Thrifting in London
Want to go thrift shopping in London, but don’t know where to go? Do not fret! Here is a list of some of the best areas to go thrifting during your time in London:
Brick Lane Vintage Market
Location: 85 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL
Brick Lane is home to an abundance of culture, food, art, and most importantly, second-hand shopping. From upcycling boutiques to thrift markets, Brick Lane has everything.
One spot you should go to in particular is The Brick Lane Vintage Market. This market is located in the heart of Brick Lane and if you go on a Saturday or Sunday, make sure you grab a bite to eat at the ethnic food market above before venturing down into the thrift market.
This market is home to clothes from today all the way to the 1920s. Also, each store in the market has its own aesthetic. These shops range from vintage American sports teams and college merch, western-themed clothing, high-end brands (Burberry, Dior, Chanel), 00s and 90s clothes, and so much more.
Lovers Lane Vintage
Location: 77 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QB
I could give you a list of reasons why you should visit Notting Hill. For starters, if you are a Julia Roberts fan, take the tube to Notting Hill Gate and get lost in all the shops on Portobello Road.
Almost every other shop is a thrift store and similar to The Brick Lane Vintage Market, each store has its own Y2K aesthetic. One funky spot I enjoy is Lovers Lane. This upbeat, high-end store is located on Portobello Road. The clothes are all vintage, ranging from stores like Versace, Chanel, Gucci, YSL, and more.
Even if you do not want to buy anything, it is totally worth popping in. The store is a family-run business and the girls working there will let you try on anything you want, just for fun!
Jessie Western London
Location: 82B Portobello Rd, London W11 2QD
Another great shop on Portobello Road is Jessie Western London. This hidden treasure is inspired by Western America.
Often, people try to recreate and appropriate the culture of Native Americans, but Jessie Western serves to support Native American artists, while encouraging mindful shopping. Each piece is handcrafted from the heart and can make for a very memorable and meaningful souvenir.
Ragyard
Location: 115 Portobello Rd, London W11 2DY
Ragyard is another great spot on Portobello Road. They have thrifted pieces, but also trendy upcycled pieces.
From graphic tees, jerseys, sweatshirts, and timeless sequin pieces, they really have it all. They are probably best known for their inventive “peacock” shirts and patchwork denim, all of which are made from recycled materials.
Pop Boutique
Location: 30 Short’s Gardens, London WC2H 9PX, United Kingdom
While Covent Garden is home to an array of shopping outlets and favorite brands like the North Face, Urban Outfitters, and more, it is also home to a variety of thrift boutiques!
I popped into the cutest one the other day called Pop Boutique. From my personal experience, I found it to be on the more affordable side compared to other stores I had shopped in around Covent Garden. Their pieces were very unique and ranged from the 60s up to the 00s era.
Definitely expect a lot of nostalgia when shopping around this boutique or any of the countless vintage boutiques around Covent Garden.
PICKNWEIGHT
Location: 14-18 Neal St, London WC2H 9LY, United Kingdom
If you are looking for an unconventional way to “shop vintage” around London, Covent Garden is also home to PICKNWEIGHT, a store in which you pay based on kilometers.
Yes, that’s right, you literally have to weigh the clothes to see how much they cost. I recommend going in to get a feel for the experience, however, you may laugh when you see their American college sweatshirt collection costs more than it probably should.
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Written by Molly Gallagher
