You know how the sales clerks treated Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman? Go to Blackout II if you want that experience. The staff pointedly ignore customers, then swoop in to snidely let you know how deeply inferior you are. If I'd had my wits about me, I'd have asked whether they stock clothing from the Mean Girls era. read more

The staff were incredibly rude, I walked in and greeted them and didn't get a peep out of either of the ladies behind the counter. They were also quite passive and seemed to be incredibly bored and even upset. They do however have a large selection of true vintage dresses, suits and other apparel. A lot of it can be more on the speedy side but there is something for everyone there. If you don't care much for service and overlook the impoliteness of the employees, than this is the place for you. read more

This is an absolutely fantastic shop. It is packed with beautifully curated clothing and accessories in beautiful condition, carefully marked with measurements, and at fair prices. I found two gorgeous, well-fitting black dresses -- one from the late 50s, the other from the 70s -- in very little time, and my daughter found a Laura Ashley sundress that was perfect for her. The staff was knowledgeable and kind, explaining the shop's organization, helping my daughter figure out her measurements, and zipping me up. Moreover they graciously helped two other customers who came in right before closing time. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in London! read more

I tried on a couple things and within a few minutes had TWO flea bites. The shop assistant was not very helpful when I asked about the selection. read more

I've been to this shop a few different times over the past few years, it has so many wonderful vintage items and a lot of them are quite old which is really rare and hard to find in London. I've found the store staff every time I've been in there to be incredibly rude, so much so that it's put me off from shopping there. read more

Almost everything is truly vintage. But also truly priced as a representation of its Covent Garden location. The small upstairs area contains a good variety of eras and pieces, and a little section at the back is devoted to men's clothing. Just when you think it's over, the lower ground floor opens up and holds an overflow of the pieces you just saw upstairs. I had my eye on a fabulous canary-egg blue and brown plaid skirt suit from the '50s, but then I realized I'm a bum and don't have a job to which I could wear it. If you're a size 8/10 and have a job and £55, go give it a good home. Maybe I'll go back and buy it and just wear it while walking around my 10' x 12' flat all day, vacuuming the carpet and Yelping. Be warned that Blackout II only has one changing room. After waiting in line for ten minutes to try on some tops, I gave up and just went to the relative privacy of the lower ground floor to try them on over my clothes. read more

Blackout II - Women's Clothing Near Me - London, XGL

This small boutique of second hand vintage clothing offers some beautiful pieces from the 1920s to the 80s. Not only is it a sales shop but they hire out as well. You will find makes such as Chanel in Blackout II as well as lesser-known names. It's like a treasure trove of clothes and accessories and it's an exciting experience rooting through the amazing and distinctive offerings. They have some extravagant and showy jewellery pieces that you really wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. If you're looking for something really special and unique I would really suggest this place hidden away between Covent Garden and Holborn. The prices are just as special as the pieces you'll find there but if you have a root through you can sometimes find some fairly reasonably priced items as well. But if it's a bit pricey why not enquire about hiring out something for a special occasion. read more

Blackout II - Women's Clothing Near Me - London, XGL

Love, Love, Love! A great vintage store, this caught my eye when I was walking through Covent Garden the other day. It has loads of 50's style dresses with big skirts, cardigans and lewellery. A huge selection of handbags are crammed onto a high shelf that runs around the whole shop. I found an awesome gold sparkly clutch with a jewlled clasp for £26. The shop is really tiny, so don't take your shopping in, it's an effort to squeeze yourself around the racks, but it's worth it! They hire as well as sell if you have a special occasion. read more

Blackout II - Women's Clothing Near Me - London, XGL

As far as vintage goes this places ticks many a box, the only problem for me is the pricing. Yes I know that this dress is from the 50s but it does have a rip in it and it's missing 3 buttons. Not all the clothes here are tatty, and you can find some genuine gems hidden in the Aladdin's cave layout that it has but something makes me feel they are a little bit greedy. A store like this has to be run out of love and not out of profit. I have to say though, it is worth the visit and I did find an 80s sundress for £6.99. If you do go, make sure you check out the basement, they have a superb selection down there that is not to be missed, oh and also send your boyfriend to the comic book shop at the end of the road, you may be here a while!!! read more

This is exactly as a vintage shop should be: crammed with goodies like a huge dressing up box, and with friendly, knowledgeable staff to help you navigate. It can be pretty expensive, but the extra cash is worth it for the quality. The lady who owns it is an expert, which is evident from her collection. Entering for a browse is a treat in itself. You'll see clothes straight from the movies and be filled with the feeling that you could be anything for the evening - Twiggy to Audrey Hepburn - whoever takes your fancy. Items are also available to rent, which is excellent if you can't quite justify the purchase. This is by far the best, most authentic and professional vintage shop in the Covent Garden area. read more

