To celebrate the Vogue Vintage Sale on 21 March, co-hosted by Alexa Chung and Lila Moss and presented by eBay, Vogue is celebrating all things pre-loved. Not all vintage treasures are rare designer pieces loaded with fashion lore: from a perfectly worn leather jacket uncovered in a thrift store to a slogan tee sourced online, pre-loved items can (and should) be a key player in every modern wardrobe.
I’m on a never-ending quest to find the best places to buy vintage jewellery in London. Having lived in the city for a decade, I’ve amassed quite the collection of pieces: from brassy costume jewels that I acquired as a student to sterling silver I’ve bought on visits to Camden Passage – a treasure trove I’ve frequented more times than I can count.
And while my jewellery box features many word-of-mouth contemporary brands, there’s something uniquely satisfying about saying: “I got it second-hand” when anyone complements your gems in a pub garden. There really is nothing like stumbling across a beautiful one-off piece on a stall or in a jewel-littered glass cabinet in a vintage store. Another aspect that fascinates me? The fact that a preloved jewellery piece lived a life long before you plucked it from obscurity.
Depending on the setting and format, some vintage jewellery dealers in London are open to price negotiations – the market stalls on Portobello Road and car boots in East and South, especially. But don’t forget, some vendors might interpret the worth of that gold marquise-cut diamond ring you’re trying to haggle down rather differently. Speaking from experience, it’s best to approach bartering with caution and care.
My pursuit to find the best vintage jewellery in London will never end – and I’m willing, if not happy, to accept that. But in the meantime, here are some of the standout spots I’ve visited during my 10 years, which come backed by myself and my jewellery-loving industry peers and friends.
For jewellery pick ‘n’ mix: Portobello Road, Brick Lane Vintage Market
Got time on your hands? If you’re keen for an epic browse of novelty gems, you can’t beat a weekend trip to Portobello Road. Widely-regarded at the epicentre of London vintage, the stretch from Westbourne Grove to Ladbroke Grove counts numerous celebrities among its fans. Delving into everything the various shops and stalls have to offer will set you back a few hours, so stock up on food and coffee before you head in. Though shorter in length and smaller in scale (the crowds here are slightly more manageable on a weekend), Brick Lane is also a mecca for vintage goods.