Petticoat Lane Market is a market located in East London, on Wentworth Street and Middlesex Street. The market really is on Petticoat Lane, which is what Middlesex Street was called before the ultra-modest Victorians changed its name in 1830.

The name dates from the 1600s when a secondhand clothing market was in full swing on this location, and when the French Huguenots moved into the area, they further cemented Petticoat Lane's reputation when they established weaving, lace making, and clothing manufacturing here.

The next wave on immigrants to put their stamp on Petticoat Lane were the Jews who moved here in the late 1800s. The market was open traditionally only on Sunday, in deference to the Jewish community whose holy day was Saturday.

Petticoat Lane is rather unusual in that for most of its history it was an illegal and unregulated market, subject to raids and harassment by local authorities from time to time as the spirit moved them. It took an Act of Parliament in 1936 to legalise the market, and then it was back to business as usual.

The market has held on tenaciously as the neighbourhood has changed from Jews to other immigrant populations, and just keeps on going.

Petticoat Lane is most widely known for its clothing trade, both new and secondhand clothing is available, as well as linens and household goods. You can find incredible bargains, but many items may not be of high quality.

If look hard, you are likely to find a few gems tucked in amongst the dross. Polyester suits for £2 might not be to your liking, but how about a designer silk skirt for £2? Much of the clothing is end-of-season that dealers buy in bulk, and this is where you can really score a great deal.

Petticoat Lane is not glitzy or chic, it simply carries affordable goods for people who don't have much disposable income, just as it has done successfully for the last century.

Petticoat Lane Market is a wonder.

Visiting Petticoat Lane

Between Middlesex and Goulston Streets, Tower Hamlets, E1 7HT

Opening Times

Sun 9am-2pm. Smaller market open from Mon to Fri on Wentworth Street

Photo courtesy: yisris

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