A local’s guide to the best shops on Oxford Street in London; from TK Maxx to Kurt Geiger, visit the shopping street to find clothes, makeup, homeware and more!
A while ago, I shared some of the best budget shops in London, and since I love shopping, I thought I’d do the same for Oxford Street.
It’s one of London’s most popular areas, with everything from study cafes to halal restaurants.
When I don’t live there, I really miss my London life; the shopping, the food, and my favorite cafes to work from.
Whether it’s summer or winter, Oxford Street is always buzzing.
I’ll take you through my favorite shops here, from TK Maxx to Superdrug and Primark with its famous Harry Potter section.
Visiting the massive Primark stores near Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road is a must if you love easy, affordable fashion.
In this guide, you’ll find all the key Oxford Street shops you need, from budget finds to big department stores. And if you visit in winter, don’t miss London’s magical Christmas markets nearby!
Oxford Street London: 14 Best Shops, Clothes to Souvenirs
In my opinion, two of the best shops in Oxford Street that you really shouldn’t miss are TK Maxx and Superdrug.
I’ve written plenty about the cheap scented candles you can find at TK Maxx, and honestly, for that price, nothing beats it.
As for Superdrug, when it comes to drugstore makeup, it’s unbeatable.
There’s just a vibe in these shops that you don’t quite find in France, even with similar brands around.
Alright, enough talk; let’s explore the best shops in Oxford Street you absolutely have to visit!
Best Shops in Oxford Street London: TK Maxx
It is true that if you are looking for cool things to do in London, the shopping part will be intense.
We are in one of the world’s biggest shopping capitals and well…
TK Maxx is really an institution of makeup, candle and clothes shops in Oxford Street.
You can find everything there at really low prices.
The prices aren’t as low as other shops like B&M and Home Bargains, or even Poundland.
But it’s not really the same, either, since TK Maxx focuses mostly on the fashion part, with bits and bobs for home decor, homeware, etc.
You can really find everything there, with things like:
- inexpensive decoration items
- scented candles (from Yankee Candle, DW Home or Sand and Fog, three of my favorite brands)
- various makeup brands (from Illamasqua to Profusion Cosmetics, and Essie to Fenty Beauty)
- designer clothes (found some Dolce & Gabbana there the other day!)
- designer bags (Love Moschino is quite common at TK Maxx)
- shoes (anything from Replay to Guess)
- and much more!
If you are looking for the best shops in Oxford Street for yourself or want to bring back small gifts back home, you can hardly do better than TK Maxx.
I’ve actually also written about the best TK Maxx in London already, if you want to check out the biggest branches.
One of them is indeed in Oxford Street, but there are other cool branches in Central London worth checking out.
Read: The Best Second Hand Bookshops in London
Best Makeup Shops in Oxford Street London: Superdrug
Needless to say, Superdrug is really my favorite makeup store in London.
There are a lot of them, but if you’re looking for the biggest makeup shops in Oxford Street, check out Superdrug Marble Arch.
It is located at the very top of Oxford Street, towards Marble Arch station.
Marble Arch itself is near Hyde Park, and in this park you can find Winter Wonderland – a little gem to visit if you want to spend Christmas in London.
There are several Superdrugs in Oxford Street.
That includes one located in the West One underground shopping center at Bond Street Station.
In the West One shopping center, you’ll also find a Clintons store which sells cheap Yankee Candles.
Or at least, cheaper than what you might expect from a brick-and-mortar candle and stationery shop.
Superdrug is the reference in terms of shops in Oxford Street and all over London if you want to find cheap makeup.
We are talking about brands like Barry M, MUA Makeup Academy, Collection, Revolution, Rimmel, as well as other more American brands like Juvia’s Place, BH Cosmetics, and even Maybelline and L’Oréal.
Read: The Best Italian Makeup Brands
Best Shops in Oxford Street London: Boots
Boots is the equivalent of Superdrug, with a slightly more sophisticated side.
I usually go to Boots because I know they sell brands that are not available at Superdrug.
Boots has several shops in Oxford Street, including a really gigantic one in the middle of the street, and not far from Ben’s Cookies.
Just so you know, Ben’s Cookies bakes some of the best cookies in London – if you like freshly baked cookies with huge chocolate chips in them.
Boots offers many makeup brands like 17 and No7 (the brand’s own makeup collections), Barry M, Essie, Revolution, Collection or Makeup Obsession.
One of the coolest and cheapest makeup brands at Boots is 17., and I actually bought the 17. Red Berry lip liner which is the perfect…
MAC Beet lip liner dupe. Like, perfect, for a couple of pounds.
