London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [195]
Clothing: Menswear
Gieves and Hawkes.
One of the grandest of grand old names for London bespoke tailoring; this company made its name outfitting Britain’s Royal Military officers and still supplies bespoke military uniforms. Prices for a bespoke suit start around £3,600, or choose an off-the-peg design starting at around £600. | 1 Savile Row, Mayfair | W1S 3JR | 020/7434–2001 | www.gievesandhawkes.com | Piccadilly Circus.
Ozwald Boateng.
Ozwald Boateng’s (pronouned Bwa-teng) is one of the funkiest tailors working on Savile Row these days. His made-to-measure suits in eye-popping colors (even the more conservative suits sport bright silk linings), luxurious fabrics, and leading-edge styling have been worn by rock and club-land luminaries including Jamie Foxx, Mick Jagger, and Laurence Fishburne. | 30 Savile Row, Mayfair | W1S 3PQ | 020/7440–5231 | www.ozwaldboateng.co.uk | Closed Sun. | Piccadilly Circus.
Clothing: Women’s Wear
Browns.
This shop—actually a series of small shops on South Molton Street—was a pioneer designer boutique in the 1970s and continues to talent-spot the newest and best around. You may find the windows showcasing the work of top graduates from this year’s student shows or displaying well-established designers such as Marni, Chloé, Alexander McQueen, YSL, Dries Van Noten, or Temperley. The men’s store at No. 23 has a similar selection, whereas Browns Focus, across the street at Nos. 38–39, showcases young, hip designs, and denim. Browns also has its own label, a bargain outlet at No. 50, and a designer bridal boutique at 11–12 Hinde Street. There is also a smaller boutique at 6C Sloane Street, and another at 59 Book Street, off New Bond Street, which solely sells shoes. | 24–27 South Molton St., Mayfair | W1K 5RD | 020/7514–0000 | www.brownsfashion.com | Closed Sun. | Bond St.
b Store.
Some people regard b Store as the best little clothing boutique in London. At the end of Savile Row, b Store couldn’t be farther away in terms of style from the traditional tailors down the street. Head here for cutting-edge pieces from avant-garde designers such as Diana Brinks and Ute Ploeir, plus the store’s quirky own-label shoes. | 24A Savile Row, Mayfair | W1S 3PR | 020/7734–6846 | www.bstorelondon.com | Closed Sun. | Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus.
Fenwick.
A haven of realistically priced fashion, Fenwick is found in a shopping area where most things cost the earth. Five floors of chic clothes and accessories for men and women, lingerie, and home furnishings highlight lesser known and emerging designers from all over Europe. | 163 New Bond St., Mayfair | W1S 2UB | 020/7629–9161 | www.fenwick.co.uk | Bond St.
Nicole Farhi.
Busy women willing to invest in quality greatly value Nicole Farhi’s softly tailored yet functional dresses and separates. The style manages to be contemporary yet timeless, making these standbys in many a working woman’s wardrobe. Of the numerous locations, the New Bond Street store sells clothes for both men and women, but the full men’s collection is available at the Floral Street branch. | 158 New Bond St., Mayfair | W1S 2UB | 020/7499–8368 | www.nicolefarhi.com | Bond St.
Vivienne Westwood.
This is where it all started: the pompadour-punk ball gowns, Lady Hamilton vest coats, and foppish landmark getups are the core of Westwood’s first boutique in Chelsea, where you can still buy ready-to-wear (mainly the more casual Anglomania diffusion line and exclusive Worlds End label based on the archives) under the spinning clock. The designer still represents the apex of high-style