Always envied that friend who rocks up to drinks or floats into the office wearing the most fabulous vintage item that cost just pennies?
Take advice from our three expert vintage trawlers on where they hunt down the best Nineties kicks, Seventies frocks and seriously rare YSL finds.
What Goes Around Comes Around
Camden
‘I’d heard about this place from stylist friends: it’s a bit of a secret address among the serious fashion geeks looking for super-rare big-E Levi’s or old-school Adidas trainers and trackies. You’ll also find vintage army gear, nice North Face jackets and Nineties-issue Vans.
'I bought a pair of Nike Air Max from there recently — proper top clobber-haunt, this.’
Richard Gray
Pandora
Knightsbridge
‘I have been visiting this shop since I was a teenager at school around the corner. It feels like the kind of place where all the local ladies sell their old wares. Great for niche brands, vintage Hermès and Chanel, but relativity affordable.’
Alex Eagle
Brtish Red Cross
Chelsea
‘I discovered the Red Cross when I used to go thrifting with Anita Pallenberg. I’ve found brilliant things here, from a 1970s animal print sweater to an original 1960s YSL safari suit for just £200. There’s also great cashmere; Hamish Bowles even found a very rare Fifties Balenciaga dress.
'Each November it has an amazing “vintage” sale of clothes it has collected over the year. It’s a treasure.’
Bay Garnett
Beyond Retro
Soho
‘This place is great for a real rummage for men and women; Sixties summer dresses, Seventies denim, Eighties rock T-shirts and leather jackets and Nineties cut-off shorts from between around £10 and £100, so you can come away with a real handful.
'I love going with my step-daughters for inspiration for my collection; they come away with bags of goodies.’
AE
Wavey Garms
Peckham
‘I’m loath to tell anybody about Wavey Garms but if you haven’t heard of this gem of a Nineties specialist take a trip to Peckham Rye. It’s the first stop for fashion stylists and designers looking to be inspired by (basically, imitate) the unparalleled edit of cool bits of old-school Moschino, Polo Ralph Lauren, Supreme and Palace.
'The retail model goes: fashion kids take in unwanted bits, you buy them and Wavey Garms takes a percentage.’
RG
Dukes Cupboard
Soho
‘This is my local, both to my shop and house. My step-daughters, husband and I all go here to buy Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry and Ralph Lauren — it’s a great edit of fun and cool sports brands that all the labels are emulating at the moment.
'It’s supposed to be menswear but it’s fantastic for women as well, with prices starting at around £40.’
AE
One of a kind
Notting Hill
‘This is the other end of the vintage spectrum. You have to make an appointment to visit and you go as a collector rather than a shopper. It has really quite special and memorable pieces from designers such as Dolce & Gabanna.
'Luckily it’s still on Portobello Road so you can go and do all your other vintage shopping then as well.’
AE
Found and Vision
Golborne Road
‘There are always super-cool things in here: Oxana and the other women who run it have such great style. This is where I go for great old Sixties pieces, brilliant Seventies dresses or anything with a folk, hippie bent. I recently bought an amazing studded belt there — so good!’
BG
Rellik
Westbourne Park
‘Opposite Trellick Tower, this is a London institution. Everyone has bought vintage from these guys; it has a total mix of stuff and all of it is great. The jewellery, boots and shoes are fantastic and if you’re into vintage Vivienne Westwood, look no further.
'There’s a seriously good Eighties punk selection, great old Ozbek and other gems.’
BG
