London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [197]
Rupert Sanderson.
Designed in London and made in Italy, Sanderson’s elegant shoes have been a huge hit in fashion circles. Ladylike styles, bright colors, smart details, and a penchant for peep toes are signature elements. Prices reflect the impeccable craftsmanship. There’s now a tiny outpost next to Harrods at 2A Hans Road. | 33 Bruton Pl., Mayfair | W1J 6PN | 0207/491–2220 | www.rupertsanderson.com | Closed Sun. | Bond St., Green Park.
ST. JAMES’S
Accessories: Hats
James Lock & Co. Ltd.
Need a silk opera hat, a flat-weave Panama, or a traditional tweed flat cap? James Lock of St. James’s has been making hats from its cozy little shop since 1676, and has dressed the heads of Admiral Lord Nelson, Jackie Onassis, Frank Sinatra, and, recently, hip young musicians and models. | 6 St. James’s St., St. James’s | SW1A 1EF | 020/7930–8884 | www.lockhatters.co.uk | Closed Sun. | Green Park, Piccadilly Circus.
Swaine Adeney Brigg.
This shop has been selling practical supplies for country pursuits since 1750. Not just for the horsey set, the store has golf umbrellas, walking sticks, and hip flasks—all beautifully crafted and ingenious. Or pick up your own Poet Hat, the iconic hat worn by Harrison Ford in every Indiana Jones film, and which the company has been making since the 1890s. On a frosty morning, you shouldn’t be without the umbrella with a slim tipple-holder flask secreted inside the stick. Traditional menswear (tweeds, cashmere sweaters, and Herbert Johnson hats) can be found downstairs. | 54 St. James’s St., St. James’s | SW1A 1JT | 020/7409–7277 | www.swaineadeney.co.uk | Closed Sun. | Green Park.
Beauty
Fodor’s Choice | Floris.
One of the most beautiful shops in London, Floris boasts gleaming glass-and-Spanish-mahogany showcases from the Great Exhibition of 1851. As well as beautifully packaged soaps, bath essences, perfumes, and its famous rose-scented mouthwash, gift possibilities include goose-down powder puffs and cut-glass atomizers. Queen Victoria used to dab her favorite Floris fragrance on her lace handkerchief. True to its origins as a barbershop, Floris makes shaving products as well as scents for both men and women. | 89 Jermyn St., St. James’s | SW1Y 6JH | 0845/702–3239 | www.florislondon.com | Closed Sun. | Piccadilly Circus.
Books
Fodor’s Choice | Hatchards.
This is London’s oldest bookshop, open since 1797 and beloved by writers themselves (customers have included Oscar Wilde, Rudyard Kipling, and Lord Byron) thanks to its cozy, independent character. Independence, however, is a matter of appearance only—Hatchards is owned by the same corporate giant as the omnipresent Waterstone’s chain. Nevertheless, you can revel in its old-fashioned charm while perusing the well-stocked shelves lining the winding stairs. The staff has retained old-fashioned helpfulness, too. | 187 Piccadilly, St. James’s | W1J 9LE | 020/7439–9921 | www.hatchards.co.uk | Piccadilly Circus.
Clothing: Men
Thomas Pink.
The chain still makes some of the most colorful and most stylish dress shirts around for both men and women in fine fabrics such as Sea Island and Egyptian cotton. Bespoke shirts for men are available at the Jermyn Street branch. | 85 Jermyn St., St. James’s | SW1Y 6JD | 020/7930–6364 | Green Park, Piccadilly Circus.
Turnbull & Asser.
This is the custom shirtmaker, dripping exclusivity from every fiber—after all, Prince Charles is a client and James Bond wore the shirts on film. At least 28 separate measurements are taken, and the cloth, woven to their specifications, comes in 1,000 different patterns—the cottons feel as good as silk. The first