When it comes to
second-hand fashion and going vintage, the UK is home to many charity shops
with plenty of both boutique and chain second-hand stores dotted around the
country. I have travelled far and wide across the UK to discover many of the
best places to pick up little vintage bargains that no one else can find! So,
if you’re thinking about going the extra mile (by literally going the extra
mile) to find that unique piece, then here are my 5 best places to visit in the
UK.
Glasgow
Glasgow is well known for
its amazing street style, so much so Vogue even did a magazine spread about it
in 2014! With such incredibly stylish residents, it’s no wonder that their
secondhand shops are up there at the top too! I’ve only visited Glasgow myself
once or twice but the city is packed full of charming little vintage shops with
cute names like “The Magpie’s Nest” and “Handbags and Gladrags” and a couple of
very good charity shops for those unafraid to rummage through piles of old
men’s t-shirts and sweaters. I am
certainly not afraid to get down and have a good rummage, you find the best
bits that way!
Manchester
Vintage shopping in
Manchester has never been better! I suggest wandering around the fashionable
Northern Quarter of the city, (particularly the side streets surrounding Thomas
Street, Tib Street and Oldham Street) and stopping wherever takes your fancy. If
you want a break from shopping you can also pop into some excellent coffee
houses and old record shops scattered around the area as well, a great day out!
Manchester’s vintage addicts
will tell you that a shopping trip to Manchester isn’t complete without a visit
to Affleck’s Palace. Dating back to the early 80s and housed in an old
department store, you will find a maze of independent and vintage mini-stores
that are an icon of the Manchester scene. Trust me you can spend hours in
there!
Belfast
Belfast is full of
charity shops that bring interest to any fashionista. I agree a charity shop
means investing more time to sort through 80s nana sweaters and warped records,
but this makes that special find all the more satisfying. I’d suggest visiting any
one of the city’s charity shops, (St Vincent de Paul, War on Want or Oxfam) for
an adventurous and memorable shopping trip.
Or if you’re looking for
something a little bit more straightforward (which I normally am!), the Rusty
Zip is one of Belfast’s most popular charity shops. Its online platform has
been growing for years now, even expanding into the world of online shopping.
The shop, however, is not worth missing as its fun and quirky with ridiculously
low prices!
London
Now, I can’t talk about
fashion hotspots without mentioning London, now can I? When it comes to vintage
shopping the UK, it’s hard to beat London. It’s a Mecca for vintage fashion
lovers with hidden treasures just waiting to be found. High street shops are fashionable
but the prices can sometimes be too much for a young business women like myself,
so a trip to Covent Garden, Camden Market, Soho or Shoreditch will certainly
help you discover something incredible and reasonably priced.
Kate Moss, one of my
fashion idols, loves Rellik on Golbourne Street and you can tell why. With
stunning gowns, pearls, designer shoes, bags and purses, Rellik prices can run
on the expensive side. The store is gorgeously curated so that you can easily
find a Yves St Laurent dress or a pair of Gucci pumps from 1964. It might not
have the hipster cred of somewhere like Shoreditch but it is certainly the
place to go for truly unique vintage designer pieces.
Sheffield
I go to university part
time in Sheffield, and after a day of lectures always find a time to pop into
some charity shops. West Street and Division Street are the best go-to areas!
I’d also suggest Cow Vintage for bright colours and jazzy patterns (tip: like
them on Facebook and find out when they announce their semi-regular student
price deals!). G
Sheffield is also home to
some great vintage fairs, which are definitely worth a visit if you happen to
be in the area. Sheffield Does Vintage which is held at The Cutler’s Hall has
racks and racks of fine vintage pieces, plus live music to add to the
atmosphere. Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair was rated one of the best vintage fairs in
the UK 2 years running with pieces from 1920-1990 and additional “vintage hair
salon” for pin-up style updos or intricately braided victory rolls. Get there
early to find the perfect hairstyle and dress combination and still have plenty
of time to enjoy their afternoon tea selection!
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