Zipter

I will be travelling to London soon with my teenage daughter (13) - and she is interest in shopping. She is more into punk (although more on the mild side), and things a bit more unusual in jewelry and accessories. Any ideas? I was also planning on taking her to some of the markets - which are the best to hit? Also, any general travel tips or ideas would be great! Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.

wilees

I would suggest Camden Market.

Mildred

A second for Camden for Mom and daughter. This area gets alot of negative responses from some on this site but I enjoyed the building facades, the jewelry, scarves , hand bags and just seeing the mix of ages and styles. I'm no kid but had no problem buying some little treasures.

Consider also Portobello Road on the market days. Lots of items for purchase at little price and nice boutique like stores.

Look into Spitalfields also.

I had a great time at all the markets but had to be there over 2 weekends to get to all of them.

Got most of my initial info on this site with a search of past replies.

flanner2

Don't ignore straightforward High Street chains: Top Shop, Oasis, Monsoon, New Look and Miss Selfridge get street-look clothes into their shops much faster than their US equivalents. H+M is a bit more international, but still sharp, and Etam is going through a serious management change and might well be very sharp by the time you get here.

shirley82

I would definitely second recommendations to Top Shop and Portobello Road. I got a great pin on Portobello that I'm constantly getting complements on, and there was a hat at Top Shop that I'm still kicking myself for passing up.

Also, check out a chain from Spain called Mango. I live in NY and we don't have it here yet, so I'm pretty sure it's not in the States...yet. It's along the same lines as H&M, so she should find lots of fun things in there.

victoria_reynolds

Our girls who were 13 & 16 enjoyed lot of these recommendations; we happened to hit some great sales or they would have had trouble buying much in the High Street shops. They also enjoyed Urban Outfitters & Lush (which we have here) and Karen Millen (?). The Born to Shop series helped pinpoint shops for teenagers.

As far as Camden Market, please consider going early....it gets crowded and we heard saw special warnings about pickpockets there around the Tube there. We did go there and the girls found some things; it also had an element of punk and an undercurrent of edginess. Do accompany her.

luckykat

If you visit my web site and do a search on 'london shop' you will find all of my personal London shopping reviews including Spitalfields market, which is an excellent suggestion and lots of unique places around covent garden and cental London.

Enjoy, the shopping is fantastic!

http://www.lostmyguidebook.com

mcwedding

my husband is in the music biz and his friends tell him the best shopping for the description of what your daughter is into is in Covent Garden. Carnaby street in particular has a lot of cool, punk, trendy shops.

Zipter

These suggestions are all great - thanks to you all!! My daughter and I are writing them down as fast as they come.

Zipter

I also had a question about a cell phone while over there - is it better to get a SIM card for my US phone, or should I just get a pay-as you go phone over there?

shirley82

I have Cingular and had no problems using my US phone there. Just had to call and activate my phone for international use before I left the states. Might want to check with your provider. Dunno how it works for other companies.

risab

I would also chime in for the market stalls at Covent Garden. Some very unique things (but I was there a few years ago). I am sure the other recommendations will be great, too.

Kate

My nieces LOVE shopping in London. Their favourite places are:

Covent Garden - specifically Neal Street rather than the touristy main market area (come out of the tube, turn left, cross the road and there you are). Here you'll find Urban Outfitters, and any number of quirky shops.

Carnaby Street - if only because it was the home of swinging London in the 60s, and still has some weird and wonderful stores.

Camden Market. Personally I hate this place, but a 13 year old into punky stuff will have died and gone to heaven. It's the only place in London you can still see people with mohican haircuts - it's like a punk time warp. It's crowded though and pretty edgy - those dodgy blokes you see hanging round the tube station ARE selling drugs.

Portobello Road - like a toned down version of Camden. she'll love it.