London is notorious for its high fashion and stellar designers. Here are 10 local boutiques in London that will satisfy your inner fashionista.
The new year is among us and London Fashion Week is right around the corner, ready to spread its wings from 17-21 February. These are the perfect excuses to upgrade our wardrobes for a fierce, new start to 2023. Just because LFW is all about high fashion and haute couture, that doesn’t mean you have to drop stacks of cash to feel like a million pounds. Here’s a list of quality stores and boutiques that will help you slay both on the streets and the runways – all while shopping local.
D.A.Y. Boutique
They say to never mix family and business, but sisters Disha, Apee and Yukti seem to be doing just fine with D.A.Y. Boutique. Located in Peckham, D.A.Y. Boutique became a passion project for the sister trio where they curate their favourite independent brands and designers while supporting the Southeast London community. From women’s to men’s wear, floral to bold, patterned or pastel, D.A.Y. Boutique offers a variety of chic options to upgrade your outfits and get you ready for fashion week while supporting London locals. 143 Bellenden Road, SE15 4DH.
Rokit
Rokit is the vintage shop of all vintage shops and the hub for all things punk, eclectic and bold. The original boutique opened in Camden in 1986 and not only is it still standing but it’s also expanded with two locations in Brick Lane and one more in Covent Garden. Rokit is the mecca for individualism and has been greeted by familiar faces like Kate Moss and the late and beloved Amy Winehouse. It’s not just fashion, it’s a London staple. 225 Camden High Street Primrose Hill, Camden Town NW1 7BU.
ARRAY
ARRAY brings clean-cut elegance, statement accessories and lifestyle products to the hip Northeast London neighbourhood of Stoke Newington. The boutique carries sophisticated menswear from cosy knitwear to business button-downs and more, but owner Shane Kingdon made it abundantly clear that the boutique welcomes “individuals of every and no gender” and that “clothing is simply clothing.” Certain trends go in and out of fashion, but kindness, inclusivity and a banging selection of statement pieces never go out of style. 88 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AP.
Trotters
This small chain of children’s boutiques offers clothes, shoes, books and toys for ages 0 to 12 years. Take a stroll along King’s Road in Chelsea to find the flagship store that covers everything from playtime to bedtime. For the aspiring ballerina, there are leotards, opaque tights, ballet shoes and frothy tutus. Head to the shoe department and have your child’s feet measured aboard the in-store Trotters plane or train. You can also treat little ones to personalised gifts including teddy bears, wooden money boxes, animal-shaped backpacks and prints. 34 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 4UD.
69b Boutique
Combining colour, sass and sustainability, 69b Boutique is the perfect place to splurge without the guilt of fast fashion. Located in East London’s Broadway Market, 69b Boutique opened in 2011 and became one of the first sustainable fashion stores in the Big Smoke, carefully vetting each brand they carry to make sure they align with 69b’s values. Not only are they helping the planet, but they’re also amping up our style with a variety of options from classic and neutral, to vibrant and psychedelic.
Wolf & Badger
Before Wolf & Badger became the luxurious, international brand it is today, it was once a small boutique in the heart of Notting Hill. The brand works with sustainable designers and provides chic and elevated pieces for all that will have fashionistas wonder why you’re not on the Fashion Week runways. Wolf & Badger transformed from a small boutique to a three-level department store in King’s Cross that assures quality over quantity and phenomenal chicness. Coal Drops Yard, London, N1C 4DQ.
Hunky Dory Vintage
Hunky Dory Vintage transports the glitz and glam of the 1940s-60s and brings it to Brick Lane, giving us a dose of classic and high-quality clothing and accessories for all. Whether you’re seeking a period piece, knitwear, patterned shirts or leather bomber jackets, Hunky Dory delivers. The shop opened in 2008 and became a vintage hallmark, a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, and a treasure trove for all things timeless. 226 Brick Lane, London E1 6SA.
Form SE15
Proudly named after Peckham and its postcode, Form SE15 brings relaxed and effortless fashion pieces for all while also curating high-quality suppliers with traceable supply chains and sustainable processes. Form SE15 features classic and clean cuts, similar to Zara, but with its own London twist, and though prices are a little higher, the quality and value are worth it all – from its floral peasant blouses and dresses to its cozy winter wear for all genders. 186 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4BW.
Sub Couture
If you’re looking for bold and beautiful, say no more. In the heart of Portobello in Notting Hill lies Sub Couture, which according to its website, is the oldest independent womenswear fashion boutique in West London, standing strong for almost 30 years. Sub Couture combines vibrant colours and patterns with elegance and comfort, making anyone wearing its pieces instantly feel relaxed, confident, and ready to take on London Fashion Week and beyond. 204 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, W11 1NR.
Charity shops
Don’t be fooled: charity shops in London offer not only extremely affordable options, but also donate a portion of the profits to crucial causes and charities. Nothing’s better than helping others while styling yourself. Look out for Boutique by Shelter in King’s Cross, as well as other stores with branches across the capital: British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research, Oxfam, The Salvation Army and Royal Trinity Hospice. When visiting charity shops in the more expensive neighbourhoods, such as Chelsea, Knightsbridge or southwest boroughs like Clapham and Battersea, you may even find some high-end designer pieces hidden on the rails. Happy shopping!
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