A quirky Fashion in London itinerary filled with museums, some of the best shopping areas in London, and bookshops to get style and fashion books!
Welcome to a new themed London itinerary – today, we’re diving into an amazing three days all about fashion in London.
I absolutely love fashion and became a fashion and beauty makeup artist in 2018, working on photoshoots with various brands.
One thing I adore about London is the freedom people feel in their personal style.
As we explore shops, museums, and inspiring areas, you’ll get a deeper understanding of London’s unique fashion culture and its vibrant beauty scene – and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!
A Local’s Fashion in London Itinerary from Museums to Shops
I’ve crafted lots of themed London itineraries.
I have covered everything from Moroccan spots in London to Italian, French, and even literary places for bookworms.
Soon, I’ll also publish a long-awaited itinerary all about makeup in London, focusing on products, history, and vintage finds.
But today, let’s enjoy these three days exploring fashion in London, from the V&A Museum of Childhood to the Museum of London, with some fantastic exhibitions along the way.
Day 1 – Morning
Fashion in London Itinerary: V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green
We’ll start our first day at the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.
This East London gem is in a very local area, home to some of London’s oldest cafés like E. Pellicci on Bethnal Green Road.
The museum is all about childhood, featuring toys, dollhouses, and a small but great costume corner.
This very corner is where our fashion journey begins, showcasing textures, shapes, and patterns that could inspire any artist at heart – and since this is a free museum, why not add it to your itinerary, whether you visit London in 10 days or just three?
Read: Italy in London: An Unusual Itinerary to Italian Places in London
Fashion in London Itinerary: Claire de Rouen Books, Bethnal Green
Our next stop is Claire de Rouen Books, also in Bethnal Green – this charming bookstore has strong ties to photography, art, and fashion.
It’s a very feminine space, filled with coffee table books and fashion volumes that will surely inspire your personal style.
It’s a hidden gem you wouldn’t really expect to find in Bethnal Green, an area known more for cheap eats and charity shops than high-fashion, which makes it even more interesting to pop by!
Read: Paris in London: An Unusual Itinerary to French Places in London
Fashion in London Itinerary: Brick Lane’s Vintage Shops
From Bethnal Green, we’ll head to the vintage markets on Brick Lane; all you have to do is walk down Bethnal Green Road and you’ll be there in about 10 minutes.
If you haven’t had breakfast yet, grab a delicious doughnut from Crosstown Doughnuts or a rainbow bagel at Beigel Bake.
Both shops are at the top of Brick Lane, just a short walk from the vintage markets, and since this street is one of the first you’ll visit if you’d like to discover London’s street art, you’ll most probably pop by at some point.
Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, these markets are perfect for browsing vintage Burberry trench coats, patchwork jeans, shoes, retro hats… and truly capture London’s punk yet sophisticated style.
Read: How to Spend 3 Days in London: A Fun Itinerary
Day 1 – Afternoon
Fashion in London Itinerary: Museum of London for Period Costumes
In the afternoon, we’ll head to the Museum of London, where the clothing collection is absolutely stunning.
This museum tells the story of London from its medieval roots to the Roman era, Saxon, and Norman periods.
The fashion collection is our focus today, with over 23,000 pieces from Tudor times to our days, with clothes from iconic London-based designers like Vivienne Westwood and Mary Quant.
P.S. The Museum of London is moving to the West Smithfield area, a gorgeous historic neighborhood.
It’s a quiet spot to visit if you want a break from London’s hustle and bustle, with beautiful streets and secret gardens nearby, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Read: How to Spend 24 Hours in London: A Full Itinerary
Fashion in London Itinerary: Selfridges, Oxford Street and the Bookshop
After soaking in the history at the Museum of London (great if you’re traveling or living in London on a budget since it’s completely free), we’ll head to Oxford Street, obviously!
Our main stop is Selfridges, a favorite of mine, the perfect place to find perfume, high-end makeup, and discover the latest couture collections.
Even if I’m not planning to buy anything, I always pop by Selfridges just to see the cocktail dresses, belts, bags, and makeup collections.
Sure, it gets crowded, especially in summer and around Christmas, but it’s totally worth it to find some inspiration and new odds and ends.
Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Spitalfields, East London
Fashion in London Itinerary: Mayfair for Luxury Fashion Shops and Tailoring
Since we’re in central London, let’s add the upscale Mayfair neighborhood to our itinerary.
Mayfair is known for its couture shops like Fendi and YSL, as well as its tailoring shops on Savile Row.
It’s an amazing place to visit, especially during the holidays when the shopping arcades are decked out with beautiful Christmas lights and decorations.
Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Canary Wharf, East London
Fashion in London Itinerary: Vivienne Westwood Exhibition at Christie’s (June 14 to June 24, 2024)
Our last stop of the day is Christie’s auction house; until June 24, 2024, they’re showcasing the personal wardrobe of Vivienne Westwood for charity.
If you’re not familiar with her designs, this is your chance to discover her extravagant style, since the exhibition features dresses, suits, skirts, and jackets from the 80s onwards.
Afterward, if you’re up for a posh dinner, try one of the aesthetic Mayfair restaurants like Bacchanalia with its Greek-inspired decor.
For more budget-friendly options, head to Chinatown for Beijing Dumpling or Soho for Viet Food.
Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Covent Garden, Central London
Day 2 – Morning
Fashion in London Itinerary: Muswell Hill’s Charity Shops for Designer Clothes
Day two of our fashion in London itinerary starts in Muswell Hill, North London – this area has a unique blend of edginess and posh vibes, a vibe I absolutely love.
