Vintage Hotspots
Image by J Smith
As the demand for vintage has continued to grow, so has the quality and quantity of vintage emporiums throughout the UK. We pick some of the best shops throughout the country to visit on any vintage expedition.
Truly Madly Vintage, Chelmsford, Essex: www.trulymadlyvintage.com
Whether you’re an Essex girl or in town for the V festival this summer, Chelmsford hides a hidden treasure off its high street. Truly Madly Vintage sits quietly on Moulsham Street amongst other independent businesses.
The shop opened a year ago, and fulfilled the distinct lack of vintage shops in North Essex. It was a risk that paid off, and Phillipa Barnes, 27, has now expanded to add a vintage furniture shop to her business, just a few shops down.
She says; “I think there’s a small but dedicated contingent of people in Chelmsford that are interested in vintage and the more its advertised on the high street helps, as it opens peoples eyes and gets more people looking for vintage, then with the furniture shop as well, it’s become very fashionable to have things from different decades in your home.”
Jolly Brown, Hitchin, Hertfordshire: www.jollybrown.co.uk
Jolly Brown has been running for four years, nestled between pubs and music shops in Bucklersbury, the medieval, cultural street in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
Hannah Brown, the founder of Jolly Brown, explains why she picked Hitchin for this unique beautiful boutique. “I have lived in Hitchin for 12 years and it has such an amazing community feel, lots of independent shops and it also has a very creative, arty and musical side. There is a really stylish feel to the way people dress in Hitchin, there are lots of creative young people too, with a flare for fashion and there wasn’t a vintage shop in town. I wanted a place where people could buy affordable and great quality clothing”
Here you’ll find rails and rails of quality vintage for men and women, in a friendly atmosphere, with staff only too happy to help you put an outfit together.
Revival Retro, South West London: www.revival-retro.com
There are mixed feelings about replication vintage, but Rowena and her Revival Retro team produce such fantastic replication vintage, nobody would ever no the difference! Her London based showroom, offers customers a personal shopping experiences and outfits tailored to them from the 20s to 40s era. Rowena will also be opening a shop in May, in London’s east end, so you can see these replicas yourself and decide!
“Our customers are women of every age group, every background, every walk of life but united by a common love of the art and aesthetic of the 1930s and 1940s. We would all love to own amazing vintage pieces but they are old, fragile, hard to find and decent ones should probably be in a museum. We try to be inclusive and stock a range of sizes from size 6-26.”
Rags to Bitches, Manchester: http://shop.rags-to-bitches.com
This Manchester based brand is more than just a vintage shop. Rags to Bitches has become so successful they have branched out to include popular courses and events to their repertoire. From dress making to hen nights, all ran by professional experts in their field.
Rags to Bitches have won a number of awards, including Stella magazine’s 50 best boutiques in 2008. If you’re planning to visit the store, it’s well worth going all out and making use of one of their many courses or services. A perfect port of call for a weekend away with the girls.
Absolute Vintage, London: www.absolutevintage.co.uk
When a shop has been voted ‘one of the top 100 stores you must see in the world’ by the Evening Standard, you know you’re on to a good thing. When a shop has been named as the ‘best vintage shop in London’ by InStyle magazine, you know you’re on to something amazing.
Absolute Vintage’s London based shop and online store have proved massively popular and come with high praise from fashion insiders and customers alike. Both the shop and website are packed with vintage goodies for you to rummage through, no matter what your budget. Vintage Kurt Geiger shoes for £25 anyone?