Preparing for a London Christmas

Christmas is the biggest event on the calendar and Londoners love to celebrate in style. We take preparations seriously because Christmas isn't Christmas without all the traditional trimmings. Baubles, tinsel, fairy lights, candles, Christmas trees, mince pies and mulled wine are just some of the festive goodies we cram our homes with over the coming months.

London's shops pull out all the stops this time of year adorning their shelves with shiny Christmas trinkets. We've put together the essential guide of all the shops to visit to get prepare for the big day. From crackers to stockings our selection of decoration sellers have everything you need to drape your house in Christmas adornments. Pick up (or have delivered) the best quality Christmas trees. Gluttony and Christmas go hand in hand - from turkeys to brandy butter we'll direct you to the yummiest shops to pick-up fantastic quality festive fare. Finally, as Yuletide approaches the party season descends upon the capital. Take a look at our guide to the best boutiques, retail shops and hiring outlets. With so much choice, you will easily be able to find a glamorous party outfit, be it an essential little black dress or a dashing James Bond style tuxedo. Christmas is made easy with LondonTown.com.

Decorations

Fortnum & Mason

181 Piccadilly, W1A
From exploding table decorations to sumptuously embroidered stockings, Fortnum and Mason boasts a range of festive decorations rivalled only by the delectable seasonal specialities in the food hall. Situated on Piccadilly this regal department store clings gloriously to its pre-war roots – a commitment to the highest quality, pretty packaging and knowing superiority.

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Harrods

87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1
The gaudy interiors of the world’s most famous department store suggest a talent for flamboyant adornment and the selection of Christmas decorations doesn’t disappoint. Simple baubles, refined silver table-wear and scented candles emanating festive odours are just some of the bits on offer, plus you’ll have no trouble doing a bit of present shopping at the same time.

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John Lewis

278-306 Oxford Street, W1
This Oxford Street institution offers an enormous choice of goods for the festive season – lights, table linen, crackers, candles, doormats, cuddly toys and stockings have all been given a merry Christmas make-over. This is all quality stuff with the price tag to match, but John Lewis guarantees that they are never knowingly undersold.

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Habitat

121-123 Regent Street, W1
Since it was founded in the 60s Habitat has been one of the leading furniture retailers in the UK and every Christmas they roll out their festive selection of lights, garlands and baubles. Their design-led philosophy is reflected in their decorations – these are a bit more chic than your average tinsel and baubles.

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The Christmas Shop

Hay's Galleria, 55a Tooley Street, SE1
Step inside a winter wonderland twelve months a year at London’s only official Christmas shop. Choose from the finest baubles, nativity sets, tinsel and treetop angels to decorate your spruce and there’s a fantastic selection of knick knacks to bulk up a stocking. Adults will appreciate the assortment of table decorations and charming music boxes.

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The Pier

200 Tottenham Court Road, W1
Ditch the tired tinsel and ancient baubles and put a bit of pizzazz into your tree this year with The Pier’s range of cool, quirky decorations – sparkling dragonflies, velvet frogs, frosty icicles and frozen tear drops will all transform your festive centrepiece. Wrap up all your goodies in an appetising manner with a flashy range of wrapping paper and labels. And don’t forget the dinner table – bright confetti, napkin rings and table cloths will spice it up for the biggest celebration of the year.

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Ikea

2 Drury Way, North Circlular, NW10
Cheap, cheerful and crowded. In the run up to Christmas we can’t deny that Ikea will be packed to the gills with shoppers. Nevertheless, like their furniture, the Christmas range costs very little, looks pretty good and there is plenty of choice. Expect a mammoth selection of decorations and plenty of girly favourite fairy lights.

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Price's Candles

100 York Road, Battersea, SW11
From midnight mass to Blue Peter's alternative to the advent calendar, the glow of candles filters everywhere over the Christmas month. Price's is a huge warehouse of candles offering anything from the simple cream church stick, to pear shaped table candles in vibrant colours, all in any quantity you want. So, whether you're planning to light up an entire building with tea lights for an extravagant, atmospheric party or just want to pick up some Christmas novelties this is a great option.

Phone: 020 7924 6336
Time: Mon to Sat 9:00-17:30, Sun 11:00-17:00
Nearest Station: Clapham Junction Rail

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Paperchase

213-215 Tottenham Court Road, W1T
King of cards and wrapping paper, Paperchase also boasts a fine collection of bright fun Christmas decorations for tree and table. What's more, drawing on their usual cute designs, they've created a wonderful line of festive goodies; shape biscuits with a Christmas tree cookie cutter, pin a Santa badge on your lapel or play a festive round of poker with the reindeer card deck. Fabulous for small gifts too.

