Swinging London And Carnaby Street

Happy Birthday Carnaby Street!

Fifty years old and still going strong! Londons Carnaby Street may be forever associated with the swinging London of the 1960s but in 2010 its still one of the most popular fashion shopping districts in London and style conscious young visitors from all over the world drop in to check out the latest lines. Even Bart and Lisa Simpson called in to Carnaby Street, where they got kitted out in mod fashions!

Back in the 1960s bands like the Beatles and upcoming fashion designers like Mary Quant and Marion Foale helped put Carnaby Street at the centre of the youth fashion world. For twenty years this little street in Londons busy west end flew the flag for British fashion but when punk came along in the late 1970s and the new designers based themselves in the Kings Road in Chelsea, Carnaby Street went into decline. In the eighties and nineties Carnaby Street was something of a mixed bag as rents decreased when landlords became desperate for tenants. There were a handful of exciting innovative shops but there were a few fly by nights selling poor quality designer copies and cheap kitsch items as well as souvenirs that played on the streets illustrious past.

Today Carnaby Street is more like the Carnaby Street of old, successfully reinventing itself for the twenty-first century but placing its 1960s ethos firmly at the core of what it is. That its a pedestrianized street does much to enhance the shopping experience making it easier and safer to window shop, moving from one side of the street to the other as something catches the eye. Trendy cafes with outdoor areas are a place to see and be seen and the general vibe is one of youthful, laidback style. Carnaby Street is not high fashion but it is a great place for accessing the latest street trends at reasonable prices and, just as in the sixties, young people save their money to splurge in Carnaby Street.

By moving with the times Carnaby Street has been able to out itself back in the heart of Londons youth subculture. A useful website lists the stores and provides contact details as well as promoting special events that take place throughout the year such as music festivals and fashion shows.Back in the sixties young people from all over Britain would save their pocket money for a shopping trip to London, but now with online stores, its possible to enjoy shopping in Carnaby Street from the comfort of your own home.

Today the names are a little more mainstream with brands like American Apparel, Sweaty Betty, Ben Sherman and G-Star Raw being represented. On the other hand, Marshmallow Mountain is an eclectic vintage wear store that should delight thrifty fashionistas looking for something unique. American brand David and Goliath have a flagship British store here selling their popular ranges of men's, women's and chidlren's clothes and accessories, while Made in Brazil in nearby Kingly Court, an offshoot of Carnaby Street, sells a range of men's clothing by Brazilian designers.

While Carnaby Street may not be the beating heart of London's fashion scene it's still a worthwhile trip to make if you're in the capital, not least because it offers goods at a variety of prices to suit all pockets. You'll find some names you don't see on the usual UK high streets and there's bags of fashion inspiration which comes completely free.

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