vintage shops
so if you love vintage and retro clothes
when in London - get to:
London NW8
where The Girl Can't Help It has been in business in since 1988. Despite the current trend to call all second hand clothing - Vintage - Sparkle Moore only stocks exceptional, true 30's,40's and 50s pieces in the best possible condition, carefully hand selected and many still with their original tags attached. But since she feels very strongly feel that Vintage clothing should be seen and tried before purchase, as vintage sizes and bodies differ from modern ones, she does not sell on line but from her magical shop on the ground floor of Alfies Antique Market, Church Street. However, she does realize that not everyone lives within travelling distance and will try to deal with all truly SERIOUS enquiries.
London NW1 -
Shikasuki at 84 Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill,London NW! calls this lovely light, airy and so luxurious boutique "... a treasure trove of vintage clothes, handbags, jewellery and fine art..." and Time Out said t's "... the best vintage shop for accessories...", need we say more.
London N1 -
Cloud Cuckoo Land in Islington, London is full of vintage cashmere, Chinese embroidered jackets, 60s clothes, wartime nightdresses, mixed with a few designer labels. www.camdenpassageislington.co.uk/shops/cloud-cuckoo-land.htm
London East -
The East End Thrift Store in Stepney is a big warehouse space full of 'thrift' rather than 'vintage' with so much to choose from, clothes displayed in 'get the look, get the trend' collections, all very fairly priced.
London's East End or West End -
there's Beyond Retro where every vintage item you see has been hand-picked by there
team of vintage clothing selectors, from all corners of the globe. From
vintage accessories in California to vintage kimonos from Japan and
premium vintage from Italy, New York, Toronto and the American Deep
South, they have travelled extensively to fill the requirements of their eclectic, style-conscious customers. It's where all the fashion stylists get the vintage clothes they use for shoots - have a look at the 'Press' page on the website or otherwise go and pay them a visit at Cheshire Street, Shoreditch, London, E2 or Great Marlborough Street, London W1... if you fancy a trip to the seaside, they also have a shop in Brighton (full details further down this page).
London W11 -
rummage around the market stalls of Portobello Market
or shop for vintage the celebrity way in Notting Hill -
London W11 -
rummage around the market stalls of Portobello Market
or shop for vintage the celebrity way in Notting Hill -
head straight to Rellik in Notting Hill, where you'll find only the very best vintage by designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Alaia, Bill Gigg, Comme des Garcons, Dior, Pucci, Ossie Clark, Terry de Havilland and YSL amoungst others... for an idea of what you'll find there check out the website.
for pretty vintage evening/party dresses have a look at Nadia's Closet, and if there's anything that catches your eye on the website all you need to do is get in touch with them and arrange an appointment at the showroom.
and we've discovered in ...
Edinburgh -
Armstrongs the oldest second-hand selling clothing store in Britain, and so is most definitely worth a look through all their goodies if you happen to be in the city. However, if you are not - do not despair, you can shop online, they have an emporium on Ebay, so you are sure to get something amazing for a very reasonable price!
Harrogate, North Yorkshire -
Leominster, Herefordshire -
Teagowns and Textiles shop in Leominster, Herefordshire is home to an abundance of vintage clothing, textiles, accessories, jewellery, covering Georgian to 1960 with special attention to the 20's, 30's and 40's - silks, velvets, chiffons, lames, a lot of evening wear and wedding dresses and if you can't get there, pay a visit to their on-line shop.
and if you're lucky enough to be in:
Paris - in Le Marais - La Jolie Garde-Robe at no 15 rue Commines is a pretty vintage venue and one of the best places to find good vintage designer clothes and accessories - infact, it's an real exploration of fashion from 1900 to the 80's that has something for all tastes, all prices and even for children.
in St-Germain-des-Prés - Ragtime at 3 rue de l'Echaudé is a slightly chaotic vintage shop that sells clothing from all the epoques including some real treasures.
