If the plague were to start ravaging the world tomorrow, I think I would probably gather a decent amount of food and water and then hunker down in Beyond Retro, because I'd want to spend the last of my plague-free days treating Beyond Retro as my personal closet. (Yes, I have been told that I need to reevaluate my priorities.) Beyond Retro is honestly the best thrift store I've ever walked into. It's tucked away on a side street just a stone's throw away from the bustling Brick Lane Market. My first impression was that the store was extremely well-organized and clean... like so clean that it could've matched the standards of a soulless corporate chain. But the clothing here was nowhere near as sterile as whatever you can find at your dime-a-dozen Zara. Every single item in here was high in quality and had its own vintage, retro character. Hands down, Beyond Retro has the most well curated, eclectic selection of clothing ever. A lot of thrift stores suffer from the musty, outdated '70s closet syndrome, where you'll have to do a godforsaken amount of digging to find that single diamond in the rough. That won't happen at Beyond Retro. I wish I could have had a shopping spree here, but I guess I'll just have to wait for the next plague. read more

I've lived in Shoreditch five years and it took a newly made Northern friend to introduce me to the wondrous Beyond Retro not long ago. A sprawling vintage emporium with more of an emphasis on clothing than its obvious rival, Absolute Vintage, Beyond Retro sells vintage from the twenties through eighties at very reasonable prices. Its friendly staff are a breath of fresh air; its resident cat adorable; its stock varied and good quality; and its pricing so right on you'd be forgiven for thinking it was run by a philanthropist. Particularly noteworthy is Beyond Retro's premium vintage section which has a beautiful selection of vintage silk chiffon prom dresses and twenties beaded shifts and its astonishing Kimono rail which will not disappoint. As the name suggests, Beyond Retro is more than polyester sixties frippery and faux-vintage rock t-shirts. This place is the real deal and vintage fanatics would be mad to pass it up. read more

Beyond Retro - Used, Vintage & Consignment Near Me - London, XGL

Yeah, U can probably believe the hype. Beyond Retro is the Daddy - or Mummy - of Brick Lane, Shoreditch vintage clothes shops. It's really big, old warehouse or something, two rooms absolutely full of clothes. And though there's a bit of rubbish in here, with this much stock, if you spend enough time, you'll come across something pretty nice. My favourite bit is actually the really old computer games console, where you can play the original pac-man whilst the lady wades through whole racks of Victorian dresses, weird 70s fabrics and frankly horrid woolens... That's good. It's fair to say that places like this have probably been mined to death in the last couple of years. But if you live outside all of the trendy parts of East London, or indeed, you might live OUTSIDE of London, then a visit here to find some nice old clothes, is probably a bit of a must. read more

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The most eclectic, retro type thrift store I have been to and I am in LOVE. It is like print heaven in there - girly florals, beachy fish prints, geometric prints. Love how large the selection is. I would stick to the sale selection as some things are quite pricey (40 pounds for a mini skirt, 20 pounds for a homemade tie dye crop top). Store is very organized and things are very clean. Most definitely recommend. read more

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Beyond Retro is a vintage lovers paradise. A mammoth space, stocked wall-to-wall with every vintage item one could hope for: bags, hats, shoes, jackets, jumpsuits, belts, literally, ANYTHING. And very well-planned - everything is sectioned into groups, so finding that particularly item is a breeze. Gorgeous staff, reasonable pricing (dresses £10-20), and mountains of unique and fabulous items, this place is a real gem. Warning: allow yourself plenty of time, as you can easily spend hours in there. Like a casino, it can be very difficult to get out... read more

Beyond Retro - Used, Vintage & Consignment Near Me - London, XGL

Beyond Retro used to be considered as a hidden gem but it has soon become one of the most renowned places to go for vintage gear in London. Located in trendy Shoreditch, it is always great fun when you come here as there is such an array of wild and wonderful outfits to try on in addition to the more subltle clothing so there is something for everyone if you dig around long enough. The prices are also quite low - around £14 for a jumper and £5 for a cool vintage t-shirt. You do sometimes have to rummage to find the perfect item so this perhaps isn't the place to go if you are needing to make a quick last minute purchase. I found a beautiful black and gold chained handbag for £7 which will be a wardrobe staple for years to come. I always think digging and delving is the fun part as you will never quite know what you will discover. Great for inspiration! read more

