Recycled clothing boutiques East London – How To Find Them?
February 12, 2024East London – possibly the coolest place in the world? No wonder you are expecting to find some great recycled clothing boutiques East London. For many, cool, of course, means eco friendly, and you’ll find vintage shops, clothing and accessories, in East London, especially around Brick Lane. This alongside some of the best shopping in London makes it a great destination.
Vintage pieces can be sourced in many shops in the Brick Lane area and on the high street itself. Vintage items like furniture and magazines, as well as homeware and other bits and pieces are waiting to be discovered.
What else can we find in East London? Many interesting markets, for a start. Spitalfields is one of the best. It is full of food stalls, start up fashion brands, lovely hand made jewellery and pet clothes. The market is also surrounded by very chic shops, cafes, restaurants, patisseries, chocolatiers, boutiques, gyms, and design boutiques. Big brands have also chosen their very coolest ranges to sell here, too. It’s well worth a visit for shopping, snacking, drinking and eating.
Recycled clothing boutiques East London shopping: well, you don’t need any guidance from me on that. Bring your re-usable shopping bag and browse the stalls! It’s worth looking up which stalls will be there in advance if you have any in mind. They are not all present every day.
What to Eat?
The famous Beigel Bake.
Felipe Tofani, CC BY-SA 2.0
Snacking and eating is marvellous here. It’s very tempting to just grab a little of everything, and why not? There are cake stalls for the sweet toothed, including vegan and gluten free, as well as sweetie and chocolate stalls. There is also a coffee van, smoothie and juice bars, cocktail and wine bars. For something more substantial, I feel like just about every cuisine in the world is represented in street food. Obviously, don’t quote me on that. There is plenty of seating and tables too, so if you come with friends, grab something each and come and sit together.
On Brick Lane itself, there is the famous Brick Lane Beigel Bakery. The freshly baked bagels are delicious! There are also a lot of Indian restaurants at very reasonable prices. There are people outside waiting to lure you in, who will often give you a very good offer. However if you don’t fancy it, they won’t hassle you.
Recycled Clothing Boutiques East London – And to Wash it Down?
OK, so drinking: which pubs and bars do I recommend? Well, I’m glad that you asked. Do you know about the Ten Bells on the corner of Commercial Street and Fournier Street? It’s a complete classic, and it’s right opposite the market. It has dark wood polished floors, plush banquettes, original Victorian tiling, and great drinks. Unfortunately they took out all the dividers that made cosy individual seating areas a while ago, so it’s more or less one open space. But that makes for more standing room. The Ten Bells also is supposed to be where Annie Chapman and Mary Jane Kelly hung out. They were killed by Jack the Ripper, and that’s why you’re going to see a lot of ghoulish walking tours stopping outside.
There is also The Commercial Tavern, a little way up on Commercial Rd. It is so quirky and beautiful. The ceilings are very high, and big windows let in a lot of light. It also looks like they started stripping the wallpaper and never finished redecorating the walls. Some are partly papered in big, flowered prints, or hand painted and stencilled. This gives it that shabby chic effect. But clearly, this is no accident or lack of funds. From the ceiling hang interesting light fittings and chandeliers. On the walls are stag horns, angel wings, and plasterwork. It’s really interesting yet calm, and really recommended for a good place to meet friends.
Recycled Clothing Boutiques East London – Get Cosy!
I have to warn you that these places get crowded, especially on a weekend. And even more on a summer’s weekend or summer evening. However, it’s traditional to spill out onto the streets in this case, so once you’ve got your drink, you’ll be all right.
One more: The Pride of Wellington. This is a very traditional boozer. It is tiny and cosy, and has a piano. It’s tucked away on a little cobbled street. Such a hidden gem. You’re going to love it.
Are there Good Charity Shops?
Travelling around the East End, you’lll find charity shop with quality vintage stuff as well on the shop floor. There are some designer pieces to be discovered too as many residents are quite well off. Also try Covent Garden, and Portobello Road. Vintage clothing and vintage fashion is very popular in London, as regular visitors try to out do each other in amazing looks. It’s a great place for people watching as the club scene is phenomenal.
Recycled clothing boutiques East London – What’s the Vibe?
But even in the day time, many locals dress for the catwalk. Makeup is carefully applied, and often has some surprising touches. The eyeliner goes in a different direction than expected, small crystals are applied. I think Björk would be at home working in an East End coffee shop. Sometimes I fully expect to get my oat milk latte from a woman in a 3D printed mask and no skirt, to be honest. There are a tonne of young designers who work from this area, so don’t be surprised if you see someone you think you recognise from a catwalk bow. It is also the place for fabrics, if you know where to look, art supplies, and small clothing sampling businesses and manufacturers. These places are often tucked away in anonymous looking warehouses.
If you are working from home and want a change from your own four walls, I think this is a good place to head. There are so many cafes to set up your laptop in, good facilities, people watching when you need a break, and shopping in your lunch time. It’s well-connected with travel, with the huge Liverpool Street Station round the corner with trains to many parts of London. Several tube stops serve it, including Whitechapel, Liverpool Street, Aldgate East, and Bethnal Green. There are also buses galore. Have a good time!
