Shopping in London: What Katie Did

Fans of London’s burlesque scene may already be familiar with What Katie Did, the British-based label behind luxe vintage-style lingerie and hosiery. In fact, the Notting Hill shop, tucked away at the back of Portobello Green arcade, is one of London’s few locations where burlesque performers can get fully kitted out – from their nipple pasties and corsolettes to proper silk stockings and feathered fans.

But you don’t have to be into burlesque to get something (saucy) out of What Katie Did’s delightful collection of vintage-inspired lingerie and shapewear. In fact, those of you who love their vintage fashion, particularly cinched-in styles from the ‘40s and ‘50s, will rejoice in their range of shapewear and girdles made specifically to pull you in and create a silhouette of your wildest Mad Men-inspired dreams.

I really love their collection of bullet bras (£27.50) – the peach satin version is particularly gorgeous – as well as their fancy frilly knickers (£14), available in sizes 10 to 18. Keep an eye out for their excellent range of authentic seamed stockings, which are made in an old-fashioned British factory on a machine that actually stitches the seams together, as well as the seam-look stockings from £4.50.

You can also sign up for one of their workshops, where you can learn how to make your own nipple tassle or fascinator over tea and cake. Crafty and raunchy, oh my!

What Katie Did
26 Portobello Green
281 Portobello Road
London, W10 5TZ
Tel. 0845 430 8943
Nearest tube: Ladbroke Grove
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 12 noon - 6pm

Click here for more good shops in Notting Hill.

Comments

[Make Do Style]

I want a bullet bra - amazing. I've been meaning to go there for ages.

I'm not sure if I did leave a Cos comment ref Thursday night?

[Top Bird @ Wee Birdy]

Cos on Thurs night? Sounds promising! xx

[nath]

how glorious! and very reasonable too! i'd love a corset for serious cinching!

[Deb]

naughty but nice!

[dee]

Woo Hoo!

[lmrb]

Love that the stockings have been stitched in "an old-fashioned British factory on a machine that actually stitches the seams together". A sign of decreasing globalisation? I hope so. And if the Italians ever send their shoe factories offshore - well, I'm going to resign from the human race!

[Delicious Industries]

Gorgeous looking store. I love the idea of making nipple tassles whilst eating tea and cake and I must remember where to get those 40's style seemed tights for Goodwood Revivial next year.

[spudballoo]

Oh how SUPER! I adore those brassieres, for hoisting up womanly bosoms. Oh the glamour of those thick straps. None of that see through rubberised nonsense back then.

If only I had womanly bosoms to put in to such a garment. Alas '2 asprins on an ironing board' is an apt description...

[Poppy]

Ooooh i must visit this shop! Though I always feel a bit intimidated by lingerie shops mainly because I can't afford most of it and also because small boobs=depressing shopping for bras. However this has given me hope to try again!

[jafabrit]

what a fabulous shop :)

[Sam]

This shop is like a glorious timewarp! I love it - sooo fabulous!

[claire]

what a cool shop...like stepping back in time

[True Romantic Gifts]

Wow, it's complete and variety of lingerie product for romantic gifts !