection, bespoke and hand-finished.

Another one of the country’s historic department stores, this five-story emporium on New Bond Street has become renowned for showcasing hot new design talents at reasonable prices. Good spot to pick up the season’s look at a semi-disposable price.

More Photos (3)

Gieves & Hawkes has occupied the prized No.1 Savile Row address for over ninety years and as such is known for dressing impeccably turned out men of taste. The exemplary custom tailoring combines classic craftsmanship with design-led collections.

Sells the hazardously high shoes coveted by London’s party girls. It’s long been known as one of Madonna’s favorite sources for stilettos.

More Photos (2)

Globe-Trotter has a stunning flagship store and bespoke service in the Burlington Arcade in Mayfair. Designed by a Japanese architect, the sleek shop showcases the brand’s signature handmade trunks, including the canvas Safari collections, the royal blue leather Cruise line as well as limited edition designs, which date back to 1897. Clients can choose from a selection of colors, shapes and sizes, with Liberty patterns for the lining of the suitcase and even a matching lined Mackintosh coat if they with to coordinate. Bespoke service by appointment only.

More Photos (4)

In this lovely boutique off of Sloane Street, former banker Gwendolyn Carrié showcases her collectible shoes. Over the past few years, stylish women from Tokyo to Los Angeles have discovered her limited edition pumps and sandals in exclusive boutiques but now those with footwear fetishes can visit her first shop to browse a broader range. Most of the fanciful creations are fashioned out of fish skin and made by hand by craftsmen in Turkey who never make more than a dozen or so of each design. Bespoke orders can be placed here and products are available from her website.

Read a profile of Gwendolyn Carrié in Style.

Read about Carrie’s favorite London spots.

Harrods is an old-fashioned grande dame of a department store that will satisfy most shopaholic tendancies.

More Photos (2)

Harvey Nics is sleek, buzzy, trendy and definitely more fashion savvy than Harrods. Modern ladies-who-lunch enjoy the organic juice bar and cheap noodles from Wagamamma in the basement, as well as the chic Fifth Floor restaurant.

A year-round summer holiday shop with the most flattering bikinis and pretty kaftans.

Many social x-rays swear that no one’s pants fit better than designer Joseph Ettedgui who sells his own label along with those of others in his series of boutiques for men and women.

A treasure trove of designer clothing put together with great flair by the owner who mixes vintage jewelry with costume and trendy accessories with classic contemporary pieces to create an inspirational shopper’s paradise that is favored by serious fashionistas from around the world. Some of whom will even have pieces shipped foreign FedEx for special events.

Luxurious nightwear in old-fashioned styles. The linen and cotton styles come in a wonderful palette of colors and stripes.

More Photos (2)

Housed in a landmark Tudor mansion, Liberty is an English institution that remains appealing more than a century after its founding by Arthur Lasenby Liberty. The famous prints can be bought by the yard or in home furnishings. The store itself with its beamed ceilings and carved wooden staircases exudes an off-the-beaten track charm. There are Womenswear, Menswear, Kitchen & Dining sections as well as loads of gift items and a bespoke tailoring department.

Update: A new Sloane Street outpost of the legendary department store off Regent Street provides only a glimpse of what is on offer at the flagship but it does so in a very appealing way. The new boutique was designed by Architecture & Associés with lots of riffs on the brand’s history such as dressing rooms meant to evoke the golden days of train travel and ceilings with stucco flower garlands. What the old-fashioned details do, though, is underscore how contemporary Liberty’s new collections are. Eye-popping, almost psychedelic silk scarves and silk dresses that are more va-va-voom than Victorian will inspire you to buy or to head over to the main store to explore the full range and see why Liberty represents London chic for the 21st century.

Update: Since its major relaunch last spring, Liberty has become the place to shop in London. On my recent stroll, I was tempted by the limited-edition beach towels, designed by contemporary artists Ed Ruscha, Jeff Koons, Alex Katz and Karen Kilimnick. In women’s fashion I loved the “Kiku” range of vintage sari fabrics made into lovely coats, each unique (and part of the proceeds going to Indian orphanages). Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Woods has designed a collection of wild t-shirts, dresses, scarves and wallets for this bohemian retailer. I couldn’t imagine the rockers’ artistry anywhere else. And The Tea Room is the perfect respite with its lovely painted walls, pretty china and youthful clientele, not to mention scrumptious cucumber sandwiches, cupcakes and wide assortment of teas. ~ELENA BOWES

Known for her bathing suits and beach cover ups, Liza Bruce has brought great exotic flair to beachy dressing with her extravagant caftans. Her shop sells the brightly printed flowing tunics along with dramatic hats, jewelry and a new line of cashmere accessories.

