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The longer you leave Christmas shopping, the more it feels like a chore, and the less likely you are to find presents that you’re happy with. There’s still more than a month to go until the big day, so this is your sign to start thinking about what to get your loved ones right now. Our top tip for finding the best present? Bypass high street chains and browse one of London’s hundreds of brilliant indie shops instead.
Of course, the shop that’s best for you really depends on the type of gift you’re after. London Graphic Centre, for example, is our favourite place for quality art supplies, while Next Door Records is one of our top picks for vinyl and Daunt Books in Marylebone is one of the finest places to find brilliant reads. But if we had to pick one shop to crown the best in all of London, we’re going with Spitalfields Market’s The Goodhood Store.
Every east London trendy worth their salt knows Goodhood. Opened in 2007 by streetwear obsessed couple Kyle Stewart and Jo Sindle, it originally lived on Coronet Street for seven years, then moved to Curtain Street before relocating to a larger space by Spitalfields Market.
Now, the 5,500 square ft shop sells a deftly curated collection of clothes, shoes, accessories, beauty and grooming products, homeware, audio equipment and fancy camping gear from brands like Stussy, TEKLA, Studio Arhoj and Tabi. If you’ve got a friend of family member that’s far cooler than you, this place will make shopping for them easy. If you don’t get a chance to visit Goodhood’s bricks and mortar store, you can always purchase its stuff on its website instead.
Rosie Hewitson, Time Out’s things to do editor, advised: ‘If you want to be ahead of the curve when it comes to streetwear-influenced fashion, be sure to keep tabs on the brands represented here; Goodhood has a knack for stocking interesting indie brands that go on to become major labels.’
She added that you should ‘keep an eye out for its seasonal sales, particularly in January when you can nab some very decent discounts’.
See all of Time Out’s 50 best shops in London here.
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