As the first post in a new category of my website, I thought the best way to start would be to give my advice for the best areas in London to target for original vintage clothing…
It is fair to say I’ve trekked far and wide across London in search of vintage gems and have somehow accumulated a whole new wardrobe of clothing in the past ten months since I moved to London. I have pieces in the styles of multiple eras from the 1940s to 1980s and never pass by a charity shop or vintage shop in London without taking a look. Unlike the hustle and bustle and somewhat inflated prices on the Portobello Road, (which, however I do still visit from time to time), and the overload of mass produced designer slogan tees on Brick Lane, I have narrowed down my go to destinations for finding original pieces in my favourite styles to three locations…
Pimlico
I love exploring Pimlico with its characteristic streets of 19th century architecture and almost certainly a charity shop around every corner. The Pimlico charity shops tend to have a distinctive vintage vibe, as opposed to nearly new, yet still maintain bargain charity shop prices. Out of my three top locations, I would put Pimlico as number one in terms of value. On many occasions, I have come away after a day’s shopping with at least four items for under £50! Not to mention, this beautifully tailored Armani coat that I have worn all through late winter and early spring.
St John’s Wood
St Johns Wood is certainly worth a thrift shopping day out as you can nearly always find at least one designer piece. Whilst clothes tend to be closer to nearly new as opposed to vintage, I have found a broad variety of items from a Moschino dress, Sandro jumper, Karen Millen work blazer and an assortment of quirky costume jewelry.
Berwick Street
A step up in price compared to the charity shops of Pimlico and St John’s Wood yet Berwick Street is a go-to Location for distinctive jackets, dresses and skirts from the 1940’s – 1970’s. I have bought countless tweed pencil skirts on Berwick Street, which are interchangeable with all my tweed jackets, as well as a vintage sample Burberry tweed suit. The turn over is so high that every week you are sure to find something new!
Well, there we have my three favourite London locations for vintage shopping. (As I write this piece, I am torn between wanting to increase the number of visitors to my site whilst also ensuring that I do not spread the word so far that there are no bargains left for me next time I go shopping! 😉
(Pictured in Marylebone)
Ellie Woods 