Buy This: Shopping London

Distinctive, personal shops worth a detour

I’m returning to your inbox this Monday morning with another round-up from good ole’ London Town. Today I wanted to venture into shopping. As with any major destination, London has all the heavy-hitters. The big brands. The “high street” offerings you’d see in any another major city. They’ve also got some truly remarkable department stores on par with some of the best in Paris or Tokyo.

At the end of the day, these are just a repackaging of most brands you’re already familiar with. For my dollar, I’m not flying to London to see the same things I might see in New York City. I’d suggest you dig into the more distinctive, specialty shops that England does so well. Getting into the side streets, seeking out these personality fueled businesses will yield a more insightful, engaging experience that tells you just as much about London as a walk through the V&A.

Herewith I present my favorite shops to add to your London itinerary: