5 vintage stores to visit during Second Hand September

Designed to promote the idea of donating, resting, re-wearing, and restyling clothes throughout the month of September and beyond, the charity encourage fashion lovers to rethink their usual shopping habits by exploring slower, more sustainable and ethical forms of fashion, as a way to to help reduce waste and take a stand against climate change.

“Choosing second-hand offers people a way to take action, to reshape the fashion industry, and reimagine the impact our clothes have on the world.” Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director, says in a press release following the launch of this years campaign. “As a major emitter of greenhouse gas, much of the fashion industry as it stands is a threat to people and planet. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In 2022, UK consumers bought 32% more second-hand clothes than in 2018, before the first Second Hand September campaign. Shopping this way sends a clear message to the fashion industry that consumers want, and expect, things to change.”

With this in mind, we’ve hit the streets of London to round up 5 of the best vintage stores to visit during Second Hand September!

Vintage Threads

Address: 69 Neal Street, London, WC2H 9PJ

After identifying a gap in the vintage clothing market for refined, affordable clothes, Vintage Threads stocks and sells unique, second-hand designer clothing by the likes of Burberry, YSL, Diesel, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, and Valentino, at a fair and reasonable price.

With sustainability at the core of their brand, the team also endeavour to give defected clothes they find on their travels, a whole new lease of life through their VT Rework Collections. Designed and hand-stitched by their in-house team, all collections are made from entirely damaged items, and discarded materials to create something “special and new”.

Annie’s Ibiza

Address: 3 Newburgh Street, Carnaby, London, W1F 7RE

Favoured by the likes of Kate Moss, Rita Ora, and Adwoa Aboah, Annie’s Ibiza sells a mix of eclectic and rare, one-of-a-kind pieces, each handpicked by famed designer and vintage collector Annie Doble herself!

Featuring everything from repurposed dresses, made from 1950s table clothes, to vintage Dior and Chanel jewellery from the 1970s, customers can chose to either rent or buy from Annie’s carefully curated archive of classic, one-off pieces.

Nordic Poetry

Address: 141 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 7DG

Based in East London, Nordic Poetry specialises in collecting and selling archive luxury fashion. Founded in 2007 by Swedish-born, London-based stylist Ameli Lindgren, the store focuses its attention on the “intrinsic beauty” of pre-loved pieces, whilst highlighting respected designer brands, including Alaïa, Christian Dior, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood.

Atika

Address: 55-59 Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, London E1 5JP

Atika is a self-proclaimed “vintage concept” department store, popular with those keen to revisit classic, retro styles of the past – most notably the often imitated hip-hop inspired sportswear trend that rose to prominence in late 80s and early 90s, characterised by tracksuits, varsity sweatshirts, high-tops, and oversized logos.

Situated in an old, disused furniture factory, buyers Jan Skinners and John Howlin look to nearby Brick Lane for their inspiration, sourcing and buying an extensive mix of bold, fashion-focused garnets, all of which are cleaned, and steamed before appearing on the shop floor.

Found And Vision

Address: 318 Portobello Road, London, W10 5RU

Located in heart of Notting Hill, Found And Vision was established by Karen Clarkson, Oxana Korsun, and Rosie Meres in 2012. A hit with lovers of historic high-end, couture pieces, revived and restored within a modern context, high-profile clients include the likes of Bella Hadid, Kate Moss, Alexa Chung and FKA Twigs, as well as top stylists and magazines, including British Vogue, Self Service, Dazed, The GentleWoman, and Document Journal.