Oxford Street and Regent Street

Mayfair / Knightsbridge, London –

Although Oxford Street and Regent Street connect at the always-hopping Oxford Circus, the two streets draw markedly different crowds.

With hundreds of stores and eateries and thousands of bleary-eyed shoppers, the gritty and tourist-driven Oxford is a budget-friendly complement to Regent Street, the bustling avenue of choice for discriminating fashion lovers who prefer style to savings.

On Oxford, eagle-eyed visitors and savvy bargain hunters look for deals at discount shops like Primark and Next, or peruse the wares at the familiar worldwide retailers that dot the historic boulevard, from Niketown to Zara and H&M, where budget fashionistas sift through the racks.

Over on Regent, meanwhile, wealthy world travelers eager to take a gander at Europe’s latest fashions step into institutions like Ted Baker, Massimo Dutti, and Kipling for the season’s trendiest trousers, sassiest skirts, and most awe-inspiring accessories.

Bustling by day, both streets die down considerably at night, though the disparate vibe lives on with university students gravitating toward Oxford’s more relaxed fish and chips joints and well-to-do young professionals heading out for an evening at Regent’s trendier and pricier restaurants and bars.

Two of the most densely populated commercial roadways in Britain, Oxford Street and Regent Street offer markdown values, luxury wares, and a selection so broad that their shops appeal to kings and paupers alike.