The charity shops here are filled with secondhand designer clothes and bags from brands like Kate Spade and Tory Burch, and since there are about a dozen shops in Muswell Hill of the like, you can easily spend hours shopping there.
Plus, you’ll find in the area one of London’s most unique shops, Londonworks: it’s a kind of concept store selling anything from clothing to scented candles and even Jellycat plushies, and great to buy souvenirs from London!
Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Liverpool Street, East London
Fashion in London Itinerary: Victoria & Albert Museum’s Fashion Collection
From Muswell Hill, we’ll head straight to the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington.
We discovered the Young V&A on our first day, and will now discover other pieces showcasing the evolution of fashion through history.
At the V&A, you’ll find a permanent and free fashion collection featuring designs from Yohji Yamamoto, Christian Dior, and more.
Dresses, suits, menswear… Since it’s completely free, it’s yet another great spot to have on your bucket list.
Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Fleet Street, City of London
Day 2 – Afternoon
Fashion in London Itinerary: Fashion & Textile Museum, Bermondsey Street
Next, we’ll visit the Fashion and Textile Museum on Bermondsey Street near London Bridge: the museum’s collection of dresses and patterns throughout history is captivating, to say the least.
It’s worth the visit, especially because Bermondsey is a historically rich, maritime area with striking buildings that tell the story of London’s past as a port.
And if you’d like to spend more time there (I understand, it is indeed one of my favorite neighborhoods), check out what you can do if you only have one hour in London Bridge!
Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Instagrammable Places
Fashion in London Itinerary: Design Museum
Afterward, we’ll pop by the Design Museum in Kensington – we’re indeed going back West, and to a place you’ll most probably love, love, love.
While the Alexander McQueen “Rebel” exhibition is now closed, you can still catch glimpses of fashion alongside other design exhibits.
For instance, starting July 5, 2024, there’s a Barbie exhibition showcasing the evolution of the doll’s makeup, dresses, and outfits – really interesting whether you’re into the history of the Mattel doll or looking for inspo!
Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Multicolor Places in London
Fashion in London Itinerary: King’s Road, Chelsea
After visiting so many museums, I always get hungry and want to shop.
We’ll head to Chelsea’s King’s Road, where you can find great charity shops with high street and high-end clothes at affordable prices.
If you have a bigger budget, there are also fantastic fashion shops in the area, along with many restaurants and cool coffee shops to grab a snack, like Peggy Porschen.
Day 3 – Morning
Fashion in London Itinerary: Sloane Square and Harrods, Knightsbridge
Our third day of discovering fashion in London starts in West London, specifically in Knightsbridge.
You can kick off at Sloane Square to get a feel for the high-end fashion shops in the area, but our main destination is really Harrods.
Just like Selfridges on Oxford Street, Harrods is a famous department store you simply can’t miss when visiting London.
Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, Harrods is packed with stunning fashion collections—from bags to dresses to quintessentially British brands.
Plus, you’ll find luxury candles and high-end perfume brands like Penhaligon’s, Pantheon and Initio.
Take your time exploring, treat yourself maybe, and then head over to EL&N Café on Hans Crescent for a quick breakfast or a dreamy brunch.
This fully pink coffee shop offers everything from pink cookies to colorful lattes, all in an elegant decor which almost feels like you’re spending some time in an Alice in Wonderland spot.
Read: Living in London: Things I Have Learned Over the Years
Fashion in London Itinerary: Fashion Space Gallery, London College of Fashion
After our stroll around Harrods, we’ll make our way to Oxford Circus to visit the Fashion Space Gallery at the London College of Fashion.
I’ve visited a few times, especially since I used to do makeup with London College of Fashion students.
This gallery is a free exhibition space where you’ll find innovative designs—not only student collections but also pieces by established artists; a cool way to get a feel for the latest trends and the general fashion vibe of the city.
Read: The Best Supermarkets and Food Shops in London
Fashion in London Itinerary: Tenderbooks, Cecil Court
If you’ve been on The Working Line before, you’ve probably heard me rave about Cecil Court.
It’s one of the cutest, semi-secret alleyways in London, nestled between Leicester Square, Charing Cross Road, and Covent Garden.
Cecil Court is also a must-visit if you’re into books, as it’s filled with antique and rare book shops, and even an Alice in Wonderland-themed bookshop.
Our last stop of the day is Tenderbooks on Cecil Court. It’s not very big, but this cute bookshop showcases works from contemporary artists, including photography and fashion.
The selection of coffee table books is pretty crazy, perfect for anyone wanting to dive deeper into the world of fashion in a cozy atmosphere – and since Cecil Court is a stop you have to make if you’re following a literary itinerary in London, you have to visit!
Read: The Best Shopping Streets in London
A Local’s Fashion in London Itinerary from Museums to Shops
There you have it – my complete three-day fashion itinerary in London!
When talking or writing about fashion, I always think about “The Devil Wears Prada” and the moment when Miranda Priestly tells Andrea that her clothes were chosen by the people in her office.
For many, including myself, fashion is more than just clothes; it’s a form of expression.
And while I have kept the habit of wearing all black from my makeup artist days, there’s not one piece of clothing that doesn’t make me utterly happy.
I hope you enjoyed this itinerary, and I can’t wait to see you again for another themed stroll around London.
And if you’re into discovering more about London, why not follow my Dark Academia itinerary next?