5 of the Best Thrift Stores in London.
Atika: https://www.atikalondon.co.uk/
An installation in London’s diverse thrifting scene, Atika, formerly Blitz opened in 2011 and has taken the capital by storm. Covering all the floors of a renovated furniture factory, Atika is full of both vintage clothing and independent London brands. All the clothes; ranging from silk kimonos, denim overalls, vintage varsity jackets and band tees, are cleaned, steamed and pressed for a perfect off the rack experience. Situated near bustling Brick Lane, the area offers many restaurants to feed hungry shoppers on their hunt for vintage grails.
Rokit: https://www.rokit.co.uk/
As Rokit’s flagship store — there’s likewise one in Camden and two in Brick Lane — this branch stocks the most extensive determination of recycled things, from tutus and military stuff directly through to cattle rustler boots and shades. However, you will not discover some notable names here, however, it is still worth a scrounge; on past visits, a Gunne Sax grassland dress and a Marimekko day dress were uncovered, and they were a total steal. There are additionally scarves, belts and caps aplenty. For men, there’s a lot of the typical male Americana. The shop at 107 Brick Lane is more boutiquey.
Rokit also has an extensive online shop for vintage clothes, with free delivery on orders over £50 and a £10 discount if you sign up with their newsletter.
Beyond Retro: https://www.beyondretro.com/
If you are in London for Lovebox or are just looking to scratch your vintage itch, Beyond Retro is the place to go. Stocking an innumerable amount of flowy Hawaiian shirts and necessary summer accessories, this East London institution opened in 2002 and soon expanded to three stores across Soho and Brick Lane. The Soho store is my personal favourite, descending down a staircase glittering with the pearls of past pop culture, a journey to Beyond Retro is a trip back in time. With prices being reasonable; £30 pounds for jeans and trousers and up to £100 for some outerwear. In Beyond Retro, finding that one piece might take an hour among the mountain of vintage drapes and cloths, but that would be an hour well spent.
Duke’s Cupboard: https://www.dukescupboard.com/
An icon in the Soho fashion scene, Duke’s Cupboard might be most famous for the celebrity visits it often receives — Billie Eilish paid a visit to the store in 2017. Offering a more high-end vintage experience, Duke’s Cupboard garnered a reputation for stocking hype brands like Supreme, Stone Island and other streetwear staples. Skateboarding culture pervades the air around Duke’s, so don’t be surprised if you hear the clatter of boards and trucks on the nearby London streets. The coolest screen printed vintage tees in London can be found at Duke’s. But be warned, the prices at this Soho joint can be very high for rare and hype pieces.
Oxfam and various charity stores
All of the stores I’ve described in this post are dedicated to funding the thrifting desires of London’s youth. However, a more lowkey thrifting experience can come from visiting the numerous charity shops found around London. These charity shops give away a portion of their sales to charitable and medical research institutions. The inventory in these stores is often cheaper than dedicated ‘fashion’ vintage stores but it will require more luck and inventiveness to find killer looks. On the other hand, Oxfam and other charity stores offer vintage books for as little as £3 pounds. I’ve found an Alexander McQueen book as well as many fantasy and history novels in my local Oxfam. So if you want to contribute to a greater cause and find great clothes at a cheap price, hit up your local charity store.
