The demand for pre-loved designer fashion has hugely increased, and apps and online retailers are available to quench this thirst. If you prefer a in-person shopping experience, you will find a fantastic range of second-hand designer shops in London
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London is a fashion capital, full of world-famous shops and brands. A label lover’s paradise, its stores include Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more. Around 30 million visit London each year, and its incredible shopping scene is a huge draw.
Designer labels are high on many people’s wish lists, but the hefty price tag can make it impossible. Instead, consumers opt for fast fashion alternatives. These may look similar but are usually low-quality with a short life span.
Thankfully, mindsets have changed as people choose sustainable options, such as buying second-hand designer items to reduce waste. If you are looking for pre-owned fashion, there is a fantastic range of second-hand-designer shops in London to choose from.
- What are the Pros of Buying Second-Hand Designer?
- Where are the Best Second-Hand Designer Shops in London Located?
- Second-Hand Designer Shops in North London
- Second-Hand Designer Shops in East London
- Second-Hand Designer Shops in South London
- Second-Hand Designer Shops in West London
- Second-Hand Designer Shops in Central London
- Charity Shops in London
- What is the Difference between a Charity Shop and a Vintage Shop?
- Which areas of London have the Best Charity Shops for Second-Hand Designer Fashion?
- Areas with the Best Charity Shops in London
What are the Pros of Buying Second-Hand Designer?
Sustainability
Buying second-hand designer fashion reduces demand, helping scale down the industry’s carbon footprint.
Quality
Designer items incorporate the highest standards and some are hand-made with top-quality materials. Fast fashion can fall apart after a few wears, but designer pieces will stand the test of time.
Affordability
Spending thousands of pounds on something is not a realistic option for many. Buying second-hand is a cheaper option to buy something you love.
Investment
Many designer and vintage pieces will increase in value over time, so you could make a profit if you decide to sell.
Whether you want to buy or browse, our guide to the best second-hand designer shops in London has you covered.
Where are the Best Second-Hand Designer Shops in London Located?
There is an incredible range of pre-loved designer fashion shops across London, and this guide shows you where they all are.
Second-Hand Designer Shops in North London
This area is known for its trendy neighbourhoods with a great shopping scene. Camden Market is famous for its more alternative fashion, while Upper Street boasts a broad range of independent shops. Islington’s Camden Passage is full of second-hand boutiques and hosts a great weekly vintage market. Head north for some of the best second-hand designer shops in London.
Islington
Stocks pre-loved fashion and accessories for men and women. A sample of brands on offer includes Chanel, Gucci, Givenchy, Dior, and Fendi.
Camden Passage Vintage Market
Hidden away behind Upper Street is the picturesque Camden Passage. It’s full of antique shops and boutiques and is a great spot for second-hand designer pieces. Check here for details of the vintage market.
Located in the basement of Giovanni Hair & Beauty on Upper Street, customers describe it as ‘a treasure trove’. The store stocks a broad range of designer clothes, shoes and accessories, and brands include Chanel, Miu Miu and Vivienne Westwood.
Camden Market is an assortment of markets across Camden High Street and Chalk Farm Road, and visitors can spend hours browsing its many stalls. The Vintage Collection inside the market is worth a visit and stocks the UK’s largest collection of non-worn vintage.
Hampstead
Located in the heart of Hampstead Village, Designs is an exclusive retailer of nearly new designer fashions for women. The store often receives new stock and is a great place to pick up a second-designer bag for a great price.
St John’s Wood
Shush London is a luxury consignment store stocking luxury brands for men and women. If you are on the hunt for a high-end designer bag, this is the place to go.
Crouch End
This dress agency stocks a range of clothes, shoes and accessories for women. The staff can assist in sourcing a particular item for you and offers a tailoring service.
Stoke Newington
Located in trendy Stoke Newington, its founder, Holly Watkins, sources luxury designer and vintage pieces at affordable prices. Who What Wear’s shopping Editor Joy Montgomery described One Scoop as “the fashion industry’s worst kept secret.”
