Don't…
Head for Harrods

A lavish, over-the-top temple to conspicuous consumption, Harrods touts itself as having become a tourist attraction in its own right, with whole areas seemingly geared to parting tourists from their cash (tiny plastic totes with the Harrods logo for around $40, anyone?). Unless you want to see its gawdy Egyptian escalator, depicting the story of the Valley of the Kings (built during former owner Mohamed Al Fayed's tenure for a cool $30 million), we suggest you steer clear.

Instead…
Shop at Liberty

Spend some quality shopping time at Liberty, a unique and utterly charming department store that has a mock-Tudor facade, wood-paneled interiors, balconies, glass atriums, and a quirky layout. You can still find rolls of the store's famous historic fabrics, but nowadays in-the-know Londoners come for its fashion-forward clothing, well-crafted accessories and handsome home furnishings created by leading and emerging designers and artists (ceramicist Grayson Perry recently designed a fabric collection, and Ronnie Wood a wild ready-to-wear line). Check out Liberty's scarf room (London's largest selection), its just-launched men's clothing line, and its recently expanded jewelry room.

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