The 13 best vintage shops in London
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Scattered across the capital – some hidden, some well-known, well-thumbed-through and well-loved – the best vintage shops in London are a treasure trove for circular, sustainable options for fashionistas looking for more eco-conscious or unique buys. Of course, London is well known as one of the world's major fashion capitals. From Fashion Weeks to streets stacked with designer favourites, markets to beauty emporiums, shopping in London is a veritable choose-your-own-adventure, where you can drop thousands on the latest it-girl handbag or find a bargain at your local flea.
But London's top vintage shops are their own beast, a joy in themselves. Some are long-standing cult favourites that count Rachel Zoe, Felicity Blunt and Karlie Kloss among their returning customers. Others are newer or lesser-known places that fashion students or design-conscious shoppers trawl to find one-off pieces that answer that oft-asked question: what should you wear in London? Below, you'll find recommendations for shops where you can find 1930s wedding dresses, '90s baby tees, meticulously curated second-hand menswear, fair trade silk kimonos, designer treasures (Vivienne Westwood slip dress, anyone?), and so much more. The concrete jungle gives forth its second-hand secrets to anyone who wants to find them – here are our favourites.
The best vintage shops in Central London
Retromania, Pimlico
Best for: feminine cuts
From the street, you might pass over Retromania – the black-and-white façade lives up to its name. But rummage in the rails long enough and Chanel tweed mini-dresses, Armand Ventilo velvet tailoring, silk chiffon Chloé dresses, and Hermès scarves begin to emerge. The store underwent a major renovation in May 2025, reopening with new wooden floors and brighter lighting (all the better for spotting treasure). Don’t miss the secret downstairs section, which is more recently second-hand than vintage. There are gorgeous leather goods, such as well-loved luggage and distressed duffel bags, at pleasingly low prices. Film and fashion students can often be found in the changing rooms – this is a grown-up dressing-up box for creatives.
Address: Retromania, 6 Upper Tachbrook Street, Pimlico, London SW1V 1SH
Website: faracharity.org
The Vintage Showroom, Covent Garden
Best for: quality menswear
Portobello Road veterans Doug Gunn and Roy Luckett’s Covent Garden store is carefully designed and attentively styled. The focus is on menswear, but that doesn’t stop women trying on oversized, rough ‘n’ ready leather jackets, casual tailoring and starchy denim, too (and the team recently expanded to a womenswear collection). Many of the labels signify serious quality – find Levi’s jackets, Grenfell coats and Belstaff outerwear – as does military deadstock such as Navy overalls, British Army shorts and Land Army jackets that are well-worn but still look good. The immaculately-dressed Gunn and Luckett are often on hand and are extraordinarily knowledgeable about the fabric, fit, era and history of each item.
Address: The Vintage Showroom, Seven Dials, 14 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9LN
Website: thevintageshowroom.com
Rokit, Covent Garden
Best for: affordable classics
Rokit requires some foraging, and a visit here shouldn’t be rushed, as its reputation and high product turnover mean there are constantly new and exciting pieces circulating the shop. The atmosphere is relaxed – you won’t feel pressured into buying – and the staff are well-versed in their stock, so can help you find different sizes and specific pieces swiftly. “The price point means you can buy a few pieces and not break the bank – which is also handy if something needs altering, as you don’t feel like you’re spending twice,” says fashion guru Martha Ward. There are also two locations in East London, on Brick Lane, and one on Camden High Street – plus Welsh fashionistas will be pleased to know there's a branch in Cardiff, too.
Address: Rokit, 42 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9HZ
Website: rokit.co.uk
The best vintage shops in West London
Portbello Road, Notting Hill
Best for: leather goods
There’s a competitive edge to Saturdays on Portobello Road – who can find the biggest steal? – but there’s also a friendly, community feel to the market, and plenty of regulars simply milling about. You might not know what you’re looking for until you spot a pair of rainbow-coloured cowboy boots, a handful of twinkling costume jewellery or a car-boot of rustic furniture, but the key is to barter, and to buy – things sell quickly, and you’re more likely to regret the things you don’t take home. Pandora Sykes, who is a regular here, says, “Nothing beats the physical hunt when you’re in a market – you can smell the vintage and all the tales it has to tell. My best vintage buy of all time was from Portobello Market and is a tan, wool blazer with gold buttons from Gucci. It was only £50 and is slightly oversized. I wear it with everything and if I saved anything from a fire, this would be it.”
Address: Portobello Road, Chelsea
Website: portobelloroad.co.ukRellik, Ladbroke Grove
When we think of a relic, we imagine something outdated, to be displayed on our grandmother’s mantelpiece. But this shop isn’t that. Reinventing the idea of the relic – and not just in the changed spelling of the word – this accessories, footwear and 1970s-inspired ensembles specialist is an Aladdin’s cave of treasures and trinkets. Does it stock the average get-up you’d expect on the well-heeled streets of Ladbroke Grove? No. At the time of writing, we spied silk 1930s capes, ’90s feather corsets straight off the catwalk, Celine handbags from the Seventies, Vivienne Westwood shoes and Versace silk shirts, as well as Dior blazers and Alexander McQueen leather trench coats in the ‘for men’ section. Will you want to buy everything? Yes.
