With 17 professional football clubs in London, retro football shirt shops have become a goldmine for fans of the beautiful game. This raises an important question: Where can you find these shops, particularly those that offer a wide selection of vintage apparel for your favourite team?
From the iconic kits of the Premier League to the vintage apparel of international teams, as well as the bold designs of the 1980s and the minimalist styles of the 2000s, each shirt tells a unique story. These jerseys represent legendary players, unforgettable matches, and the cultural moments that have significantly influenced football fandom in various ways.
Whether you're wandering the streets of London in search of Arsenal's Invincibles-era kit or the remarkable jerseys worn during the 1970 World Cup, the city's retro football shirt shops cater to every fan, particularly those who appreciate the heritage and artistry of football fashion. Visiting these shops feels like stepping into a museum filled with rich stories of football history, showcasing iconic moments and seasons that resonate with millions of fans worldwide.
This post helps you explore London's popular retro football jersey stores, such as KitKing and Classic Football Shirts, guiding you digitally to find the perfect shop. With that, we have included a guide map to nearby retro football shirts in London.
Why do fans love retro football shirts?
Well, naturally, every supporter is different and will have their reasons. However, arguably the most common reason for fans seeking a retro football shirt is nostalgia.
Whether that be to remember a more successful era in the club's history, or perhaps to relive moments from the fan's childhood when the entire sport appeared more magical.
For example, you will often see Manchester United and Arsenal fans sporting shirts from the late 1990s and early 2000s, while Liverpool supporters are more likely to don kits from the 1980s.
Every supporter and every fan base is unique.
Collectors and retro football shirts
Another reason for the incredible demand for retro football shirts in the modern era is the increase in the number of people who collect football shirts.
Much like artwork or perhaps Pokemon cards, for example, many people collect football shirts for a variety of reasons. Some will aim to complete a decade's set of a specific team's shirts, while others will simply collect football shirts they like from the past.
There is also the added variety of club shirts compared to international shirts. Again, each collector will have a preference in this regard. Some will exclusively stick to one or the other, while others will opt for a more balanced approach.
Either way, it means that retro football shirts, even those which were not particularly appreciated at the time they were released, have an almost ever-present demand from football supporters.
Even the most obscure shirts can be of value as a result, and often, due to a lower supply, they can fetch a higher fee than some more well-known shirts.
This USA '94 shirt collection is incredible 😍 pic.twitter.com/PXFb3s7cs2
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) April 30, 2025
Where to buy retro football shirts in London – top five options
While clubs may occasionally drop a limited decision version of a retro kit, there are some places in London that are regularly stocked up with a wide range of retro shirts. The following list is comprised of the most reputable with the most niche.
Classic Football Shirts – London (CFS London)
After gaining popularity in Manchester, Classic Football Shirts decided to set up a store in London. Located on Commercial Street in East London, the store offers football fans the opportunity to purchase a wide range of classic kits, from England's Euro 96 attire to Serie A classics from the 1980s.
Due to the popularity of the store and the depth of the stock, the prices here are quite steep, but it should still be considered as the go-to place if you are after a specific football shirt from yesteryear.
Crystal Palace 1996 Away by Adidas
A glorious colourway of the mid 90s Adidas design!
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) July 17, 2021
West London Football Programme and Memorabilia Fair (Kensington)
If you don't have a specific shirt in mind and are just after a sift through a truly vintage and niche collection, then you need to head to the West London Football Programme and Memorabilia Fair. These fairs take place on the first Sunday of the month every other month.
The fairs take place at St. Stephen's Church Hall, Emperor's Gate, in Kensington, and fans of all ages are welcome. In addition to retro football shirts, fans are also able to purchase badges, flags, scarves, programmes and other football memorabilia.
Replay Clothing (Shoreditch)
If you are ever near Shoreditch, then Replay Clothing inside Brick Lane Market you will find a store called Replay Clothing. Although the market can feel a little bit like a maze, it will all be worth it when you stumble across this gem of a shop and see the wonders inside.