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Butlers

N1 Shopping Centre, Islington, N1
Number One for table decorations, Butlers will make sure that it's not just the food that gets talked about over Christmas dinner. With their quality selection of table cloths, place mats and napkins, and even glassware, crockery and cutlery, they can help you create a fully coordinated table with an eye-catching centrepiece.

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Christmas Trees

Christmas Forest

The Alwyne Pub, St Paul's Road, N1
1st December - 24th December 2006

This company are complete experts in Christmas trees. Pedantic over quality, their philosophy is to deliver trees that are freshly cut and sold at a fair price. The trees are sourced in the UK and delivered directly to the selling site. They also offer a whole range of trees – Nordmann Fir, Noble Fir, Fraser Fir and even the classic Norway Spruce. Green, verdant and sprouting abundant needles, this home-grown company will once again be dishing out beautiful Christmas trees across the capital. Incidentally, for every tree purchased here in the UK they plant one in Africa.

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Columbia Road Market

Columbia Road, Hackney, E2
1st December - 24th December 2006

Having bloomed into one of London’s most beautiful markets, it's lovely to have an excuse to visit this Sunday-morning fixture. The place blooms with visitors in the run up to Christmas. As always, the stallholders remain staunchly chipper and are only too pleased to welcome festive folk to their pitches. You can pick up trees of an excellent quality that will only set you back about £15. They wrap them up for you using a huge metal tree wrapping machine and send you on your way. The market is also a great place to get holly, mistletoe and red poinsettias – a Christmas tree with all the trimmings.

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Camden Garden Centre

2 Barker Drive, St Pancras Way, London NW1
1st December - 24th December 2006

From the end of November every year, the Camden Garden Centre is full of the finest Christmas trees. The standard is exceptional – hard-wearing needles, rich green colour and big bushy branches are typical of their trees. They offer a healthy variety of trees including the traditional Norway Spruce, the Nordmann, the Noble Fir and the Fraser Fir. You can choose cut trees or opt for one grown in a pot. They are displayed in a spacious area so you can gently browse the trees before selecting your festive favourite. If you wish, they will trim the trunk in a special machine so it fits your tree stand. They even deliver trees direct to your home. It’s quite a service.

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Pines and Needles

123 Shirland Road, Maida Vale, W9
1st December - 24th December 2006

This largely online company offers festive folk the full Christmas tree package. They offer a next day delivery service to most UK addresses and customers can choose a delivery slot to suit them. The company also goes as far as to setup the tree, install the lights, supply decorations and then actually decorate the tree for you. When Christmas comes to and end they'll even come round, collect the tree and recycle it. It’s an astoundingly accommodating service and they have a long list of loyal customers who faithfully return to them every year. You can find out more on their Pine and Needles website. They also have this shop in Maida Vale if you want to pick your tree out in person.

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Wild at Heart

49A Ledbury Road, W11
1st December - 24th December 2006

Adopting a very individual approach to Christmas, this fashionable florist is definitely favoured by the rich and famous. Keen to offer customers an entirely personal experience, you are free to order the tree of your dreams. They tend to be in stock from the beginning of December and come in all shapes and sizes. Prices start at £20 for a small potted fir and get steadily more expensive as they grow in size. For an extra charge you can opt for their decorating service too. Knowing just how to impress sophisticated London folk, care is taken to match the tree decoration to the décor of individual homes and offices.

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Wild Bunch

17-22 Earlham Street, WC2H
1st December - 24th December 2006

Shrouded deep within the meandering warren of streets that criss-cross Covent Garden, ‘Wild Bunch’ adds a welcome burst of colour. This popular flower seller is always busy and now runs the length of seven stalls. This cluttered stretch of rickety tarpaulin-covered stands adds a poignant air of festive nostalgia to the place. They sell beautiful Christmas trees from the beginning of December. Prices start at £20. The friendly florists are experts in their field and will also rustle up some stunning bunches of festive flowers, with great care and artistry, for next to nothing.

