Frock Me! Vintage Fashion

Fashion and vintage have always been involved in a love affair and London is more enamoured now than ever, with numerous venues hosting popular vintage markets. The number of vintage fairs is daunting, but our list of the top five vintage spots will help you select your best ‘50s smock, china set, or unique ring. Many venues also have on-site food vendors, serving everything from quiche to sweets to tame your bargain-hunting belly.
From fashion to homeware to collectables, Judy’s got your affordable vintage covered. A massive spread of stalls, tables, and open tattered suitcases reveal all sorts of goodies for the aspiring collector. Vendors are friendly and knowledgeable on their wares, and attendees get into the spirit: lots of cat-eye glasses and ‘40s hairdos on women, with an Elvis curl or two thrown in on the gents. There’s a small snack stand serving tempting cakes and pastries right before you exit with reasonable prices. The fair hops around to different locations, so make your way to Bethnal Green for the next event.
Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair,York Hall, 5 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9PJ, UK
Fancy some classic autos with your vintage clothes shop? Then the Classic Car Boot Sale is the ticket, with dozens of old-school vehicles and many more stalls to satisfy your vintage needs. A few vendors selling directly out of the boots, hawking books, vinyl, tchotkes, jewellery, and much more. The festive atmosphere is enhanced by a DJ spinning tunes from the 40s, 50s, and 60s from atop an open-air Routemaster, which also serves as a booze station. After loading up on craft beer, swing on by the bursting food truck area where Kooky Bakes, Bleeker Street Burger, and the Buddha Bowl, among many others, will whet your appetite. While the most recent boot sale was 14-15 March, there is another coming, so stay tuned.
By Jennifer C. Smith-Parker
Jennifer C. Smith-Parker is a London-based journalist who, when she’s not trekking all over the city to explore its cultural diversity, is flying around the globe to indulge her insatiable wanderlust. A career healthcare journalist, her other interests include vegetarian food, museums, history, and dogs.