Shopping in London
 

Hi

If we wished to see the most elegant shops and window displays in London (window shopping only) where should we go?

Thanks

I don't think window dressing is a great British artform.

Offhand, I'd say only Harrods and Fortnum and Mason take it really seriously in a way most of us can relate to: Selfridges and Harvey Nichols also put a lot of effort into it - but to make the stores seem cutting-edgey, and "elegance" isn't always the first thing that would come to mind.

And that's about it. Bond Street (including New Bond Street) has just about the heaviest concentration of different fashion brands anywhere, and they all put their stuff in the window. But it's there just to show the clothes off, and "elegance" isn't the thing these days.

Some people find the windows in the main arcade (Burlington, the Picadilly Arcade opposite it andthe Royal OPera Arcade in Pall Mall) pleasant. But again, they just show the merchandise off.

We don't really do elegance any more. So nineteenth century.

Hi,

Thanks for the details. One more question - I was looking up the opening hours for Harrods, Harvey Nichols etc. Thay have 8 pm as the closing time on weekdays. Is this the norm for most of the shops? Also, do shops close sooner in winter months (I will be travelling in Nov)?

Thanks

No & no

Most shops will close at 6:00pm on weekdays & Saturdays. On Sundays & Public Holidays 5:00pm is more likely except for Easter Sunday & Christmas Day when they aren't even allowed to open. MANY stores will have one night when they open later.

Note this doesn't apply to shops around Piccadilly Circus or American book chains

Why do you think shops might close earlier in winter?

Apart from the fact that there are obviously more people about at a time of the year everyone's back from their houses in the Dordogne or Florida (not to mention the waves of tourists during the All Saints weekend), surely November's an almost-peak time for Christmas shopping everywhere? Or is that just a British oddity?

Most large shops in London do stay open till 8 during the week, and the only American bookstore chain is up for sale. Most interesting smaller shops (and to be honest, our small shops tend to be a lot more quirky and interesting) will close around 6.