The Best Womenswear Boutiques In East London

Late Night Chameleon Café is a completely unique designer-label concept store hidden away in the heart of Dalston. Far more inconspicuous than any other boutique in our line-up, it runs on an appointment-only basis and the entrance is hard to find, though once you’re inside it’s well worth the hunt. Arguably more comparable to a museum than a clothing store, its fascinating art-installation interior takes you on a journey in itself. Feel like you’re in a forbidden forest as you wander through the first section of the entrance tunnel and be transported to the future when you enter the neon-clad section. Clothing and accessories by the likes of Fendi, Raf Simmons and Haider Ackermann are precisely laid out in the large, 3-room shopping space and there’s a focus on supporting new talent, so you’ll come across labels that you never knew existed. Anyone can make an appointment, so book in and enjoy this unique interpretation of luxury.

Dutch lingerie and swimwear brand, Love Stories Intimates, is one of the newer boutiques to grace the East London shopping landscape and what a welcome addition it is too. Small but beautifully curated with a very focused product offering, spanning lingerie, swimwear and the odd pair of satin pyjamas, you’d be hard pushed to walk in and leave empty handed. There’s a fashion-forward element to the aesthetic, with delicate lingerie and swimwear pieces designed to be mixed and matched to create an effortlessly chic look that’s reflective of its Scandinavian heritage. Expect eclectic print designs, lace trimmings and silk silhouettes expertly cut to flatter and instill confidence in the wearer.

Opened in 2013 in an East London townhouse and decorated wall-to-wall with artistic designs that you won’t find anywhere else, the House of Hackney flagship store is everything you’d expect from the brand. The label’s womenswear clothing sits in amongst the recognisable wallpaper, homewares, accessories and designs reflect the label’s painterly aesthetic, with each piece boasting a richly-coloured pattern or print that’s sure to make a statement. Product from every category is mindfully made in England and is designed to stand the test of time. If wearing the prints isn’t your cup of tea, why not add a little vibrancy to your home with the smaller items; mugs, trays and tea-towels make for a distinctive gifting option.

There’s nothing of a typical outlet about Burberry’s factory shop, except perhaps the prices. Laid out more precisely than some of the high street’s best presented stores, it doesn’t come with the stress usually associated with outlet shopping and might be better placed in somewhere like Bicester Village. But of course, Britain’s most iconic brand like to maintain an element of surprise and if we’re honest, no one is going to ‘stumble across’ their Hackney location, which means only the most dedicated of shoppers will enter. Smart thinking. Product spans both men’s and womenswear and there’s no shortage of signature trench coats and macs on offer, all in seemingly perfect condition and stocked in a wide range of sizes. Ready to wear is a bit more pot-luck and you definitely can’t go with an item in mind, which makes the experience all the more exciting.

It’s rare that you come across a London concept store to rival those found in the likes of Paris or New York but Modern Society is scratching that itch with its beautifully designed, carefully stocked space on Redchurch Street. Small in size but hard to leave once you’re in, it’s merchandised with sleek angular tables, minimalistic rails and exposed brick interiors. As well as showcasing its own-label collection, it also houses contemporary labels such as Rejina Pyo and Sandy Liang and a cluster of better known brands like Etre Cecile. Instagram fans be ready; the café in the entrance is doused in natural light that shows the green marble tables and oversized house plants at their best and makes for the perfect shot. What’s more? It’s possibly some of the best coffee we’ve enjoyed in a while – can this hidden gem do no wrong?

Opened in 2012 by four sisters, Shoreditch High Street’s coolest concept store, Aida, is so much more than just a clothing boutique. As well as stocking contemporary menswear, womenswear and homeware labels such as Levis Made and Crafted and Selected Femme, it also showcases a range of independent European brands, has its own in-store coffee shop and houses a beauty parlour on the women’s floor offering a range of vintage hair and make-up services. A true destination in the heart of East London and the kind of place you can not only shop for one-off gems but settle in for the afternoon and watch the world go by, this welcoming destination should be on everyone’s bucket list. The store has also been home to a number of events in the past, from film screenings, to charity events and even the odd gig.

Parisians have a reputation for an effortless yet eternally chic approach to fashion and for that reason, we love Jean Touitou’s exemplary clothing label, A.P.C. Sat on Redchurch Street and just a stone’s throw from the aforementioned Modern Society, it’s the only place to head for if you’re in the market for understated capsule wardrobe heroes that promise to last an eternity. Simplicity is at the heart of the design aesthetic and there’s a strong focus on premium quality, both in terms of fabrication and manufacturing techniques. The store interiors mimic the brand’s aesthetic, with clean-cut furnishings, sleek lines and a neutral colour palette setting the tone.

Canadian fitness label, Lululemon initially started life as a yoga apparel brand, creating stylish, premium-quality pieces designed to enhance performance on the mat. Its mission to create a lifestyle surrounding its product has well and truly succeeded and it is now globally recognised, not only for its clothing and accessories (which now spans all sports) but for its unique community hub. The store in Old Spitalfields Market hosts free Sunday morning yoga classes where like minded individuals can meet, workout and shop all in one curated space. Added bonus? The designs are so wearable that you’ll be fine to carry on with your day (or your run, or your Barre class) in what might be the most well-designed pair of leggings that you now own.

The ultimate London concept space, The Goodhood Store is (of course) based in the most hipster of all shopping destinations, Shoreditch. It aims to redefine the idea of luxury living through its unique presentation of womenswear, menswear, lifestyle and cosmetics brands, of which it stocks over 200. This may sound like a lot, but each addition to the portfolio is carefully considered, carrying with it a story as to why it’s there. Defying trends and following cultural happenings instead of following what other fashion brands are currently doing, The Goodhood Store is truly unique and well worth a visit. Shop the Vans Vault X Alyx collaboration which has recently launched; a series of original silhouettes made modern with a touch of Alyx’s Calfornian design aesthetic.

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