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Jane Packer Flowers

32-34 New Cavendish Street, W1
1st December - 24th December 2006

For a Christmas fit for royalty, opt for Jane Packer, one of the world’s most influential florists. Famous for arranging the flowers at Princess Diana’s wedding her client list is brimming with celebrities and society figures. Christmas is a big event at this flower shop and they do it with so much style and glamour. Christmas trees go on sale from the last week of November. The range caters for all tastes and, for such an exclusive establishment, prices are surprisingly affordable. Small potted firs start from £20 and if you’re looking for an 8ft monster be prepared to pay about £50.

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Christmas Food...

...Meat, Poultry and Game

Allen & Co Butchers

117 Mount Street, W1K
Over 100 years old, this elegant butcher’s shop hidden away in Mayfair offers customers top quality cuts - notably some excellent marbled Scotch beef, perfectly prepared game and exceptionally lean pork - combined with traditional bespoke service and original Victorian décor. Warm, muted tiled walls, groaning wooden floors and a central chopping block where all the action takes place in full view of customers provide a suitably fascinating setting.

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C. Lidgate

110 Holland Park Avenue, W11
A family-run business dating back to the 1850s, C. Lidgate has earned a number of awards for providing an excellent variety of free range and organic meat and game, combined with high levels of customer service; meat here, like the customers, is treated with respect and care. At Christmas Kelly’s slow-reared, free-range turkeys are in high demand as is their grass-fed, organic lamb and beef from Highgrove. Revel in the original Victoriana whilst stocking up on their fresh, made-to-order, old-fashioned pies encrusted in butter-based pastry or indulge in gulls eggs or game.

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...Christmas Fish and Seafood

James Knight of Mayfair

67 Notting Hill Gate, W11
Originally Chalmers & Gray, the prices at this well-established West London fishmonger still sit at the high end of the market, but the fish here remains unbeatable in terms of freshness and flavour. While specialising in seafood, they also sell pheasant, poultry, partridge, grouse and venison – so it's perfect for picking up all your seasonal fish and fowl essentials in one go. If you live in the area, take advantage of their free local deliveries and customer accounts.

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H.S. Linwood & Sons

6-7 Leadenhall Market, EC3V
Salmon, snappers, sardines, scallops and sea trout jostle for space on this open-fronted stall, while a traditional cash machine chimes in the background, at this traditional 19th century fishmongers. Located in Leadenhall's covered Victorian market - the home to some of the freshest fish and meat in London – this is one of the capital’s most atmospheric locations when it comes to sourcing fresh food – perfect for a festive forage.

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...Christmas Markets

Borough Market

8 Southwark Street, SE1
Rummage for top notch, organic Christmas fare underneath the Dickensian, wrought-iron roof that covers the capital’s lauded Borough Market. Known as "London's Larder", this gourmand’s delight bursts at the seams with 70 stalls selling cakes, cider, cheeses, hams, bread, fish, fruit and veg – all ripe and ready to become part of a fresh festive feast.

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Farmers’ Markets

London’s growing number of Farmers’ Markets all provide an excellent opportunity to source fresh, local, seasonal produce straight from the grower. These markets become especially popular in the lead up to Christmas when produce includes winter root vegetables, nuts, fruit, Bronze and Black turkeys, geese and Aylesbury ducks from the last remaining producer in the country. Barnes, Islington, Notting Hill, Wimbledon, and Marylebone all hold regular farmers’ markets. Check nearer the time for dates and details.

...Christmas Cakes and Pies

Konditor & Cook

10 Stoney Street, SE1
With a reputation for serving up the best mince pies in London - if not Britain (the ‘Telegraph’) - Christmas offers another great excuse (not that you should need one) to venture inside one of Konditor & Cook’s confectionary and flour-filled premises. Traditional Christmas cakes, spicy German cookies, sugary Stollen and cinnamon stars are just some of the seasonal delights on offer.

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Euphorium Bakery

202 Upper Street, Islington, N1
Despite leaning undeniably towards French fancies, this passionate Islington bakery offers its customers some top quality British fare every Christmas. Their Christmas puddings and mince pies are some of the best in London while their strudels, apple and ginger cakes and Chocolate Marquises offer excellent alternatives to the standard seasonal sweets. Don’t forget to pick up a couple of their celebrated croissants for Christmas breakfast while you’re there.

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...Christmas Spirits

Berry Bros & Rudd

3 St James's Street, SW1A
From £5 bottles of Berry’s Good Ordinary Claret to £7000 bottles of Romanée Conti this historic wine emporium has something to suit every palate. Housed in an amazing old building, laden down with exceptionally well-kept wood panelling, this is a suitably atmospheric venue for traditional Christmas shopping - make sure you explore the amazing vaulted cellars.

