Are you ready to discover London’s chic independent boutiques?
Whenever you’re in need of some retail therapy, now is the time to support local London boutiques. And once you make the switch to boutique shopping in London, you may never go back.
Warning: serious spending highly likely.
Independent London Boutiques to Check Out
Lowie
Herne Hill
Lowie is a London-based womenswear label founded by Bronwyn Lowie in 2002. As someone who has upcycled clothes since the age of 12, it’s no surprise that her brand is big on sustainability.
All Lowie’s sustainability endeavours and goals are outlined in detail on their website, one of the main ones being their free repairs for life on all Lowie garments to ensure longevity. They have a fabulous selection of dresses and recycled cashmere Jumpigans.
Lowie is also an independent fashion boutique stocking other products by like-minded brands. You’ll find scarves by Miss Pompom, socks by Catherine Tough and sustainable skincare products by Upcircle.
D.A.Y. Boutique
Peckham
D.A.Y. are the initials of three sisters Disha, Apee and Yukti who followed in the footsteps of their shopkeeper parents and opened their boutique on Bellenden Road in 2018.
Go to this chic London boutique to find an array of unique products from European and UK brands.
Outerwear by Rains and chunky necklaces by Rah Rah Studio Berlin sit alongside pieces from London indie designers such as Dora Larson lingerie and colourful woven bags by Frekkle London.
Find womenswear, menswear and homeware here, not forgetting some adorable kids wear pieces for the coolest kids in south-east London.
69b Boutique
Broadway Market
69b Boutique was started in 2011 by Merryn Leslie, former fashion editor of i-D Magazine, with a vision to showcase socially and environmentally responsible designers.
In 2020, the store was bought by ecommerce and sustainable fashion expert Emma Bonar. Go and discover brands that adhere to their strict policy on transparency and accountability and there’s lots to discover.
Catering to style conscious men and women, shop at 69b for People Tree, Marimekko, Dedicated, Komodo, Veja, Esmé Studios and much more.
Luna & Curious
Shoreditch
Established in 2006 by three creatives, Polly George, Kaoru Parry and Rheanna Lingham, Luna & Curious is an cool independent London shop offering a colourful mix of womenswear, childrenswear, homeware and accessories.
As well as showcasing their own line of knitwear, jewellery and ceramics, the shop focuses on new talent from the UK and beyond.
Central to their ethos is craftsmanship and traditional skill, where every product has a story about the maker, material or process.
Some of our favourite products include brightly coloured enamelware by Bornn, woollen babywear by Joha and jewellery by London-based Wolf & Moon.
Labour & Wait
Shoreditch, Marylebone, Dover Street Market, Bethnal Green
Labour & Wait is probably the most beautiful hardware shop you’ll ever come across. If you’re wondering how to make a dishcloth look stylish, you’re in the right place.
At Labour & Wait, utility and quality go hand in hand.
From old school staplers and enamel teapots to mason jars and tins of peppermint pastilles, everything has a vintage post-war, yet contemporary feel.
These are classic functional pieces that could sit in any modern or traditional setting. As well as homeware, they sell clothing too.
Traditional ‘seamen’ style sweaters hand-framed in Guernsey, workwear gilets and Breton tops all of which match their timeless traditional aesthetic.
Roullier White
Dulwich
If you’re a regular on Lordship Lane, you’ll probably be familiar with the popular Roullier White boutique.
At first glance it looks like it mainly sells ceramics and glassware but there’s much more beyond. From oven gloves and wash bags to beard creams and Mrs White’s own line of natural laundry products – you’ll be browsing the shelves here for a while.
Looking for a new scent? Don’t miss their very impressive perfumerie at the back of the shop.
Alkemi
Forest Hill + Nunhead
Alkemi will appeal to anyone with a weakness for independent boutiques.
The indie lifestyle store first opened in Nunhead in 2017 and they opened their second store in Forest Hill in 2021.
Here you’ll find really unique items by brands from all over the globe such as their beautiful herbariums by Korean design studio Style Jieum – plants in glass vessels, preserved in solution.
There’s Meraki bath and body products from Denmark as well as London brands such as Bomull Press cards and stationery.
Hub
Hub is an independent clothes shop run by sisters Georgie and Lou, selling womenswear from British and international brands.
Familiar labels include Levi’s, Birkenstock, Veja and Ganni. You’ll also find California brand Le Bon Shoppe as well as jewellery by Rachel Jackson, Wolf Circus and Georgiana Scott.
For autumn 2021, they launched their own in-house label Allsea. Garments are made in London’s Blackhorse Lane Ateliers and their knitwear by Harleys of Scotland, exclusively for Hub. From corduroy trousers to fairisle jumpers, the collection includes a great selection of wardrobe staples.
Form SE15
Peckham
Another reason to visit Peckham’s Bellenden Road is the independent boutique Form SE15, which opened in 2018 ‘to reflect the relaxed and individual style’ of their customers. Focusing on new and young makers as well as labels with traceable supply chains, you’ll find labels such as Far Afield and Wood Wood for men.
For the ladies, you’ll find a good selection of pieces by Danish fashion house Baum Und Pfdergarten, Gestuz, Meadows and LF Markey, to name a few.
They also sell lots of unique jewellery, homeware and accessories so you won’t be short of inspiration for gifts.
Triangle
Clapton
Another boutique rooted in conscious consumption is Triangle. Inspired by the famous words of Vivienne Westwood ‘buy less, choose well, make it last,’ products here are chosen for their beauty and simplicity.
You’ll find pieces for men, women, children and lots for the home here too. From botanical beauty by Grown Alchemist to ceramics by East London studio Hood Ceramics, there’s lots of lovely things to gush over – well worth taking a look.
The Mercantile
Spitalfields
The Mercantile independent clothing boutique for men and women is a Spitalfields favourite. You’ll find an eclectic mix of products and designers with a high turnover of fresh stock so there’s always something to take you by surprise.
They stock dozens of brands that offer wardrobe staples as well as some individual and daring designs. We’re really quite taken with their Stine Goya Beth lilac fleece coat.
Indian Summer
Parsons Green
If you’re a magpie for cute shops in London, Indian Summer is just that.
An explosion of colour – even in the depths of winter, a trip here is guaranteed to put you in a good mood.
Launched by Ruth Green in 2004, beyond the candy floss pink shopfront is a curated mix of clothing, accessories, jewellery, homeware, stationery and party wear.
There’s lots of adorable baby wear from brands like Albetta, sparkly trainers by Meline and ceramic animal mugs by Killy & Co.
Let’s just say you’re unlikely to walk out empty handed.
In-Residence
Islington
In-Residence is the place to find lovely, unusual things for interiors, right in the heart of Angel. They’re particularly good on lighting – we love their Wick portable lamp by Graypants.
The shop is full of design-led pieces from smaller and emerging brands. You’ll find ceramics, scented candles, storage, tableware, coffee table books and artwork by local artists, all of which are very well chosen. You could furnish your entire home here.
Aida
Shoreditch
Aida does it all – menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, footwear, accessories and homeware. Did we mention it also does coffee too?
Aida opened on Shoreditch High Street in 2012. Named after their nan, it’s owned by four sisters who had the intention of creating a multi-concept store that reflected the vibrant neighbourhood.
Situated in a bustling location opposite Shoreditch Church, it’s now one of the most established boutique shops in London.