Tottenham Hale
Break Archive stocks rare and luxurious designer bags such as Chanel and Hermès. Its catalogue also includes ready-to-wear, jewellery, shoes and accessories. The concept is on an appointment-only basis, and you can book a slot on their website.
Second-Hand Designer Shops in East London
This area is a magnet for creatives drawn to its cool vibe. Neighbourhoods such as Shoreditch and Hackney are home to independent fashion labels and vintage shops. The Brick Lane Vintage Market opens every day, and the area is full of shops selling second-hand designers.
Brick Lane
Spread across two floors of a historic warehouse, ATIKA is one of the biggest vintage stores in the city. It stocks 20,000 vintage items, meaning there is something for everyone.
The vintage market is full of boutiques selling pieces from the 1920s up to the 90s. The market opens every day but is more lively on the weekends.
The store’s focus is selling pre-loved Burberry in Brick Lane Vintage Market, and have another shop in Covent Garden. This is the place to go if you want a vintage Burberry trench coat,
Magpie Vintage has a stall in the Brick Lane Vintage Market and sells hand-selected premium vintage. They also have a shop on Portobello Road, and their flagship store is in Camden Passage.
Shoreditch
Founded in 2007, Nordic Poetry sells archive luxury fashion for men and women. The range is impressive, and designer bags start at very reasonable prices. Brands stocked include Christian Dior, Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier. Check their socials for new arrivals.
House of Vintage is located in Shoreditch and has a store on Broadway Market. Each store has a specially curated collection for men and women from the 1920s and focuses on the rare and unique.
Dalston
There are Beyond Retros dotted across London, and they have been hand-picking the best vintage pieces since 2002. The Dalston store is their flagship, with over 12,000 one-of-a-kind pieces. For more Beyond Retro locations, see here.
Haggertson
This store specialises in high-end contemporary fashion and luxury clothing for men and women. They constantly receive new stock, which they upload to their Instagram.
Homerton
Bohemia
This place has great reviews, and check their Instagram for a mix of pre-loved designer pieces and vintage.
Second-Hand Designer Shops in South London
This area has something for everybody, and popular neighbourhoods include Brixton, which has a community feel. Clapham has lovely green spaces and eateries, and the Greenwich Vintage Market is a must for second-hand designer gems.
Battersea
This boutique sells luxury pre-owned fashion, and their ethos is to ‘extend the life of luxury clothing and accessories, in turn saying no to fast fashion.‘ The store is plastic-free, and new items are put out daily, including rare pieces from brands including Chanel, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton.
Wandsworth Common
Established in 2002, Shona Mac sells pre-loved luxury items for men and women. The store stocks a variety of pieces fit for all seasons.
Pimlico
This well-loved women’s boutique sells second-hand designer fashion and rare vintage clothing and accessories. Modes & More has made it into the Top 10 vintage boutiques in publications such as Harper’s Bazaar and the Sunday Telegraph. Celebrities have worn pieces from their collection, so well worth a visit.
Bermondsey
The auctions specialise in luxury vintage and contemporary fashion. There are five auctions a year, and past pieces sold include Princess Diana’s dresses.
Dulwich
Blue Feather, in East Dulwich, sells pre-loved and vintage clothing. They stock pieces from different eras, so check their Instagram for new arrivals.
Norwood
Cenci Vintage Clothing & Accessories
This fun shop stocks an impressive range of clothing and accessories from the 1930s to the present.
Second-Hand Designer Shops in West London
This area has some of the best second-hand designer shops in London. The affluent Chelsea area is full of pre-loved fashion boutiques, and Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is a must-see for label lovers!
Chelsea
Sign of the Times
This shop is very popular with shoppers and is all over social media. Its Chelsea store stocks over 2000 items from brands such as Chanel, Prada, and Gucci. New pre-owned designer drops daily at 10 a.m., so check their socials.
