Rigby & Peller is pretty much everything you would want from a lingerie shop. They have an…read moreexcellent selection--especially in larger cup sizes--of really good brands--especially Prima Donna. They have helpful staff and they're conveniently located in London--unlike where I live in DC, which used to have one. I came here to pick something out for my wife as a present. (As an aside, pro-tip is figure out what style of lingerie your wife likes and her size because it will pay huge dividends if you like seeing her in sexy things.) At first they really wanted to know my wife's e-mail to help look up what she had bought and her preferences. It turns out that was just because they wanted to help make sure I knew her size and brand preferences and once they figured out I already knew that, they were happy to help without any more delay. Basically, they just got out the drawers for her bra size and let me leaf through it to see if I could find anything. I wound up picking out a nice bra and then they help find the matching panties to go with it--they had two and I bought both. To my surprise, the whole set of three things was notably cheaper than even a set two would have been in the states, which was a nice surprise.

Walking back home after a tasty lunch at Cecconi's, I passed by this exclusive lingerie shop and…read morethought to myself get in and ask for bra fitting. I got in and the ladies squeezed me in without an appointment. Unlike other lingerie shops, there is no meter to measure around your bust and fit you in to the GG cup. Basically they don't follow the conventional way in measuring and fitting. It is all about the way you look in the bra and how comfortable you feel. Firstly, I was asked to wait for few minutes till my assistant is free and offered champagne or tea in a lounge that has magazines Secondly, I was ushered into fitting room and asked to wear a black silk robe Thirdly, the assistant kept on showing me different models and giving me very useful advices throughout the fitting sessions Service is free but bras are expensive But I had the best experience and few good fitting sets of lingerie that changed my whole posture There is a picture of the queen which the ladies told me buy hers from Rugby & Peller and that tourists usually stop to take pictures of the store for that reason :-)

Tallulah makes an event out of buying a bra. The shop on Cross Street hangs knickers provocatively…read moreacross its window and nightdresses on a clothes stand by the door. There is a very deliberate feel of old fashioned romance and 1940's glamour to the whole place. Although there is a very limited selection of stock (understandable given the size of the place) the owner is very helpful and makes a real effort to find a size and style that will suit. She's not one of these awkward, obtrusive bra ladies either, you know the type that pull at the curtains before you've got time to make yourself decent? After turning on the changing room radiator for me so that I wouldn't get too cold, she left me pretty much alone, only interrupting to occasionally poke another option through the curtains. I love the set that I bought even though I could have got three for the same price at M & S. The owner knew it was just for me but she still spent the time wrapping it up beautifully in tissue and ribbon. It's touches like this that make the occasional spending splurge worth it! As I was leaving I noticed that they have a beautician's upstairs too. Although I'm yet to try it out it's definitely on the cards after all the great service I received.

When I came to Tallulah (Hopefully named after Ms. Bankhead), they were having a party. I was…read moreinvited in and offered a drink anyway and was able to browse after hours. I didn't drink the wine or nick Ferro Rochers ( I should have) but I had a good look around. Tallulah is a small shop, actually very small selling pretty lingerie that is really expensive and silky. All the lingerie here is nice but a silk robe here will cost you a hundred pounds and a silk sheath will cost you at least 70. There are a lot of designer names to be had like La Perla. You can also get private fittings. A lot of the time, this shop is closed and is viewable only by appointment. The Verdict: No bad for sexiness, labels. I think a lot of women will go crazy for this store. Good for a present for your girl. I'll stick with latex.

I could not leave this shop. I seriously thought I was going to go into debt here. I saw Latex. I…read morefelt Latex. I wanted Latex! The salesgirls egged me on. Told me I could try to a corset dress or a mini skirt, told me that they would specially fit the latex to fit me. I tried fingerless gloves in Latex and a Latex choker. I looked at Latex Panties of all varieties, Latex hat, even Latex nipple covers. I needed to buy everything in this shop. All I want is a gift certificate to this shop for Christmas and some fingerless gloves as my dirty little secret that I can wear in public (the best kind). Come to Latex Showgirls..you will not be disappointed. The staff is all female and great! Next door they do porn and vibrators but this store is very hot and very select. Channel your inner burlesque queen here or be a Bizarre model for a day. Get gear for fetish parties. Do the whole designer S and M look. Cross dress. Do whatever. L-A-T-E-X H-O-T!

I am from the states…read more I was in London for holiday and while my parents insisted on doing tours (boring), i decided to wander about on my own. It is a bit of a walk from the underground btw. Not a hike or anything, but you have to keep your eyes open. I noticed the many adult shops and actually knew at this partucular time, Atsuko Kudo was selling certain items whose proceeds would go to Japan relief efforts (it was about the time of that crazy tsunami the year before). Atsuko Kudo is a well known name for latex wear: and not just sexy knickers. I've seen beautiful dresses, too! The building is a bit easy to miss. Then you get there and realize there is a buzzer. I was a bit worried, especially since it wasn't as busy a rue comepared to other parts of London. I felt it was borderline suburbia. The staffers were very nice and knew what I was talking about when I mentioned the Japan relief items. I had to describe it a few ways but we met on the same page. They also gave me a few tips as far as other adult stores I was searching for since I did a mix of yelping and london based search engines to compile my shoppe list. A lot of my shoppes were closed, which is why I had a mix of anxiety and dismay when I saw their building and buzzer: I still wasn't quite sure it was Atsuko Kudo vs being a random unmarked business.

