Second-hand September: The best vintage shops in London
There's vintage and then there's vintage. From archival couture to rare retro finds, these are the best vintage shops in London
Sustainable and cost-effective, shopping vintage is the best way to amp up your style with unique pieces without taking a toll on Mother Earth. Whether you’re looking for a piece of Nineties nostalgia via Fendi logomania, or one-of-a-kind cocktail gowns ahead of wedding season, nothing gets a shopping fan’s pulse racing quite like the thrill of discovering a hidden gem among the many rails of pre-loved leather jackets and graphic sweatshirts.
Luckily, London knows vintage – and with Second-hand September in full swing, there’s never been a better time to dip your toe in. With a myriad of vintage curators in each corner of the city stocking rare designer gems and one-off picks, savvy shoppers are never far from their latest retro find. From second-hand stalwarts to a new generation of hawk-eyed curators, these are the best vintage shops in London for pre-loved haute couture and high-end labels.
Penelope Chilvers, Westbourne Grove
While not a dedicated vintage purveyor, in honour of Second-hand September, London-based footwear designer Penelope Chilvers has cracked open her archive to offer a series of vintage one-off designs at the brand’s Westbourne Grove boutique. The tightly curated edit spans Chilvers’ signature outdoorsy boots (beloved by the Princess of Wales) as well as luxe velvet slippers, glamorous heels and statement trainers. Check in frequently for new additions to the collection.
48-50 Ledbury Road, W11 2AJ, penelopechilvers.com
Rixo True Vintage
Rixo True Vintage
Rixo True Vintage, online
Rixo founders Henrietta and Orlagh have long been inspired by vintage designs when creating their signature floral dresses and feminine separates – so it made complete sense when the brand announced it would be offering a curated selection of vintage pieces hand-picked by the founders to buy online. The selection is updated regularly and currently features the quintessential LBD from Jil Sander, a 1970s Biba floral maxi dress and a dazzling full-sequin Versace minidress from the SS12 collection. Just don’t wait around – the best pieces go fast.
Visit rixolondon.com
Laura Von Behr, Islington
Never bought vintage before? Von Behr's eye for Shrimps-style prints and retro Laura Ashley makes her by-appointment studio the perfect stepping stone between shop-bought and second-hand. She’s got a knack for introducing clients to new shapes, specialising in ditzy '70s florals and prairie-style dresses
Canonbury Yard, N1 7BJ, lauravonbehr.com
Circa Vintage, Fulham
In Circa Vintage’s Fulham boutique, find iconic Hermès silk scarves, the perfect pair of Levi's Vintage 501s and Louis Vuitton vanity cases (Bentley’s in Chelsea is also excellent for vintage Goyard). Book an appointment to sift through rails of pre-loved velvet, jacquard, brocade and tulle – Circa specialises in occasionwear, with one-off Ossie Clarkes and Chanel costume jewels.
87a Lansdowne Way, SW8 2PB, circavintage.com
The Vintage Showroom, Notting Hill
Predominantly menswear, The Vintage Showroom is an archive of stylish military deadstock – but some of the smaller sizes are perfect for boyfriend-fit jeans, boxy Harrington jackets and retro neck scarves. It’s a treasure trove of early-century designs, but it’s neater than a soldier’s barracks thanks to owners Roy Luckett and Douglas Gunn.
Buspace Studios, Conlan St, W10 5AP, thevintageshowroom.com
Found and Vision, Notting Hill
From vintage Versace streetwear to Vivienne Westwood couture, Found and Vision on Portobello Road has a punky attitude. A hit with Japanese designers and the music set, it has a thrift-shop feel, too, so you still get the thrill of the chase. Hamish Bowles, Camille Charriere and Alexa Chung are fans.
318 Portobello Rd, W10 5RU, foundandvision.com
Storm in a Teacup, Haggerston
Label-led Storm in a Teacup is run by model and businesswoman Claudia Raba and her boyfriend, stylist Joe Miller. From mint-condition Margaret Howell knits and Comme des Garçons casualwear to Yohji Yamamoto’s avant-garde cuts and Issey Miyake Pleats Please co-ords, it’s a treasure trove for pre-loved designer goods.
