An eclectic collection of funky, upscale streetwear mixing familiar labels like Stüssy with young newcomers (Peruvian brand Misericordia) and hip brands like Treatyaself, Urino and Militia. As well as clothes, the store stocks accessories like Sweetfoot foam clogs and Reino jewellery, toys, books and magazines. There’s even an on-site barber.

Concrete is all about taking a chance on the new and the thought-provoking, with labels such as Asish, Maria Marta Fachinelli, Mansharey, Dubuc and Camilla Staerk making Concrete more than just a place to name-drop (though Kate Moss does shop here, among many other hip names). Designed like a rather decadent living room, it also has a section devoted to homeware and accessories.

Hemp clothing based on simple military shapes, with subtly tweaked camouflage patterns and embroidery. Eastern mysticism is key to what Maharishi is all about, so care labels on the garments contain positive messages dedicated to the wearer rather than to the clothes.

Microzine brings in fresh stock every month, all of it aimed straight at the kind of guy who reads Arena. Designed in the style of a disturbingly trendy bachelor pad, it provides all the blokeish ephemera you could ever wish for.

Much more than hip streetwear. At this aptly named American emporium, you can kit out your wardrobe and flat, and then even add to your record collection. Men’s clothing comes courtesy of Surface to Air, John Smedley, Emperor’s New Clothing and G Star, to name but a few. For women there’s a similarly wide selection of brands. The staggering array of accessories includes bags and jewellery, plus funky underwear and an ‘Urban Renewal’ range of vintage clothing that gives old garments a new lease of life.

The Get-Up Boutique’s exuberant knitwear features vintage-inspired wrap dresses and shrugs, frilly knickers and, for men, oversized stripy wool boxers. While many people live above their shop, Gail Downey and Amy Wear live inside theirs, complete with kids and a dog.

Agent Provocateur is the brainchild of Vivienne Westwood’s son Joseph Corre and his partner Serena Rees. It serves up decadent sauciness but without descending into sleaze. Celebs and city boys alike flock here to be served by nubile staff wearing undersized pink nurses’ unforms and killer heels. Prices can be high, but so is the quality, and there are some beautiful fabrics and details.

This diminutive shop sells a comprehensive collection of men’s designer labels. Expect to find boxers and briefs by Diesel, Puma, Dolce & Gabbana, Energie, Hom and Armani. Swimwear, close-fitting T-shirts and beachwear are also available.

Her Majesty’s corsetière has been measuring busts since 1939. The company prides itself on its free expert fitting service - highly trained staff can often accurately guess your size by sight. They offer bras ready made and made to measure. Styles tend to be ultra-feminine, and prices match the quality. Bespoke bras start at £250.

If you’re a man who likes to look sharp but can’t afford Savile Row prices, this shop is the next best thing, selling top-quality, second-hand tailored suits, jackets, formal hats and handmade leather shoes. Pick up an immaculate suit for £110, a tweed jacket for £95 and pair of John Lobb shoes for around £25.

Better known for its range of bold and brash costume jewellery, Butler & Wilson will also show you a fantastic selection of vintage drama-queen clothes if you ask them nicely. There’s a good choice of shawls, beaded 1920s dresses, sinuous bias-cut 1930s numbers and a fine collection of exotically oriental dresses and shawls. The shop stocks vintage Liberty and Dior, as well as dresses made from old Chanel and Hermès scarves. Prices are above average - a 1950s skirt will set you back £300 and over, dresses can go for up to £1,000.

Wonderfully chi-chi owner Sparkle Moore goes to New York regularly to stock up on fantastical American vintage lingerie. The adjoining stall is owned by Cad Van Swankster, who has lots of bar-themed wear for guys, from hand-painted 1940s ties to Hawaiian shirts and kitsch cufflinks.

Glamour kittens are scampering to this eclectic white-painted boudoir filled with iridescence and clothes by exclusive designers from Australia, Spain and Los Angeles, and Love Kylie and Elegantly Scant lingerie. They also stock Oliver Twist, voted denim label of the year by US Vogue.

Joan Burstein’s venerable shop has reigned supreme over London’s boutiques for 30 years, and abdication seems a long way off. Among over 80 designers vying for favour are Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Chloé, Bottega Veneta, Sophia Kokosalaki, Goat and Etro. Labels exclusive to Browns include Zoran, Lainey Keogh and Worth. Those sans sugar daddy can peruse the almost-affordable diffusion and emergent-designer ranges, which are on offer at the adjacent Browns Focus. At No.50 there’s a sale shop called Browns Labels for Less.

