In addition to high street fashion and the infamous department stores, London’s shopping scene is full of trendy vintage boutiques where you’ll hide some of the hidden treasures of the city.
Buying second-hand clothes is no longer something to be frowned upon, reserved for people with fewer resources. Quite the opposite today, in fact in some of the more specialised vintage stores you can expect to spend far more on used clothes than you would on new, depending on what you’re looking for.
In addition to such shops, dozens of vintage fairs take place each month in neighbourhoods like Benthal Green, Camden Town and Hackney, uniting trend-setters who’ve revived looks from the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s, much to the delight of the fashionistas and hipsters.
Another aspect that has stimulated this type of trade is the question of consumerism that has dominated the fashion world in recent times, influencing the buying habits of a new generation that seeks to give new value and life to such items.
We have chosen three London vintage stores for you to get hunting for that unique and super cool piece to add to your wardrobe:
St Cyr Vintage: Located inside Camden Lock Market, here you’ll find rare and authentic garments from the 20s, 50s and 70s. It is one of London’s most exclusive vintage shops.
Vintage Kilo Sale: It’s the first fair in the UK where clothes are actually paid for by weight. Since 2009, the event has been held in several cities across the country, with more than eight tonnes of clothes (from the 60s through to the 90s) sold so far.
Portobello Road: The infamous West London street is flanked by several vintage stores, but it’s during the Saturday market that things really happen, when the streets are taken over by stalls selling everything from vintage accessories to furniture, and of course the rare vintage clothing. If it’s fashion you’re after, be sure to check out the stalls at Portobello Overground.