This store is it. I would love to be locked in here overnight. There are two floors of fab vintage pieces and a sizeable handbag selection. There are also vintage gloves grouped in pairs and loads of vintage shoes downstairs. You can get a pearl choker that even smells old (I smelled it) or a hat with a little netted veil. The prices are not low and not everything is a name brand but I couldn't care less. I love this place. I will buy something here even though I can't afford anything. The 20's stuff interests me the most. It's behind the register. I wonder if they actually have a flapper dress. read more

Blackout 2 is a great vintage shop just off the beaten track in Covent Garden. There are so many great vintage shops in Covent Garden but places like Rockit or Pop Boutique don't always cut it for me, this place has got something a little more special... If you want something a little extra special I'd recommend coming here. The vintage clothes here are slightly more expensive but are worth it. I got a gorgeous 50s dress here for £90 but it was 100% vintage and I've worn it 3 times now and have always had great comments. If you are willing to spend £50-£100 on a vintage piece of clothing then Blackout 2 is one of the places you need to visit. Forget places like Rockit - there's lots of choice there but I've found more worth while things in Blackout 2 than I ever have in Rockit... read more

This vintage store has been around for a few decades now and attracts those who know their vintage from their merely second-hand. Stock is mostly women's clothing and accessories (incl some jewellery) with a small section for the men in our lives. Items are interesting, in good condition and some boast serious credentials so can command decent prices. If you're only looking to hire a vintage item this can also be arranged. Not surprising that some items have appeared on your television screens, then. The store is smallish but well laid out and there's a tiny staircase at the back that leads down to the basement area - so don't forget to search there as well. read more

This is a proper, true vintage shop. You can buy original mary quant dresses here! I have found clothes from the past 100 years here infact, its amazing! Unlike the other junk that other vintage shops sell, this is the real deal, and as the other places have raised their prices so much, this place is now competitevly priced! It sells mostly womens clothing, but they also sell mens stuff too. This shop is well-known among costumers for TV and Film for it has such amazing pieces! I really sugest trying this place out, you will find some amazing stuff! (Plus its next door to the most amazing fish and chip shop!) read more

The vintage clothes at Blackout scream 'Fabulous!' A tiny vintage shop in Covent Garden on two levels, with rails packed full of proper authentic vintage from the 1920's - 1980's - a truly inspirational collection. A great selection of menswear, the most handsom suits in great cuts and shades - light sandy golds, grey with pale blue flecks, camels, beige's, lots of vintage YSL suits for £95. Chic men's smoking jackets, coats and shoes. Hundreds of ladies dresses, suits, hats, bags, gloves, costume jewelry, shoes, kimonos, swimsuits. On one visit I spotted an outrageous pink marabou feather coat for £95, a long Vegas showgirl fringed dress for £95, a unisex reversible 1950's mac, beige on the outside with an incredible abstract tropical print in deep purples and bronze on the inside, for £65, a blood orange crushed velvet bag that conjured up images of Moroccan sunsets & opium dens, and the perfect pair of 1970's leopard print safari pants. read more

I visited this store recently and was absolutely shocked by the horrifically poor and patronising service that I received. I am a 33-year old mixed race professional woman from North America. I'm not sure if the colour of my skin or my accent played a role in this treatment, but if it did, I find this incredibly disappointing. Firstly, when I walked into the store and said hello to the three Caucasian women behind the counter, not one responded but they all looked straight at me. None of these women asked me if I needed help to find anything, but I was followed around the store by two of them very coldly; I felt extremely uncomfortable. Secondly, when I called to speak to the owner and explain what happened, she replied in a harsh tone: "You're speaking a load of rubbish". She then insulted my North American heritage by saying that: "This isn't America sweetheart - it's not all 'have a nice day'". She then proceeded to tell me that "She doesn't give a s*** about what I think" and that I should "Go and get a life"; I was then hung up on. I would advise anyone in the market for vintage clothing to steer clear of this store, and the people working in it. Shops like these don't deserve to stay in business, and the owner has no business treating me or anyone else like this. Absolutely shocking and unacceptable. read more

The best thing about this shop is the half a room filled with rack upon rack of shoes downstairs. There's no sales staff working down there so you really have free reign just to try try try. There are also rails down here with clothes organised by decade which I always think is a pretty good approach as I usually have a vague shape, length or fabric in mind when I'm shopping so this approach makes finding items with that relatively easy. The stuff's also not all that expensive considering the location and the quality, you can get nice jumpers and party gear upstairs and you can also hire some of their more extravagant outfits. read more

This vintage clothing shop has been here for as long as I can remember. I once bought a 50s ball gown reminiscent of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, brown with a big bow and tiny white polka dots, to wear to a Cambridge ball. Though small the shop is packed inside and has a basement area with more men's clothing too. The clothes are more theatrical/party/evening than everyday wear, and they sell unusual vintage jewellery and accessories too. read more