Turns out it’s pretty easy to spend a day in London doing some of my favorite things: shopping, socializing, eating, and drinking.
Which got me thinking: if you’re going to drop some British pounds shopping, why not drop the other kind of pounds by walking a lot? (Sorry I’m not sorry for my cheesy puns.)
BREAKFAST
For shopping, most stores do not open until 11 or 12, so I suggest building in a great breakfast stop a little earlier to give you the right fuel for walking around. My pick is Crosstown Doughnuts: they have inventive doughnut flavors and this new thing I’m getting into called coffee.
I visited the Soho outpost and had this delicious Sea Salt Caramel & Banana Cream doughnut.
#nomnomnom
AFTERNOON SHOPPING
Photo by Jonathan Steinitz
Spend an afternoon walking around Shoreditch. Avoid Sunday or Monday if possible, as some shops will be closed those days.
One of the things I really enjoy about this area of London is how well-curated the men’s clothing boutiques are and how interesting they are to explore. The attention to detail from brand selection to store experience is inspiring, and you can find a range of product from vintage-inspired classics to modern, edgier fashion pieces.
Be sure to take in the graffiti along the way.
Check out my Shoreditch Men's Shopping itinerary below!
Y.M.C. – 23 Hanbury Street
Clean, modern-classic wardrobe staples. Managed to walk out recently with a pair of white tennis shoes that have become my new favorite pair.
Son of a Stag – 91 Brick Lane
Reminds me of the kind of vibe in a men’s denim shop in Tokyo (both the lumber-sexual workwear and the visual merchandising).
Number Six – 6 Dray Walk
Labour + Wait – 85 Redchurch Street
Le Labo – 61 Redchurch Street
In my opinion, Le Labo has some of the best-smelling fragrances around (I wear their Santal 33 every day). I recently found out that they carry a signature scent specific to each city where they have boutiques, and that scent is only available in that city. I happen to love their London fragrance, Le Poivre.
By Walski – Redchurch Street
Really cool intersection of outdoor, active lifestyle goods with functional fashion.
Club Monaco Men’s Shop – 54 Redchurch Street
The same product you can find in the States, but more selectively assorted for a smaller space and complemented by some vintage jewelry and accessories.
Ace Hotel London Shoreditch - 100 Shoreditch High Street
The lobby at the Ace Hotel is a de facto lounge for freelancers and creative types, offering free wi-fi and table service for food and drinks while you click away on your Macbook pro and take in an afternoon DJ set almost any day of the week.
On my most recent visit, the lobby bar became my "office" for a few afternoon hours, where I ordered the salt beef sandwich (life changing) and a few glasses of white wine to refuel and recharge from walking and shopping.
The office
Sneakersnstuff – 107-108 Shoreditch High Street
Limited edition and few-of-a-kind fashion sneakers.
Present – 140 Shoreditch High Street
Article – 96 Kingsland Road
Goodhood – 151 Curtain Road
Boxpark – 2-10 Bethnal Green Road
Two-story structure made out of shipping containers repurposed as shops and restaurants with rooftop outdoor beer gardens… YES.
Boxpark
IN THE EVENING
The Chiltern Firehouse
Dinner & drinks at Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone. Because enjoying great food and rosé in the courtyard of a hotel that used to be a fire station is actually a thing.
Cheerio!
-JS