Swaine Adeney Brigg, Editor's choice on LondonTown.com
Swaine Adeney Brigg, Editor's choice on LondonTown.com
The review...
This rather exclusive establishment will happily arm London folk with a seriously upper-class, posh brolly should they be in need of one. An incredibly timeless store, nothing seems to change here. In addition to serving up some classy umbrellas it also sustains its business on providing excessively big hats for Ascot, tweed jackets and breeches for those city folk who like to head to the country to try their hand at blowing birds out of the sky during the shooting season, and, of course, the obligatory humungous (if slightly unnecessary) picnic hampers. Umbrella wise, well yes they do excel. They sell absolutely stunning, walking length umbrellas for gentleman with a choice of Malacca, hickory or cherry handles. Prices - which start at £175 (gulp) - mean you'll be positively praying for rain.
Even if you can’t afford it – it’s worth a look simply to pop in, stand back, look aghast and marvel at a wonderful example of British eccentricity. Yes, there are still some people, dotted around this dear country of ours, who wear panama hats complete with private club ribbons (my grandfather for one). I’m all in support of this shop. It reeks of British tradition and that is definitely something London folk cling on to. So yes, it’s a ‘spiffing’ establishment for brollies and so much more.