The 5 best shops for vintage clothing

Housed in a former ironmongery shop near Seven Dials is this unique resource for men’s vintage clothing. The stock is well organised and specialises in workwear, military, naval, sports, classic tailoring and country attire from the early to mid-20th century. They’ve recently published a visual reference book.

This large store in Hackney is the flagship for the Beyond Retro brand, with smaller branches in Soho and Brick Lane. There’s every chance you’ll find a bargain you didn’t realise you needed. An on-site cafe serves refreshments from vintage tea sets.

For nearly 30 years and from well before vintage clothing became the trend it is today, Blackout has offered affordable, high-end vintage fashions for men and women. The heaving stock is spread over two floors and is organised by period, covering the 1920s to 1980s.

282 is packed with stock that often spills out onto the pavement when the weather allows. The focus is on classic vintage styles that portray a particular English sartorial elegance. The leathers, tweeds, wax jackets, furs, ball gowns and the huge array of footwear, hats and bags attract a bohemian crowd.

James Wright’s store has been at the forefront of trend-driven vintage fashion for a decade now. Originally located in Covent Garden, Mint has now moved out east to the Dalston and Stoke Newington borders, following their hipster clientele. The shop offers an excellent edit of fashion-forward men’s and women’s clothing with plenty of denim and casualwear.