By Miya Sarana
Walking into the Great Hall of Goldsmiths University on a sunny Sunday felt like stepping into the past-in the best way possible. The air was filled with that familiar vintage store smell (you know the one). The So Last Century fair was buzzing with energy.
While this fair is technically all about furniture and home decor, trust me, it’s a gem for vintage fashion. Racks of clothes, stacks of shoes, and so many accessories, every stall had its own unique vibe.
So Last Century was established in 2015 and has become a staple in London’s vintage calendar. Popping up 10 to 12 times a year across multiple locations. Current venues are located in Beckenham, Catford, New Cross, Peckham, Dulwich, Bow and Gipsy Hill.
There was something for everyone, from a bold sequin top to a formal blazer. Tables were covered in jewellery, silk scarves, statement belts and funky sunglasses. I stumbled upon a few peculiar items, like a millennial statement necklace or a sunset-palm printed Hawaii shirt. Although I personally have no idea how I would style them, maybe you can rock those bits that I have no idea how to.
Omg, and the jackets! This fair was a haven if you are on the hunt for the perfect jacket. Timeless leather, warm shearling and colourful bombers, classic wool and gorgeous trench coats galore. Expect to find a few luxury items among the coats, I spotted a Burberry wool coat, which was great quality and in amazing condition. But it had quite the price tag at £340. Definitely not a random Sunday buy. But the majority of the other jackets were priced more reasonably at £60-70.
Everything was impressively clean and well-kept, with only a few pieces showing real wear. That said, maybe because of the excellent condition, this is not the place if you are looking for a great bargain. Prices ranged from somewhat affordable to “maybe this will be a great investment piece, I should definitely buy it-it’s one of a kind”. Perhaps the cheapest thing I found was a sheet of vintage 90s stickers at £2 a piece. At a few of the stalls, I saw an array of sunglasses of all shapes and colours, none of them vintage. Priced at £15-18, it’s nothing unexpected for London. You’d probably find a stand with similar sunglasses in every vintage market in Brick Lane nowadays.
The vibes at the fair were incredible. The staff were friendly and helpful, excited to tell you about each unique piece. The crowd was chill and great for people-watching. I saw some cool outfits. At one of the stalls, while I was checking out some glasses, a lovely older woman pointed out that she had the same ones from the ’70s. Even if you don’t walk away with a great vintage find, you’ll walk away in a great mood.
One of the best things? You won’t have to dig through mountains of clothes to find something good. The selection is curated, so it’s more of a chill browsing experience rather than an overwhelming deep dive into piles and piles of items.
Want to check it out? Upcoming markets are:
- April 21 (Easter Monday) and May 5 (Bank Holiday Monday)-Beckenham Place Park
For more dates, check their website or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and X, or join their Whatsapp broadcast channel.
The entry price is usually around £3-4, but you can get a discount if you follow their social media. Some events are free, so keep an eye out!