The best fashion and gift stores London

It's impossible to come bargain hunting in London without stumbling across second hand . At Reckless Records, we give vinyl a second life: you can sell yours and buy some back, "at a fair price". Browse classic rock, new wave, indie, lo-fi and other genres for the more discerning, as well as English drum'n'bass and garage. Reckless is also a record company where you can find merchandise from your favorite artist. For forty years, everything has been family-run.

A veritable paradise for vintage enthusiasts, located in the former Truman Brewery. The best British and European vintage specialists display their treasures in a teeming atmosphere. All styles are mixed and matched, from 1920s dresses to suits, leather, denim, vinyl and Burberry coats... It's easy to get lost and spend hours here. Don't hesitate to rummage, stir and explore to find that rare gem. And it's open every day!

Created in 1813, Harvey Nicks, as it is commonly known, is the temple of haute couture. He wants to be Harrods' rival. All the biggest names in fashion are to be found there, at prices that are once again completely unaffordable. This is the favorite store of the members of the "Twin Set and Pearls" club (skirt, matching cardigan and the essential pearl necklace). After closing, the 5th floor can still be reached by external stairs to reach the restaurants and cafés, whose reputation for quality continues. Great luxury!

Hatchards claims to be the oldest bookshop in the UK, located right next to Fortnum & Mason. It was opened in 1797 at 173 Piccadilly by John Hatchard. It is also present in St. Pancras station. Since then, it has been moved to 187. We like its old-fashioned green façade with bow windows and carpeted stairs. It's a real paradise for readers of all kinds. There are even signed editions and first editions. It's a pleasure to stroll through its many floors and leaf through its rare gems.

A very English address. Founded in 1830, James Smith is one of the few, if not the only, store where you can buy a proper umbrella. The store is beautiful and offers a wide selection of models with a very British elegance. Apple, maple, ash, cherry, rose, rush wood handles, take your pick, but remember that for any self-respecting gentleman, the fabric must be black. What better gift to bring back from London than an umbrella? It's a useful gift that will come in handy right on the spot.

If you're looking to move beyond electronic games consoles and talking dolls, there's nothing like going back to basics at this charming Covent Garden boutique, with its wide selection of traditional toys handcrafted by real enthusiasts. Discover the beauty of Russian dolls, puppets, cut-out cardboard or wooden figurines, to the delight of little ones... This is one of the most beautiful toy stores you'll ever see.

A very good address in many fields, including tableware, kitchenware, beauty items, linen, bedding, fabrics and haberdashery in general, and even household appliances. The company's policy is to sell clothing and, above all, furniture and home accessories at reasonable prices. The items are more basic than original, but if you look hard enough, you'll always find something nice. It's the London equivalent of our Parisian department stores. Something for everyone.

With two other branches in Shoreditch and Crouch End, this is the oldest of the three stores, and undoubtedly the most famous. The basement is particularly attractive, housing an impressive collection of second-hand vinyl as well as cassettes, books, DVDs and other collectibles. There's plenty of jazz, soul, hip-hop and rare vinyl. If you take the time to browse through the bins, you're sure to find a rare gem! Local tip: Flashback regularly organizes parties and concerts.

This boutique takes us back to the days when pipes were an essential part of London society. Founded in 1815, Segar & Snuff is one of the few of its kind to have survived the passage of time. The doors of this temple are well guarded by a wooden statue of a Highlander with a look recognizable from afar. Inside, you'll discover pipes of various sizes and qualities, as well as tobacco and cigars. Not forgetting modern cigarettes, and even a few elegant canes to complete your look.

Located literally next door to Dublin Castle, Camden's legendary pub and concert venue, this ultra-themed record store is a temple to rock'n'roll. Early rock, rockabilly, blues, country or rhythm'n'blues, you'll find yourself transported back to the 1950s and 1960s, with an ultra-precise selection of records. Very friendly welcome and nice bananas. Turntables available. No Hit Records, the record shop's own label, is reissuing 45Ts of long-forgotten gems that you'll be one of the happy few to own.

The store's captivating concept is fully encapsulated in its evocative title: Pop, which means kitsch, with clothes, accessories and objects from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, a period marked by psychedelia and creative daring. In addition to the 250 tons of vintage clothing sorted and recycled each year in Pop's various boutiques (one in London, as well as in Manchester and Liverpool), Pop has its own brand: jeans, tops and handbags that are resolutely vintage, but brand-new.

Thomas Burberry, a fabric merchant, opened his first store in 1856 in Hampshire at the age of 21. Since then, its name has gone through the centuries to be linked to the perfect trench coat today. In 1880, he created a new type of clothing called Gabardine. It is King Edward who, having the habit of saying "Bring me my Burberry", makes the manufacturer's name also become the name of the products manufactured. Burberry has come back into fashion in recent years, thanks to noticed advertising campaigns, and still remains synonymous with British elegance.

This magnificent boutique-workshop with its adjoining museum will make your eyes water. Run by the same family since 1954 (the^4th generation is now at the helm), GOJ is an Ali Baba's cave of art lighting. Pieces manufactured on site have appeared in numerous films, including Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut, TheDark Knight and Mission Impossible. Not to be missed on your visit to London, GOJ transports you into a world where light is sublimated and cinema its auxiliary.

The East End's must-visit music store. Located in the enclave of the Old Truman Brewery, you can spend the afternoon sitting around the little tables, or standing with headphones on. There's even a café at the entrance, as well as a mixing studio that can be booked in advance, so you can try your hand at the London soundwaves. The boutique regularly organizes (sometimes free) concerts on the stage set up at the back; check the website for the program. In all, there are 5 boutiques to discover in London.