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The Winery

4 Clifton Road, W9
Formerly a Victorian pharmacy, The Winery’s soaring stacks of original wooden shelves now host gleaming bottles of Burgundy and Claret instead of dusty bottles of potions and pick-me-ups, not to mention the winding vine that snakes its way around the shop. The wines - all of which are personally sourced by the owner – come mainly from small producers and can’t be found anywhere else in Britain, making this place a bit of a gem. Painted a glossy, suitably festive, Christmas-tree green it’s hard to walk past without venturing inside, and on crisp wintery evenings near impossible. Combine a trip with one of their regular wine-tasting evenings.

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...Christmas Coffee

Markus Coffee Co

13 Connaught Street, W2
Huge sacks brimming over with coffee beans of every different variety decorate the floorboards of this historic establishment. Savour the smells of freshly roasted and ground beans as you select your preferred blend from the age-old packing machine that forms the shop’s centrepiece. Rich, velvety coffee made using beans from Markus Coffee Co is just the thing for warming up on cold, crisp Christmas mornings.

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Algerian Coffee Stores

52 Old Compton Street, W1D
Offering over 140 blends of coffee (including Arabic and Lebanese) and 200 types of tea sourced from around the world, this Soho-based shop is a haven for hot beverage lovers. Their spiced coffee blends are a perfect festive alternative, chose from Lebanese with cardamon and Arabic with spices. Dating back to 1887 the store still boasts original features including rustic wooden shelving and counters. With its warm, rich aroma it’s the perfect place to while away a frosty winter afternoon.

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...Christmas Hampers

Fortnum & Mason

181 Piccadilly, W1A
A finely preserved piece of London, Fortnum & Mason is steeped in nearly three centuries of tradition. Still supplying food and wine to the Royal Family, they stock the finest provisions in the city. The renowned food hall certainly merits a visit at Christmas, but if you want to acquire an exceptional selection of festive treats in one easy step, you can do no better that one of their speciality hampers. Filled to the brim with exotic teas, bitter chocolates, buttery biscuits, delicate preserves, rich mince pies and fine wine, you’re guaranteed a spread of gastronomic delights.

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Melrose and Morgan

42 Gloucester Avenue, NW1
Bursting with seasonal stock, Melrose and Morgan rustle up hampers filled with unusual and inspiring treats for Christmas. Cranberry and chestnut stuffing, warm spiced cider, champagne truffles, Spanish clementines and traditional Christmas puddings with brandy custard are among some of the taste sensations on offer. Get your orders in early. They also stock a wide range of seasonal vegetables and meats alongside a varied collection of tongue-tingling cheeses.

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...Christmas Chocolates

Charbonnel et Walker

1 Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street, W1S
Holders of a Royal Warrant, Charbonnel et Walker have been supplying the highest quality confectionary since 1875. If you really want to treat yourself to the finest chocolate this Christmas, created in the traditional French style, look no further than this elegant establishment. Beautifully packaged and exquisite to the taste.

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...Christmas Cheese

Neal’s Yard Dairy

Cheese-enthusiasts will love this specialist shop in Covent Garden's thriving, colourful Neal’s Yard. Sourced direct from small independent farms, most of the cheese here is unpasteurised and offered at the peak of its condition thanks to the air-conditioned, humidity and temperature-controlled cellars. Take advantage of their sampling policy and try something you might not normally consider – with over 200 cheeses on offer you may be in there for some time.

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Paxton & Whitfield

93 Jermyn Street, SW1Y
Specialising in French and English artisan cheeses, this historic venue served as cheesemonger to HM Queen Victoria. Pick up a selection of finest quality cheeses and then ask the knowledgeable staff to select a range of wines and ports to compliment your choice. Part of the Jermyn Street shopping experience and located in London’s historic St James’s quarter, opposite the St James Church, the venue here is perfect for a cheese-inspired Christmas shopping trip.

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...Christmas Deliveries

Forman & Field

This London-based company have acquired an excellent reputation for delivering fresh, high quality British foodstuffs and ingredients direct to doors throughout the capital. From fish, fowl, fresh fruit and veg to cakes, canapes and cocktails, pies, preserves and conserves, chose from the best produce around without having to leave your armchair – a real bonus during chilly winter months. Phone for a catalogue.

