The latest addition to London’s vintage scene is just off Brick Lane on Hanbury Street. Here, the Blitz Vintage Department Store has set up shop in a old warehouse, spreading over five rooms and two floors. This is clearly an ambitious project aiming to be a one-stop shop for all things vintage from clothing to designer wear, accessories, luggage, bikes and furniture, and the shop also includes a mini book store and cafe.

It’s not quite a department store just yet – the furniture section is a little small, there’s a real lack of homeware and the main emphasis seems to be on later decades. The concept is a neat idea though – being able to shop for period shapewear – Blitz stocks a good range of What Katie Did – at the same time as buying a dress is a significant step up from the usual vintage shopping experience.

If late Seventies to Eighties and early Nineties is your thing, you will love the well-stocked racks full of hand-picked sportswear, trainers and one of the best ranges of vintage Swatch watches you’ll ever find.

For those into earlier decades, the shop is still well worth a visit. Dotted around are some extraordinary pieces dating as far back as the Victorian period, all in mint condition and extremely well priced, think a Twenties opera cape for £70 or a bias-cut, beaded Thirties gown for £85.

The real pull for Blitz is undoubtedly the space. It’s a real treat to be able to shop in a vintage store that’s well laid-out and has properly displayed stock – no sifting through crammed rails here!

Blitz Vintage is run by people who’ve been selling vintage for years, and it shows – the selection is great,  the prizes excellent. With the addition of more early-period stock and an expanding homeware section this will indeed be a vintage department store, it’s most definitely already an exciting addition to London’s vintage scene.

Blitz Vintage Department Store
55-59 Hanbury Street
London E1 5JP

Nearest Tube: Shoreditch Highstreet, Liverpool Street
Google Map