London: where you need to go for vintage & second hand shopping
My guide to the best vintage and secondhand stores in London—complete with some of my favorite purchases
I love to answer questions and give recommendations because when I love something I TRULY love it and want everyone to get the same joy out of it as I do. I also just love to share my opinion, even more so when it is solicited and so I love substack chats. For the uninitiated, a substack chat is where subscribers to a certain publication can come to ask a question or just chat on a certain topic. It is a good reminder that people love to help people and it’s even how I found my hotel in Stockholm for an upcoming trip.
One question that I keep seeing come up that I certainly have opinions on is “What are the best vintage and secondhand shopping stores in London?” London is one of my favorite cities. I studied abroad there, my father is half English, and I go about once a year to hear people speak English in a fun accent and stock up on Percy the Pig. I don’t believe in gatekeeping and think everything is better with the more the merrier so here are my favorite vintage stores.
282 Portobello - Great for outerwear
I have a coat problem, it is well-known, but my father also has a coat problem (maybe it’s genetic and it’s our English genes?), but while 282 Portobello exists, this problem will persist. This store has the most incredible selection of vintage outerwear, blazers, riding coats, scarves, tuxedo shirts, and boots. Claudia, the owner, has a wealth of knowledge about the history of clothes and even the provenance of a certain item. She taught me the good trick that a skirt will fit your waist if it wraps twice around your neck.I bought a Burberry trench here and on the inside pocket is the original tag from Burberry with the first owner’s name, which makes it feel very special. Claudia also replaced the belt for me, which was so kind. My absolute favorite coat is a vintage Aquascutum cashmere camel coat (thank you, mother). It is so cozy and feels like I am walking around in a blanket. I recommend this store to everyone. Many of my friends have left with a Burberry coat.
A small round-up of Aquascutum
Consigned, Sealed, Delivered - Second Hand Designer Clothing
This store was new to me on my last visit, but my oldest friend Ali (in tenure, not in age!) had bought a beautiful shearling coat there a couple months before and so while I was killing time in Marylebone I decided to check it out. Walking into a consignment store can sometimes feel snooty and this felt like playing dress up with your friends, all of the sales associates were so kind and gave me honest opinions, which is always appreciated. I bought a Tom Ford era Gucci horsebit skirt and tried on the most gorgeous shearling coat. I decided I did not need another coat (see above) and went on to lunch. At lunch, I described the coat to my parents then made them look at pictures and by the end of lunch, I trotted back to the store. When I got there the sales associates were so apologetic that they had forgotten to give me the new customer discount and they applied it to the coat and I’m not really sure how, but now the coat was half off! Worth it. The pieces there are incredible and everything is very fairly priced. They also have great bags and other accessories. They have two locations one in Marylebone and one in Notting Hill, will definitely go back on my next trip. I’ve been to both and would say they’re both worthwhile to check out.
Found and Vision True Vintage
Found and Vision requires a bit more hunting and checking price tags. There are some incredible pieces, but you do risk falling in love with a dress that just happens to be $2,000. Even if it is a bit rich for your blood, I’d still recommend walking through for fun.
Karen Vintage Event vintage dressing
If I lived in London and had a black tie event that I wanted to dress to kill, this would be my first stop. The pieces are truly special and breathtaking. Take a peek at their Instagram to see what I mean.
One of a Kind Museum shopping
Walking in here feels like breaking into the Met’s costume exhibit archives. One of a Kind is a store that I know that I will never buy anything from because it gives me heart palpitations to even think about spending five figures on something I could possibly stain, but the pieces are truly a part of fashion history, think pieces from famous shows from the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.
Lovers Lane Cool girl vintage
They specialize in the early aughts pieces, think Tom Ford, Roberto Cavalli, and Vivienne Westwood. Their styling is incredible too, I would recommend giving their Instagram a follow!
Vault Vintage Something for everyone
Vault Vintage feels like stepping into your impossibly chic grandmother’s closet—the one who’s never without a glass of champagne in hand. There is something for everyone here, labeless dresses for under a hundred pounds, vintage Burberry pajamas, or a little 90’s slip dress.
Oxfam stores - Art of the hunt!
These are England’s equivalent of Housing Works, meaning that it is a charity shop run by the Oxfam Organization. They’re all over London and have everything – books, household supplies, and clothes. They’ll require a bit of searching and digging around, but can have a hidden gem!
These are just some of my favorites, but I’m always on the hunt for new ones, let me know if you have any good ones I should check out! Below are a couple, I want to check out next time I’m there!
Stand by this^!
An Oxfam or general charity shop tip - the neighbourhood tends to dictate the kind of stuff that will end up in these since most people donate to their local. Charity shops in Kensington, Knightsbridge or Chelsea tend to have the best stuff!