Party Dresses

Blackout II

51 Endell Street, WC2H
This funky little vintage shop, discreetly located on Endell Street, is sheltered from the hectic shopping shenanigans of central Covent Garden. It’s very retro indeed with clothes dating from 1920s to 1980s. You’ll be able to pick up a really glam-sexy dress that no one else will have. Big skirts, tight corset tops and a good serving of diamante is a running theme among this shop's vintage gear.

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Karen Millen

262 - 264 Regent Street, W1B
This classy ladies' chain is the number one stop for posh evening togs. Rich silky fabrics and contemporary styles and shapes are typical of this store. Sharp, sexy and influenced by the catwalk, there will be lots of faux-vintage dresses with simple flower prints and puffy skirts. Everything has a sleek, slinky feel to it and looks decidedly upmarket. Come Christmas, the racks are bursting with stunning dresses. They are normally in the range of £150 - £180 and one of these beauties is worth every penny.

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Monsoon

5-6 James Street, WC2E
A bit of a classic for classy evening wear, Monsoon was the first to bring hippie chic to the high street. An eclectic mix of floaty, flowery boho style with sharp, sexy evening glamour their dresses are very original. They take their eveningwear line very seriously and it’s still going strong with a decent array of different styles. If you are going somewhere really smart, try their stunning full-length red-carpet type gowns – they are just so glamorous. It’s all pretty affordable, even the full-length princess dresses can be bought for a mere £150.

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Jesire

28 James Street, WC2E
Dresses are their forte. They really go to town on churning out a huge selection of stylish numbers. Styles vary from simple, delicately beaded flapper dresses to 1950s inspired silk and satin ones which are splashed with retro floral detail and lined with puffy net skirting. There is heaps of choice and they manage to stay loyal to the catwalk while also adding their own lovely little details to the dresses.

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Reiss

114-116 Kings Road, SW3
This sophisticated shop just carries on ballooning in popularity. The clothes feel like classy designer gear. They have a tempting range of understated draped, ruched or wrapped dresses that are so sexy but never cheap or tarty. The dresses also tend to have full skirts with unusual stitching details or swirly, quirky patterns in the weave. Reiss have it down to a tee – all their stuff looks really expensive but in reality you can probably pick up a Christmas dress for under £100.

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Whistles

12-14 St Christopher's Place, W1U
This shop is wonderfully eclectic and this probably accounts for its popularity among sophisticated London ladies. They manage to remain heavily influenced by catwalk trends while also staying loyal to their own bold, distinctive identity. The dresses are famous for their hand-finished tailoring, intricate beading, appliqué and embroidery. The influences span from Victoriana to 1970s boho glamour and 1940s classics. There is a lot to choose from and they make sure they have different styles to suit different, looks, shapes and sizes. Prices for a dress start at £120.

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Pamela Shiffer

75 Regent's Park Road, NW1
This posh little boutique, located in Primrose Hill, is frequented by good-looking, incredibly fashionable and well-heeled sorts who seem to hang out in the area. But the prices are pleasantly surprising, expensive yes, but no more so than your average classy shop. Things are still affordable and you really get your money’s worth with their use of beautiful material, lovely designs and striking independence in their styles. The dresses are exquisite. Layers of silky gauze, intricate embroidery detailing and wonderful satin – their designs are contemporary, plush and just so unique.

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Austique

330 King's Road, SW3
Immensely popular with glamorous London ladies the relaxed, very girly atmosphere that pervades this place is inspired by boutiques in Australia. Everything is super-feminine, super-floaty and super-pretty. The very elegant, sequinned party dresses by Alannah Hill are the shops best-sellers – justly so they are absolutely gorgeous. Trelise Cooper and Doo Ri also do a range of sexy, slinky numbers. Apt use of lace, chiffon and wispy material gives them that slightly mystical edge that is so common on the catwalk at the moment. Even if you don’t find a dress its just good to pop in and take a look – it’s a beautiful shop.

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Coco Ribbon

133 Sloane Street, SW1X
If you're looking for a gown for an incredibly posh do, Coco Ribbon offer an array of sumptuous satin dresses. The interior of this Chelsea branch screams extravagance and glamour - venetian chandaliers, mirrors and dressing tables give the shop a really exclusive feel. You can pick-up long, vintage, sequinned chiffon gowns with jackets and bras to match. These dresses are very grand but still sharply contemporary and stylish. They do a number of more practical dresses, again made from chiffon. Many are notable by their subtle frills, smocking and fashionable shapes. Prices for a dress do start at £270 but they are really very special.

