London has some of the best vintage shops in the world. These are 10 to look out for.
We have a style scene that lends itself well to pre-loved. The British capital has always been known for its creative, scrappy individuality, and locals are only too happy to trawl through rail upon rail to find a one-off piece of sartorial treasure – be it a pair of trousers from Stella McCartney-era Chloé or a 1930s silk slip dress that has miraculously endured the passage of time. In a world where algorithms have homogenised dress codes, vintage or pre-loved adds instant personality and originality. Telling someone that the piece you’re wearing is vintage will always carry cachet because it tells the world you have an eye. It shows you look beyond mass-market produced brands. The trick is knowing where to look. Here, we round up the best vintage and pre-loved shops in London, from corners of Shoreditch and Notting Hill to exclusive spare rooms in Crouch End.
NORDIC POETRY, SHOREDITCH
A favourite among the most discerning of editors and stylists, this Bethnal Green, pink-drenched store is home to a thoughtful edit of archival designer treasures. Find rare YSL, Tom Ford-era Gucci and collectible Vivienne Westwood. Founder Ameli Lindgren sees Nordic Poetry as a fashion museum, full of historic pieces that have attracted fans in Charli xcx, Maisie Williams and Gabriette.
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PORTOBELLO GREEN VINTAGE MARKET, NOTTING HILL
Portobello Green Vintage Market sits in an unassuming spot – under the noisy Westway Flyover at the end of Portobello Road, open every Friday through to Sunday. Discover shaggy 70s coats and chunky biker boots, alongside romantic white dresses and 90s leather jackets. There’s plenty of designer brands on offer, but also a lot of non-brand gems worth rifling around for.
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ATIKA, SHOREDITCH
Atika, a massive two-story vintage department store housed in a converted Victorian warehouse, continues to draw a stylish, young crowd. It calls itself London’s biggest vintage destination, and while this statement goes unverified, it’s hard to think of a larger pre-loved haven. With 20,000 pieces available to buy, from denim to streetwear, it’s almost impossible to walk away empty-handed. Head downstairs to the bargain basement where everything is priced between £5 and £20.
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SIGN OF THE TIMES, CHELSEA
When Sign of the Times opened its doors in Chelsea 50 years ago, buying pre-loved was not chic. It fast became popular with a discerning clientele who wanted great clothes that didn’t look the same as what was on offer in stores. Fast forward to today and three shops later, and its aim of selling beautifully curated, second-hand luxury was very prescient. It’s also a global resale platform buying and selling from 40 countries worldwide.
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WEST ARCHIVE, NOTTING HILL
One for the serious fashion girls, West Archive in Notting Hill is open everyday by appointment only. Find rare collectibles from the intellectual style greats, starting at the 90s up to the early oos, including Prada, Comme des Garçons and Hussein Chalayan. The online store is worth a look too, although the best pieces do sell quickly, so check in regularly.
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ROCKSTAR BOUTIQUE, CROUCH END
Thomas Moreton’s spare room in Crouch End has become one of the most exclusive vintage spots in London, open by appointment only. He specialises in Art Deco treasures – antique flapper dresses and Hollywood siren gowns. Glamour is his USP, so it’s the place to come for unique, maximum impact evening looks. Florence Welch is a repeat customer, as is Alexa Chung. All the heritage titans appear on rails here, Poiret, Gabrielle Chanel and Madeleine Vionnet.
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RELLIK, GOLBORNE ROAD
It may not be the closely guarded secret it once was, but Rellik is still a beacon for the purest of vintage fans. Kate Moss is a regular, and Bjork often visits on her way to or from the airport. Lady Gaga and Penelope Cruz have both had late-night shopping sessions here, and Madonna is said to buy archival looks from its Notting Hill store. If you like well-made, high-quality vintage, then Rellik is a must.
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CANCER RESEARCH, MARYLEBONE
One of fashion’s worst-kept secrets, Cancer Research in Marylebone is filled with high-end, well-made donations from its well-heeled locals. Accessibly priced Manolos sit on shelves, while a Chanel belt might sit in a glass cabinet. I’ve known editors to find YSL suits here. The menswear section is also a great resource – those oversized designer shirts won’t buy themselves. Afterwards, head to Oxfam on the same street which is also an Aladdin’s cave of designer finds.
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FOUND AND VISION, NOTTING HILL
Another much-loved Notting Hill bastion, Found and Vision has built a loyal fanbase on account of its decade-spanning finds. Run by three women, all of whom have a different style, there is something here for everyone. The eventwear is particularly strong, and don’t miss the rental service, where shoppers can hire a showstopping archive look for big occasions.
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MALTPRESS TRADING, CRYSTAL PALACE
Last but not least, Maltpress Trading in Crystal Palace is a charming antique store that sells lovingly sourced homewares alongside a few rails of excellently curated vintage, each piece labelled with a handwritten message. The offering might not be as vast as some of the others on this list, but for concise, highly wearable and affordable pre-loved goodies, it can’t be beaten. Head round the corner to Bambino afterwards, which offers great leather jackets and second-hand parkas.
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Ella Alexander is Citizen Femme’s fashion features editor. She started her career at the Evening Standard, and has since held senior editorial roles at Vogue, The Independent and Harper’s Bazaar, where she remains a contributing editor. She also writes for The Telegraph, Sunday Times Style, Service95 and CNN. She is an author, having co-written Dame Zandra Rhodes’ memoir, Iconic: My Life In Fashion In 50 Objects, published by Transworld in July 2024. Her favourite travel destination is Catania, Sicily’s second city.
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Lead image: Atika
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