If your heart belongs to Carel’s polished Mary Janes and Aquazzura’s elegant party heels, Mayfair and its neighbouring postcodes are prime hunting ground.
Here’s a practical, up‑to‑date guide to finding those styles (and their kindred spirits), plus where to score designer shoes in charity and consignment shops nearby.
I feel an affinity with fictional character Carrie Bradshaw even though much younger. I too live in an Apartment in a neighbourhood (Mayfair) I could never ordinarily afford and as such will never be able to leave too small to house the shoe collection I have accumulated over my almost thirty years on earth. Half of which I feel I have spent picking out shoes, wearing amazing shoes and shopping for shoes in the incredible shoe shops in my beloved Mount St and beyond, Oxford Street and Bond Street walking distance away.
Where to buy my ultimate favourites Carel in London
A Standalone boutique: Carel does not currently operate a permanent London store. The brand’s own site ships to the UK and occasionally trails London pop‑ups; check Carel’s Instagram and newsletter for dates.
Department stores and multi‑brand stockists: London’s big destinations carry Carel on and off through the season. Before you set out, search online or ring ahead for:
Selfridges (Oxford Street): frequently lists Carel’s Kina and Estelle Mary Janes, colour drops vary.
Liberty (Great Marlborough Street): edits come and go; best to check availability first.
Other multi‑brand boutiques: selections rotate; calling ahead saves a wasted trip.
Resale for Carel: If your size or colour is elusive, try well‑curated consignment (see “Resale near Mayfair”, below) or verified platforms for past‑season pairs.
Aquazzura in Mayfair: Bond Street area updates
Boutique status: Aquazzura’s London presence is in the Bond Street/Mayfair pocket (think New/Old Bond Street, Albemarle Street, Mount Street grid). Openings, refurbishments and relocations do happen; for the current address, hours and capsule launches, check:
Aquazzura’s store locator (official site)
Aquazzura’s Instagram for event and pop‑up news
Department‑store alternatives: If you want a wider size run in core styles (So Nude, Tequila, Bow Tie):
Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols regularly stock Aquazzura; call for specific styles/heel heights before visiting.
Fitting tip: Who doesn’t love a shoe shop try on, my favourite part of shopping for shoes, walking up and down on those bouncy carpets. I think it’s actually how I got addicted to shoes.
Aquazzura tends to run true to EU sizing with a slightly narrow fit. If you’re between sizes or have a wider forefoot, try both your EU size and the next half‑size up.
If you like Carel and Aquazzura, try these Mayfair neighbours for ladylike Mary Janes, loafers and polished pumps.
Chanel (New Bond Street): seasonal Mary Janes and slingbacks. Personally I find Chanel shoes old fashioned and a little old lady but that’s just me.
Miu Miu (New Bond Street area): fashion‑forward takes on the Mary Jane. Not my favourites, a little too preppy and bad colours. I like black, red and navy over brown, purple and green. I am generalising of course.
Roger Vivier (Bond Street): buckle pumps and elegant flats with a similar prim‑meets‑playful vibe.
Sleek evening heels and sandals:
Gianvito Rossi (Mount Street): pared‑back, flattering silhouettes.
Manolo Blahnik (Burlington Arcade): timeless pumps and satin evening styles.
Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo (Mayfair/Bond Street area): statement occasion options.
Concept and edit shopping:
Dover Street Market (Haymarket, a short hop): avant‑garde labels; not Carel‑specific, but strong for unexpected finds.
Department stores within easy reach; are Selfridges, Oxford Street (walkable from Mayfair): huge shoe floor spanning designer to contemporary. Where I have recently discovered a Turkish shoe designer I absolutely love, Dorateymur. A cross between French regency styling and the 1960s psychedelic vibe if you like, classical, theatrical and ultra modern and contemporary all thrown into one shoe take a look.
Liberty, just north of Soho: tightly edited, good for discovering adjacent brands. If you want to go as far as Knightsbridge (short Tube or taxi): Harrods and Harvey Nichols both carry Aquazzura and a deep line‑up of designer shoes. Although you better hurry up visiting Harvey Nichols since the sports direct owner Mike Astley purchased the store, we all know shopping on Knightsbridge will never be the same again.