One of London’s most successful boutiques. The rich mix of designers includes Megan Park, Betty Jackson, Mulberry and Clements Ribeiro. Rising stars include NY designer Jane Mayle and Andrew Roberts’ exquisitely tailored suits for women. The biggest treat is the shop’s own range of beautiful cashmere knitwear.

One of the capital’s premier cutting-edge clothes emporiums. The collection is as strong as ever with old favourites Chloé, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Dries van Noten, Balenciaga and Missoni much in evidence plus a smattering of rising stars like Victim Grain.

This stylishly quirky boutique sells the wares of small, independent designers who are passionate about their craft. Recommended.

Fine Rees’ shop is a pretty, tongue-in-cheek take on a burlesque-queen emporium, billing itself a ‘dressing-up shop for grown-up girls’. As you might expect from the name, cheeky lingerie labels are the stock in trade here, but it’s not all sexy nothings - Miss Lala T-shirts embellished with sequins, crystals and glitter, Holly Golightly’s cashmere cardies with faux-fur collars and cuffs, and the shop’s signature tutu skirts (from £190) are typical beyond-the-bedroom alternative buys.

FCUK for England. Cool as FCUK. FCUK it... just some of the slogans recently emblazoned on French Connection’s T-shirts. Though the risqué name suggests a streetwise image, the clothes are mostly on the comfortable side of cutting-edge, but high quality and with a modern, body-conscious fit. Menswear, accessories, a home range and beauty products mean you can FCUK up your whole life. Nothing is dirt cheap.

Sharp, sexy suits - the kind that demand to be worn with high heels - are the British designer’s trademark, but every sartorial need of the confident girl about town is catered for. Tailoring is reasonable but some separates are less good value.

Oh là là! The shapes and detailing may change with the catwalk trends, but Kookaï’s slinky, strappy tops, figure-skimming dresses and derrière-hugging trousers always exude Parisian sex appeal. And you don’t have to be as petite as a young Bardot to wear them, as the clothes go up to size 16. Quality is good condsidering the prices - around £20 for a top and from £60 for a dress.

An eclectic collection with broad appeal, mixing boho looks and current trends. Prices won’t break the bank (from £40 for a skirt or sweater, from £60 for a tailored jacket). Good for interesting eveningwear.

This one has really come into its own, boasting high-profile celeb customers such as Sophie Ellis Bextor and Charlotte Church. Cuts are elegant with a demure retro feel echoed in the fabrics, and quality has improved dramatically. Several interesting subranges have recently been introduced: New Vintage, based on thrift-shop finds and pretty Odile lingerie.

Topshop has worked hard to build up its now undisputed fashion cachet and widen its customer base. Recent innovations include free personal style advisers and a trendy maternity range. Topshop is known for nurturing young talent, and the Boutique on level -1 features designs by recent graduates alongside specially commissioned ranges by well-known avant garde designers. Descend even further into the bowels of ‘the world’s largest fashion store’ to level -2 for the vintage department stuffed with gems such as 1970s Adidas tops and glitzy ’80s frocks.

Spanish supremo Zara seems set for global domination with over 650 stores worldwide. The womenswear looks better than ever - these aren’t mere catwalk knockoffs, but good-quality clothes in their own right. The Basic range is great for wardrobe staples at ridiculous prices. The Knightsbridge branch (79-81 Brompton Road, SW3 1DB, 020 7590 6990) also sells menswear, kids’ clothes and Zara Home.

Ring the bell to enter this chicer-than-chic designer shop. The deliciously cuddly, cashmere pullover for six-month-olds (from £65) and teeny Prada trainers (£90) are for seriously label-led yummy mummies. There are rompers, skirts and trousers for children up to ten, plus accessories and the odd toy.

A visit to this two-storey treasure trove yields far more than books. The ground level has a small selection of clothes, including the trendy Punky Fish label, plus accessories, stationery, posters and toys. Kids can try out computer games on the PC at the back.

A fun-packed emporium of quality kids’ clothes, nursery equipment and toys, with lots of play opportunities and demos. Junior shoppers are entertained by the in-house puppet shows (every 25 minutes) and the traditional ground-floor carousel.

Why be snobbish? This Irish bargain store has plenty of uses. Perfect for quick, cheap holiday extras.

Children with flamboyant tastes like it here. Little prima donnas love body warmers in pink fake fur or leopard-skin print and fluffy red coats with pink hearts. Boys like the POW! and ZAP! T-shirts. Look out for cowboy-style fringed denims and cute knickers with three layers of frilly netting.