New York - in Noho, Soho, Nolita, Chelsea or Uptown, Inanyc is New York’s most established second-hand designer stores - they accept only the finest designer clothing, shoes, accessories,and select vintage that is only of the highest quality and condition. Their inventory changes daily, so shopping at any one of INA's six locations or online is always a unique experience, with unexpected discoveries.
for pretty vintage evening/party dresses have a look at Nadia's Closet, and if there's anything that catches your eye on the website all you need to do is get in touch with them and arrange an appointment at the showroom.
and we've discovered in ...
Edinburgh -
Armstrongs the oldest second-hand selling clothing store in Britain, and so is most definitely worth a look through all their goodies if you happen to be in the city. However, if you are not - do not despair, you can shop online, they have an emporium on Ebay, so you are sure to get something amazing for a very reasonable price!
Harrogate, North Yorkshire -
Catherine Smith Vintage really does offer an amazing range of genuine vintage clothing and accessories and if you're looking for something in particular but can't see it in-store or on the website do give her a call so she can check out her stockroom for you.
Blackburn, Lancashire -
Decades Vintage Clothing opened in Blackburn selling original antique and vintage
clothing and accessories and is crammed full of pretty vintage dresses for day and evening as well as a great range of hats, shoes and clothes for children and they say "if they don`t have what you are looking for in stock just ask and they may be able to source it for you". Their trade over the years has been varied from
lovers of vintage, collectors, stylists, designers and students.
Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and London -
The first Pop Boutique store opened in 1994 in Manchester and now has six shops based in Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, London and Gothenburg Sweden. Pop try their best to keep the shops filled with cool vintage pieces that are not overpriced as well as the own label Pop range not just vintage clothing but all manner of things your everyday vintage junkie might find interesting and even buy at great prices. All goods are ethically sourced many being made from recycled fabrics.
Brighton, Sussex -
Beyond Retro in Vine Street is where all the Brighton fashionistas love picking up something special, and as already mentioned, there's are the London shops too.
Bournemouth, Dorset -
Established 1994,
Vintage Clobber is now one of the leading vintage fashion
stores outside of London stocking a broad range of 20th century fashion situated in the retirement
capital of England, Clobber seems to have an inexhaustible supply of
quality vintage attire.Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and London -
The first Pop Boutique store opened in 1994 in Manchester and now has six shops based in Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, London and Gothenburg Sweden. Pop try their best to keep the shops filled with cool vintage pieces that are not overpriced as well as the own label Pop range not just vintage clothing but all manner of things your everyday vintage junkie might find interesting and even buy at great prices. All goods are ethically sourced many being made from recycled fabrics.
Brighton, Sussex -
Beyond Retro in Vine Street is where all the Brighton fashionistas love picking up something special, and as already mentioned, there's are the London shops too.
Bournemouth, Dorset -
Established 1994,
Leominster, Herefordshire -
Teagowns and Textiles shop in Leominster, Herefordshire is home to an abundance of vintage clothing, textiles, accessories, jewellery, covering Georgian to 1960 with special attention to the 20's, 30's and 40's - silks, velvets, chiffons, lames, a lot of evening wear and wedding dresses and if you can't get there, pay a visit to their on-line shop.
and if you're lucky enough to be in:
Paris - in Le Marais - La Jolie Garde-Robe at no 15 rue Commines is a pretty vintage venue and one of the best places to find good vintage designer clothes and accessories - infact, it's an real exploration of fashion from 1900 to the 80's that has something for all tastes, all prices and even for children.
in St-Germain-des-Prés - Ragtime at 3 rue de l'Echaudé is a slightly chaotic vintage shop that sells clothing from all the epoques including some real treasures.
New York - in Noho, Soho, Nolita, Chelsea or Uptown, Inanyc is New York’s most established second-hand designer stores - they accept only the finest designer clothing, shoes, accessories,and select vintage that is only of the highest quality and condition. Their inventory changes daily, so shopping at any one of INA's six locations or online is always a unique experience, with unexpected discoveries.