Vintage London

Vintage London

The trend for vintage clothing on both sides of the Atlantic shows no sign of letting up, and the British, with their love of theatrical style, have embraced it with particular gusto. As well as a boom in specialist shops all over town, many boutiques have integrated vintage items into their stock. Liberty, Selfridges, and Topshop all have vintage sections. You can find throwaway retro from the recent past at Camden Market or on the fringes of Portobello Road and Brick Lane/Spitalfields. Here are some of the best:

Absolute Vintage is a warehouse of handpicked items from the 1930s through the 1980s, including more than 1,000 pairs of shoes, arranged on a rainbow wall of color. R&B star Kelis is reportedly a fan. Blondie, around the corner at 114-118 Commercial Street, is the "boutique" branch, selling an edited selection of items. 15 Hanbury St., Spitalfields/East End, E1. 020/7247-3883. Tube: Whitechapel, Liverpool St.

Beyond Retro stocks 10,000 vintage and retro items for men and women. From cowboy boots to bowling shirts to prom dresses, they've got the largest collection of American Retro in the United Kingdom. Kiera Knightley and Kylie Minogue have been spotted here. 110-112 Cheshire St., Spitalfields/East End, E2. 020/7613-3636. Tube: Old St., Bethnal Green.

One takes the concept of individual style a step farther, combining elements of two or more vintage garments to create an utterly unique piece. There is also a selection of unaltered, immaculate designer pieces by the likes of Chanel and Valentino. 30 Ledbury Rd., Notting Hill, W11. 020/7221-5300. Tube: Notting Hill Gate.

Orsini is a tiny but choice Kensington boutique. Eveningwear with Hollywood-style glamour is the trademark here, with clothes from the 1920s to the 1970s. 76 Earls Court Rd., Kensington, W8. 020/7937-2903. Tube: Earls Court or High St. Kensington.

Rokit consists of two shops along Brick Lane that stock everything from handbags and ball gowns to jeans, military, and Western wear. Magazine and rock stylists love it. There are also branches in Camden and Covent Garden. 101-107 Brick La., Spitalfields/East End, E1. 020/7375-3864. Tube: Aldgate East.

Steinberg & Tolkien is a King's Road institution with two packed floors of genuine vintage haute couture. There's very good—and pricey—designer costume jewelry and the boxy plastic handbags that were ultrachic in the 1950s. 193 King's Rd., Chelsea, SW3. 020/7376-3660. Tube: Sloane Sq.

Virginia,Virginia Baker's collection of antique and vintage clothing, may be the best in London. Dresses, hats, and accessories from early Victorian (circa 1850) to the early 1930s are available. These are wearable collectors' items and priced accordingly. The shop is kept dark to protect the fabrics—ring the bell to enter. 98 Portland Rd., Clarendon Cross, Holland Park/Notting Hill, W11. 020/7727-9908. Tube: Holland Park.