But unlike Superdrug, it’s not just cheap makeup and drugstore that Boots offers.
You’ll find Estee Lauder, Clinique, Smashbox, and even MAC Cosmetics there, too.
Boots is also a pharmacy, so if you are looking for medicines, hair products or skincare cosmetics, it is also the destination for those.
Read: The Best Italian Restaurants in London Bridge
Best Shops in Oxford Street London: Whittard of Chelsea
Whittard is an institution when it comes to tea shops in London, and its most important shop is the one on Oxford Street.
The first Whittard store in London opened in 1886, and their tea, cocoa and coffee that exceed all expectations.
What I particularly like about Whittard, something that no other store in Oxford Street London has, is their Alice in Wonderland collection.
It is made of several artistically finished and very sophisticated teapots and cups – beautiful and really British.
Their chocolate-covered coffee beans and creative hot chocolate boxes (hot white chocolate with fruit, for example) are very interesting – and nobody else does that in London.
If Whittard is one of London’s most famous tea shops, there really is a reason, and that’s definitely one of my favorite shops in Oxford Street.
Read: The Best Halal Restaurants in Canary Wharf
Best Shops in Oxford Street London: Selfridges
Selfridges is one of the go-to department stores in Oxford Street for all things luxury fashion, luxury food, luxury scented candles – and everything luxury, really.
At Selfridges, you can find couture brands, as well as really luxurious makeup like Pat McGrath, Valentino, or Charlotte Tilbury.
But if you’re looking for makeup shops in London like Morphe, Huda Beauty or Too Faced, you’ll also find them at Selfridges.
Of course, the prices are on par with the brands’ fame.
Also, if you are looking for gift ideas for food, then go to the basement.
Between Pierre Hermé and Ladurée macarons, Belle Époque products (a fairly well-known French pastry shop in London), chocolate and cupcakes, there is plenty to make lovely gifts at Selfridges.
Best Clothes Shops in Oxford Street London: Primark
There are two huge Primark stores out of all the shops in Oxford Street, but the one I recommend you visit is the one opposite Tottenham Court Road tube station.
For starters, Primark in Marble Arch is a little better known, more visited, and a lot more cluttered – which I personally hate.
The one on Tottenham Court Road has a café upstairs, several floors, a corner where you can get a manicure…
It’s just more accessible and less of a headache.
Of course, in both, there will be a six-foot-long queue to get to the checkout.
But I always had the impression that the Tottenham Court Road Primark is tidier, more organized, and offers more products.
If you are looking for good cheap clothes in London or Primark makeup, you have to go there in the morning.
In the afternoon, not only is there a longer queue, but there are also fewer products.
At Primark, there’s also a Harry Potter section with stationery, clothing and accessories – something to see if you’re looking for Harry Potter shops in London.
Read: The Best Coffee Shops in Shoreditch
Best Makeup Shops in Oxford Street London: Inglot Cosmetics
Inglot Cosmetics is one of my favorite Polish makeup brands, and their AMC Gel eyeliners are unbelievable.
The matte Inglot lipsticks, too.
And if you’re ever looking for dupes for MAC red lipsticks, check out the red matte Inglot lipsticks – they’re just about the same shades.
So, if you’re looking for the best shops in Oxford Street for makeup, whether you’re a pro or do your makeup at home, Inglot has got to be on your bucket list.
The matte lipsticks are similar in texture to the MAC Retro Matte lipsticks and stay on really well.
Other very interesting products at Inglot are the customizable eyeshadow palettes, as well as the duochrome loose pigments and H2O nail polishes that allow the nails breathe.
Inglot is one of my favorite shops in Oxford Street, and I always stop by to see the new collections.
And if I can recommend one product in particular, it would really be the gel eyeliners, which are waterproof and will never let you down.
Read: The Best Things to Do in Camden Town
Best Shops in Oxford Street London: Ann Summers
If you are ever looking for lingerie shops in London, Ann Summers is a very nice brand that offers everything; from bodysuits to sets in all colors, and even cute costumes and accessories.
It’s true that when you move to London, you don’t really know where to buy these very useful things like lingerie.
Yet, there are several good clothes shops in Oxford Street where you can treat yourself without having to tick the Primark box.
We have Calzedonia, Intimissimi, Boux Avenue…
And for bigger budgets, Agent Provocateur and La Perla inside Selfridges.
Ann Summers is mid-budget, with beautiful lingerie collections that change with the seasons.
The models are very well thought out, and really beautiful – and since you have Superdrug in Marble Arch not far away, why not kill two birds with one stone?