There is a heavy focus on European football shirts inside Replay Clothing, and the vast majority of shirts sold here also have names of football legends on the back of them. If you are also into American sports, then they also boast an impressive NBA and NFL collection.
Nobby Lawton's Olde Footy Shop (Walthamstow)
Located inside Wood Street Indoor Market in Walthamstow, Nobby Lawton's Olde Footy Shop is one of the longest-standing football memorabilia shops in the United Kingdom. Inside Nobby's shop, you will find classic football kits from the 20th century and programmes and magazines.
If that wasn't enough, then the owner of the shop (Nobby Lawton, if you hadn't guessed) used to be a professional footballer for Preston North End. So, if nothing else, you can have a good chat with someone who has played the game at the highest level.
Wow Retro (Covent Garden)
Wow, Retro may not look like much from the outside, but once you are in the shop, you will feel like you're in football heaven. Shirts are hung up on the walls, inside cabinets, and even dangling from the ceiling, meaning there is likely to be something for everyone here.
Wow Retro is located on 179 Drury Lane near Covent Garden. It also sells general retro attire if you fancy picking up non-football attire while you're there. The prices are reasonable, too, so what are you waiting for?
The Soccer Archive (Great Windmill Street)
The Soccer Archive is a vintage sports apparel shop located along Great Windmill Street, London. If you need the most sought-after jersey designs, the shop boasts a long-standing reputation for delivering the most celebrated football jerseys.
It is operated by soccer enthusiasts aiming to establish a sustainable vintage wear store in London.
The vintage shirts sold at the Soccer Archive are curated to suit your needs based on the club you support. You can choose from celebrated brands such as Adidas and Umbro to classic club and national team designs. You can also check out their huge player-worn classics to those of celebrated football heroes.
So just like the store name suggests, this store archives some of the best vintage football wear you can ever find in London.
The Soccer Archive store in London also buys vintage shirts from those who wish to sell their collections.
🚨 We're Hiring! Join the team at The Soccer Archive in London! 🚨
🔎 We’re looking for a Full-Time Sales Assistant and a Part-Time Sales Assistant to help bring the love of football to fans everywhere. As part of our passionate team, you’ll have the chance to work in a unique… pic.twitter.com/258SJOakWh
— The Soccer Archive (@soccer_archive) January 16, 2025
The Third Kit (St Thomas Street)
The Third Kit is another popular football kit shop selling vintage shirts in London. From scarves and training kits to long—and short-sleeved shirts, the Third Kit is a well-accessorised store along Thomas Street, only a few minutes' walk from London Bridge.
The store stocks various vintage shirts curated from different top European football clubs. The fact that you can get even vintage training kits dating back to the 90s makes this kit shop particularly unique.
You can also buy match-specific or player-worn shirts at this shop, as well as accessorised shelves featuring vintage football shirts acquired from hundreds of football clubs globally.
Most popular retro football shirts
The boom of retro shirts in the United Kingdom has seen the return of some iconic kits to football stadiums across the country. It has to be said, there are some that have proven to be more popular than others, which is good news for all of the aforementioned stores, as it means they can charge a higher markup on them due to demand.
Some of the most popular retro shirts include:
- Man Utd Cup Winners Cup Final shirt, 1991 – Many Man Utd fans regard the club's Cup Winners' Cup triumph in 1991 as the catalyst for the domination that followed throughout the 90s and 00s. The white shirt the Reds wore on that night in Rotterdam was also a beauty.
- Man City away kit 1998/99 – If you have attended a Man City match in the last five years, you will have seen this kit in the stands. The Brother sponsor and the navy and green stripes are iconic, and the popularity of the kit prompted the club to make a modern version in 2024.
- England kit 1982 – The England home kit from 1982 gets to breathe new life every major tournament, with fans clamouring to buy it from retro shirt dealers before it sells out.
However, whilst the above shirts do command higher fees due to their enormous demand, they are also among the most readily available shirts to buy as stores increase their stock.
Less popular shirts, then, while often cheaper, can be harder to find.
For those located in the North of England, check out our guide on where to buy retro football shirts in Manchester.