Best pre-loved stores in London

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I’m heading to London this weekend with my teen DD. I’m sure when I was her age, there used to be loads of pre-loved clothing stores that you usually went downstairs to (even under Top Shop on Oxford street?) or am I completely making this up?

She loves vintage and mixing styles - any suggestions on where to head to?

I dont remember anything like that on Oxford St. My DD (13) liked the thrift stores at Camden Market. They weren't cheap tho.

I think it was topshop. There are some posh charity shops in Marylebone and one near Hanover Square (where Vogue offices were). Not sure if that one is still there. Also Chelsea has good ones.

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/best-vintage-shops-in-london

Brick Lane?

I remember the vintage section downstairs at Top Shop! A staff member i got talking to insisted a whole bunch of fleas came in with a batch of the second hand clothes 🤣

Second Brick Lane and the surrounding roads. Pick up a beigel and stroll over to Columbia Rd flower market on Sunday morning.

Brick Lane is now full of vintage shops and if DD is a chocolate or hot chocolate lover stop off at Dark Sugars, a very recent but fabulous find.

Deffo Brick lane.
I remember the vintage basement in topshop , it was magnificent. The real topshop glory days ❤️

Thanks @SchoolDilemma17 for the list, very helpful.

I think we’ll head to Brick Lane for a browse so thanks to all suggesting there.

@Happyinarcon -I’m so pleased didn’t dream the downstairs vintage section at Top Shop. It was pre Kate Moss days so probably mid-late 80s would you say?

@Theviewfrommars - it was the only Top Shop I liked! Coming from a small rural village 100 or more miles away, I didn’t go to London often but recall that and other gems but no idea where they’d have been. Likely Rockit which is now uber cool.

There’s a designer second hand on one on Hampstead High St (I think called Designs For Her) and also off St John’s Woof High St - just Google to double check they’re still there tho

The main ones I seek out now are:

Retromania - Fara charity shop in Pimlico. There are other decent charity shops in the neighbourhood including a Trinity Hospice shop that's laid out like a boutique.

Hunky Dory - Best one on Brick Lane in my opinion.

Alfie's antiques, Marylebone - It might be more high end than you want but there's a stall there that still regularly has 1920s/30s stuff in - pricey but your teen might enjoy looking if she's into it.

As other posters have said, there are a lot of others on Brick Lane, depending on which decades you're interested in. Also the Truman Brewery which is either on Brick Lane or very close by is a big vintage market.

Rocket

Rockit

https://www.rokit.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOoqM5MGRD5uOZ2wxVGSkjntQn8mlBPizwDtaJd5EWTTa2Eoo_q7X

Covent Garden one is good because of the other stores you'll want to go nearby

I don't rate Rokit any more. I can see why teenagers enjoy it but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone over 30.

Sorry @KittenPause I didn't mean to piss on your chips!

My teen DS and GF went to Rokus in Covent Garden last weekend and she bought a gorgeous coat for £35 so I definitely recommend it for teens

Rokit

Bloody autocorrect

But OP is taking her teen so the over 30 comment isn't relevant in this instance

Yes you're right @KittenPause sorry, I got confused about whether the post was for the op or her teen.

Loads on brick lane. Not cheap though!

There are a few places in soho, a short walk feom Oxford circus tube. Also good places to eat in soho too!

There's a fab pop up vintage stall at portabello market by am:pm on instagram

I loved that part of Topshop. Going to Topshop was such an event- you knew you weren't coming out for hours.

I also used to love Rockit in Camden - we would buy old ski jackets and corduroy flares and old school Adidas zip up jackets and real suede coats. That was the 90s.