Disclaimer that I did NOT get up at ass-o'clock or whatever to go to this market. We got there at…read morelike 9am because I was on VACATION thank you very much. So maybe getting up at 4am is the best, as visiting at 9am (A REASONABLE HOUR, THANK YOU) meant that that Square was perhaps 1/2 full of stalls. Maybe the early bird does indeed, catch the worm but I shall never know. Anyway, this Market happens on Friday AM's. There are stalls selling acres of china, silver cutlery, lace and that one stall that sells royal commemorative tat that I salivate over. Not much furniture, mostly small collectible things. There's also a food stall or two, plus a nearby (slightly ghetto) Sainsbury's.

I am being completely truthful when I say that 5am on a Friday is really the only time to go to…read morethis market. Because it is an antique dealers' market and not a regular vintage/antique market, deals go quickly. There are hundreds of high quality and reasonably priced stalls selling an overwhelming array of goods. I have only done it twice when it first opens but it is best seen before dawn when you see people examining their goods with torches and the lights from their phones.

Stromboli's Circus is a shop for the consummate vintage lover, selling not just fashion and…read moreaccessories but furniture and collectibles to boot. Despite the occasional gem from the seventies Boutique Movement to be found by the likes of Biba and Jean Varon, Stromboli's Circus lacks in its sartorial focus what it makes up for with its sometimes brilliant homewares. I'll forever regret not snapping up a strawberry icecream coloured fifties glass chandelier I spotted at Stromboli's last year, a relative snip at £150 considering you'd pay more like £250 at one of East London's vintage boutiques. This is Stromboli's strength and I'd recommend regular visits to find the best pieces. That said, prices for clothing and accessories can be on the silly side. I spotted a pair of eighties snakeskin courts at £120 which would retail at nearer £45 in even Blondie, East London's chicest vintage boutique. Central London is probably not the most economical place to find your vintage but if you do happen to find yourself on Carnaby Street Stromboli's Circus is, if not 'The Greatest Shop on Earth' then nothing if not an experience.

From the outside, this place looks really great. The window display is fantastic and always…read moreinspires me to take a little look inside. The shop itself is a lot bigger than it's vintage neighbour in Kingly Court, Sam Greenberg Vintage. They sell vintage furniture, clothes, accessories and other little bits and bobs. I'm a huge vintage fiend but, although this place seems to have an abundance of choice, I'm yet to find anything worth actually purchasing here. The dresses aren't out of this world and the shoes are pretty mediocre, although I must say everything is in pristine condition. I much prefer the furniture, housewares and accessories here. They are, again, in great condition and seem affordable enough too. This place is OK but nothing special at all. A nice addition to Kingly Court's slew of vintage stores but a little bit disappointing compared to the rest...

I love this place because everything is arranged in size -- with vintage it can all be hard work…read moreand lets face it -- it is much easier just to see your choices and go for it -- No fuss no muss just start trying A really good layout and lots of space to see and wind around the room - with a small lounge area and a bag section and some clothing -- you can easily spend time here. There are also alot "special" cases scattered with "not for sale "signs - these seem to be the real vintage pieces - - but do not fret there is plenty to try and buy...

This is definitely the best place for vintage shoes. The choice is endless! There are shoes in…read moreevery colour, every size, and from all the eras. The shoes are also very affordable considering an average pair of heels will only set you back £15. Second in line are the bags. They also seem to come in every colour and size. Most of them come in leather and are once again, priced very generously. And last but not least, there are the clothes. I have never actually bought any clothes here. Personally, I think that they are not arranged in the best way and generally a bit messy or stained. I have flitted through the Menswear before though, and found it easier to navigate and generally better in choice. But really... it's all about the shoes here!

Its pricey but fun for a browse, just to look at random stuff to add to your house for a fun…read morechange, or to get an eccentric present. That should sum up the variety of stuff that you can find in the store. I went furniture shopping with a friend, and we stopped by just to have a look as they had a wide range of furniture just outside the store front. We walked away with a small bamboo coffee table, that looks great to this day. It was a great buy, and there are many more to be found here. Something for everyone, like s suitcase for Felix, a mannequin for Prudence, or just some chutzpah for yourself.

Past Caring is a surprisingly cool vintage store on Essex Road, just a short stroll from Angel Tube…read moreStation. Filled from floor to ceiling with nick nacks galore, it boasts a great range of crockery, cutlery and other bits and bobs for your home. But it's the furniture out the front which always draws my attention - cane chair, awesome old chests and glass coffee tables are just some of the pieces you'll find out the front - rather reasonably priced too.

