Our Favourite Shops No.4

Every Thursday we bring you The Daily Constitutional guide to the best of London shopping – independent, one man- and one-woman bands, unique boutiques, singular emporia and London institutions.

These are our favourite shops. To nominate your favourite shop for inclusion send us an email with a short description and a brief reason why you think it is the best shop in London.


The Button Queen

What: Buttons, buttons and more buttons

Where: 76 Marylebone Lane W1

Why: What links the following: Domed; Half ball; High ball; Double flats; Madeleine?

Architectural terms? Sports jargon? Cocktails?

None of the above, thanks for asking. They’re all button coverings.

London has one shop specializing in antique and modern buttons – The Button Queen in Marylebone. Establishments such as The Button Queen remind us why Johnson’s oft-abused dictum – “for in London there is all that life can afford” – gets trotted out after every meal and twice before bedtime.

A shop dedicated entirely to buttons. What a delight.

A London institution, the business moved to Marlborough Court just off Carnaby Street in the late 60’s under the auspices of Toni Frith, the original Button Queen. Moves to St Christopher’s Place and latterly Marylebone Lane followed, as did celebrity clientele such as Shirley Bassey and Bob Hope.

Still going strong, you can find The Button Queen at 76 Marylebone Lane W1U 2PR. Call them on 0207 935 1505 or visit their website www.thebuttonqueen.co.uk.

Keep it in mind. And next time the conversation turns to matters of haberdashery, you can say, “I know just the place” with a great deal of satisfaction.