366 Kingsland Road, E8 4DA, storminateacuplondon.com
Rellik, Ladbroke Grove
If you're looking for vintage Vivienne Westwood, Nineties Thierry Mugler or Azzedine Alaïa, visit Steven Philips’ legendary Ladbroke Grove boutique. Nestled at the foot of London's landmark Trellick Tower, appointment-only Rellik’s bejewelled denim jackets and cabinets of cocktail-style knuckledusters wink at you among wacky wallpaper, outrageous footwear and the odd bit of haute couture. Philips curates the shop with friends Fiona Carenza and Claire Stansfield, and counts Kate Moss, Laura Bailey and many a fashion editor among his regular clientele.
8 Golborne Road, W10 5NW, relliklondon.co.uk
Vintage Modes, Marylebone
Vintage Modes hosts a handful of antiques and vintage collectors at Marylebone emporium Alfie’s Antiques (formerly part of Gray’s Antiques), and it’s not just fashion students you’ll find examining the rails – designers like Giorgio Armani drop by the Marylebone mecca for inspiration, too. Find one-off pieces of archival accessories at Gillian Horsup, pre-owned evening bags at the Vintage Bag Lady, glamorous costume jewellery at Arabella Bianco and antique linen and lace at Regal Linen.
13 - 25 Church St, NW8 8DT, alfiesantiques.com
Serotonin Vintage, Brick Lane
Serotonin Vintage has been catering to its so-called ‘Sid and Nancy meets Cher Horowitz’ clientele with bold prints and a good dose of retro logomania since it opened on Brick Lane in 2016. It draws a slightly younger crowd thanks to its nostalgic Y2K aesthetic, but don’t let that put you off – there are some seriously special one-off gems to be found here.
194 Brick Lane, E1 6SA, serotoninvintage.com
Nordic Poetry, Shoreditch
Swedish-born founder Ameli Lindgren hand selects each piece at pink label lover’s paradise, Nordic Poetry. Stocking everything from archival Alaïa to vintage Valentino, the Shoreditch emporium specialises in pre-loved pieces from the 1960s to the early 2000s (yes, 2002 technically counts as vintage – sorry) and has dressed stars including Lianne La Havas and Jada Pinkett Smith.
141 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG, nordicpoetry.co.uk
Retrouvé, Hackney
With outposts on Wilton Way and Broadway Market, Retrouvé has been outfitting the fashionable locals of London Fields since 2013. You’ll find no mountains of generic vintage stock here – everything is carefully curated, sourced from French flea markets, private collections and even the wardrobes of clients. The store offers a bespoke experience – staff take the time to help you find exactly what you’re looking for (even if you have no idea yourself), and the in-house alteration service makes certain that whatever you leave with will fit like a glove.
23 Broadway Market, E8 4PH; 61 Wilton Way, E8 1BG, retrouvevintage.co.uk
One Of A Kind, Notting Hill
For almost three decades, this unassuming shop on Portobello Road has been an invaluable resource for London’s designers, stylists, collectors and fashion obsessives. Home to a collection of over 5,000 pieces of sought-after designer vintage, including Nineties Galliano, Gucci by Tom Ford and Saint Laurent couture, One Of A Kind is a treasure trove of iconic one-off pieces and counts Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell as fans.
259 Portobello Road, W11 1LR, 1stdibs.com
One Scoop Store, Stoke Newington
You’ll find everything from second-hand Jacquemus and Stella McCartney pieces to authentic Cheongsam jackets at Stoke Newington vintage emporium One Scoop Store. Founder Holly Watkins carefully sources her stock from car boot sales, markets and independent sellers to offer truly affordable second-hand styles with an emphasis on sustainability.
101 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 0PH, onescoopstore.com
Modes & More, Westminster
Modes & More houses an impressive selection of rare vintage pieces from brands including Halston, Celine, Lanvin and Chloe, which owner Susie Nelson selects by hand. Beginning its life as part of Vintage Modes in Gray’s Antiques, the store quickly found success and moved into its own bricks-and-mortar space in 2014, where it continues to provide vintage designer and couture pieces dating as far back as the 1920s to London’s stylists, editors and designers.
Marsham Street, SW1P, modesandmore.com
