Words and photos by Stephanie Sadler.
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Nearly hidden amongst the antique shops and tourist stands that line London’s famous Portobello Road, Stumper & Fielding is of the newer neighbours – a treasure chest of classic British style with a contemporary twist.
Their clothes would easily suit a modern gentleman, but might also find their way into the closet of a Hackney hipster. If they journeyed west.
Think countryside chic with lots of tweed, union jacks, riding coats, tea towels embellished with bicycles, classic brogues and a selection of Wellington boots for rainy English days.
It’s also a sock-lover’s paradise.
They have plenty in stock for the Henley crowd dressing to impress as well.
That they value quality and are proud of their products is obvious from touching the materials and looking at the displays, one of which includes a near cross-section of a shoe to reveal the intricacies of craftsmanship. You can pick it up, examine it and see exactly how it’s been assembled – something of a reassurance that they will last despite our throwaway culture.
The main focus inside the shop is on the guys.
That said, there’s a tempting selection for the ladies as well. As we roll into AW14, Stumper & Fielding is a perfect place to head for something to welcome the cooler weather that’s just around the corner.
Last year, I bought a tweed coat, a dusty blue with tiny lines and the coolest buttons I’ve ever seen. Half of them had fox heads and hunter scenes and the others were gold with tiny details. I’ve never had so many compliments on buttons before.
That attention to the little things is prominent around the shop as well, with vintage photos on the walls, upcycled features like drawers made of old card catalogues and strategically placed antiques amongst the stock.
One of my favourite bits of the space is at the front where there’s a stack of old Christie’s hat boxes beneath a table of quirky mugs.
When you first walk into the shop, it packs a punch with plenty to look at including exposed brick walls, a giant pair of silver scissors, some boxing gloves and piles of hats teetering near the large front window that draws people in from the street.
Front and centre in the window is, of course, a bicycle. What else?
It’s a tiny shop, but they’ve done well to make the most of the space. It’s worth a trip to Notting Hill.
If you’re in the area, also check out the brand new Jonathan Adler shop that opened around the corner.
A small piece of advice: Go on a Sunday or a weekday to avoid the market crowd chaos!
Visit Stumper & Fielding’s website and Facebook pages.
For more from Steph, visit Little Observationist.
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