London’s fashion reputation has been established for decades, so it’s no wonder we’ve got plenty to choose from when it comes to style from bygone eras. If you love rummaging around for affordable, pre-loved pieces, head to the city’s bustling vintage markets to pick up something unique.
Portobello Road Market
Amongst Notting Hill’s charming pastel houses, the world’s largest antiques fair takes place seven days a week. Popular with well-seasoned locals and industry traders alike, head to the Portobello Green area of the market on Fridays for the best array of vintage fashion for men and women.
Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, W10 5TA
Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair
Held seven times a year, Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair benefits from being inside the beautiful, Art Nouveau, Old Finsbury Town Hall, setting the elegant scene for over 50 traders of quality vintage. Expect to find a mix of designer brands and unlabelled womenswear, menswear jewellery and accessories as well as a tearoom with live singers.
The Old Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 4RP
Hackney Flea Market
The beauty of this monthly Saturday market is you never know what you’ll find. From antiques and record sellers to expert vintage traders and local makers selling vintage-inspired items, there’s a heavy rotation of traders so there’s always something new to stumble upon.
Abney Hall, 73A Church Street, London N16 0AS
The Classic Car Boot
Not your average car boot sale, vintage cars and dapper dressers come together to get in the old fashioned spirit. Held a couple of times a year in King’s Cross, there’s street food and dancing alongside stalls of vintage fashion and antiques to create a festival atmosphere.
Lewis Cubitt Square, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4UZ
Old Spitalfields Market
Thursday is vintage day at London’s oldest market. The East London area, famous for the Hugenot silk weaving community in the 17th century, has a long history with fashion and is now one of the city’s trendiest market destinations. The covered market is surrounded by glossy cafes, restaurants and shops to refuel in between haggling.
109 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 6BG
The Vintage (Up)Market at Old Truman’s Brewery
Popular with the younger crowds that gather along Brick Lane’s vintage hub, this indoor market is sprawling with back-on-trend fashion for a fraction of the price. Open every Thursday to Sunday, head here for wearable, everyday items dating from 1920s to 1990s.
The Old Truman Brewery’s Vintage Market F Block, 85 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL
Camden Passage Market
This area of Islington is known for its specialist antique shops and the markets along it have some rare gems. Camden Passage Market runs every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for vintage and retro clothing, luggage and collectables. It’s a treasure trove for those with a well-trained eye.
Camden Passage, Islington, London, N1 8EA
Frock Me! Vintage Fashion Fair
For the upmarket King’s Road crowd with vintage tastes, the grand Chelsea Old Town Hall is host to this fair seven times a year. Well-dressed shoppers can peruse over 50 stalls of clothing, textiles, accessories and haberdashery so you’re guaranteed to find something special.
Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, London, SW3 5EE
Bermondsey Antique Market
This outdoor Saturday market is full of trinkets and oddities to keep you amused. You’ll also find exceptional accessories with a great story behind them. These dealers know their salt so don’t be afraid to ask questions. There’s the occasional rail of clothing but come here for unusual fine jewellery and millinery.
Bermondsey Square, London, SE1 3UN
Camden Stables Market
London’s live music district is the perfect spot for rock ‘n’ roll vintage fashion, which is exactly what you’ll find at the Camden Stables Market. In the sprawling cobbled complex that used to be a horse hospital, you’ll find vintage traders mixed in with alternative fashion, arts and crafts and food stalls seven days a week. This is the place to stock up on timeless leather jackets.
Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AH
