Style Fashion Guides
Fashionably Vintage
Notting Hill Gate is another vintage mecca, although prices tend to be a bit on the high side. One Of A Kind has two stores at 253 and 259 Portobello Road, just down from Ember at no. 260. And the deliciously named Boo's Closet is at 198 Kensington Park Road. Retro Woman and Man are at Pembridge Road (32 and 34 respectively) and are part of the Music and Video Exchange (MVE) group. MVE sell and exchange records, videos, DVDs and games, as well as selling vintage men's and women's wear and vintage homeware. You can buy online via their website, or visit their shops, all based in the Notting Hill area. Call 0845 644 1442 for more information.
Radio Days in Waterloo is definitely worth a visit. They not only sell vintage clothes, but also a huge variety of other gear - old sheet music, ceramics, phones, radios - even cocktail accessories. Just log onto their website and be transported back to the glamorous 40s by the Billie Holiday sound track! Their website gives a taste of what they sell, but you'll need to visit in person to make a purchase.
Finally, Top Shop carry a vintage range (clothes from 50s and 70s mainly) in their Birmingham store, as well as in their Oxford Circus and Kensington High Street branches.
Bargain hunting
There are still vintage bargains to be had in charity shops of course, as long as you're prepared to wade through the racks of High Street tat. Boot fairs are worth a trawl too if you can face the dawn starts. And antique and flea markets are still a great source of hidden treasure. Log onto the dmg Antiques Fairs website for details of fairs held around the country at Detling, Malvern, Newmarket, Shepton Mallet, Ardingly and Newark.
Cost versus style
Is it worth the money? Well, if you want a truly unique piece of clothing, the answer has to be yes. You'll stand out in a crowd and make your own fashion statement.
Making it work for you
Try to make sure you mix old pieces with something contemporary. An entire vintage outfit will make you look like an extra from a costume drama. Go for quality fabrics like silk and cashmere, but check them out for moth-holes and stains first. Oh, and make sure you avoid that pie dish frill shirt - it never worked the first time round and it certainly won't work now!
Radio Days in Waterloo is definitely worth a visit. They not only sell vintage clothes, but also a huge variety of other gear - old sheet music, ceramics, phones, radios - even cocktail accessories. Just log onto their website and be transported back to the glamorous 40s by the Billie Holiday sound track! Their website gives a taste of what they sell, but you'll need to visit in person to make a purchase.
Finally, Top Shop carry a vintage range (clothes from 50s and 70s mainly) in their Birmingham store, as well as in their Oxford Circus and Kensington High Street branches.
Bargain hunting
There are still vintage bargains to be had in charity shops of course, as long as you're prepared to wade through the racks of High Street tat. Boot fairs are worth a trawl too if you can face the dawn starts. And antique and flea markets are still a great source of hidden treasure. Log onto the dmg Antiques Fairs website for details of fairs held around the country at Detling, Malvern, Newmarket, Shepton Mallet, Ardingly and Newark.
Cost versus style
Is it worth the money? Well, if you want a truly unique piece of clothing, the answer has to be yes. You'll stand out in a crowd and make your own fashion statement.
Making it work for you
Try to make sure you mix old pieces with something contemporary. An entire vintage outfit will make you look like an extra from a costume drama. Go for quality fabrics like silk and cashmere, but check them out for moth-holes and stains first. Oh, and make sure you avoid that pie dish frill shirt - it never worked the first time round and it certainly won't work now!