This ethically focused concept sells pre-loved clothing, accessories, and shoes for men, women, and children. Brands include Bottega, Balmain, and Chanel.
This store specialises in sourcing rare and unique designer pieces, including haute-couture handbags, accessories and clothing from luxury brands. The range of stock is impressive, with a gorgeous array of evening and cocktail dresses.
Notting Hill
The famous West London market is a haven for vintage lovers and is a great day out! The market draws huge crowds, and the surrounding streets are full of boutiques and second-hand designer shops.
This dress agency stocks pre-loved designer clothes, and staff check every item for quality and authenticity.
Vogue and Tatler named this boutique ‘one of the best vintage sellers in the city,’ and is known for show-stopping outfits.
Founded in 2012, Found and Vision on Portobello Road is the go-to for quality and fun vintage clothing. They offer labels and prices to suit all budgets, and items are available for hire.
Ladbroke Grove
Rellik has a gorgeous array of women’s vintage clothing, and celebrities such as Kate Moss and Kylie Minogue have sourced outfits here.
Fulham
This dress agency stocks pre-loved designer clothes, shoes, and accessories. Deuxieme is over two floors, and brands include Celine, Louboutin, and Chanel. Their showroom is by appointment only.
If you are looking for an extra special outfit, Circa has a beautiful selection to suit all budgets. They stock antique and vintage fashion, and their London showroom is by appointment only.
Second-Hand Designer Shops in Central London
Soho, Carnaby Street, and Covent Garden are iconic fashion hubs full of some of the best second-hand designer shops in London.
Head to Pimlico and Marylebone for higher-end labels, and don’t skip the charity shops for designer bargains.
Covent Garden
Rokit has been around since 1986 and has stores in Brick Lane and Camden. If you are willing to rummage, you can find some treasures here.
Founders Charlie and Freddie founded Vintage Threads after spotting a gap in the market for affordable vintage clothing. They specialise in sportswear from the 80s, 90s and early 00s, and brands include Fendi, Prada, and Burberry.
Soho
The shop has been in Soho for over 20 years and began as market stalls in Portobello Road and Camden. New items arrive daily, and they have another store in Stoke Newington.
Carnaby Street
Annie’s is renowned for its collection of vintage, sourced from all over the world. Its Carnaby Street store stocks vintage fashion and party essentials.
Knightsbridge
Sellier offers a bespoke shopping experience selling pre-owned luxury fashion. Sellier is the go-to for second-hand designer handbags and is the number one reseller of Hermès in the UK.
Founded in 1947, this store sells a vast range of affordable pre-loved designer fashion, and keep an eye out for their sales!
Designer Exchange has been selling pre-loved fashion for men and women since 2013. The store stocks over 5,000 authentic and unique designers from over 100 brands, and customers praise the shopping experience. Other Designer Exchange stores include Chelsea, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds.
Marylebone
Branches also include Battersea, and Notting Hill and sell luxury designer clothes, handbags, shoes and accessories. The store has an excellent range of pre-loved designer bags and runs sales throughout the year,
Catwalk stocks fashion for women, and L’homme is for men. Their website describes them as ‘an Aladdin’s cave, full of the most fabulous items to suit every budget at competitive prices. The shops are next door, and brands stocked include Chanel, Gucci, and Dior.
Charity Shops in London
London has some of the best charity shops in the UK, selling a broad range of items. Some of the best second-hand designer shops in London are actually charity shops.
Boutique by Shelter and Oxfam Boutique are upmarket concepts where you are guaranteed to find affordable designer and vintage fashion, and there are many dotted across the city.
A good way of finding pre-loved fashion in regular charity shops is to head to areas known for receiving high-end donations, such as Chelsea and Primrose Hill.
Find the information about the best charity shops in London below.
What is the Difference between a Charity Shop and a Vintage Shop?
