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Dear fellow travellers!
I'm off to London in a couple of weeks, and I'm on a mission. Well, several, actually, but the one I need help with is the following:
I need a new winter coat. I cannot find a proper full-length winter coat here (oh, the irony!), so I've been hanging on the the one I bought in 2003. It now really _looks_ like it's been literally hung on to since 2003.
Not really into shopping, I have no idea where to start looking. I just want a decent full-length black winter coat, nothing fancy; no leather, no glitter or glam and certainly no particular brand. My current one's from H&M, that's the kind of budget and "genre" (I have no shopping vocabulary in any language, "genre" will have to do) we're talking.
Any tips? Markets? Are there any second hand shops that are particularly big on H&M type stuff? Please please don't say Camden, last year I ended up buying something I really don't like out of sheer desperation after 4 hours in Camden :(
Your best bet for a normal winter coat/rain coat is John Lewis. Plain classic clothes are available there and you won't walk out with something you don't want. The staff are very helpful. Tell them what you want and the price and they will show you the stock. There is one on Oxford St. I find Selfidges too big to get around while JL is really easy to find your way around.
sorry if this is stating the obvious, but if you like H&M style, probably best looking there first? Several branches in London, with the Oxford Circus branch being the flagship store:
http://www.hm.com/gb/storelocator__storelocatorhtml.nhtml
@nada1712: Thanks a bunch :)
@henry14: H&M haven't carried full-length coats for years, but thanks anyway!
I figure if I can't find it in London, I may just as well give up and wait for the fashion world to return to that particular style again. They always do, don't they? :p
Zara are similar to H&M, and on most London high streets. I can't open their website as it want's me to instal Flash (not at work!)
Our department stores are good for that typs of thing; Debenhams, Marks & Spencer are probably the better. Debenhams (like John Lewis mentioned above) have lots of concession stores (other brands within the same shop) so a lot more choice than just their own brand.
Though, I hate to say it, but the shops are starting to roll out Spring cloths, I've seen bikinis already so the long winter coats may be coming off the shelves soon.
TK Maxx is one of my favourite shops, they sell designer clothes at discount prices. You do have to trawl through a lot of dross though and their stores aren't that central, they do often sell off-season clothes. http://www.tkmaxx.com/icat/instore
There are lots of charity shops where you may find one; Clapham High Street is a good area, I don't know about any stocking H&M type stuff, they just sell what's donated.
Primark will probably have some in stock, they're cheap though may not last as long as better quality brands.
There are plenty of second hand shops in London suburbs, Wood Green North have 2 charity shops, kilburn have several, West hampstead a good second hand place to shop as is Wimbledon. I am sure you will find something.
Long tall sally do full length coats you could look online first. Anyway best move fast as most of the winter stuff is clearing out of the high street shops.
Camden is retro & you probably pay more money there then any other 2nd hand shop
you could try ebay as well then collect when you here?
I believe the best way to see London (well almost any city) is on foot. It may cut down on how many 'sights' you might visit in a day, but nothing gives you a feel for a city like London unless you walk and see the neighborhoods, people and atmosphere change. I have been lucky and in my last 8 trips, it has never rained once (no I ain't makin it up).
There is so many things that I can list here, the streets, variety of people, records/CD stores, fashion stores, parks, museums, restaurants, theatres, musicals, concerts, pubs & nightclubs
What ever it is you are interested, you can find it in London.
London Town
Take a stroll across the Millennium Bridge. Designed by architect Sir Norman Foster the 325m long pedestrian bridge crosses the River Thames, linking St Paul's Cathedral to the Tate Modern Gallery. This impressive steel bridge was the first foot bridge to be built across the Thames in more than 100 years and is a great way to take in a glimpse of London as you work your way across the bridge.
Each London borough have Pearly kings and queens. These people originate from costermongers(street traders) in the 19th century and the costumes - black with pearl buttons sewn on originates from a man called Henry Croft who came up with the design in the 1880s. Henry was a friend of the costermongers and liked their outlook on life and their symbols and slogans one of which was "All for Charity". The costers soon realised that when Henry joined them on their fund raising for hospital charity events Henry drew the crowds with his natty dress style and soon they adopted the dress style that exists now.
The Pearly Kings and Queens collect huge amounts for charity each year - the wonderful McMillan cancer nurses are one such charity they support. There are however bogus Pearlie's who collect purely for themselves - if you give any money always ensure the collection tin has a Charity Commission number on it side.
Pubs are a GIANT part of Londoners daily life. Pubs have a wonderful atmosphere with a much more intriguing aspect about them than any American bar scene. Locals come to relax, unwind with a nice meal, possibly with a good bitter, ale, or lager. Some even drink Jack Daniels (Tennessee Whisky), which REALLY surprised me!
There is definitely an abundance of "Old World charm" in most pubs in England. I am no expert pub crawler, by any means, and actually I am a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, but the attitude just seems to magically transform, almost instantaneously, upon entering a nice, friendly pub.
There is this awesome site I found when searching for the address of Wetherspoons in London. (See Restaurant Tips for info on Wetherspoons). You can search by the pub name, address, postcode, nearest tube station, etc. It is similar to VT as it has ratings and reviews from the patrons who visited the pubs. You may even refine your search to include extras such as Big screen TV's, dartboard, pool table, live music, Sunday roast dinner, car park, etc. The list is extensive, but those are a few basics.
Like VT, it is not neccessary to be a member to view the details. If you are looking for some information about a great pub in London, or anywhere else in the World, this will do all the work for you. All you need do is decide which pub best suits your taste.
Cheers!
P.S. For more details, please see my Nightlife tip.
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