Was east London ever not cool? Areas like Hoxton, Dalston, Bethnal Green and everything else that makes up the inner city district of Shoreditch have always been a hub for ice-cool trends. While the area used to be a gritty haven for artists and other alternative visionaries, attracted by large loft spaces and cheap rents, the area has since been gentrified. While the prices have gone up, the crowd that haunts these ancient streets is still largely the same: creative souls, lost wanderers and probably the hippest crowd you’ll ever meet.
There’s an effortless cool that pervades the Shoreditch scene which might be hard to capture, a sensibly constructed carelessness that takes years of scouring vintage clothing markets and prowling through record stores looking for the most obscure tracks and artists to add to your listening repertoire. Want to emulate that self-confidence? Worry not, we’ll give a few tips and tricks you need to know in order to call yourself an east-Londoner.
Dress the part
The integral part of assimilating into any hip and happening crowd is to dress the part. Just like in the animal kingdom, blending in is way easier when you resemble the ilk in your immediate vicinity. While scouring your mum’s closest for her (now vintage) summer dresses is recommended, you can also find some beautiful pieces online. When it gets a bit colder you’re going to want some distressed mom jeans, black lace-up boots (Doc Martens are best), beanies that say Supreme on them, sweatshirts that say Supreme on them, t-shirts that say Supreme on them (tucked into your jeans, of course), and pretty much anything else that says Supreme on them.
Eat the right foods
We’re not saying you have to be vegan to be cool in east London, we’re just highly suggesting it. Like the ultra-hip Berlin kids, veganism is an increasingly popular diet and lifestyle choice for animal lovers and health-conscious kids following in the footsteps of Morrissey. It’s therefore advised to get your cravings sated at eateries like Rehab, a vegan café that is focused on meals that cross nutritional thresholds rather than simply meeting the criteria of using only vegan ingredients. There are a ton of great restaurants and cafes around Hoxton and Shoreditch that cater to all diets and lifestyles, and which are great for integrating with locals from all walks of life.
Hang out in the cool spots
This one’s important. If you haven’t fostered a love of house and techno music, now would be the time to start. You’re going to need it if you’re hanging around the coolest bars, gig venues and clubs that the area has to offer. Luckily, you’re spoiled for choice. There are a ton of quality spaces that attract some of the best DJs and artists from around the world. Whether it’s the Oval Space, the Book Club, Nightjar, XOYO or Cargo, you’ll be rubbing shoulders with the right crowd and exposing yourself to some of the best contemporary artists around.
