Ahh….shopping in the UK. I lurrrrve shopping in London. I live on Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada now, and trust me, there’s no better shopping than in the UK. It’s cheap, it’s stylish and it’s all ’round awesomeness.
So, here’s my advice on where to shop when you first move to the UK:
No good foreigner can move to the UK and not shop at M&S. Now, before ya’all get upset that I’m pointing out a major UK chain here, let’s put this shop into context. In Canada, we had Marks & Sparks for a few years, where my grandmother loved to shop but complained about the prices every time. At that point, Marks & Sparks was an older person’s shop, with plaid skirts and cashmere sweaters.
Since that time, Marks & Spencers has re-branded itself as M&S, trying to get that younger clientelle to shop there and spend our disposable incomes on clothes, food and wine. And well…we do! The food is great – well made, with good clean ingredients and at reasonable prices all things considered. The clothes can still be a bit grandmotherly, but they do have the younger line of clothing called Per Una that I would wear myself. I think I’ve even bought a few pieces there in the past, particularly for teaching in London schools. They are a bit pricey compared to a few of the other shops I’m about to tell you more about.
You want cheap, hip, young clothes? PriMark is your shop. We’re talking pennies or pounds for all the latest fashions and styles for men, women and children. Made in China? By children? You betcha’! But if cheap & stylish is what you want, you’re going to love Primark. These are the kind of clothes you wear a couple of times and throw out but hey, it only cost you a pound or two.
They actually have a link on their website about Ethical Trading which I find quite interesting to note. So, they know their image is that they have small children making their uber-stylish and darn cheap clothes and clearly want to change that image. I wonder if it’s working? Anyone know anything else about this one? I’d love to hear it!
For women who are well endowed, this is your shop. It will change your shopping experiences for life! For bras, swimwear, business suits and casual, this is the store that women with an above average chest size will adore. You can order from the States and Canada as well, so if you check out their website be sure to ask for a catalog. Their prices are good, (for a bra that I can get here in Canada for $150, I can get it in London for 25 pounds. Bargain!) and their sizes are ideal. You will never go back to wearing the wrong sized bra again. Men, support your ladies in this one. Their confidence will soar, and we all know confidence is sexy.
Okay, okay, I know you already know this, but Harrods is an experience all on its own. Spend a day here, dreaming of your new life of luxury and abundance in London. Sure, you’ll probably only buy a bag, but a Harrods bag is like no other. I personally love their nuts and dates. They’re delish!
Selfridges is a large department store chain that you will likely run across if you go to Birmingam, Manchester or London. It’s good if you like a department store and want to get everything in one place. Very stylish for a department store!
Now, this is my store! Cheap, stylish, hip and on almost every corner in Europe. We just got H&M in Vancouver, and while I still take the ferry all the way from Victoria to Vancouver just to go to H&M, I find H&M to be a million times better in the UK than here. I think they’re trying to break into the North American market, but as far as the UK goes, they have that one down! I buy t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, dresses, pants (aka “trousers”) and all the basics from them. I get shirts in every colour, because for 5 pounds, I can’t go wrong.
H&M is great for men,women and kids so it’s a great shop for everyone. Everyone young-ish that is. My grandma wouldn’t shop here, that’s for sure (although she would love the prices!). Some people love the swimwear, although I find it to be cheap (not in the price way, but in the way, ew-this-is-too-cheap-feeling way).
Neal Street is just outside of the Covent Garden tube station. It’s a half day’s experience all on its own for shopping in London. You like shoes? Neal Street is the place for you. Funky, fun and fabulous, Neal Street is an amazing experience for you to have when you first move to London, or the UK in general. For lunch, grab a cheap lunch at Food for Thought, a great vegetarian restaurant that always has a line-up.
I should just write another blog post about markets in the UK and explain more about Camden there, but for now, just know – this is a day and a half for those who love shopping in unique, off-the-beaten path type places. Amy Winehouse is often spotted drunk and disorderly in the evenings in Camden, and during the day, you’re bound to see people of all fashion-senses in Camden. Alternative, funky and strange. Often cheap, sometimes ludicrously expensive for a special designer piece. This is the place for the shopaholic and punk rock diva alike.
Right, so that’s as much as I have time for today. I could write for hours about shopping in the UK! Please help our readers know more by sharing your two cents in the comments section.
I will also write a piece about grocery shopping, and house & home shopping in the UK for those who are just getting settled in. Any other ideas for blog posts? Please share below! Thanks 
Victoria Westcott
kikimoo
