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. Aside from the 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, but the specialty here is shoes. The shop has the largest collection of vintage shoes in the United Kingdom (at last count, it was more than 1,000 pairs, roughly arranged by color). Best of all, prices are reasonable. 15 Hanbury St., Spitalfields/East End, E1 6QR. 020/7247-3883. Tube: Whitechapel, Liverpool St.

Beyond Retro stocks more than 10,000 vintage 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. 110-112 Cheshire St., Spitalfields/East End, E2 6EJ. 020/7613-3636. Tube: Liverpool St., Old St.

Old Hat. One for the boys, this shop is jam-packed with secondhand suits, overcoats, and all manner of gentlemanly accoutrements. Look for tailoring by illustrious Savile Row names at a fraction of their original price as well as old Burberry suits. 66 Fulham High St., Fulham, SW6 3LQ. 020/7610-6558. Closed Sun. Tube: Putney Bridge.

Orsini is a tiny but choice boutique. Eveningwear with Hollywood-style glamour is the trademark here, with clothes from the 1920s to the 1970s. Victoria Beckham is a fan. 76 Earl's Court Rd., Kensington, W8 6EQ. 020/7937-2903. Tube: Earl's Court, High Street Kensington.

Every piece of clothing at Palette London is in immaculate condition, which can save a lot of digging. Owner Mark Ellis sells Ossie Clark, Missoni, Pucci, and Chanel from the '40s up until the '90s, along with some contemporary. 21 Canonbury La., Islington, N1 2AS. 020/7288-7428. Tube: Islington.

Rellik

is favored by the likes of Kate Moss and began as a street stall on Portobello Road. Today vintage hunters looking to splurge can find a selection of YSL, Chanel, and Dior, as well as items from lesser-known designers. Prices start at £30 and go up well over £1,000. 8 Golborne Rd., Ladbroke Grove, W10 5NW. 020/8962-0089. Tube: Westbourne Park.

Rokit consists of two shops along Brick Lane that stock everything from handbags and ball gowns to jeans, military, and Western wear, and the ever-changing collection spans from the 1920s to the 1990s. Magazine and rock stylists love it. There are also branches in Camden and Covent Garden. 101-107 Brick La., Spitalfields/East End, E1 6SE. 020/7375-3864. Tube: Aldgate East.

Virginia,Virginia Baker's collection of 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. 98 Portland Rd., Clarendon Cross, Holland Park/Notting Hill, W11 4LQ. 020/7727-9908. Closed Sun; open Sat. by appointment only. Tube: Holland Park.