Enlarge Photo

For those who believe that a lady’s handbag is not an after-thought but a personal statement and can be at once feminine and quirky. Her latest project: a jewelry collection.

Called a secret weapon of the well-dressed women, the clothing of is elegant and understated in the way of true couture constructionists like Ralph Rucci. Madeleine Her immaculate, minimalist pieces radiate urban cool and attract fans like Gwyenth Paltrow, Dido, Helena Bonham Carter and Jasmine Guinness.

More Photos (2)

In New York they have Jeffrey’s and in London the lazy but super stylish have Matches, where you can find the trendiest pieces by the designers of the momentall under one roof. In almost two decades, Matches has burgeoned from one shop to eleven around London. Among their constant favorites: Catherine Malandrino, Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalain, Martin Margiela, Stella McCartney and Temperley.

Many fashionable London ladies consider Mimi their own personal shopper. With her well-edited collection of designers and stylish shop assistants, Mimi has created a boutique that has been compared to the ultimate closet. High-end labels that you will find here include Missoni, Michael Kors, Mayle and Matthew Williamson.

More Photos (3)

Nicole Farhi is a British designer famous for her classic, comfortable clothing. Her shop also carries her spare but lovely home collection.

Nigerian-born Duro Olowu, 2005’s New Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, just opened this store that carries his fabulous offbeat clothes as well as colorful fabrics, African prints and Turkish rugs. By appointment only.

A new shoe star in the making, Olivia Morris is known for her unique heels with quirky detailing. Picture strappy sandals in candy colors and sexy pumps with patent leather detailing and you get the idea.

Enlarge Photo

Another vintage shop that is said to have been the inspiration for retro collections seen recently on the runways of New York and Paris. The owner makes a virtue out of cool vintage clothes.

A French line that is a favorite with many of the set that regularly prowls Sloane Street and Notting Hill for the latest Continental look. This shop carries the casual cool pieces that go well with jeans and right out to dinner, effortless chic. You may bump into models like Kate Moss and Laura Bailey or former model Cameron Diaz who love the flirty fashions.

More Photos (2)

Sir Paul brings a quirky spin to classic British tailoring. Colors are confident, patterns eye-catching. His shops are equally stylish and fun with overstuffed club chairs and eclectic art on the walls, giving them the air of an eccentric, uncle’s home.

More Photos (3)

With its rainbow displays of leather goods in dozens of colors, this shop, whose main branch is tucked in the Burlington Arcade, offers a seductive array of gorgeous accessories and handmade leather luggage. And if you don’t find exactly what you want, they will custom make a bag with compartments designed to your wishes or copy a favorite bag or briefcase in any color or leather of your choice. The leather gloves lined in cashmere make great gifts as do the passport sleeves, photo albums and travel clocks.

The flagship of the cult label founded by a couple from the Isle of Man, Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi, carries their romantic Victoriana looks. The sexy women’s line has been given a higher profile by young leading ladies such as Sienna Miller, Kristen Dunst and Scarlett Johansson.

Enlarge Photo

For modern tailoring head to Richard James, beloved by Tom Cruise and Elton John.

Selfridges known as one of the less high-end department stores but it is bright, modern and fun, and in the same way that Gap mixes with Chanel, so does Selfridges basics mix with Burberry.

Skins makes a virtue out of cool vintage clothes. Young and trendy, we’re talking retro streetwear rather than Pucci. There are PussyCat tracksuits and historic sneakers by Puma.

A vintage clothes hot house founded by two American siblings that spans the 1940’s to the 1980’s, selling everything from punk leather jackets worthy of Mick Jagger to preserved pieces from Pucci. John Galliano pops in for inspiration, and supposedly, Kate Moss is a regular shopper.

This has swiftly become a cult boutique despite its rather small space. The boutique is beloved for its cute children’s clothing, unusual designer pieces and scented candles, but not always for the staff who can be unwelcoming to non-regulars.

More Photos (4)

Turnbull and Asser produces sharp shirts cut from 400 fabrics and worn by the likes of Prince Charles and Al Pacino.

Stocks wonderful vintage clothing – lots of frills and lace—in a boudoir setting.

Enlarge Photo

The rocker Brit look owes a lot to the grande dame of King’s Road. Vivienne Westwood opened her first shop in the ‘70s, selling leather jackets with zippers and chains. The Sex Pistols wore her duds at their punk debut. In the years since then, she’s embraced tweeds and shoulder pads, lace and taffeta. At her iconic boutique, high drama meets outrageous tailoring. It’s fun to look even if you don’t buy.

The original shop on the Fulham Road didn’t require membership but its locked door was often opened only at the whim of the sales team. A more open-door policy exists at its new outpost but it still takes a woman of confidence to pull off its bohemian-aristo designs with flaired sleeves and pantlegs in velvet and lots of Swarovski crystals.