Designer shoes in charity shops: where to look near Mayfair
Boutique charity shops in affluent neighbourhoods turn up the best designer footwear. Stock changes daily, quality varies, and great pairs go fast—go with an open mind.
Marylebone High Street (10–15 mins from Mayfair) The selection is good and easy access a load within a few metres of each other but be warned the prices are steep.
Oxfam Boutique: regular designer donations; check the glass cabinets.
Cancer Research UK Boutique: priced fairly; weekday mornings are productive.
Belgravia
Mary’s Living & Giving for Save the Children (Elizabeth Street): small but high‑quality edit; chic local donations. Not always open because of volunteer shortages so this one definitely call ahead to avoid disappointment.
Chelsea and South Kensington
There are a couple of amazing ones on Bute St, very close to South Kensington Tube.
Royal Trinity Hospice (King’s Road): consistent designer and premium contemporary labels.
Mary’s Living & Giving (King’s Road): good accessories wall; sizes skew smaller.
British Red Cross Boutique (Chelsea): shoes and evening clutches worth a look.
FARA Boutique (Kensington/Notting Hill borders): fashion‑led mix with occasional gems.
Notting Hill
Oxfam Boutique (Westbourne Grove) and Mary’s Living & Giving (Notting Hill): strong at weekends after Friday donations.
Charity‑shop tips
- Timing: Mid‑week mornings or just after opening on Saturdays often yield new put‑outs.
- Inspect: Check soles, heel tips, insoles and lining for drying or lifting; factor cobbler costs into your decision.
- Bring thin socks or footies for try‑ons; many shops provide minimal hosiery.
- Returns: Most charity shops operate exchange‑only within a short window—ask at till.
- Sizing: Continental/EU sizes dominate in designer shoes; know your EU equivalent before you go.
Resale and consignment near Mayfair
Sellier (Mayfair/South Molton Street and Knightsbridge): authenticated designer footwear alongside bags and RTW; good turnover and seasonal drops.
Pandora next door, my personal favourite consignment shop and where I bought the most shoes. The prices are more reasonable than Sellier and they have a wider selection. Be prepared to route through the shoe buckets.
Sign of the Times (Chelsea): established consignment with curated shoes and accessories.
Designer Exchange (Knightsbridge and Marylebone): authenticated designer with fair pricing; check new‑in rails frequently.
Tip: For high‑demand styles (Aquazzura Tequila, Carel Kina in patent), set alerts on reputable platforms and ask in‑store about waitlists.
Practicalities: sizing, routes and care
Sizing cheat sheet: UK 4 ≈ EU 37; UK 5 ≈ EU 38; UK 6 ≈ EU 39. Aquazzura fits slightly narrow; Carel Mary Janes are often true to EU size but can run snug in patent—try both sizes if possible.
My Best walking route: Start at Bond Street Tube, sweep New/Old Bond Street and side streets (Albemarle, Mount), cut to Burlington Arcade, then on to Liberty via Hanover Square; finish at Selfridges’ Shoe Galleries.
Weather and pavements: Mayfair’s stone setts and rainy days are not heel‑tip friendly. If you buy satin or patent, a protective sole and heel guards from a reputable cobbler are wise.
Tax and policies: The UK has not been offering in‑store VAT refunds to overseas visitors in recent years; check gov.uk for the latest before large purchases.
Call ahead: Store edits and opening hours change. A two‑minute phone call saves an hour’s detour.
Quick checklist before you go
Make a short list of target styles, heel heights and colours.
Check live stock online at Selfridges/Harrods/Harvey Nichols and the brand sites.
Book fittings or styling appointments for busy times (Fridays/Saturdays).
Pack footies and a foldable tote if you plan to charity‑shop.
Screenshot size conversions for each brand.
With a little planning—and a few strategic detours through Marylebone, Belgravia and Chelsea—you can try the latest Aquazzura, track down Carel Mary Janes, and unearth a designer bargain or two, all within a mile or so of Mayfair.