If the plague were to start ravaging the world tomorrow, I think I would probably gather a decent…read moreamount of food and water and then hunker down in Beyond Retro, because I'd want to spend the last of my plague-free days treating Beyond Retro as my personal closet. (Yes, I have been told that I need to reevaluate my priorities.) Beyond Retro is honestly the best thrift store I've ever walked into. It's tucked away on a side street just a stone's throw away from the bustling Brick Lane Market. My first impression was that the store was extremely well-organized and clean... like so clean that it could've matched the standards of a soulless corporate chain. But the clothing here was nowhere near as sterile as whatever you can find at your dime-a-dozen Zara. Every single item in here was high in quality and had its own vintage, retro character. Hands down, Beyond Retro has the most well curated, eclectic selection of clothing ever. A lot of thrift stores suffer from the musty, outdated '70s closet syndrome, where you'll have to do a godforsaken amount of digging to find that single diamond in the rough. That won't happen at Beyond Retro. I wish I could have had a shopping spree here, but I guess I'll just have to wait for the next plague.

I've lived in Shoreditch five years and it took a newly made Northern friend to introduce me to the…read morewondrous Beyond Retro not long ago. A sprawling vintage emporium with more of an emphasis on clothing than its obvious rival, Absolute Vintage, Beyond Retro sells vintage from the twenties through eighties at very reasonable prices. Its friendly staff are a breath of fresh air; its resident cat adorable; its stock varied and good quality; and its pricing so right on you'd be forgiven for thinking it was run by a philanthropist. Particularly noteworthy is Beyond Retro's premium vintage section which has a beautiful selection of vintage silk chiffon prom dresses and twenties beaded shifts and its astonishing Kimono rail which will not disappoint. As the name suggests, Beyond Retro is more than polyester sixties frippery and faux-vintage rock t-shirts. This place is the real deal and vintage fanatics would be mad to pass it up.

Located in historic Notting Hill, Portobello Road, this is one the coolest antique souvenir stores…read morewe discovered on our trip to London. I bought a few items that look great in my office.

Though this shop might feel a little small, it has items in every nook and cranny, so it's a little…read morebit like a treasure shop. When there in early June, it has everything from new mugs to vintage glass bottles to old road signs to bigger trunks and furniture-like items. For printing, it seemed to be mid-range. Some of the vintage bottles were in the ballpark of £10-12, mid-sized trunks and other vintage items were £50-100 (depending on what it was), while some more noteworthy items were several hundred pounds. I definitely recommend taking a look if you like vintage items since its a bit of a treasure trove.

As you walk down the steps into the giant dressing up box that is Beyond Retro, you are greeted by…read morea soundtrack of 70's rock and a selection of mannequins showcasing the look of the week, be it Ziggy Stardust Space Attire or Egyptian Lover with an 80's Edge, (it's always worth checking out, as the best pieces from the shop are often displayed here.) Covering vintage from 1930's - 1990's, the good fashion moments & the bad, there's a big, well ordered selection offering something for everyone, although still remaining edgy. Jumpers, rock t-shirts, 50's sundresses, kimono's, sequined jackets, playsuits, party dresses, body con skirts, jeans, leather jackets, shirts, bombshell swimsuits, shoes, boots, belts, trainers...considering the Soho location, everything is surprisingly well priced and good value. Beyond Retro is also a great stop for festival costumes & theme party looks, you can find theatrical pieces to create a unique outfit, rather than going down the obvious fancy dress path.

Store has moved to Argyll st. Same great selection, full of unusual pieces. Favourite for…read morefestivals. Good value.

Think you can open a new vintage shop eh? Think you're special do you? "Vintage Heaven indeed!" I…read morewas prepared to scoff after leaving this new store. I had to eat these words before they even came out of my mouth. Vintage Heaven does live up to its name by being not only very competitively priced but also stocked to the brim with goodies. They even have bloomers and although some people might draw the line at second hand pants, I say if you're going to do it, do it right. You could actually get an entire outfit here from bloomers to coat and hat for under £100 although you might be put off trying it on in their skanky cupboard of a fitting room. Despite that little inconvenience, I have to say, I am rather impressed and this shop might even make it possible on a rainy day to knock off walking all the way down Cheshire Street to Beyond Retro.

"I started wearing vintage as I'm a cheapskate" - A quote made by one of my friend's. Ah yes 'tis…read moretrue I am I am I am a c.s lol A simple shop with a touch of vintage, this shop IS what it said it is "Vintage Heaven" (excluding the white fluffy clouds, golden pavements and Angel's). They sell/stock classical menswear, ladies wear, kids wear and accessories at reasonable prices. The members of staff are polite and very helpful. If you want to experience the true essence of vintage then Vintage Heaven is the place to be.