The Best Vintage Shops in London

Is there any better feeling than knowing you are wearing an outfit that nobody else owns, or carrying a rare bag from a limited run? The care and craftsmanship poured into vintage clothing is incomparable – garments are adorned with rich colours, detailed embroidery and unique patterns from a bygone era.

There's definitely an art to vintage shopping. Patience, as ever, is a virtue here – you have to enjoy the hunt and feel the rush when finding that archival piece that has been on your wishlist for years. But the benefits of shopping vintage extend beyond the associated adrenaline rush. It is, of course, a much more sustainable way to source your clothes, with some studies estimating that an item's carbon footprint can be slashed by 90%, simply by giving it a second life.

Luckily for SPHERE readers, London is one of the premier global vintage shopping destinations. The Capital’s vintage shops are Aladdin’s caves of archival gems, where the treasures are Chanel blazers and Manolo Blahnik heels. From Vivienne Westwood wedding dresses in Shoreditch, to Dior fur coats in Notting Hill, SPHERE curates the best brick-and-mortar vintage shops in London to get lost in.

Sellier, Knightbridge

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For Birkin bags, classic Chanel flaps and impossibly rare Fendi baguettes – if you listen closely, you can almost hear a Carrie Bradshaw sigh of relief – Sellier should be your first port of call. Of course, everything they sell is absolutely authentic and undergoes a detailed examination by an in-house team, as well as a third-party microscopic authentication technology. With locations across West London, as well as in Glasgow, Liverpool and even Monaco, Sellier has solidified itself as one of the world’s best places to buy second-hand super brands.

sellierknightsbridge.com

Designs NW3, Hampstead

Unassuming, yet full of gorgeous pieces, Designs NW3 has been a staple in Hampstead Village for 42 years. Founder, Dominique Cussen, still runs the store today and takes great pride in selling to her loyal customers, many of whom have shopped with her for decades. In this time, she has sold many standout pieces, but she told SPHERE some favourites have included: “a gold leather coat, lined in silk satin from the 1950's and sprayed with gold leaf, a beautiful shell pink boucle Chanel dress and cropped jacket (very Jackie O), a classic Christian Dior double-breasted trench coat from 2024, a cashmere Hermès powder blue fringed coat and, finally, an Issey Miyake multi coloured Bubble Coat.”

Designs NW3 is the perfect place for a blissful browse, taking in the serenity of Hampstead. Why not follow your shopping spree with a peaceful walk on the heath?

designsnw3.co.uk 

Sign of the Times, Chelsea

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Since 1976, Sign of the Times has sold carefully selected second-hand designer pieces to the most discerning customers. The first store, situated on Chelsea Green, aimed to stock clothes that belonged to celebrities of the era but the store quickly evolved into a haven for tastemakers.

Sign of the Times stocks legacy brands such as Celine, Gucci and Dior, alongside mid-range labels including Rixo, Réalisation Par and Reformation. The brand also supports the second-hand offerings of companies like Farfetch and Selfridges. Since its opening five decades ago, Sign of the Times given over 350,000 items a second life – a true institution of vintage designer.

signofthetimeslondon.com 

Nordic Poetry, Shoreditch

Nordic Poetry is the vintage shop where the coolest person you know finds their wardrobe. Now on Bethnal Green Road, the store began as a stall on Brick Lane in 2007, and since then has established itself as the place to buy and rent rare archival designer. The shop itself is a delight, with walls and floors painted a playful bubblegum pink and the changing room plastered with polaroids of notable clientele.

