London Shopping: Steinberg & Tolkien

A wee birdy told me that one of London’s top vintage stores, Steinberg & Tolkien, is closing shop on King’s Road in Chelsea. Let’s hope they resurface elsewhere in the future. In the meantime, join the rush for your last chance to pick up a fabulous vintage piece. I’m heading straight for the usually well-stocked Ossie Clarke rack downstairs, as well as keeping an eye out for any Pucci pieces. Make sure you check out the display cases upstairs for vintage Dior and Chanel jewellery, and the hat stands for some really cute cocktail hats.

Steinberg & Tolkien
193 King's Road
Chelsea, London SW3 5EB
Telephone: 020 7376 3660

Tube: Sloane Square

London shopping: The Shop (no.3)

You know you have to be prepared to sift as you step inside the cosy vintage nest that is The Shop (at no.3 Cheshire Street). But it’s worth being patient as there are many treasures to be found, including graphic ‘50s barkcloth fabric and vintage silk scarves (from an overwhelming collection of 500). Spanning the 1930s to the 1980s, The Shop stocks vintage clothes, accessories, jewellery, fabric, trims, ribbons, buttons, laces, linen and curtains. There is also a small selection of vintage childrenswear.


I can't help feeling I’m in someone else’s house as I rummage through dresser drawers stacked with doilies, sheets and white linen tablecloths. But it's a nice, comfortable "no-pressure" feeling. The Shop also has a sister store at no. 7 which focuses its collection on vintage women's and menswear. Well worth checking out.

The Shop
3 Cheshire Street
London E2 6EH
Tel. 020 7739 5631

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Wednesday to Saturday 11am-6pm
Sunday 9am-5pm

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

For more shops on Cheshire Street, click here.
For more shops in East London, click here.