From charity-shop finds to designer bags, there are thousands of ways to spend your hard-earned cash in London. Many of the big-name shopping attractions, such as Harrods, Hamleys, Camden Market and Old Spitalfields Market, have become must-sees in their own right. Chances are that with so many temptations, you’ll give your wallet a full workout.
Markets
Perhaps the biggest draw for visitors is the capital’s famed markets. A treasure trove of small designers, unique jewellery pieces, original framed photographs and posters, colourful vintage pieces and bric-a-brac, they are the antidote to impersonal, carbon-copy shopping centres.
The most popular markets are Camden, Old Spitalfields and Portobello Road, which operate most days, but there are dozens of others, such as Brick Lane's excellent Sunday UpMarket, which only pop up on the weekend. Camden and Old Spitalfields are both mainly covered, but even the outdoor markets are busy, rain or shine.
Shopping by Neighbourhood
Designers
London-based designers are well established in the fashion world and a visit to Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith or Burberry is an experience in its own right. The fashion house started by the late Alexander McQueen is now under the creative direction of Sarah Burton, perhaps most famous as the designer of Princess Catherine's wedding dress. Other names to watch out for include Molly Goddard (available at Browns), Christopher Kane and Mimi Wade (both available at Selfridges).
Vintage Fashion
The realm of vintage apparel has moved from being sought out by those looking for something off-beat and original, to an all-out mainstream shopping habit. Vintage designer garments and odd bits and pieces from the 1920s to the 1980s are all gracing the rails in some surprisingly upmarket boutique vintage shops.
The less self-conscious charity shops – especially those in areas such as Chelsea, Kensington and Islington – are your best bets for real bargains on designer wear (usually, the richer the area, the better the secondhand shops).
Chain Stores
Many bemoan the fact that chains have taken over the main shopping centres, leaving independent shops struggling to balance the books. But since they’re cheap, fashionable and always conveniently located, Londoners (and others) keep going back for more. As well as familiar overseas retailers, such as Gap, H&M, Urban Outfitters and Zara, you’ll find plenty of home-grown chains, including luxury womenswear brand Karen Millen (
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
; 
%020-7836 5355; www.karenmillen.com; 2-3 James St, WC2; 
h10am-8pm Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm Sun; 
tCovent Garden) and global giant Topshop.