Who doesn’t love a good steal? An original Burberry trench coat being sold 50 percent off retail—sign me up! Everybody (including all of us at The Edge) loves going vintage—or so it seems—with Fashion United revealing that the demand for vintage clothing stores is up 400 percent over the past year in the U.S. With the revitalization of trends from the 70s, 80s and 90s, Levi 501s, corset tops and statement jackets have never been more in demand for Generation Z than now. With young adults everywhere spending their weekends browsing through thrift stores and vintage markets, we thought it best to give our friends abroad a cheat sheet to the best places in their new home to go vintage. From antiques to collectibles and from fashion to art, vintage markets are some of the best places to go if you have no idea what you’re looking for. Also, they’re the perfect spot for those who do. So, if you’re abroad or just going on a vacay and are looking for some new staples to add to your wardrobe (or just want a cute Instagram story moment), look no further than our top picks for the best vintage shopping in Los Angeles and London.

LOS ANGELES

Melrose Trading Post

An Elon Los Angeles favorite, Melrose Trading Post is an open-air market that features curated handcrafted artisan goods, eclectic art pieces and knick-knacks, vintage fashion, one-of-a-kind collectibles and antiques. With a popular stand selling just prints perfect for your dorm and stalls dedicated just to denim, Melrose Trading is a must-visit for all students studying in LA. Open every Sunday on the grounds of Fairfax High School on Melrose Ave, the artsy shopping spot is only three miles from the Eddy Coliving—the Elon L.A. residential community. The market also features food trucks, live music and is a great place to bump into your favorite celebrities, so go crazy and shop ‘til you drop.

Wasteland

One of the most popular spots in L.A. to pick up designer vintage goods, Wasteland is a stylish second-hand store on Melrose Ave known for its high-end selection of new, gently-used, vintage clothing and accessories. On the pricier side, Wasteland is definitely the place to visit if you're looking for a statement piece or something to elevate a look. A frequented spot by celebs like Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Robert Pattinson, the store is truly authentic and has some real rare finds. Security even takes any other shopping bags you have with you at the door to make sure all “funny business” is avoided. So, head to Wasteland the next time you want to treat yourself to an extravagant bag or lavish pair of shoes.

Jet Rag

A roomy, warehouse-style vintage clothing store on La Brea Avenue, Jet Rag is known for its $1 dollar sale on Sundays. Set in the store’s parking lot, our biggest advice for the famous $1 dollar clothing grab is to get there early and spend some time warming up by casually checking out the clothes the store has already placed out on the pavement. Use that time to get ready for when they “cut the chords” on the big bags of clothes, subsequently opening them and announcing them as fair game to browse, dig, and rummage through. Adrenaline will be coursing, and definitely take a moment to sort through your loot, throwing rejects back into the main pile before setting out to find more. Jet Rag is more about the experience than the shopping but that doesn’t mean you can’t really find something great in all the madness. Jet Rag is also a great option if you’re vintage shopping on a budget! To hear more about the first-hand experience at the Jet Rag Sunday sale, check out Julian Sosa’s article on Spotted by Locals.

LONDON

Portobello Street Market, Notting Hill

With signs pointing toward the street market in local tube stations to Portobello Street such as Notting Hill Gate and Ladbroke Grove, it is no secret that Portobello Street Market is an absolute must-visit if you’re studying abroad in London, or even just visiting. Located in the picturesque neighborhood of Notting Hill, the market stalls stretch a mile down the road, featuring items spanning a wide variety of categories including fashion, vintage goods, home decoration, collectibles, bric-a-brac, souvenirs, jewelry, antiques, etc. This bustling market is one of the world’s largest and also features street eats. This location attracts tourists and locals alike, but beware not all vendors take credit cards, so bring cash. The perfect place to take photos, browse with friends, and find one-of-a-kind items, this market is definitely one of the crown jewels of London shopping.

Brick Lane Market

One of East London’s best known spots, the buzzing Brick Lane Market is an arthouse-style experience with cool shops, trendy small vendors and has those all-too-famous curry houses just right down the street. A popular spot among young Londoners, Brick Lane is the place to go to find something edgy, something unique, something fresh or something statement. With many different locations perfect for photography, Brick Lane also features food vendors—so you can shop and eat all in the same stretch of street. It's also the most Elon-University-friendly vintage spot in London, with the following item pictured below being sold at one of the en vogue stalls. So run, don't walk to this hip location and snatch up that vintage Elon merch of your own.

Camden Market

With over 1000 shops and stalls selling fashion, vintage goods, art, music, collectibles, food and more, Camden Market features Britain's largest vintage store—The Vintage Collection. Drawing in tourists and locals alike, Camden Market spans 0.26 acres and serves millions of visitors each year. Due to its variety and size, Camden Market is not only the pinnacle of London artisan creativity, trading, and shopping, but also one of the most famed markets in the world. To students abroad, definitely spend at least one weekend browsing through this stylish and ever-evolving market to find something, whether it be clothes or art, that's perfect for you. This is also a great place to find some souvenirs to send home to your family, and it’s a favorite of The Edge.

If you go vintage and visit one of the locations featured in this article, make sure to let us know @theedgemag!

So Vintage