Beyond Retro - Image courtesy of Maze website - Used, Vintage & Consignment Near Me - London, XGL

What could possibly be bad about a whole warehouse full of clothes? Beyond Retro is the largest vintage shop I have ever been to. The clothes and the accessories are great. Even if vintage clothes are not your thing, this may just be the perfect place to gear up on costume clothes. Get your 60s, 70s, 80s, or even 90s gear here, perfect for any themed night. They also usually have a good selection of cheap scarfs and hair bows which I love. Due to its size, I find this shop a lot less daunting than the others. No one will follow you with their gaze, leaving you the full freedom of browsing as you desire. read more

Beyond Retro - Used, Vintage & Consignment Near Me - London, XGL

Toot toot! If you are ever in the brick lane area you have to stop off here, even if vintage just isn't your thing. Beyond Retro know what they are doing, their clothes are organised in wonderful colour coordinated sections that would satisfy even the most serious OCD sufferer. This just make the place so much easier to shop it. Vintage shoes and 'proper' vintage dresses are what you'll find. They have a smaller section with these clothes in and they all have little labels on them, telling you about the history of the dress and the era it came from. Not only that but their shoes are to die for - apart from one other vintage store in London, this is by far the best! On a final note, I bought my graduation dress here and I can assure you that no one else was wearing that item of clothing! read more

It was certainly a bit twatty in here when I visited on a weekday in the late morning, but I have to admit that the vintage hoard was impressive, and the prices were quite a bit cheaper than the sister location just off of Oxford Street. If you like a bit of vintage shopping, Beyond Retro in Shoreditch will be your Mecca in London. But you probably already knew that. read more

Beyond retro went beyond my expectations. I've been blown away by the range of vintage clothes they have. Especially by this jacket at the end of the store on the left side. It reminded me of Jackson's jacket which he used to wear in his Thriller video. Actually it was the same type of jacket only in a different colour. I remember being a little boy and looking for something like that...and there I found it. It was still in quite good condition, even though it might have my age. To make a long story short, I'm pretty sure that anyone can find his or her personal "Jackson jacket" in that store. And yeah..I'll have to go back and get it :)) read more

Blame it on Johnny Cash. Blame it on Patsy Cline. Blame it on Even Cowgirls Get The Blues and Johnny Guitar. Whatever the reason, I'm a girl that's obsessed with cowboy boots and Beyond Retro stock one of the best selections of second-hand cowboy boots I've seen. They have leather boots, snakeskin boots, black boots, red boots, white boots and multi-coloured boots. You should go check them out. Just leave the size 6 ones for me. read more

I adore this place! When I want to do a spot of vintage shopping this is the first place I head to. It's off the beaten trail of Brick Lane, so I find it a lot cheaper than Rockit. I love walking into this shop, it's a great size so even on a weekend you don't feel crowded so you can rummage in peace. Beyond Retro is set out well, so you can browse through the rails with ease. They have fab sales, I took my mum there yesterday and she was over joyed with a 50's handbag that she got for £4.50. They have a fab upcycled section, and a photo booth camera that you can have a bit of fun with. The staff are great always smiley and chatty, I'm sure if you needed a bit of help they would bend over backwards to help. I've managed to score some beautiful items from this place, and love coming here to browse. It is a real treasure chest. read more

East London, and more specifically, Brick Lane has some of the best and quirkiest little vintage shops and boutiques in London. However, if you wander a little further off this famous lane and onto Cheshire Street, you'll hit Beyond Retro. Beyond Retro is not really a shop, it's more like a vintage warehouse. Here, you'll find everything from outlandish dresses to colourful accessories. They also sell an array of vintage menswear too. It can be a little daunting entering this huge vintage emporium. However, if you have time, you'll enjoy wandering around, sifting through the racks of clothes. Saturdays at Beyond Retro, sees the shop host an indie / rock band. It can be fun watching a band whilst you shop but can also be a little distracting if you just want a quiet shop around. I guarantee that even if you don't find what you were looking for, you'll always end up exiting with a funky pair of retro shades or those shoes you "just had to have". read more

