Just a few general hints:

Whatever you do, invest in a recent A-Z Atlas of London, don't rely on the handouts made for tourists featuring if your lucky between all the ads a small section of what they call inner London, unless you 're planning on staying just there, but then there is no point in reading on.

And most important:
Stay away from so called Auction Shops found all along Oxford Street, because the only genuine merchandise they hand over for your cash is the packaging. Knowing this you will get a kick out of watching tourists (even Brits) being taken for a ride.

A must for anyone interested in whats hip and whats not is the weekly publication of TIME OUT. The radio Station you should listen to whenever possible is: 95.8 Capital FM

Now leave your umbrella, your "Bowler" and the copy of The Times in your hotel room, and hop on the tube.
Shopping is one thing London is famous for, and unless your after the expensive designer clothes or blessed with limitless money (or both for that matter) you are generally better off going to one of the huge shopping centres on the outskirts of town, a high street anywhere outside the west end, or where you get the best value for money a Sunday market.
Refer to your copy of Time Out or ring the Capital Help line on (0171) 4845255 to find out venues and times as they tend to change seasonally.

Clothes to be found on the stalls are generally the same quality and make as the ones retailing in the country, only cheaper, as many manufacturers use the design (sometimes even the label) of their West End customers, buy fabric from the same sources and use the available slots for their own production.
A safe purchase if you don't mind missing the comfort of a shop.

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