When it comes to fashion, old really is the new – well… new. Renovating your look is the perfect opportunity to dive back into the past, and find some forgotten retro gems. We’ve picked out ten of the very finest vintage shops in London for you to discover some hidden treasures.
1. What Goes Around Comes Around, Camden
A vintage store. In Camden Market. Groundbreaking. This would be a cliché, were it not for the care and attention that What Goes Around Comes Around puts into selecting their stock. Clothes here skew towards the 1980s America look, with varsity jackets, college sweatshirts, and Hawaiian shirts aplenty. A whole new look is well within your reach.
📍 You’ll find What Goes Around Comes Around at Mezzanine 3, The Stables Basement, Camden Market, NW1 8AH.
🚇 Nearest station is Camden Town.
2. PICKNWEIGHT, Covent Garden
Having been a firm favourite over in Germany for years; this one has now made a true name for itself on London’s vintage scene. Perched on the corner of Neal Street in Covent Garden, shopping here is done by the kilo, with a range of rare pieces scattered throughout the store. Rather dangerously, you won’t know the damage to your bank account until you take your finds up to the counter to be weighed. You’ve gotta take some risks in life, right?
📍 You’ll find PICKNWEIGHT at 14-18 Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LY.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
3. Rokit, various London locations
One of the most successful vintage clothes shops in town, Rokit, has outposts in Camden, Brick Lane, and Covent Garden. As you’d expect, you don’t reach the top by luck alone, and Rokit are extremely good at sniffing out retro fashions. From designer labels to ski and sportswear; they really have got it all.
📍 You’ll find Rokit in Camden, Covent Garden and Brick Lane.
4. Beyond Retro, various London locations
Another mini chain, Beyond Retro have an impressive presence across the UK, with Bristol, Brighton and Cardiff stores in addition to their four London spots. Curated edits are a big part of their service, with The Disney Edit, The Western Edit, and American Sports providing areas of particular interest. They also usually do a great Christmas jumper section come November and December.
📍 You’ll find Beyond Retro in Dalston, White City, Oxford Street and Coal Drops Yard.
5. Atika, Spitalfields
Two storeys of retro fashion await you at this vintage haven. A historic Victorian warehouse is filled to the brim with unique pieces, dating from the 70s to the 00s. Homeware, gaming, comics, and toys also form a large part of their stock, so you can just go ahead and refresh your entire home on a visit to Atika.
📍 You’ll find Atika at 55-59 Hanbury Street, E1 5JP.
🚇 Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.
6. Retromania, Pimlico
If you’re looking for vintage dresses, hats, bags, scarves, menswear and memorabilia, then, you need to pay Retromania a visit. This Pimlico haunt is full to the brim with glittering jewels, Hermes scarves, psychedelic blouses, extravagant ball gowns – you name it, it’s here – and all items come at a reasonable price. Proceeds raised here go directly to FARA, a charity helping vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Romania, so what better place to splurge on recycled designer goods and vintage clothes we say.
📍 You’ll find Retromania at 6 Upper Tachbrook Street, SW1V 1SH.
🚇 Nearest station is Victoria.
7. Blackout II, Covent Garden
Billed as ‘Central London’s premier store for all vintage clothing and accessories‘, Blackout II certainly deserves its spot on this roundup of the best vintage shops in London. A vast emporium spread over two floors, they stock clothes from the 1920s right the way through to the 1980s, so you can get your hands on some real treasures here. They have lovely staff, and also specialise in magnificent costume jewellery, hats, handbags and shoes too.
📍 You’ll find Blackout II at 51 Endell Street, WC2H 9AJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.
8. Paper Dress Vintage, Hackney
We’ve found you a vintage store that can truly do it all. Paper Dress Vintage is a clothing boutique by day and a bar-come-events space by night. It’s a real standout of the Hackney area and it’s easy to dig out some real gems at this one. If the clothes weren’t enough, then you should also check out some of the events on here, which include yoga, comedy, live music, burlesque and even club nights! Rock on.
📍 You’ll find Paper Dress Vintage at 352A Mare Street, E8 1JB.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Central.
9. Reign Vintage, Soho and Stoke Newington
Rounding off this list of the best vintage shops in London is Reign Vintage – a popular spot in Soho and Stoke Newington, selling both premium grade designer vintage clothing and cult high-end streetwear brands. There’s everything here from Celine to Moschino, as well as other one-off garments which you likely wouldn’t find anywhere else.
📍 You’ll find Reign Vintage at 12 Berwick Street, W1F 0PN and 166–168 Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 7JL.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus and Stoke Newington.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best vintage shops in London. So if you’re looking to unearth some treasures and an array of vintage garms, you know exactly where to head!