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Vintage London

Aug 01, 2008 @ 9:22am

karlie for topshop.jpg I'm planning a trip to London. I'm going to be there for a whole week and I'm prepared to do some serious damage.

But now that Topshop's opening here, it lacks that special punch. Besides, I'm really more of a vintage girl.

Can you guys suggest some of the better vintage stores? I'll definitely head to Camden and Portobello Road but I'm realy interested in going to the higher end stores too.

Preferably ones that sell vintage designer merchandise that's still in really great shape.

Thank you!

posted by guest

Aug 01, 2008 10:00AM

I'd recommend the market in Camden Passage (which is in Islington, next to Angel station, not in Camden) at the weekends, and the vintage shops up the road (Annie's and Cloud Cuckoo Land, and another new one whose name I can't remember)- they have some really beautiful things. Rellik on Golborne Road is a famous one, that I believe does designer as well, but I've never been myself. And there are all the vintage shops in East London around Brick Lane- Beyond Retro, etc- someone else will probably have more information on those, as it's not an area I go to often. And charity shops are always worth a look in, especially in posher areas.

posted by guest

Aug 01, 2008 7:45PM

There's a really cool vintage area in Kingly Court, off of Carnaby St.

posted by Halie

Aug 02, 2008 9:03PM

I wish I'd seen this a few weeks ago.

I ended up at Topshop.

posted by guest

Aug 03, 2008 3:41PM

Check out Susie Bubble's Shop Watch section. She has lots of reviews of various stores throughout London with great threads:
http://stylebubble.typepad.com/style_bubble/shop_watch/index.html

posted by guest

Aug 06, 2008 1:18PM

The markets are a great place to start. Camden is one of my favorites, but it is better for imports and one of a kind new things, whereas portobello road is much better for clothes, especially vintage. You can also try the petticoat lane, brick lane or spitalfields markets if you are going to be near east london. Absolute Vintage http://www.absolutevintage.co.uk is right near all three of those and is a must see!

There are also a lot of great little vintage stores scattered throughout the narrow roads around Notting Hill and High Street in Kensington. But you can find some wonderful things in the charity shops (thrift stores) all over the west end. Depending upon where you are staying.. I lived right near the South Kensington tube stop and stopped by the charity shop there almost everyday on my way home and found some hidden gems. I would check out Knightsbridge and Sloane Square areas also, especially if you are looking for more higher end, designer items.

posted by guest

Aug 08, 2008 1:20PM

I'd recommend going to the Spitalfields Market (Sundays are best)in East London. If you can travel outside of London for the day, especially since it is summer, go to Brighton (about an hour from London on the train). There are some amazing stores packed into the North Lanes ranging from fun vintage clothing to small homegood stores.

posted by Nicola

Aug 08, 2008 2:36PM

Check out Palette London on Canonbury Lane in Highbury&Islington. I got an amazing Yves St Laurent coat in great condition. Also, Rellik on Golborne Rd.

posted by Nicola

Aug 08, 2008 2:44PM

Oh and Butler&Wilson and Steinberg&Tolkein...both in Chelsea

posted by guest

Aug 09, 2008 8:38AM

There is a really great one on Elstyan street off kings road. They sell things from balenciaga, marni, chanel etc.

Another higher end one on goodge street where they sell marc jacobs and louboutin.

hope this helps.

posted by gen

Aug 11, 2008 8:09AM

Bang Bang, with branches in Berwick St and Goodge St. Quite carefully picked 2nd-hand high street and designer - you'll pay £15 for an old Topshop thing, and £200 for Vivienne Westwood.

Blackout II, in Endell St Covent Garden. Great costumey vintage store with good range from 1930s - 70s, but especially good for old pillbox / feathered hats, vintage jewellery, 1930s bags etc. Also has 20s + 30s gowns.

Pop Boutique, Covent Garden. Cheap as chips, mainly 60s stuff - you can get good accessories for a fiver, sweet old bags and boots, and they have a fine line in reconstructed sundresses, all pretty cheap. Also the store proprietors have great taste in music and play Sonic Youth and good French stuff.

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 10:56AM

Nicola- Steinberg & Tolkien actually closed last year! Shame, 'twas lovely.

I second the recommendation for Brighton, it's a wicked city, with loads of interesting shops (as well as all the main high street ones, if you were that way inclined) And there's a car boot sale in the station car park on Sundays that can apparently be good for the occasional vintage gem as well.

posted by guest

Sep 01, 2008 12:49PM

Beyond Retro is definitely the most famous one in East London, which is really easy to get to as you reach Brick Lane, but i wouldn´t recommend it since the quality of their clothes (and especially their bags) are not the best. The items are not well selected, because its in a warehouse its all about quantity not quality. One that I do recommend is the East End Thrift Shop, its in Stepney Green, definitely a bit out of the tourism route but worth it. The owner used to select vintage for Topshop and it's only started less than a year ago, so things are quite cheap. I got loads of summery dresses for 12 quid