I bought an old precisely-made typewriter for my father from there, he was really surprised and excited to have it. The service was not so fast in the shop, but every place had its own pros and cons. I can’t blame the staff for the busy shifts they have.
Freya C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Many excellent items have been purchased(at reasonable prices) here. Most notably, as many posted pictures are showing, fantastic vintage bags and suitcases, typewriters and antique furniture. I’m also a sucker for the old Vogue dress patterns, mix-match collections of buttons and floral quilts on the hangars at the back. Awesome bric-à-brac scattered around the shelves, a collector’s/ craftsman’s/ bored-man’s dream. I seem to remember it being CASHONLY too, so keep that in mind when visiting.
Absint
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Great place to find second-hand furniture in North London. It’s not wallet-busting and is generally in pretty good nick. There’s perhaps a leaning towards 60s/70s style furniture more than anything else, but depending on what your space is like, this could be a good place to find well looked-after vintage pieces.
Ashley V.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Oakland, CA
I like it here! Lots of furniture and house items. But not at ridiculous prices If I am in need of cool house stuff I will for sure be back. If you’re like me and can barely pile your shoes in the corner let alone have any use for an awesome retro coffee table. There are some cool clothes and accessories at reasonable prices.(There’s no dressing room but a mirror in the back you can check yourself out in) I also rummaged for about twenty minutes in this box of old photos and postcards. Really great pictures in there. Think I’m going to turn them into cards or something creative for my friends.
Laura N.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Francisco, CA
The secret to success at Past Caring is heading there first thing Tuesday morning. Living around the corner for nearly two years, it didn’t take long to learn that they receive deliveries throughout the day on Mondays, so if you’re looking for the first pick, you can’t get any first-er than that. Any day of the week, prepare to surround yourself with really unique furniture pieces from the 60s and 70s(especially end tables, ash tray art and lamp shades) as well as some killer glassware finds like amazing vases and enough Babycham glasses to through a wedding for the Prince. Definitely a great place to pop by for a few token houseware goodies.
Joanna R.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Past Caring is such a fantastic second hand shop. You honestly cannot walk past it without doing a double-take as there are so many brilliant things on display. I actually can’t walk down Essex Road without dropping in. It’s mostly furniture and funky old trunks and randowm little china sets, but there really is something for everyone. Highly highly recommended, whether you’re on the look out for something specific or just in the mood for browsing.
Suzanne H.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Francisco, CA
I love past caring. whenever i go past there on the bus or I am walking around essex rd. I always stop in there. they have amazing things all the time, and loads of them, and everything is shockingly reasonably priced. if you like old stuff like I do(50’s-70’s era), and you always find that stuff is overpriced for what seems like shiddy quality, go to past caring! they have retro furniture for CHEAPER than ikea! deal! and you don’t have to build it yourself! And the staff is … crazy. Today I decided to drop in to look for vintage mirrors and i witnessed the girl behind the counter BITCH out some idiot, and they were YELLING at each other, but it wasn’t in a scary way, it was more like a «mtv’s real world» way. And i couldn’t take my EARS off them.
Sarah L.
Rating des Ortes: 3 London, United Kingdom
Past Caring is a surprisingly cool vintage store on Essex Road, just a short stroll from Angel Tube Station. Filled from floor to ceiling with nick nacks galore, it boasts a great range of crockery, cutlery and other bits and bobs for your home. But it’s the furniture out the front which always draws my attention — cane chair, awesome old chests and glass coffee tables are just some of the pieces you’ll find out the front — rather reasonably priced too.
Minal P.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Its pricey but fun for a browse, just to look at random stuff to add to your house for a fun change, or to get an eccentric present. That should sum up the variety of stuff that you can find in the store. I went furniture shopping with a friend, and we stopped by just to have a look as they had a wide range of furniture just outside the store front. We walked away with a small bamboo coffee table, that looks great to this day. It was a great buy, and there are many more to be found here. Something for everyone, like s suitcase for Felix, a mannequin for Prudence, or just some chutzpah for yourself.
Arabella G.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Shoreditch, London, United Kingdom
Whenever I visit Past Caring I ask myself why I don’t do so more often. The reason? It’s just too far down Essex Road for a casual browse. Don’t let that dissuade you however, I’d venture a guess that if you were ever to find a bargain in one of London’s famously overpriced vintage shops you would probably find it at Past Caring. A vintage shop stocking furniture, clothing, accessories and collectables, Past Caring is a reasonably priced store with clearly a very good buyer and the kind of place you can find original 70’s cow emblazoned steak plates, pictures by Tretchikoff et al and some smashing vintage mannequins. Definitely worth a browse in spite of its location…
Joseph T.
Rating des Ortes: 3 London, United Kingdom
Past Caring is just up the Essex Road(not too far along from Angel tube). It sells an odd mix of things; as Felix W. said, more chintz than antiques per se. Items include hat stands, dummies, and quite a lot of suitcases. The prices range quite a lot but you can get a large suit case for between 10 and 12 pounds. If you’re a fan of this period and style then you its definitely worth looking for some interesting things for use, display or furniture.
Prudence I.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Such a good place to come for weird presents or cool retro bits to jazz up your house. Particular favourites include a constant supply of dress shop dummies, Emmanuelle chairs and Babycham glasses. They also sell books and second hand clothes of varying quality but always worth a rummage. Most things are a bit over-priced and staff aren’t that keen to haggle. Still, places like this in London are disappearing fast and if you don’t use it you lose it. If you’re after a quality junk shop you can’t do better than Past Caring.
Felix W.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Stepney, United Kingdom
We’d say antiques, but it’s more like 70s chintz, it’s a really good shop to come and have a look. I’ve got a bit of a ‘thing’ about old suitcases and they got loads here. They do a lot of glassware and interior décor. Clothes too, and some weirdo items. A bit pricey, but they got the real deal here. It’s old, it’s cool, and well groovy deary. If you wanted to furnish a new bar, this is just the place to come.
MissGo
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
Past Caring is a very an apt name for a shop that specializes in selling some of London’s finest retro clothing. Their vintage collection is superb and very affordable. If you are a sucker for nostalgia then it’s the ideal place to go and have a rummage and come out with something special from the past.
P_2
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
This is basically a second hand shop, but with pretty specific items, and in pretty good condition. You can find things like tailor’s mannequins, typewriters, big old coats, lots of household stuff, including a range of furniture arranged outside the shop window, and lots of bits of pieces like buttons and belt buckles. so ideal if you’re into finding treasures and unusual bits and pieces. I think this place is always worth a look at, cos they usually have interesting items going for reasonable prices. It looks pretty cool from the outside too, with their pretty well stocked collection of vintage ware.