Firefreak on 10/12/2009 at 20:08
I need some help from people knowing London as a place for shopping.
I've become interested in south-eastern clothing, especially from India, and I now want to buy some pieces for me. Here in Austria (Vienna) there isn't that much offered - its typically mainly for women (following the Bollywood hype), sometimes cheap and/or not much to choose from.
A vague, crazy but funny idea formed in my head: Try London, flights are acceptable and it might be the best option compared to online shopping.
Yet I don't know any shops I could go to - when doing such an undertaking, there ought to be some proper planning.
Unreliable searches with my yahoo-fu got me some shops like (
http://www.a-k-s.co.uk) or lists like (
http://www.020.co.uk/a/asian-wear/london.shtml) -- but that doesn't give me much information about the quality of the shops.
So, long story short: What areas (or even shops) can you recommend me? At best somewhat close together, as I'm thinking of a one-day trip and don't want to spend most of the time in the tube :)
thefonz on 10/12/2009 at 22:06
I never shop in London on the grounds that all shoppers in London are bastards.
Sorry I'm not much help, but you've awoken a primal hatred of Oxford Street...
Aerothorn on 10/12/2009 at 22:19
I don't shop in London on account of the fact that I'm a cheapskate and it's the second most expensive city in the world.
Edit: Er, it was in 2007. Apparently it's plummeted to #16. This recession isn't all bad, I guess? Still, that's for local citizens, not poor Americans.
SubJeff on 10/12/2009 at 22:51
If you're talking Punjab suits then yeah you can get them in many of the big cities in the UK. They tend not to be sold on highstreets like Oxford Street though (I share your hatred of London shoppers fonz). I'd wager tying some of the more, er, ethnic areas will get you stuff. I know for a fact you can get stuff like this in South (Sarf!) London, but there must be some central areas you could go to.
Be prepared to spend top dollar for a nice suit though. The cheaper ones are just that - cheap, and nasty.
Firefreak on 11/12/2009 at 05:47
Thanks for the replies so far - the first information I collected is to avoid Oxford Street :)
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
I know for a fact you can get stuff like this in South (Sarf!) London, but there must be some central areas you could go to.
Can you be more specific on the South - street names (or even shop names - then I can try to find them online)?
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
Be prepared to spend top dollar for a nice suit though. The cheaper ones are just that - cheap, and nasty.
I'm expecting to spend some money - every good suit costs money I guess. For me, the effort is worth it, which is why I'm even considering a flight for a shopping trip. (Though, that doesn't make me rich - I'm 'comfortable' as Eddie Izzard calls it ;) )
Muzman on 11/12/2009 at 07:16
I'm not sure how well the timing would go, but you would do well to hit all the markets:
Camden, Petticoat Lane, Portobello Road. The new-(ish ) Spitalfields probably worth a look too.
You could easily spend most of a day at each one, and getting to just those requires a big circuit around half the city.
They will definitely have what you want though.
Fingernail on 11/12/2009 at 11:07
Head to Brick Lane, it should be full of Indian stuff on the market.
242 on 11/12/2009 at 11:28
Travel to London from Austria to buy some Indian clothing, gosh :weird::)
Ulukai on 11/12/2009 at 12:12
Quote Posted by Firefreak
I'm expecting to spend some money - every good suit costs money I guess.
You're be wanting to head to Saville Row, then. I'm sure they'll knock you some Indian tailoring up.
Suit you, Sir
Firefreak on 11/12/2009 at 12:34
Quote Posted by 242
Travel to London from Austria to buy some Indian clothing, gosh
I know, crazy idea, but the more I think of it, the funnier it gets and the more I want to do it :)
Saville Row: So, this is the high-price area then?
Brick Lane: Sounds interesting - (
http://wikitravel.org/en/London/Brick_Lane) Wikitravel also refers to the previously mentioned Spitalfields
Camden, Petticoat Lane, Portobello Road: These are generic market areas, right?
Quote Posted by Ulukai
Suit you, Sir
OOhhh! :thumb: (I was waiting for that one to come up...)