Read: The Best Charity Shops in London
Best Beauty Shops in Oxford Street London: Lush
Lush is one of the biggest cosmetics shops on Oxford Street, with three floors stocked with hair products, skincare products, bath bombs and natural makeup.
While Lush recently released its line of scented candles, it’s not something I recommend you buy.
On the other hand, go to the first floor to marvel at the incredible number of bath bombs parading, and have the ultra-friendly sellers help try out soaps and hand creams.
In the basement, you will find the Lush perfume range, as well as a spa that you can book to be pampered.
My favorite products?
The solid toothpastes, the massage bars and the solid shampoos – all safe bets in this Oxford Street store.
Read: The Most Colorful Places in London
Best Shoe Shops in Oxford Street London: Office
Office is one of my favorite shops in Oxford Street.
Shoes?
I love them.
Well, if I can find big stores in London that sell lots of different shoe brands, I’m happy.
Office sells its own brand of shoes, which range from sneakers to Mary Jane platforms or simple heels for work, but there are also several different brands.
If you’re looking for Vans or Dr. Martens or Aldo shoes, you’ll find them all at Office.
Although the store isn’t that big, Office has shoes on sale all year round and the prices are affordable for mid designer shoes compared to other London shops.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in London
Best Shops in Oxford Street London: The Disney Store
The Disney Store needs no introduction – it’s one of the biggest stores in Oxford Street, and possibly one of the biggest stores in London too.
You can find everything there, from clothes to accessories, lots of toys and stuffed animals, and Disney stationery.
Not too far away is Dr. Martens, many other famous London stores like John Lewis & Partners and Selfridges, and of course, Primark.
If you are looking for Disney costumes, figurines, or even really cool toy stores to get unique gifts in London, we can hardly do better than the Disney Store.
Best Clothes Shops in Oxford Street London: Next
Next is one of the very big stores in London that sells a little bit of everything.
Especially the branch in Oxford Street, which actually hosts several stores in one.
You won’t only find Next clothing, accessories and decoration in this store.
There’s also a large Costa Coffee café, a Paperchase stationery store (which offers really pretty stationery!), and a Sockshop, which sells cute, good quality socks.
And if you’re wondering if we have a Bath and Body Works in London, the answer is yes and no.
There’s a Next store in Westfield shopping center (the branch in White City, not the one in Stratford) which has a whole Bath and Body Works department.
And even if the Next in Oxford Street does not have a Bath and Body Works section, you can order on the internet.
Do a lil Click and Collect and you’ll be able to bring Bath and Body Works body mists and scented candles back home!
Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Camden
Best Clothes Shops in Oxford Street London: River Island
So there River Island – if you don’t pass by this London store, it’s almost a tragedy.
River Island is one of the biggest – and best shops on Oxford Street, and while it specializes in clothes, their shoes and accessories deserve just as much attention.
It so happened that I had started a collection of short oversized denim jackets from River Island.
In the meantime, since I moved to Rome, Istanbul and Barcelona, I had to get rid of my River Island jackets.
But I think they are excellent quality and loved them. I had them in yellow, denim, brown, mint green and even multicolor, and just wow.
If I had to compare River Island to another brand, I would say it’s a mix of Bershka, Pull & Bear, Mango and Zara all rolled into one.
One of the best shops in Oxford Street for clothes shopping.
Also, if you’re waiting for the sales, River Island really cuts prices and you can find these famous denim jackets or even blazers around 15 pounds.
Read: The Best Italian Cafes in London
Best Shops on Oxford Street London: Kurt Geiger
One of the most recently-opened shops on Oxford Street, Kurt Geiger is a luxurious, yet fun accessories, shoes and handbag brand I hold near and dear to my heart.
If you’re looking for unique shops with cute things to treat yourself to, you’ll find many an idea as soon as you pass the threshold.
In addition to – mostly – female items, Kurt Geiger also caters to men with elegant shoes and a few accessories carrying the signature eagle from the brand.
The Kensington handbags have forever been my favorite when I pop by Kurt Geiger, and while the price can feel steep if you’re visiting London on a budget, they last in time and are overly pretty.
Oxford Street London: 14 Best Shops, Clothes to Souvenirs
And there you have them, all the best shops in Oxford Street whether you want to go shopping for clothes, makeup, or home decor!
Hopefully, you’ll have found here lots of cool places to go shopping in Central London.
I’ve not talked about H&M, Zara or Urban Outfitters as they’re places you can legit find everywhere.
But, if you’re looking for good clothes shops in Oxford Street, Urban Outfitters is perfect for that 90s/2000s vibe too!