Whether your plan is staycationing upon these fair shores, or preparing to journey to more exotic climes, St James's offers an unparalleled selection of stores for style-conscious travellers. Desirable summer ranges are currently waiting to be discovered throughout the neighbourhood, making for a very enjoyable discovery adventure – before you’ve even set off. We’ve picked a selection of just a few items well worth seeking out and whisking away, wherever that wanderlust may be leading you.
Don your summer wardrobe
Need a sartorial refresh before your holidays? Italian menswear label Luca Faloni has just opened its second London store in St James's, at 192 Piccadilly right by Princes Arcade. The summer collection, entitled The Great Escape, showcases Italian-crafted linen-wear with contemporary styling, including kaftan shirts, linen-cotton shorts and beach towels. And there are one of a kind details too, such as ‘giglio’ stitching, mother of pearl buttons, and the unique ‘Paramontura’ collar. And for women's beachwear, wander no further than Jigsaw St James’s Emporium’s classy edit: all lightweight kaftans, summer hats and beach bags and sandals. Their 100% silk ruched midi dress is a real standout and with a very flattering profile perfect for hot summer nights. Meanwhile, set off the kaftans and other items in the beach collection a treat with the Valentina resin leather sliders, relaxed and very comfortable shoes in a range of colours with a signature tortoiseshell buckle. Men can find linen shorts, flower print shirts and slim fit stretch chinos. In St James's, it's simply effortless to get beach-ready.
Perfectly framed
Trust Jermyn Street's Cubitts to come up with some sharp-looking wire-frame sunglasses, which manage to blend modernist and traditional elegance across three distinctive styles. The Collier features the more angular lens shape, while the Calshot is a classic rounded lens, also available in a hinged folding option which is ideal for journeys and safe stowing in shirt-top pockets. All three have a classic central 'bow' and a bridgeless silhouette, which looks particularly striking with the darker choice of lens colours which can be customised to a prescription if required. Summer perfectly framed, if you like…
Luggage that looks great
Princes Arcade boutique Sage Brown is an essential destination for all discerning travellers, offering luggage essentials and other not-quite-essential-but-very-desirable goodies for a summer trip. It ranges from leather or crocodile passport wallets and bag labels available in a myriad of colour options, to smooth or full-grain leather backpacks, weekend bags and larger holdalls styled for men and women. Their hand-made emerald ruby cross body chain bag has detachable shoulder and wrist straps, making it ideal for hands-free shopping and souvenir market haggling. We’re also tempted by the range of smart wash bags, guaranteed to look good anywhere from South Beach to a South African safari – or indeed Southend. Alternatively Aspinal of London offer an equally extensive selection of travel items to choose from, and Osprey do a great line in clutches, wallets and cardholders, ideal for accompanying you on a journey.
Cool in the shade
Celebrated St James’s hatters Lock and Co. have an extensive range of Panamas that really are the epitome of a vital accessory for those hot summer days. The flat-brimmed women’s Cairo Panama has a refined simplicity, yet also a decadent touch of gold buckle. Meanwhile the men’s San Diego is made from premium toquilla palm, or for a striking alternative, the Palm Spring Panama comes in a unique black colour with a pork pie crown. The rollable and collapsible varieties avoid problem hat creases when holiday packing too.
This is just the start of a thoroughly enjoyable pre-holiday adventure here in St James’s; London’s destination for one of a kind experiences. Click here to curate your very own unique outing in St James’s.