King Street looks like a piece of old Europe transported to our laid back Perth. Despite its narrowness and short length, the street concentrates a considerable number of high-end fashion shops gracefully mixed with others more accessible, and a few cafés and bistros. However, it is not an ostentatious street per se, but for the brands that have decided to settle here. In other words, the posh shops have settled here because the street has class, it is not that the street has class because it has fancy shops.
I love the fact that, despite being so central and surrounded by busy streets, King St never seems to be too busy or overcrowded. On the contrary, is peaceful, quiet and pleasant to walk around. It is very cinematic, in a way; the sort of little street that you'd see reproduced in Hollywood studios for romantic movie scenes at night. It has a sort of micro climate, too, and it always feels colder than the surrounding area.
If you aren't a local, include King Street in your visit itinerary. Wander around. Seat at any café and get the vibe of the city, especially during the weekends, as this is Perth's G-spot. Right there. Yeah baby. Don't hesitate to enter any shop, even the poshest ones, this is Perth after all, a casual city where rich people can wear flip-flops and talk as if you were deaf. I have always found that if you enter the poshest shop with poise and emitting the vibe "I am a posh in disguise" everybody is going to respect you and bow at you. In fact, I am always surprised at finding those high-end shop attendants and doormen at King St attentive and respectful, while petty shop attendants in the CBD give you the cold shoulder just because they decide that their stuff is not for you.