I LOVE Boden. As an American, the best I can do is shop the catalog. I was so excited to get to…read morecome to an actual store. In hindsight, I should've known that a brick-and-mortar store wouldn't have the selection that I am accustomed to in the catalog, particularly in such a shopping district with expensive rent. The store is beautiful and nicely styled, with ladies fashion on the main floor and kids with some mens downstairs. But there wasn't really space to see everything, and as I should've known, there wasn't the selection that you can find online. Still, if you want to see pieces in person and try on to get an idea of your sizing, it's a charming spot to visit.

I usually go to VS when I am in the States, but now that we've got a couple in London, I'm sorted!…read more The staff are always friendly and have the same look as the ones in the States (lots of makeup, polished, black clothing) but the customer service overall isn't quite as good as I'm used to. I don't really have the look of someone who would shop at VS and to be fair, I'm not - I go for one kind of rather plain knickers. So no one ever asks me if I need help, even if I'm a bit frazzled trying to find what I want, or digging through drawers to no avail. However, the quality is great, and when you do talk to staff, they're nice, so I'll keep coming back for sure!

I really can't stand fighting the Boxing Day sales scrums but this time around I was obliged by…read morevisiting family to step out of my comfort zone, and hit the zoo that was Stratfield. Anyways, I was glad I did as I found some sexy somethings for half-price here. I'm naturally sceptical of stores that are over-branded but the staff here were helpful and friendly despite it being so heaving. So top marks all around for the things that matter most - bargain prices, kind people and a full inventory!

Exotica (Knickers From Brazil) is something I stumbled across by accident, amongst other shops, in…read morea small Parade that I was using to shelter me from the rain. I am vaguely aware that with Christmas coming up, I should start looking for something cheap and cheerful for my girlfriend, and something like.. underwear, garments like that, aren't something I've ever really shopped for before. I feel too intimidated by shops like La Senza and Anne Summers, too expensive and up market for me perhaps. So this place, with its 70% off sale, seems to be right up my alley. What I will say about this shop is it's tiny. The woman behind the till, a harassed looking lady who seemed happy to be quite harassing to me about what she must have saw as my 'impertinent' questions, didn't give me the time of day.. perhaps seeing that I wasn't a nailed on customer, she was happy to be haughty. The selection of knickers was excellent though and the stock is cheap enough so that I know I will be back later once I've stealthily obtained some measurements..

Notting Hill and its aura of manicured money and square buildings maintained to cream perfection…read more There are so many boutiques servicing this area and for the most part are very very glittery ... -Then there is the boutique " Couverture". This beautiful boutique with its several floors feels like a mix of homely style with good quality, vintage detailing and a dash of quirkiness. All the products feel handpicked and handmade. Products range from children's wear to home pieces. Wooden floors, wooden hangars and wooden vintage furniture mixed with new collections all create a general look - as if from a different era. They also carry lots of labels - Sigerson Morrison "belle" shoes - which I am a big fan of and downstairs is the men's shop called "The Garbstore" with more designer lines. A total united vision - everything looks as if it should be there -and somehow relates - not easy with so many products but done in such a more-ish way

I only came across this shop last week, already I think I am a bit obsessed. A mix of men's,…read morewomen's and children's clothing, shoes and accessories, concept products, toys and furnishings. The pieces featured and the designers are less well known, making them more unique and slightly different to anything else on the market. I love the large, spacious yet homely layout of the shop. However, the prices are Kensington prices, the only cheap thing I found in the shop was a £6 child's ring but when the identical ring is being sold for 50p in my local sweet shop it is not really that cheap at all.

I wouldn't be much of a girl if I didn't visit Topshop- Every women in Australia wishes they'd open…read moreone over here- but alas until recently when they started doing online ordering with a great website catalog, the only way to get your top shop fix was to go to London. I never thought I'd be able to lump cheap and chic into the same sentence... usually fashion claiming to do so makes you look more like roadkill then fashionista. Top shop is one of those few places where they live up to the cheap and chic promise. fun girlie pieces, cheaper more wearable remakes of your favorite catwalk look and celebrity wardrobe items. You always know if you need or must have something new to wear on that date or maybe to a new party your going to topshop is the type of place you can run into on you lunch break and pick up something that'll make you feel fab and won't break the bank too. cheap enough to buy something cute every week. Did I mention celebrities also shop here too? Kate Moss not only is a long time devotee of topshop but she now even designs a line for them so mere morals like me can purchase a bit of her style. The only downside is everyone else shops at topshop too so don't expect to be the only girl wearing that 'it' dress or shirt!

A British institution and world famous for its good value, fashionable clothes and for having Kate…read moreMoss as the poster girl. I'm lucky enough to be able to hit the flagship branch of Top Shop with a tennis ball from my office. Great for lunch time shopping and late night bargain hunting. If you haven't been to Top Shop and you live in London, you've most likely been living under a rock for the last 10 years!