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Mimi

309 King's Road, SW3
Another more expensive option that caters to the affluent of Chelsea, this little shop is made for party people. Even in the winter they have a vast collection of gossamer, incredibly decorative dresses. With styles from designers Rebecca Taylor, Antik Batik, Matthew Williamson and Collette Dinnigan it’s all very sexy and glamorous. This is seriously posh designer gear so be prepared for seriously posh prices.

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Tuxes and Suits

Tux ‘n’ Tails

13 Lyttelton Road, N2
Dress yourself up to the nines this Christmas hiring from the enormous range of suits at Tux ‘n’ Tails. Simple, confident, formal wear sits side by side with the stylish extravagance of the Ottavio Nuccio collection. For something altogether more exotic soft through their bazaar of traditional Asian ensembles. As well as suit hire, you can get a bespoke ensemble from as little as £350.

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Moss Bros

88 Regent Street, W1
Think suits, think Moss Bros. Since founder Moses Moses opened his first tailor’s shop in Covent Garden in 1851, the firm has become the market leader in off-the-peg suits with a shop on every high street. Quality hasn’t been sacrificed either and the courteous, attentive staff will ably advise on a suit for whatever occasion. In addition to suit hire, they sell a wide range of formal garments.

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Orri

Mayfair House, 14-18 Heddon Street, Mayfair, W1
Not quite on Savile Row, but near enough, this high quality tailor offers made-to-measure suits cut from more than 5000 sumptuous fabrics. Tailors take your vital statistics and advise on what would flatter you most, then it's over to you to add any buttons, pockets or other details you fancy. They even hire out for special occasions – morning, evening, dinner or wedding, whatever the occasion, they have an outfit to match.

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Lipman & Sons

4 Staple Inn, WC1
For 75 years this small company has been helping clients in the City and the West End to look good at work and on special occasions. A huge assortment of morning suits, dinner suits and evening wear is available in a munificent range of sizes and styles. If you’re organising a party they can organise a discount for all the guests. Like the look of the suit you hired – everything’s for sale too, with some great ex-hire bargains.

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Buckleigh of London

83 Lower Sloane Street, SW1
Established in 1988, this tailor’s supplies formal wear to the great and good of Chelsea – for one night or for good. Run by a group of ex-Savile Row tailors, all garments are altered at the Sloane Street store. Don’t miss their collection of old school smoking jackets – perfect for cigars, brandy and discussion of the Empire. They also boast the questionable accolade of having featured on reality show ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’.

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Racing Green

193-197 Regent Street, W1
Founded on principles of subtle design, easy combination and classic colour schemes, Racing Green is about as middle of the road as you can get. This works pretty well for their range of suits which can shrewdly tuck into any social situation without raising an eyebrow. The store also has a decent hire section where you can pick up a DJ or something more ostentatious.

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Modern Age

65 Chalk Farm Road, NW1
For all your vintage needs – 50s gown for a lindy-hop, 60s flower power or a super sharp, 70s corduroy suit with lapels that could be used for hand-gliding – Modern Age has it all and more. If you like to stand out at the party and want be sure that no-one else has the same outfit, this is the shop to come to. Of course, you wouldn’t want to wear it everyday so thankfully it can all be hired.

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Suits You

7-10 Eldon St, EC2
Pick your suit from an impressive stack of brand names including Pierre Cardin, Ted Baker and Chester or from their well-tailored in-house range. White tuxedoes that say ‘look over here’, subtle double-breasted dinner jackets that whisper style in your ear, over-the-top tails and just about anything else you might want. They do an excellent range of formal wear for the younger gentleman eager to impress the ladies at the ball.

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A Butcher of Distinction

11 Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1
Meat hooks, cleavers, and butchers’ blocks aren’t normally what you expect to see in a menswear shop. Nevertheless, it all sits pretty comfortably inside this Brick Lane boutique selling preppy, smart-casual garb with a retro hue. Construct the ultimate stealth-wealth look from their selection of polo shirts, vintage sneakers and low-rider slacks.

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Paul Smith Sale Shop

23 Avery Row, W1
Youthful but elegant, quirky yet classic – you can’t beat Paul Smith’s assortment of sharp plain suits set off by inspired prints and flashes of colour. It’s worth checking out the sophisticated accessories too – including some seriously slick cufflinks and wallets. This sale shop stocks samples and previous seasons’ stock at up to 50% off.

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