Historic London Fashion Boutiques You Need To Know

When John Perse launched Granny Takes A Trip in 1969 on the then-understated King’s Road in Chelsea, it didn’t take long for it to become the name on every style-conscious Londoner’s lips. Everyone knew about the quirky little store and for good reason. Perse sourced one-of-a-kind vintage and antique clothing pieces which he altered in a way that brought them into the present. The store garnered itself a cult following and it soon became famed for welcoming some of the era’s most iconic rock’n’roll legends including Mick Jagger and Pink Floyd. Still celebrated today, it was part of the Royal Albert Hall’s Summer of Love: Revisited exhibit this year which showcased never-before-seen pieces and footage from inside the store.

Initially launched as a stand-alone boutique on Portobello Road in the mid 60s, I Was Lord Kitchener’s Valet became an instant success and a favourite among the remaining mod rockers of the time. Stocking re-imagined vintage military uniforms and Pop Art-inspired union jack clothing, it was here that Jimi Hendrix famously bought his iconic braided military coat. The boutique’s success and the following that it accumulated meant that a further two stores were opened across the city with Soho’s Wardour Street branch positioned a stone’s throw from then-famous rock club, Marquee, and designed with blacked out windows to spike intrigue.

It’s Michael Fish that the menswear fashion landscape initially had to thank for bringing a little controversy to classic suiting and for contributing to the 1960s ‘Peacock Revolution’. His label, Mr. Fish, which launched in the 1960s, was the first to introduce the idea of statement suiting and his designs displayed vivid colour palettes, bold prints and statement adornments that introduced a new and eccentric way of dressing. Not just a tailoring specialist, Fish also introduced the idea of dresses for men, fluid kaftans and separates influenced by ethnic dress. Reference to the aesthetic can be found in modern day collections, namely Gucci and JW Anderson – the ultimate testament to the credibility of his designs.

If vintage menswear is your thing then it’s Seven Dials in central London that you want to head for in search of the city’s most inspirational finds. This is where you’ll come across The Vintage Showroom – a store that may have only been open for the past 10 years (a relatively short time in comparison to the rest of our list) but that prides itself in being one of the city’s leading resources for such collectables. Its stock covers early mid-20th century items and genres include military and sports clothing, country wear, and international designs.