London’s Secret Shopping Streets

London is a city built for shopping. Its avenues are bursting with boutiques and department stores just begging to be explored. But, as much as we love Oxford Street, there are plenty of other locations just as ideal for a spending spree — with quirky shops, indie boutiques, and luxury brands galore.

We hit the road in search of the secret spots destined for cult-shopping status. And, we uncovered picture-postcard Bloomsbury settings, stores straight out of a bygone era, and even a street with André Balazs' seal of approval. Ahead, we’re taking you along for the ride. Get your walking shoes ready.

Mount Street Mount Street is London’s answer to Rodeo Drive. New luxury brands continually open stores there left, right, and centre. Currently, you can gawk feast your eyes on the Balenciaga, Goyard, Lanvin, Rick Owens, and Marc Jacobs stores. But, Roksanda Ilincic, Victoria Beckham, and Christopher Kane will all be calling this street home very, very soon. We won't blame you if you need to decompress with an ice-cold martini at the the Connaught Bar after receiving that news.

Chiltern Street André Balazs' Chiltern Firehouse may be attracting all the attention right now, but, if you can drag yourself away from the hotel’s gorgeous dining room and Emilia-Wickstead-adorned employees, Chiltern Street has much more to offer. Premier luxury-candle retailer Cire Trudon has some of the most heavenly scents — we dare you to walk out the door without snapping up a candle or two. Nearby, The Monocle Cafe’s eclectic menu — which includes yuzu chicken udon, a shrimp katsu sandwich, and taco rice — promises to turn your lunch hour into a truly global affair. If you're looking to update your summer wardrobe, hotfoot it to designer Anna Laub’s store, where her label Prism's sunglasses, swimsuits, and accessories are on offer. (Rihanna herself is a super-fan.) Trunk Clothiers prides itself on selling the best menswear labels from around the world. It’s a one-stop shop for gentlemen who like to be well-suited — and well-booted — at all times. And, if you work up a thirst shopping, Roots & Bulbs’ extensive offering of fresh detox juices and superfood smoothies will hit the spot. London’s first cold-pressed juice bar offers an enticing list of organic dishes to chow down on, too.

Lamb's Conduit Street If this writer could live anywhere, it would be in a little pied-à-terre on Lamb's Conduit Street. This Bloomsbury bolt-hole is so picture-perfect you’d think Richard Curtis invented it. But, he didn't, and luckily for us, the stores on this dinky street offer something for everyone. Persephone Books is our favourite bookshop in London. Its collection of hard-to-find reissues of long-forgotten classics always delights. If brogues are your thing, you simply must head to the Grenson flagship store, where you’ll be hard-pressed to find just one style from the brand’s men's and women’s collections to purchase. The J.Crew men's store is also well worth a visit, as its knitwear is second to none. Private White V.C. offers smart suiting options that wouldn’t look out of place in Gatsby’s wardrobe. And, if you’re a fan of low-fi luxe, don’t leave without visiting Folk. Its signature brand of low-key elegance in the form of loosely tailored shifts and boxy tops is a perennial treat.

Berwick Street Move over, Old Compton Street — there’s a new Soho spot making waves for all the right reasons. Berwick Street has long been beloved for its fruit and vegetable stalls, as well as the legendary Blue Posts pub. But now that Russell Norman and Richard Beatty’s Polpetto and Alan Yau’s soon-to-be-opened Duck & Rice restaurant are calling it home, this Soho street deserves a second look. And, there’s a lot to look at. There are two excellent vintage stores, Absolute Vintage and Bang Bang, which sell an eclectic mix of past-season, designer fashions and on-trend, retro threads. The prices may be a bit on the high side, but the quality more than makes up for it. Meanwhile, preppy men’s outfitters Oliver Spencer and Percival harness the current mood for all things heritage and old-school, with their offerings of classic outerwear and retro-inspired tailoring. And, if you’re looking to make a footwear purchase, we suggest you stop by Underground, the brand responsible for kitting out seemingly every recent subculture with its signature winklepickers, creepers, and steel-cap boots.