Luxury Xmas Shopping in London's Jermyn Street

Shop on an Elegant 18th Century Street in the Heart of the West End

Nov 8, 2008

One of London's favourite shopping areas, Jermyn Street has been the first stop for high quality goods for over two hundred years, drawing visitors from around the world.

Jermyn Street is home to an eclectic mix of shops, some ancient, some not so ancient. There's an historic perfumery, a prestigious hat maker, classic shirts, hand-made shoes and a traditional barber shop.

Luxury Christmas Shopping in London - J. Floris Ltd. at No.89 Jermyn Street

Floris dates back to 1730, when a barber emigrated from Menorca and set up shop here. The seventh generation of his family carries on the business. You’ll find cologne, soaps, and bath essence and unusual toilet accessories. Toothbrushes inlaid with mother-of-pearl or lapis lazuli share a shelf with extravagant swansdown powder puffs and tiny combs for moustaches.

Luxury Christmas Shopping in London - Geo F.Trumper at No.20 Jermyn Street

This tiny barber’s shop is known as the gentlemen’s perfumer. They have been manufacturing toilet waters and perfumes since the middle of the 19th century. There is a barber shop in the basement that has been here since the 1930’s. Almost anything in this shop would make a marvellous gift. There are traditional shaving mugs, razors with carved horn handles, and an incredible collection of shaving brushes made from badger hair, which is said to be the absolute best for shaving.

Luxury Christmas Shopping in London - Bates the Hatter at No.21a Jermyn Street

For the person who has everything, why not buy an Indiana Jones wide-brimmed felt hat . This shop is little-changed since the turn of the century. Its biggest sellers are beautiful Panamas. Although a men’s hatter, many of their hats also appeal to women - their caps and felt hats make attractive fashion

Luxury Christmas Shopping in London - Turnbull & Asser at No.71 Jermyn Street

Famous for classic-cut shirts in both silk and cotton, this shop is shirtmakers to the Prince of Wales. Many other famous people are patrons and their signed photographs line the rear walls of the shop.

Exclusive fabrics are used for their shirts and made-to-measure shirts don’t come cheap.They also sell ties in English woven silks, boxer shorts made of shirting materials, pajamas, dressing gowns, socks in natural fabrics and brilliantly coloured silk scarves. The Christmas gift par excellence would be a silk-lined cashmere dressing gown.

Luxury Christmas Shopping in London - R.E. Tricker at No.67 Jermyn Street

Tricker has been making shoes since 1829. They sell handmade shoes for men that are made to last. They are expensive but they will see you through at least a decade. Nonetheless, buying a pair of custom-made shoes here is not a decision to be made quickly. The shop also carries ready-made shoes, the biggest seller being the traditional English brogue.

The copyright of the article Luxury Xmas Shopping in London's Jermyn Street in Historical Travel is owned by Cathy Smith. Permission to republish Luxury Xmas Shopping in London's Jermyn Street in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.