Love vintage shopping? Nothing beats the rush of finding the perfect item in exactly your size, so where do you go to get the best value deals and the rarest of finds? Here’s our vintage shopper’s handy guide to the UK vintage scene:
Markets
Brighton is a gold mine of a place to start for all your vintage fashion needs. The North Laine shops and markets are packed with a great selection of sellers offering everything from genuine 1920s ball gowns to imitation ’50s midi dresses. The indoor Flea Market on Upper Gardener Street is also well worth a stop. Book a room at one of our Travelodge hotels in Brighton and give yourself plenty of time to hunt out the gems.
In London, Spitalfields and Brick Lane offer some clever opportunities for rummaging, while Camden Market has been specialising in grungy vintage clothing for years.
In Edinburgh, Out of the Blue Flea Market runs on the last Saturday of every month at the Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street and is a great place to scout out a bargain.
Shops
In London and Brighton, Beyond Retro leads the way in popular vintage items with stacked shelves and affordable prices. They also have their own label of hand created re-worked vintage items for a modern twist on a retro look.
Vintage lovers will be well at home in Sheffield, where the Antiques Quarter offers several great vintage clothing and furniture shops. You can even pick up a vintage jukebox at the appropriately named Juke Joint.
Vintage Guru in Glasgow has acquired somewhat of a cult following with brand new stock appearing every day. While over in Edinburgh, Armstrongs in the Grassmarket is a shop that vintage lovers are happy to travel for. You’ll find both men’s and women’s clothing, as well as glamorous accessories and shoes.
Events
Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair hosts events around the UK, including upcoming dates in Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds and Sheffield. Many of Judy’s events are kilo sales, meaning you can bag a whole kilogram of clothing for a fixed price. Grab a few friends to share the load for the ultra-affordable wardrobe boost.
Watch vintage fashions come to life at Granny Would be Proud vintage fair in Glasgow, taking place most Saturday afternoons. Enjoy a vintage photograph in the retro photo booth, browse the goodies from more than 80 sellers, and then grab a pot of tea in the lace tea rooms before heading back to your room at our Glasgow Travelodge. You want to try on all of your new finds as soon as possible!
