A Fashionista’s Guide to Sloane Street

A Fashionista’s Guide to Sloane Street

• Area Guide, Visiting London

Although London’s Bond Street often takes all the glory as the destination of choice for luxury labels, the hordes of shoppers and camera-toting tourists can sometimes make shopping there feel more like work than pleasure. Known amongst locals as ‘the Rodeo Drive of London’, Sloane Street, in the capital’s stylish Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, exemplifies luxury shopping at its best and most exclusive—without needing to fight through endless crowds on the pavement.

Sloane Street itself stretches from Knightsbridge in the north to Sloane Square in the south, and that’s the route we suggest taking, mainly because that will allow you to start your retail journey at the behemoth that is Harvey Nichols. A department store selling everything from lingerie to jewellery and perfume to shoes, its Fifth Floor Café and Terraceis also the perfect place to treat yourself to a glass of champagne or a leisurely brunch to set you up for the day of retail therapy ahead.

Coming back down to earth on to Sloane Street proper, you’ll be greeted by one internationally renowned fashion brand after another: Gucci, Prada, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo, Fendi, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Louis Vuitton…the list goes on and on. As well as the cool, serene interiors, make sure to look out for some truly inventive window displays on show here, too.

When all that haute couture starts to merge into a blur, let the credit card cool off and take stock of your purchases over lunch at one of the many suitably fashionable restaurants in the area. We highly recommend Le Chinois Restaurant and Bar, an award-winning modern Cantonese fine-dining establishment located in the Millennium Hotel. Or, nearer to Sloane Square tube station, embrace your inner Coco Chanel at Colbert, a Parisian-style brasserie offering some of the finest French culinary classics. Alternatively, if all you need is a caffeine hit or a quick bite to eat before diving back into retail heaven, stray slightly off the main road onto Ellis Street and you’ll find Raw Press, serving healthy vegan fare and all-natural cold-pressed juices.

Suitably refreshed, it’s time to explore the second half of this famously supercar-clad street, which, after the leviathans of the fashion industry, makes way to smaller—though no less luxurious—boutiques as you get closer to the southern end of Sloane Square. The classic, clean fragrances of Jo Malone, fine jewellery from Cassandra Goad, prêt-à-couture at Delpozoand the curated selection of luxury brands at Boutique 1will all vie for your attention, but don’t forget there’s more to be seen even further south, with the likes of Tiffany & Co, Smythsonand rag & boneproviding the last but by no means least of the designer wares on offer.  

Once you see the red-brick Royal Court Theatre, congratulate yourself (and your designated bag-carrier!)—you have successfully shopped your way through Sloane Street like a true fashionista.

Feature images © Harvey Nichols; Raw Press; Jo Malone