Address: Rellik, 8 Golborne Gardens, London W10 5NW
Website: relliklondon.co.uk
The best vintage shops in North London
Pennie's Village, Angel
Best for: occasion-wear and precious fabrics
Brides-to-be, this is the place to find your Something Old. Last time we were in Pennie’s, there was a stunning oyster-white Twenties wedding gown covered from shoulder to hem in hand-stitched glass beads (it weighed a ton). You’ll find this kind of unconventional, early-20th-century style on all the padded silk hangers. It’s worth noting that the shop charges £10 to try on wedding dresses, but everything else is reasonably priced (and free to try on), such as the rainbow of cashmere jumpers for £25 each or hand-embroidered organza shirts for £50 that we spied. It’s a fine, feminine space full of Edwardian lace, Maribou feather trims and Forties prints.
Address: Pennie’s Vintage, 41A Amwell Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 1UR
Website: penniesvintage.com
Leonardo TommasinThe best vintage shops in East London
Nordic Poetry, Shoreditch
Founded by Swedish-born entrepreneur Ameli Lindgren, Nordic Poetry is a vintage shop created for the Instagram generation but with more depth and meticulous thought than its picture-perfect pink interiors belie. The rails are stocked with a carefully curated mix of beautiful designer pieces from every decade and major brand. Perhaps the second-hand shopping world’s worst-kept secret, the shop has a fiercely loyal and fast-growing cohort of fans, as well as an easy-to-use website packed full of outfit inspiration for anyone who doesn’t have a trip to the neighbourhood on the cards anytime soon. We spotted 2000s Tom Ford co-ords, a Christian Dior satin slip dress and a Vivienne Westwood mini skirt on a recent perusal. There's also a limited selection of vintage menswear, in-store only.
Address: Nordic Poetry, 141 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E2 7DG
Website: nordicpoetry.co.ukBeyond Retro, Shoreditch
Best for: nostalgic streetwear
Paradoxically, Beyond Retro manages to stay one step ahead of the trends, filling its stores with leopard-print coats just before the powers-that-be announce animal print as the hottest must-have this season. Furthermore, it sources all its stock from charity shops and recycling companies, so it has both style and eco credentials. Loyal customers swear by the original store on Cheshire Street (near Brick Lane) for floral shirts, Levi 501s, dungarees, flannel shirts and Americana bomber jackets. “It’s an Aladdin's cave of clothes and accessories,” says Martha Ward. “It’s inexpensive, which is crucial, and has endless rails of pieces from all eras so the depth and breadth of range is immense.” Browse second-hand band tees, fabulously maximalist faux fur coats and flimsy summer dresses in the women's section, and preppy varsity jackets, comfy sweaters and preppy quarter-zips in the men's.
Address: Beyond Retro, 110-112 Cheshire Street, London E2 6EJ
Website: beyondretro.comMero Retro, Dalston
It should come as no surprise that the achingly cool streets of Dalston are clad with vintage shops and independent boutiques, and Mero Retro certainly merits its place among them. Particularly noteworthy for its collection of Asian-inspired garments that includes kimonos, printed tees, shirts and accessories – all of which are fair trade and handmade – the shop is well-loved for good reason. You'll find lots of ‘unisex’ clothes here, which makes shopping easy-breezy, as well as groovy sunglasses, Indian brass earrings, 100% wool berets and old leather notebooks.
Address: Mero Retro, 2 Bradbury Street, Dalston, London N16 8JN
Website: meroretro.comPaper Dress Vintage, Hackney
Step off the streets of Hackney and back in time as you traverse the rock-and-roll-inspired rails of the Paper Dress Vintage shop. Their eclectic collection, with all pieces sourced from the 1900s to the 1980s, is complemented by the black-and-white chequered floors and supremely knowledgeable staff. Expect bright colours that promise a hit of dopamine, vintage leather and great accessories. There are even in-house alterations to tailor your find to fit you perfectly. And though by day the space is a vintage shopping experience, by night the shop becomes a music and arts venue, with craft beers, classic cocktails and outdoor space to soak up the balmy summer evenings.
Address: Paper Dress Vintage, 352a Mare Street, London E8 1HR
Website: paperdressvintage.co.uk
Atika, Shoreditch
Best for: lesser-known labels
Formerly BLITZ, Atika is half-concept store, half-vintage store. As well as MA-1 bombers, neon ski jackets and graphic shell suits, the exposed-brick, cowhide-strewn shop also presents up-and-coming independent designers such as Baby Girl by BF, whose bespoke, hand-illustrated collection of vintage T-shirts and jeans are a hit with the Instagram fashion pack. An up-cycled range, Remix by Atika, also reworks vintage clothing that might otherwise end up in landfill, and alterations, pattern changes and embellishments are made either in-house or in Atika’s East London factory, reducing the product’s air miles and doing its bit to keep London’s creative scene thriving. The Atika team has a great Instagram too, serving up styling tips, favourite local cafés to hit up after browsing, and artist spotlights.
Address: Atika, 55-59 Hanbury Street, London E1 5JP
Website: atikalondon.co.ukSerotonin, Shoreditch
Best for: Nineties nuts
On catwalks and sidewalks, highly branded fashion recently made a big comeback on everything from stiletto straps to suitcases, and Serotonin’s second-hand logo tops and big-label handbags are set to keep customers coming back again and again for year to come. “The general movement leans towards archive pieces, re-issues and heritage styles,” says manager Jack Mitchell. “The owner Rachael Cook and I bonded over our love for emo, movies like Clueless and old Vivienne Westwood tees.” Serotonin has the best of Nineties style down to a monogrammed tee – beneath Marilyn Manson posters, look for the sort of Burberry checks, Versace two-pieces, Patrick Cox kitten heels and Moschino mini-dresses that Cher Horowitz would kill for.
Address: Serotonin, Brick Lane, Weavers, London E1 6SA
Telephone: +44 20 8089 4101
Website: serotoninvintage.comThis article was first published in 2019, and has been updated and adapted regularly since.