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Click here for Sprezza’s Where to shop in London part 2 (brands and home goods)

Where do we begin?

How does one condense the nuance of a global city like London and its fashion + cultural makeup into one email? I’d have to write a book on that topic (and I’d love to) because you’ll find that everything is connected. The more you pull on the thread, the more everything unravels. We’ll save that for another day.

For now let’s stick to the basics: where to shop in London. 

Here’s my attempt to curate what I believe are the best places to shop in London, a boundless melting pot for art, music, clothing, and subcultures.

General notes about London and style

1. CARHARTT IS KING

London’s obsession with Carhartt WIP is palpable. It’s the uniform of choice for many. The same could be said of cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Paris, but it felt especially true in London. Nearly every retail shop I visited carries the almighty WIP. And many of the pieces aren’t even progressive either. It’s your normal knit caps, long-sleeve tees, the works. Hard to deny the level of Carhartt WIP’s global influence right now.

2. Kindness is cool

I found absolutely everyone I met to be phenomenal, kind, helpful, and interesting to talk with. They were knowledgeable, and they didn’t brush me off just because I was asking them questions. This is an underrated retail characteristic and it highlights what makes a store truly great: its people.

3. Japanese Japanese Japanese

Something I learned about London’s retail scene is its religious devotion to curating Japanese brands. From Kapital and Beams Plus to Needles and RoToTo, I found a treasure troth of Japanese pieces at each store.

4. The OLD vs. NEW complex

It would be easy to include Selfridges, Liberty London, or Harrods in a list like this, and it’s important to acknowledge their place in London’s retail scene over the years. But it would also under-represent what London has to offer.

There’s a strong wave of modern and post-modern retailers & brands across London, and those brands are in the driver’s seat. They’re crafting a new kind of aesthetic.

Alright, on to the good stuff…

Retail stores

Article. // Streetwear, casual, outdoor

Neighborhood(s): Shoreditch and BrixtonPrice: $$Featured brands: Carhartt WIP, A.P.C., Paraboot, Lady White Co., Malin & GoetzNOTES:

-I went to the Shoreditch location, which I was promptly reminded is “the lesser” of these two stores. Brixton is apparently bigger, better, and even has a secret shoe room.

-Regardless, this space is cozy, smart, and well-curated. It was one of those spaces I imagine a clothing novice could step inside and not feel intimidated.

-They had a strong rotation of brands, home goods, and some books.

Goodhood // Contemporary, streetwear

Neighborhood: ShoreditchPrice: $$-$$$Featured brands: Needles, Our Legacy, Beams of Japan, OrSlow, Universal WorksNOTES:

-GH, to me, has the best curation of clothing, home, and personal goods out of all the shops I visited. They’re beyond just a clothing store. No, they’ve crafted an entire aesthetic and persona around their brand, and it shows.

-Something dope about this space is that there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a mohair cardigan, a coffee table book, a badass set of glassware, or women’s shoes.

Click here for Sprezza’s Where to shop in London part 2 (brands and home goods)

Outsiders // Outdoor, Gorpcore

Neighborhood: Kings CrossFeatured brands: Gramicci, Ar'c’teryx, Kavu, Cotopaxi, Salomon, Snow PeakPrice: $$-$$$NOTES:

-Outsiders has done a phenomenal job curating the best outdoor clothing and recreational gear you can find. But for as many actual hikers and campers who shop there, you know there’s a plethora of Gorp shoppers out there just for the flex.

-If you fall into the second camp, visit this shop anyway. It will inspire you to scoop all the KAVU fleeces and chunky Nalgeens you can get your non-calloused hands on.

WoodWood // Contemporary, streetwear

Neighborhood: Soho Featured brands: Beams Plus, WTAPS, The North Face, NOMA t.d.Price: $$-$$$NOTES:

-Half retail, half brand, WoodWood is a top-tier example of how to marry both concepts in one space. They do a phenomenal job at bringing brands in and I found they actually carried some exclusive ones from Scandanavia, Spain, etc that you might not find many other places.

-Met a dude named Harley who’s as good as they come where clothing is concerned. We talked a lot about British style, subcultures, and how British aesthetics have evolved over the years. Harley is a fucking baller, super sharp and knowledgeable.

Clutch Cafe // Americana, denim

Neighborhood: FitzroviaFeatured brands: Heimat, Schott NYC, Alden, Rocky Mountain Featherbed, Pure Blue JapanPrice: $$-$$$NOTES:

-The only denim-focused brand out of the bunch. Stepping inside this shop brought me back to the nostalgia around the Americana era we lived through 15 years ago.

-CC carries a fantastic selection of American and Japanese brands, and their magazine selection is on point too.

Trunk Clothiers // Casual sportswear

Neighborhood: MarylebonePrice point: $$$Featured brands: Boglioli, Anonymous ism, Gitman Vintage, Crockett & Jones, TrunkNOTE:

-This tidy little shop on Chiltern Street is a joy to step inside. Wedged between Monocle and Air Mail Café, Trunk has a lovely, cozy collection of in-house sportswear—a range of knits, shirting, and outerwear. Certainly a shop for the more refined gentleman.

The Week // bookshop

Neighborhood: SohoPrice point: $-$$NOTE: An absolutely magical magazine and bookshop I was told to visit. It’s inside a bodega/corner store, which sounds weird, but their selection of books blew me away and is worth the trip if you’re in the mood to collect. They carry everything.

Click here for Sprezza’s Where to shop in London part 2 (brands and home goods)