Gen Z royalty like Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo and Lily Allen have all worn pieces from the store, but owner Ameli Lindgren told SPHERE that she does not get starstruck. “I genuinely appreciate and love all of our customers equally. What makes me happiest is seeing people wearing and enjoying these special pieces. For me, it is always more about the connection someone has with the garment and the confidence it gives them, rather than who they are.”

nordicpoetry.co.uk

Bagista, Knightsbridge

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Bagista firmly believes in curation. Every bag they offer has been meticulously inspected and has had no retouching – which could impact integrity. With a gorgeous store on the iconic Brompton Road, Bagista prides itself on exceptional customer service and building long-term relationships with its clients. It has a particularly gorgeous collection of rare Hermès – from Picotins to Birkins, and Jijes to Kellys. They also have specific collections of exotic materials and special addition bags for those looking to find an exceptionally rare accessory. 

bagista.co.uk

Lovers Lane, Notting Hill

Lovers Lane is as Notting Hill as it gets. The Portobello Road store is even painted blue like the iconic shopfront from the 1999 film. Inside, as well as an adorable dachshund, lives a collection of vintage clothing that would give even the most seasoned second-hand shopper tingles. Patrons include Lila Moss and Naomi Campbell – and who are we to argue with such paragons of style.

Charlotte Cohu co-founded the shop with her sister, Georgia, and their mother, Kimberley. Amongst the myriad of rare items within the store, a few stand out to Charlotte as particularly special. “We have so many rarities in our shop, but even more in our permanent, private archive kept off-site (it’s like a museum we keep and occasionally rent out to industry professionals). We have some amazing Alexander McQueen pieces in there – including a white gown with gold chain mail from the Spring Summer 2006 runway, and a super corseted houndstooth skirt suit from the Fall Winter 2009 runway.”

instagram.com/loverslanelondon/

Aro Archive, Shoreditch and Islington

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Aro Archive specialises in Japanese, Belgian, French and British design, stocking timeless brands including Issey Miyake, Azzedine Alaïa, Jean Paul Gaultier and Maison Martin Margiela. Their offerings date all the way back to the 1880s, but also include modern day pieces.

The store is independent and family run, started by Honna Poland in 1989 as a stand in Camden Market. Today, Aro Archive is run by her daughter, Ariana Waiata Sheehan, who co-ordinates a team of 11 fashion experts. Their curated archive can also be rented – operating on an appointment-led basis.

aroarchive.com 

Annie’s Ibiza, Soho

Annie’s Ibiza is famous for its beautiful ready-to-wear pieces – statement dresses in lively colours, gilded with artistic beads. The designs of Annie Doble, the eponymous founder, are beloved by all the major it-girls, from Margot Robbie and Sienna Miller to Zendaya and Paris Hilton. However, in the Soho store an abundance of unique vintage pieces are also on offer. Much like the brands own designs, the vintage archive at Annie’s is made up of bold occasion dresses, with rare gowns with dramatic fringe, patterned evening dresses with matching capes and Annie’s own designs crafted from delicate 1920s Egyptian materials.

anniesibiza.com

Rockstar Boudoir, Crouch End

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The clue is absolutely in the name at Rockstar Boudoir – a by-appointment boutique that offers decedent womenswear from circa 1900-1930s, that is beloved by the likes of Florence Welch (Florence and the Machine) and Charlotte Tilbury. Each piece is exquisite, crafted from luxurious materials, and seems to have been plucked directly from the wardrobe of a 20th century socialite.

Thomas Moreton, the owner of (or perhaps more accurately, the archivist behind) Rockstar Boudoir, developed a lifelong obsession with Art Deco clothing as a young boy, and has spent years building an archive that boasts 1920s Chanel dresses and Paul Poiret Opera coats.

rockstarboudoir.co.uk

Adhominem, Hackney

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In June, Adhominem will reopen its by-appointment studio in Hackney. Founder Marina Pèrez cites a Chloé by Phoebe Philo bracelet bag as the one item she could never part with – a testament to the playful yet chic style philosophy that Adhominem embraces.

Surrounded by chic, stainless-steel counter tops and as much vintage Dolce and Gabbana as your heart desires, Adhominem is the perfect place to shop for unique vintage clothing and accessories.

adhominem.co

Haut Corporation, Hackney

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East London is the Capital's brimming cornucopia of second-hand designer, and Haut Corporation is the juicy apple right at its core. Hanna Samson founded Haut Corporation in 2015 as a store and archive, displaying a collection of rare pieces from the likes of Miu Miu and Helmut Lang. Samson’s archive is frequently used by London’s top stylists, and the small store has become a trusted destination for some of the city’s most fashion conscious.

storehaut.com