London--Other areas of fashion

[kirsch]

Hi all,

Can someone tell me other fashion areas to the city...other than Savile Row?

I know S.R. is the "cream of the crop"... I just wanted to learn about some other areas, too.

For instance, I was last in London when I was 16, and I really enjoyed Oxford St (I remember the stylish stuff there for a teen). I have heard about Jermyn St. (not sure if I spelled that correctly), too. What else is out there?

And--what is the general style of each area? For instance, does SoHo have more modern/flashy designers?

Thank you,
Chris

[marks]

I don't know about fashion "areas" but I can name quite a few boutiques for better fashion/streetwear.

Spencer Hart, Evisu, B-Store on Savile Row
Browns on New Molton St
Designworks on 42 Broadwick St in SoHo behind Carnaby Street
Agnes B, Paul & Joe and Paul Smith on Floral St near Covent Garden St
A few boutiques whose names elude me near Spitalfields/Bishopsgate
A few boutiques along Ledbury Road/Westbourne Park Road near Notting Hill
Selfridges on Oxford St.
Liberty just off Regent St.

edit:

Good grief, I forgot as Dorian below rightly points out, Jermyn Street for shirts.

I'd like to add to his list, Emma Willis for shirts. A new addition to Jermyn St, but not to be underestimated. I'm wearing one of her fine shirts right now.

Furthermore, Edward Green and John Lobb are on Jermyn Street and unmissable if you enjoy fine English shoes.

[Dorian271]

Jermyn Street is famous for the Shirtmakers. You have:

Turnbull & Asser
Hilditch & Key
TM Lewin
Thomas Pink
Hackett
New & Lingwood

Therefore you have: Crockett & Jones, John Lobb, Edward Green, Truefitt & Hill, Czech & Speake, Geo Trumper, Taylor of Old Bond Street, Budd Shirtmaker, ....

[ER]

Kirsch,

I think all the answers given so far have covered all the traditional gentlemen's shops in the specific areas. However, if you were still 16 I would probably steer you to different parts of London for something a little more contemporary. Unfortunately, the Kings Road in Chelsea, where I spent a lot of my youth, is no longer the driver of fashion it once was during the 60's and 70's - in fact it is terribly bland. However, Vivienne Westwood still has her boutique there which was the birthplace of the Sex Pistols. Carnaby Street is seeing a resurgence as the landlords are not renewing the leases for the tacky shops selling trash to the tourists but are welcoming back independant fashion boutiques once again. In fact, it has become quite cool again. Covent Garden, especially Neal Street, still caters for the surfers and skaters whilst the surrounding streets cater for the kids wanting something a little more 'street'. At the moment there is no real strong youth movement with regards to fashion/music in London other than 'emo' which is the little, spoilt-brat, brother of Goth. The fashion, like Goth, is predominately black mixed with a bit of skater and punk. The place to go for this is Camden in North London, especially on a Sunday.It's god fum for looking around the markets and people-watching although it can get incredibly crowded. I hope this is the sort of thing you were after with regards to the London alternative fashion-scene. I must say I ddn't expect to be writing about this on LL!!

[marks]

ER,

The original poster said he last went when he was 16 and he said Oxford St. was quite stylish back then. Given that Oxford St. hasn't seen a stylish men's store for quite a while now, I'd say he's at least bit older than 16. The only exception I could think of is Selfridges.

[culverwood]

No one has mentioned Bond Street and Sloane Street they may not be Savile Row but they are certainly "fashion" of the expensive international brand type.

There are a couple of tailors and good pub and restaurants on Lambs Conduit St not necessarily worth a visit on its own but if you are going to Sir John Soan's museum it's not far away.

[ER]

ER,

The original poster said he last went when he was 16 and he said Oxford St. was quite stylish back then. Given that Oxford St. hasn't seen a stylish men's store for quite a while now, I'd say he's at least bit older than 16. The only exception I could think of is Selfridges.

Which is why I put in my reply "...if you were still 16..." You are quite right though, Selfridges is a beacon in a sea of banality.

[marks]

ER,

The original poster said he last went when he was 16 and he said Oxford St. was quite stylish back then. Given that Oxford St. hasn't seen a stylish men's store for quite a while now, I'd say he's at least bit older than 16. The only exception I could think of is Selfridges.

Which is why I put in my reply "...if you were still 16..." You are quite right though, Selfridges is a beacon in a sea of banality.

Ahh apologies, my fault. I did not see that bit.

[kirsch]

wow,

Thank you all for the wonderful responses!

As for Oxford St....I was there 8 years ago. And, being 16, I was not focused on gentlemen's fashion---but more the alternative style. Now, I am focused more on gentlemen's fashion, but...for nights out on the town, still being young (24), I was just curious where the styles like Boateng reside.

I dunno, I look at Boateng's stuff online (that's all I can do from the U.S.), and while it looks flashy and cool, it doesn't look of great quality. Am I wrong in that thought?

Is there anywhere I can go for quality+flashy style? Again, think rock-star, night clubs here....not so much punk or emo....and not conservative.


Thanks again!

--Chris

[marks]

Boateng is ok, someone in my office wears their made to measure stuff pretty well. You have to be quite tall and lean to wear it and I find the gorge too high for myself. Quality is ok but not top flight.

Good, slightly flashy, perhaps clubby clothes, try Designworks, Brown or Liberty. Depends on your bodyshape too. B-Store has good "fashion" shoes. Spencer Hart is high quality, slightly more conservative but modern for sure.

[couch]

There are a couple of tailors and good pub and restaurants on Lambs Conduit St not necessarily worth a visit on its own but if you are going to Sir John Soan's museum it's not far away.

When I'm in London I often have occasion to be in Lamb's Conduit St. (colleagues have a flat there) and I agree about the pubs and restaurants (esp. The Lamb and Cigala). But I don't know the tailors. Can you say more about them?

[culverwood]

kirsch - Boateng is on Vigo Street just south of Savile Row. I have a couple of his suits and some of his more casual stuff. He suits a young slim shape (I qualify for one out of two) some designs are flashy others more restrained. The quality of his RTW is not bad and if you are there at sale time his prices are OK otherwise overpriced.

couch - Like you I visit Lambs Conduit St as my son lives just off it, he has pointed out the tailors to me but I have no experience of them myself. As a Street I like it though with an interesting selection of shops etc. plus French's Dairy just off on Rugby St.