I think what won me over with this place (aside from the great clothes and reasonable prices) was the beautiful cat that calmly sat on the counter to greet me. I used to favour Rokit in Covent Garden until I discovered Beyond Retro by accident. Situated away from the packed Brick Lane markets, the shop is basically a large warehouse filled with clothing, bags, shoes, hats and gloves from every decade of the last 80 years. It isn't all about the ladies, gents are catered for also. The rails are well organised and have a general colour code so things are easier to find (because women think about those kinds of things!) and the staff are quite friendly and seem happy to assist. Whether you're searching for something specific or just want to browse Beyond Retro is a must. read more

In sheer volume alone Beyond Retro is amazing. It has stacks of jumpers, skirts, and dresses, and even a niche section of high quality outifts and wedding dresses. However the quality of the clothing is sometimes lacking (there are frequently rips, stains, and missing buttons) and the prices are gradually creeping up. As someone who has shopped here for over 5 years, I can safely say I've been looking elsewhere recently, and with better quality results. Oh, and I miss the £1 bin. Sigh. read more

Every London girl worth their salt should know about Beyond Retro. The racks of fabulous, colour sorted clothes hide some really gorgeous dresses. I've spent hours in here, riffling away, looking for that perfect vintage number. They also have a great men's section so even your boy will be happy if you leave him to his own devices (this is going to happen as you'll forget he's even there as soon as you see the clothes). I last bought a beautiful green flapper dress with a real wow factor, but I've also found a fairly formal tailored 50's suit (wearing a suit doesn't always mean you have to look like a penguin you know). They also have a great selection of blazers, perfect for this season. Once in, just head for your favourite colour and you're bound to find something in this corner of retro heaven. read more

This place is way off the beaten track but stick with it, it's worth the wait. It is essentially a large warehouse filled to capacity with dresses, skirts, furs, accessories, men's clothing, t-shirts and jeans from the 1950s to the 1980s. You need to spend at least an hour in here just to get an overview of the place; it is after all the biggest vintage shop in London. The staff are really nice and will gladly help you if you need it but you have to ask for it. As you enter, turn left into the second room and half way down on the left they have a sale rack where you can get t-shirts and jumpers from £5 and up. The selection of jumpers is particularly amazing, and they range from £10 to about £20 depending on their level of detail, most of which are from the 1980s. Also some of the really nice formal dresses are hard to find but if you squeeze past the furs in the left room there are large rails of dresses and ball gowns there. It's open every day but avoid the weekends because of the huge crowds from the Brick Lane and Sunday Up markets. read more

Beyond Retro - Beyond Retro 80s Jumper - Used, Vintage & Consignment Near Me - London, XGL

I feel almost guilty writing about Beyond Retro -- but the fact that so many people have already written about this place really says it all - Who doesn't love this place?? It just makes everyone happy - students ,stylists, designers and lovers of bargains and of fashion -- alot of boxes are ticked here!! It is always laid out in such good way so although this second hand you can see it - smell it - check it and try it - Mannequin stying always interprets what is happening in fashion and I love the colour sections of dresses --that is brilliant. Accessories are well presented too - I do not know many people who do not own something from here - It is a life line for fashion devoutees everywhere on a budget -- if you have never been you are missing -- read more

Beyond Retro is one of the biggest vintage shops along brick lane and achieves a nice balance between good quality stock and reasonable prices. The store is a little way down a side street but reasonably easy to find, and with vintage basement and others along the way, it's not a bad detour. It's well organised, clean and most of what is on offer is well priced, the sale section in particular often offering markdowns as high as 70%. Clothes on offer vary from your standard array of denim jackets and shirts to some rather more exciting patterned items, there's a good selection of both men's and women's options. To be honest there's not much more to say, Beyond Retro finds a good balance between quality and price and if you're keen for something in particular you'll probably be able to find it in stock. read more

