London Chelsea

Shopping in Chelsea runs the gamut, with stores from the neighborhoods punk-rock salad days to a stifling amount of kitchen and home shops. Still, if you want to trick out your hostel room, we’ve seen some lovely linoleum.

John Sandoe Books, 10 Blacklands Terr. ( 020 7589 9473; www.johnsandoe.com) While taking the stairs to the fiction section on the second floor, one remembers the joy of independent bookstores. There's barely space for peoples' feet as half of each stair is taken up by a pile of carefully selected books. On the crammed second floor, a cracked leather chair presides over shelves so packed with masterworks and little known gems that they are layered with moving shelves. There are books everywhere in this store, and the knowledgeable staff is personable and ready to offer excellent suggestions. Book lovers beware: it would be easy to spend the day in this shop. Sloane Sq. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King's Rd. Go straight onto it and turn right at Blacklands Terr. Open M-Sa 9:30am-5:30pm, Su noon-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Taschen, 12 Duke of York Sq. (020 7881 0795 ; www.taschen.com) If you've ever heard of Taschen, or the art-book-publishing company, you'll want to see this store. Packed with high quality, well-written, high-culture art books about everything from Impressionism to logo design and some low-culture books such as those pertaining to big butts, breasts, penises, and, of course, architecture. Taschen's got everything a self-respecting art aficionado could want..except the originals. Prices vary, but the books can be surprisingly inexpensive. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King's Rd. Go onto it and turn left onto Duke of York Square (it's the one by the Saatchi Art Gallery). Prices vary, but the books can be surprisingly inexpensive. Open M-Tu 10am-6pm, W 10am-7pm, Th-F 10am-6pm, Sa 10am-7pm, Su noon-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Ad Hoc, 153 King's Rd (020 7376 8829; www.adhoclondon.co.uk) If you have an inescapable yet reasonably innocuous fascination with breasts and penises (and really, who doesn't), then Ad Hoc might be the shopping experience you've been missing. There are tassels, flashing breast lights, grow your-own willies, inflatable boobs, bouncing boobs, and glow-in-the-dark cock straws. There are also shirts, hats, adventurous tights, and sunglasses. Randomly, Fllann's tattoo parlor is a part of the shop. Sex and tattoos, what more convincing do you need? Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King's Rd. Open M-Tu 10am-6pm, W 10am-7pm, Th-Su 10am-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Clothes

Ad Hoc, 153 King’s Rd. Sloane Sq., then Bus #11, 19, 22, 211, 319. This store is a must for costume parties. Ad Hoc’s scantily clad window mannequins display everything from candy bikinis to bling-heavy ...more

Shoes

Sukie’s, 285 King’s Rd. Sloane Sq., then Bus #19 or 319. Quirky British style and Italian quality. The heels, flats, loafers, and boots come in unusual colors, materials, and textures, and are specially ...more