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Selfridges
The half-a-million sq ft behemoth of Oxford St is 99 years old and still going strong. Where else could you chow down an 85 quid sarnie (Wagyu beef, Brie de Meaux, foie gras and black truffle mayonnaise), hanker after a to-die-for Alexander McQueen frock and settle on a top from Warehouse? Spectacular window dressing is part of the store’s heritage and we can’t wait to see how it will celebrate its centenary next year.
Best buy J Brand Cass jeans £287.
400 Oxford St, W1 (0800 123 400/www.selfridges.com) Bond Street/Marble Arch tube.

John Lewis
Forget the Four Horsemen – it would be the closure of John Lewis that would signal the apocalypse to the people of London. The capital’s flagship store is light filled, restful and populated by ever-helpful staff. After a browse through the top-notch and fairly priced goods – we’re particular fans of the kaleidoscopic-print bedding and towels – repair to the large café on the top floor with great views over the West End.
Best buy Hotel towels £3-£23.
300 Oxford St, W1 (020 7629 7711/www.johnlewis.co.uk) Bond St/Oxford Circus tube. Feature continues

Dover Street Market
London’s benchmark for a radical retail experience. As well as stocking all of the lines by Junya Watanabe and Comme des Garçons, the concept store also hosts ‘stalls’ showcasing work from designers such as Jens Laugesen, Christopher Kane and Gareth Pugh. This season’s special projects include H&M’s Tribute to Marimekko.
Best buy Comme des Garçons mixed tartan wallet £51.
17-18 Dover St, W1 (020 7518 0680/www.doverstreetmarket.com) Green Park tube.

Liberty
Stocking young Brit designer Louise Gray, with her curled zips-on-nipples silk dresses and saucy tassel tops, shows just how shockingly contemporary Liberty has become. The store’s creaky, wood-framed interior provides the backdrop to classic and contemporary design, a brand new lingerie department, and a rather moreish tearoom.
Best buy Hera silk scarf £75.
214-220 Regent St, W1 (020 7734 1234/www.liberty.co.uk) Oxford Circus tube.

Fortnum & Mason
Last year’s tercentenary saw the grand old dame of Piccadilly brush up her act with store-wide renovations, including a plush red carpet rolled out across its main floor – a fitting monument to this celebrity of supermarkets. Serving up ridiculously British indulgences, from rose petal jelly and honey from its own colony of bees, to its trademark rare teas and the perfect Scotch egg (a favourite of Giles Deacon’s, apparently).
Best buy Piccadilly Piccalilli £7.95.
181 Piccadilly, W1 (020 7734 8040/www.fortnumandmason.com) Piccadilly Circus tube.

Harrods
The capital’s glitziest department store, Harrods, comprises: seven floors of luxury fashion and homewares; a 5,000-strong staff; six, glittering food halls; and the only Egyptian-themed escalators in the world. Although its gilded grandeur is too much for some, Harrods has earned a place in the hearts of many London shoppers.
Best buy White Alba winter truffles, 25g £69.95.
87-135 Brompton Rd, SW1 (020 7730 1234/www.harrods.com) Knightsbridge tube.

Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nicks’ sprawling accessories floor is a dangerous place. Every ‘It’ bag is there, and the store’s excellent edit of fashion and homeware makes it hard to leave without a purchase. Check out wonderful pieces by Zac Posen, Balenciaga, Lanvin and shoes from Christian Louboutin.
Best buy Frownies Forehead and Eyebrows £18.50.
109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1 (020 7235 5000/www.harveynichols. com) Knightsbridge tube.

Bookshops | Fashion boutiques | Department stores | Erotica and Lingerie Gifts | Health & beauty | High street | Interiors | Jewellery | Menswear | Shoes Specialist | Sports & Technology | Vintage fashion | Shopping Awards 2008