A Shoreditch legend! This is a massive vintage and retro store with lots of different designs and styles. I would highly recommend taking a few hours to check this place out as there is a lot of stock to look through. The prices are quite reasonable, however make sure you check the items thoroughly as sometimes they don't notice flaws or damage to the items before they hang them up! This is a good place to get some staple second hand/retro clothing, however don't expect to find extremely high quality items here. These clothes are more for everyday wear and not so much for special occasions. read more

This place smells odd, but that's what you get when you bundle loads of old vintage clothes together and put them in an equally old warehouse space. Smells and joking aside, there are some intereting bits and bobs to be found after a patient rootle. I am not the best person for this sort of shopping; I can never seem to find anything, but Beyond Retro has surprised me. I managed to find some scarves and a jumper. Also some really nice boots.. or should I say boot because I could only locate one. Prices are great and I bet really dedicated shoppers find loads of treats! Atmosphere is pokey and kooky and there are lots of things to be discovered in the store, the shop assistants have always been very friendly. read more

Beyond Retro is an amazing vintage store, with a fabulous selection of shoes from the 1920's to the 1980's, handbags, jackets, jumpsuits, dresses, blouses, hats, sunglasses, gloves you name it! The last time I was in here around Halloween they even had some pretty spectacular fancy dress costumes! Usually vintage stores tend to have more women's clothes than mens but here I think it's equal. I try and come here during the week as it gets very busy at the weekend! The staff are really friendly (they let me leave my umbrella behind the counter while I look round the store the last time I was there) read more

I first went to Beyond Retro about 4 years ago on the advice of my younger sister. What awaited me was a veritable treasure trove of vintage goods and I wasted no time in snapping up some great bargains and even found a pair of boots in my size (no mean feat for a size 14 gent). Since then I've been back several times and though a lot has changed in the intervening years, the clothes remain the central focus of this establishment. Every available space is occupied with an incredible variety of retro finery, just the way it should be. Less welcome changes include a rather noticable hike in the prices and the removal of the magnificently dodgy £1 bin. They still get live bands to play on a saturday who are, on the whole, unfortunately pretty dire. However throughout the rest of the week they generally have some pretty decent tunes blaring out. Beyond Retro's popularity speaks for itself; on the weekends its always packed and its done sufficiently well to warrant the opening of a second store in the West-End. In spite of this it's still retained its originality and the possibility of a good bargain. read more

Anyone want a sailor's hat? Marolyn Manson-esque, thick rimmed and rather fruity? No, thought not but if you fancy a look then hop inside my wardrobe which is full of random items from Beyond Retro, some of which I never use more than once! Beyond Retro, more like 'Beyond My Powers of Rational Retail Expenditure', you can't move for the sheer diversity and bric-a-brac sprawling(ness) of stuff, stuff, stuff oozing from every orifice of this delicious warehouse space saddled off Brick Lane on Cheshire Street on the merry way to Weaver's Field. To go into the oodles of goodies you'll find in this Pandora's Box would run off the virtual page and get some Qype readers quite bored, so here are some top spots: - Pink faux Converse high tops for a fiver (yes five of your English Pounds) - Sailor necklace and bracelet - twenty squid for the pair. All aboard Captain Shoreditch! - Vintage underwear FROM a fiver - obviously wearing random granny's knickers is a bit weird, but check out a fine display of corsets, corsages and suspender belts guaranteed to throw your amour into a retro post orgasmic thrill! Other highlights include free energy drinks on arrival (you need stamina to successfully navigate and combat this store) plus Tabby the cat who isn't a mannequin. My scream was a testament to this, honestly. Certainly not London's best kept secret but nonetheless a treasure trove of goodness for every occassion, dressing up or straight laced. read more

Beyond Retro located in bricklane is a amazing vintage clothes shop known shoppers are Lilly Allen and Kate Nash the first time i went to this shop i was there for 3 hours! the clothes are amazing you can even buy original navy jackets and proper 1900 clothes dating from all ages! mixing and matching with all sorts of strange wonderful sometimes scuffed but definitly vintage clothing prices vary you can get bargins as well as things being overpriced! they have a amazing jewellery scarfs and wig collection! you can lose yourself in this shop. its just wonderful! read more

