Topshop

Topshop is nearish the top of Time Out's 100 best shops list. While the chain itself has struggled to retain its retail crown with fashion usurpers such as Zara and Cos snapping at its heels, the Oxford Circus megabranch of toppers has no rival on the street, or anywhere else in London for that matter. Despite the vast volume of (reasonably priced) fashion on offer, it is easy to find what you're looking for due to the very clear lay out- accessories (plus treats like make overs and frozen yogurts) on ground, Topshop's own brands (including Unique) plus designer collaborations from London Fashion Week stars Richard Nicoll, Marios Schwab and recently Mary Katrantzou on Lower Ground, and a massive collection of concessions- including a whopping shoe hall, in the basement. The shop has so much on offer, you'll see quite a broad cross section of consumers here- there are teen shoppers dragging their parents around the denim selection, the party dresses from Motel, the cheap racks of ballet flats- and stocking up on armfuls of brilliant statement jewellery from Freedom at Topshop. But there are also sophisticated, smart ladies spending a little more on Unique and Boutique, the more tailored and fashion forward in house lines. Every season, there are the designer exclusives to pull in the fashion academics- and most are exclusive to this branch only. While the much loved Kate Moss collection is no more, it was pretty much entirely responsible for the squillions of celebrity 'designed' collections which rippled across the high street, none of them as nice as the supermodel range they sought to emulate. Look out for all of the brilliant extras and pop ups which keep the store exciting- from crazy nail art from Wah Nails, dip dye hair from Dalston salon Bleach, blow dry bars, mini make overs and Topshop Edited… a dedicated area of the store curated by fashion luminaries like Susie Bubble.