Founded in 1885, this purely British boutique with its opulent decor offers more than 400 different fabrics. Prince Charles bought his shirts there, like Chaplin, Picasso and Churchill before him. A shirt will cost you between £120 and £175, and you must order a minimum of six if this is your first purchase in this shop. A range of women's clothing also exists, very colourful and yet impeccably classic. It is a good gift plan or the perfect address to get dressed up and redo your wardrobe in a trendy range.

This library is a real London institution, which offers all possible genres on nearly 8 floors. It's so big that you can get lost in it, it's even one of the largest bookstores in the United Kingdom. The travel selection is one of the most important in the capital. In all, you will find here more than 200,000 varied works. As is often the case in London, the bookshop also has its own small café, where you can take a literary break. A true temple of reading to visit as much as any other monument in the city.

A bookstore in the Soho district where you can admire old books and rare editions. Don't be fooled by the appearance of its ordinary facade, it hides treasures. You can dream of the first editions of the English classics in the window and spend hours looking at the precious vintage works. It contains everything: art, photography, biography, cinema, military and naval history, design, decoration... An entire wall is even dedicated to Jane Austen's novels, presenting several magnificent editions. It is one of Londoners' favourite booksellers.

An ancestral, independent address, well known the world over for the richness of its bins, particularly in the jazz field, has also opened up in recent years to other styles such as African music, reggae, soul, folk, blues and funk. It's been a must-visit address since 1974, an absolutely mythical record shop where you're sure to unearth rare gems and broaden your musical horizons with great discoveries. What's more, they deliver worldwide.

When you take the Path Thames from the Waterloo side, you will see a few trestles and several people gathered around. These are a few stalls selling second-hand books, postcards, posters and lithographs. You can find a little bit of everything, but you can sometimes get a good deal if you are lucky! We come there rather for the atmosphere and to see the last arrivals.

This little coffee shop is located just outside St John's Wood tube station, a stone's throw from Abbey Road studios and the famous crosswalk, offering a haven to all fans who come to the area. Indeed, St John's Wood is rather residential, and outside Abbey Road, there's not much to do. So pop in for a coffee and croissant or a delicious cookie, and pick up a few souvenirs: t-shirts, postcards, bags or even magazines dedicated to the UK's four most famous boys.

A two-storey store that successfully brings together techno, dance, reggae, funk, jazz, indie, hip-hop, noise and Latin music. A wide selection of CDs, of course, but also 33 and 45 rpm vinyl, including beautiful limited editions and collectors' items. A paradise for music and vinyl lovers. The boutique is associated with the legendary Soul Jazz Records label. They also deliver worldwide, which is good to know if you have any regrets back in France.

Gieves & Hawkes is the perfect embodiment of English chic! This shop has existed since the end of the 18th century and has dressed the greatest... It is one of the oldest tailor-made shops in the world. This tailor makes both civilian and military costumes and is famous throughout the world with customers from Japan, Dubai... Nelson and Wellington were customers long before Bob Geldof. We really can't do any more British. With over 200 years of experience, you can trust them with your eyes closed.

The undisputed specialists in Martin and Yamaha brand guitars. A historic store for four decades, the number one retailer in the United Kingdom. Besides that, the possibility of buying second-hand mandolins and ukuleles is not quite the same, but it can be complementary! The salesmen are very attentive and competent, they will let you try the instruments are no problem. Iconic figures have been their customers: Johnny Depp, the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Oasis, Who... And so many others!

The originality of the shop lies in its theme: socialist bookshop, it has a very wide choice on socialist theories, thoughts and thinkers. The committed travellers will therefore take the direction of this shop. New and used books on politics, trade unionism, the environment.... Readings and conferences are also organized. It is the largest socialist bookstore in Britain. She sends books all over the world.

Whether you are plugged into a stringed instrument or rather a keyboard player, this is a good place to get electric or acoustic guitars, synthesizers and pianos. Located in a very famous street in London, Denmark Street. Also all the equipment that goes with it: sound system, amp, equipment for private studios. A giant store that runs on 6 floors. All instruments can be tested. The staff is ultra friendly and really knowledgeable. For collectors: incredible collector and vintage guitars.

It's a real resurrection for this chain, which was one of the leaders in the English market, with almost 100 stores across England. It had suddenly closed its doors in 2007. Fortunately, with the support of HMV, one store remained open, much to the delight of customers. With an average price of £5 for albums and £10 for the latest releases, this superb selection is sure to delight. A must for music lovers, with a fine selection of music books too.

Close to the Royal Academy of Arts is the Burlington Arcade, a beautiful shopping arcade that still boasts its original Georgian facades. Built in 1819 by Lord Cavendish, it was the first arcade in London to house stores. Today, the Burlington Arcade continues to charm visitors with its elegance and refinement, offering a very British window-shopping experience. The cobbled alleys and beautifully decorated shop windows create a timeless atmosphere that immerses you in the charm of old London.

J P Guivier is the oldest violin shop in England, renowned for the quality of the instruments sold there, founded in 1863 by a Frenchman, Joseph Prosper Guivier. It is located very close to Oxford Circus. Beautiful choice of violins and cellos but also scores, bows and many accessories. A repair service is also available, very fast. The salesmen will be able to advise you with finesse and sympathy. We also like its pretty green and golden window that makes you want to stop.

If Stella has managed to make a first name for herself despite a well-known name, it is in the field of fashion that she stands out. Her first jacket was sewn at the age of 12, and 3 years later, she participated in the development of Christian Lacroix's collection. As soon as she finished her studies, Stella launched her first clothing collection and, in 2001, she created her own fashion house. In 2005, she even created a range of clothes for H&M. Over the years, she has imposed her style: impeccable cuts sprinkled with a little irreverence and a touch of femininity.