I first visited this shop this week and was very impressed by it! It is a little difficult to find at first as it cannot easily be seen from the main road, but we soon saw people with the trademark bright orange bags and we followed them! Once inside the shop, I was pleasantly surprised about how much stock the shop had! Everything was quite jumbled together but that made it all the more fun to look through! This shop had everything from real fur coats to old games. The staff were very helpful and they even had a real cat walking about the shop floor! One negative though is that they don't offer refunds, only exchanges. Also don't be fooled into thinking everything is vintage, I bought a scarf and looked up the name on the label and it's a cheap H & M type shop in America. Was nice to see something different though! read more

This isn't the best place to go if you're looking to find something quick or you don't like to rummage. But if you love vintage and picking up a bargain then Beyond Retro should be your first stop: it is mind boggling how much amazing stock that warehouse can hold! Make sure you leave plenty of time for your trip: I always allocate a couple of hours and still run out of time (with my boyfriend huffing and puffing outside!) There's just so much to look at! On my last visit I picked up 4 dresses ranging from £7-12 each. I wear them over and over: absolute bargain!! They also have a massive range of belts and bags and a great selection for the boys, which I think is harder to find than good cheap vintage for women. I love it here, it is the first vintage store I ever visited, and I still can't stop going back for more! PS - I know most vintage stores are a little bit whiffy, but Beyond Retro is a tad worse than most in my opinion! read more

Shopping is a pleasure for some, and a nightmare for others, and if you belong to the latter group, you probably prefer to go in and get out as quickly as possible, with the minimum of fuss and the smallest amount of money spent. Beyond Retro is a converted warehouse space, which contains second-hand clothes of all kinds from the last thirty years or so. Hat, shoes, jackets and jumpers, they are all in here and all for a reasonable price. Aside from the decent deals, the place is huge, seperated into two halves and dare I say, it is a pleasure to shop in. There are lots of more outlandish outfits, which will attract the younger trendies of the area, but there is something for most people in here. So if you are thinking about getting something new for your wardrobe and don't wish to buy brand new, then have a look, you'll find something I'm sure. read more

This place is such a bargain, and an amazingly fun place to shop. It's what all shops should try to be: Welcoming, unique and well-priced. Beyond Retro specialises in retro American clothing, so think sports shirts, prom dresses, military jackets. And pretty much anything in between. It's a great place to get kitted out for a fancy dress party on the cheap, or getting a unique accessory to finish off, or make, the perfect outfit. You can get frilly net skirts to go under existing dresses for around £40; tshirts for under £5; and shoes at all prices in every colour under the sun (indeed, the store lays them out in a rainbow running round the warehouse). The staff make look like intimidating Hoxtonites, but really they are very friendly, and just people who love dressing up. Sometimes on weekend afternoons you can catch bands here, but generally it's a very quiet, backwater place to shop. NB A branch of this store has opened up on Gt Marlborough St, in central London, but this isn't a patch on the original warehouse, which is less pricey and infinitely more interesting. Jewelery from £1; coats from £15; retro wedding dresses from £50. read more

When I visited London on my three-day-trip, I was on the hunt for some classy vintage shops. Definately come here as it is probably the best vintage shop ever. Even though I am usually impatient, I was so happy looking through the isles with about ten items in my arm. This shop is definately a treasure cove and it's very cheap and well-priced compared to other vintage shops I have been in. You will never go out empty handed but it's hard to choose what you're going to buy because you'll see so much you love. Also, it's not too far from Bethnal Green or Aldgate East tube stations and if you do walk to Aldgate East underground, on the way you'll be sure to find some more (but not as good) cosy, hidden vintage shops. read more