Charity shops are places the public donate items they no longer want to, and the proceeds raise money for charity. They are a great place to snap up a bargain and you never know what you might find. A vintage shop stocks rarer items, and usually refers to pieces that are at least 20 years old.
The difference between a charity shop and a vintage shop, is a vintage shop is more specialised and a guarantee of finding designer brands. While you can find second-hand designer pieces in charity shops, it is not guaranteed as they rely on donations.
However, there are some very affluent areas in London, where local people donate designer items so heading to these postcodes is a good idea.
Which areas of London have the Best Charity Shops for Second-Hand Designer Fashion?
Areas with the best charity shops in London include Islington, Hampstead, Dulwich, Clapham, Blackheath, Chelsea, Fulham, Marylebone and Belgravia.
Social media and YouTube is also a great place to get other people’s tips on this subject. This article selects some of the best charity shops to find pre-loved fashion.
Areas with the Best Charity Shops in London
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Balham
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Blackheath
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Chelsea
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Clapham
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Dulwich
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Fulham
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Hampstead
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Islington
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Marylebone
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Mayfair
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Muswell Hill
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Notting Hill
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Pimlico
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Stoke Newington
Best Charity Shops in North London
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Mary’s Living and Giving Shop for Save the Children-Islington
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Fara-Islington
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Fara-Belsize Park
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Mary’s Living & Giving Shop-Primrose Hill
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Boutique by Shelter-Primrose Hill
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Octavia Foundation-Hampstead
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The Hampstead Heath Boutique-Hampstead
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Shop from Crisis-Finsbury Park
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Mary’s Living & Giving Shop-Stoke Newington
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Boutique by Shelter-Muswell Hill
Best Charity Shops in East London
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The Salvation Army-Mare Street-Hackney
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Crisis-Mare Street-Hackney
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TRAID-Dalston
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Crisis-Dalston
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Oxfam-Victoria Park
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Lama’s Pyjamas-Bethnal Green
Best Charity Shops in South London
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Oxfam-Herne Hill
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Mary’s Living and Giving Shop-East Dulwich
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Clapham Common Boutique by Shelter-Clapham Common
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British Heart Foundation-Balham
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Mary’s Living and Giving Shop -Bermondsey
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TRAID-Peckham
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Retromania-Pimlico
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Fara-Pimlico
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Royal Trinity Hospice-Pimlico
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Blackheath Boutique by Shelter-Blackheath
Best Charity Shops in West London
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Royal Trinity Hospice-Notting Hill
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British Red Cross-Notting Hill
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Oxfam Boutique-Westbourne Grove
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TRAID-Hammersmith
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Fara-Kensington
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Oxfam-Kensington
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The Octavia Foundation-Kensington
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The British Red Cross-Kensington
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Cancer Research-Chelsea
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Royal Trinity Hospice-Chelsea
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Oxfam Boutique-Chelsea
Best Charity Shops in Central London
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Barnardos-Marylebone
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Oxfam-Marylebone
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Cancer Research Marylebone
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Salvation Army-Mayfair
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Boutique by Shelter-Coal Drops Yard-Kings Cross
Shopping for pre-loved fashion is easy once you know where to go, and this guide to the best second-hand designer shops in London has you covered.
Happy Shopping
I’m all about the second hand shopping!!! If I ever get to London, now I have my itenerary all set! Great info!!
London is a great city for second-hand shopping, but hopefully you have some good places near you too. Thank you for reading.
Some great info here! I’m flying to London next week, I may have to save room in my suitcase!
Absolutely, always room for a bargain. Thank you for reading!
I love all the reasons why buying second hand is a good idea. You certainly cover a lot of stores in a lot of places. I will bookmark this for the next time I am in London. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you and I hope you find a bargain next time you are in London!
This is truly an in-depth post on the best places to purchase second hand designers in London. I feel like this’d be pretty helpful for tourists. Amazing info!
Thank you so much for reading Hari!