I remember the time when vintage fashion only existed in small boutiques or markets such as Camden.

Now big chains such as Top Shop have been selling vintage clothing for a while. Whilst this means that access to these products are a lot easier to buy, it also means that vintage clothing has become over priced and has been over commercialised. This has resulted in consumers turning against and buying cheap and cheerful new clothes...Primark springs to mind.

So I am writing this article to support vintage.

I am a lover of fashion and have always tried to stay ahead which is why I love vintage so much. You can have fun searching through all the rails looking for that individual piece that you know will be an envy to others. Being asked where you got a particular item and been able to answer it's vintage is simply divine. You know no one else can copy you - unless, of course you are unlucky enough to have been asked that question by a fashion buyer.

So to celebrate all the lovely little boutiques out there; to celebrate the fun of finding that bargain and to celebrate finding that gorgeous dress to wear to your best friends wedding here is my first guide to the best vintage shopping areas in London... starting with the east and the north of London.

1. Brick Lane
This has to be one of the best lanes in London in terms of getting a good choice of vintage boutiques. Great for a fun day out on Sunday where you can also guarantee they are all open, just be prepared for the crowds. The vintage chain Rokit has a store there as well as Beyond Retro on Cheshire Street (just off Brick Lane), which is a huge warehouse space so is a lot bigger than their store in W1 and where more bargains can be found. Check out also "I dream of wires" which specialises in 80's fashion or Absolute Vintage, which sells a good range of clothing and lots and lots of shoes. These are but a few of them...keep walking around you will find more.

Rokit

Beyond Retro

2. Columbia Road
Known for its flower market on Sunday the road has also a good selection of cute boutiques. Glitterati is one that also has a good selection of clothing and vintage jewellery, Future Vintage is a boutique that also allows you to bring in your garments and then when sold you get 50% back. A great excuse to buy more. Get their early as the shops start to close down after 3pm.

3. Camden Passage and Angel/Islington
Annies and Cloud Cockoo Land have been around since all the antique shops. Alas, the antique shops are slowly being turfed out but these two still survive and do themselves proud. Annies specialises in 1920/30's and has lots of amazing silk, embellished dresses or real fur stoles/coats and costume pieces. Prices reflects the quality and style era. Cloud Cockoo Land which is nearby also sells quality items and is worth a look in. Further up on Upper street is Seconda Mano which is the basement to Giaovanni hair salon. Lots of bargains to be found here especially as a few top stylist I know use it to sell off some of their designer labels. You'll also get 50% back on anything she sells of yours.

Cloud Cuckoo Land

4. St John's Wood
Alfies Antique Market is home to over 100 stalls selling vintage, retro fashion,
accessories and costume jewellery and antiques. This is where collectors come, film stylist wander and editorial stylist looking for real gems for fashion shoots. The place is full of serious buyers. It certainly is a treasure chest of ideas.
"The girls can't help it" award winning shop is also worth visiting simply for its quirkiness. Vintage underwear, pinup ties, circle skirts are sold here. Of course St John's Wood is also home to a lot of wealthy celebrities so going through any of the second hand shops in that area is urged as they are bound to be some of their designer labels around - you might even bump into Kate.