Beyond Retro is a shop I know from my originally hometown Stockholm in Sweden. Over there it is really expanding. Beyond Retro over here, in London, is just faboulus, and huge! I always have a monthly shopping-list of what to get in shoes, clothes, etc. And this is the only store that have been able to cover a whole months list (!), everything from panama-hat to mc-inspired leather jacket. I always leave BR with a feeling that there are so many treasures that I've missed, but that is also the thing that makes me come back. And during the ride over there I get so inspired of the people around Brick Lane. So if there is anything lacking in your closet, this is the place you'll find it! read more

I heard that thrift shops were the cool thing in East London, and this place did not disappoint! Love the fashion, and the dressing rooms are perfect. They have really vintagy accessories too. I found a coutoroy mini skirt for £10; not bad! I'd definitely go back! read more

I have to attribute most of my tacky christmas jumper success to Beyond Retro, they certainly have a good collection of all things tacky. If you're looking for anything costumey, or just out there, they probably have ten of what you're looking for. My only qualm is that they are a bit pricey for what it is, it's stuff i could get at a salvation army in the states for 1 dollar but since the charity shops here seem to weed out some of the tackier stuff due to limited shelfspace, you have to go to 'vintage' shops to get your fix. read more

Felt a bit on the commercial side and we didn't see any real vintage pieces. Perhaps the store has gotten too big...nice store but not what we look for as a vintage shop read more

This is one of those places where it's dangerous to go if you just think, "I'm just going to take a look." Because no, you're going to buy something, because there is such an awesome array of well organized, color (and PATTERN) coded clothes laid out in this big space. It's got a good selection for guys and girls, although (obviously) the female section trumps the men's. I think I spent 15 min alone at the blazer rack just trying to decide which shade of red I wanted out of the 10+ red blazers they had... for £10. AWESOME. Prices are very reasonable, and I believe they do night-time openings sometimes during the weekends. read more

I love love love this treasure trove-like place. When I stepped in for the first time it was like vintage heaven as its so big and there is just so much stuff. I like that the clothes are colour-coded and arranged in sections such as jackets, day dresses and so forth and it just feel like a big dress-up box for grown-up kids. It is definitely one of my favourite vintage stores in London and there is also one in Central London on Great Marlborough Street where I've found some wonderful pieces. read more

Best vintage store I've been to EVER. Great range of prices, great range of items, kind and not-too-aloof salespeople. A must-visit in London. read more

Never had I seen such a huge selection of vintage clothing until a friend introduced me to the joy of Beyond Retro. I'm not sure how I missed it for so long, located towards the end of Cheshire Street in a huge warehouse, filled with clothing, enough to keep the most avid of clothes shoppers happy for a good few hours. The racks of organised clothing are sorted into colour sections, so if you're after a red polka dot dress, it's a helluva lot easier to find it. The shoe collection isn't all that great, particularly when you compare it to the absolute vintage down the road. Beyond retro, however, has more of an emphasis on clothing, and with literally thousands of garments to sift through, you'd be hard pushed not to find something you liked. So if you're after a 1920's prom dress, a pair of retro sunglasses or a 1960's jumper , this should definitely be top of your list of places to try. Just avoid Sundays if you can, when the crowds of hungry weekend shoppers descend making the massive warehouse seem much smaller than it really is. read more

This is a shoppers paradise! Jammed with genuine vintage gems, allow yourself a decent amount of time to be able to hunt through the rows and rows of clothing. I always go alone, as distraction is not good. They have a remarkable selection of shoes and boots, amazing jumpers your Nana would've worn Christmas past and even better - the store is open late on Thursdays with an option of a personal shopper! The staff are very clued up and can advice if you have a specific need (Say you need a 1940's costume for a party), my favourite part of the shop is the row of play-suits, of which I've bought about half. Go with money in your pocket because it's difficult to leave empty handed! read more

Even though I didn't actually BUY anything here, it was an extraordinary vintage shopping experience. This place is stuffed to the brim with glitzy 80s prom dresses, flowing, flowery 70s sun dresses, and all manner of shoes and accessories. The music was fun (and also reminiscent of 80s prom), the lighting was soft, and there was. so. much. to see. A good place to kill an hour flipping through hilarious old clothes. read more