A London weekend

A weekend of London.

Pedalling along the London streets, Islington was my destination. I wanted to replicate the perfect weekend I had about a month ago when I had picked up my beautiful blue 1940s skirt. Sadly, the stall was not up in Camden Passage, though the experience did provide me with plenty of opportunities to try out my new Canon EOS 550D. I love love love it.

Today I went to Present in Shoreditch. I wasn't particularly interested in the clothes they had on offer, for they were against my gender. Nay, I wanted to try the coffee that was to be made and served to me by the 2009 World Barista Champion, Gwilym Davies.

Davies is based out of men's clothing store, Present. Using Square Mile beans and a very beautiful machine, my flat white came out perfectly sized to make it a lovely combination of strength and creaminess.

I do recommend.

From there, my companion and I meandered down Shoreditch High St, only to merge right towards Mile End Rd.

My research had led me to a new vintage store in town, well new to my ears anyway. The East End Thrift Store is situated down a shifty laneway, off Mile End Rd. Hemmed in by warehouses that look like they are no longer in use, the store is packed full of vintage, divided somewhat down the middle by ladies and mens clothing.

I was attracted to this store, primarily because I had read promises of many items costing no more than £10. Incredible. London is the home of the overpriced second-hand dress, so this was something to see.

Sadly, the atmosphere in the store lacked the potential exitement that would lead you into that perfect vintage find. It didn't feel shabby chic, it just felt shabby. The concrete floor, dressing rooms that were covered by scrap material (and only three-quarters at that), the two art students who ran the store, though couldn't really care less, all contributed to a disappointing experience. The clothes would have saved the day, had they been something to coo about. Sadly, there was a reason why they started at £10. They simply were not at the quality Londoner's expect.

Of course, the store is a fair size so I would recommend a gaze as everyone has subjective vintage expectations. I wanted to find uniqueness; instead I found clothes that had either been manipulated to suit the look of the present day, or were so unappealing, the fabrics and styles look like they should be retired, not re-used.

Present
140 Shoreditch High Street
London E1 6JE

East End Thrift Store
Watermans Building, Unit 1A Assembly Passage,
London, E1 4UT

Modcloth

Fancy flexing your credit card on some vintage slash vintage reproduction homewares and fashion? Oui oui?

Go to modcloth.

Vintage! Vintage!

I can't say I stick to a particular style when I dress, more I am a slave to my emotion that day, choosing to grab whatever clones my mood.

Always one to tread the vintage clothing waters though, I do love a classic cut, a tailored jacket/dress/pant et al, and the way certain clothes envelope my body.

As I grow in age (and retain my modesty), I find dressing to my shape is imperative when I purchase anything. I can't stand people who go outside only to have the world subjected to their gut hanging over their bottom wares. Ill-fitting clothes, or just ill-fitting taste? And leggings! Oh my, why must these be around? They do not suit most people on the best of days, let alone when you're wearing them as pants (bottoms). There should be no public camel toes, something should cover your ass, and perhaps you should throw on a pair of shoes and stop pretending Uggs are for outdoor use. They're not, they're expensive slippers. For indoors only.

Having a relatively small waist, I seek out skirts, tailored trousers and dresses; vintage makes my heart sing, and over the years i've practically recorded an album. I've been so lucky to be able to find some beautiful clothes, some of which include, a gorgeous 1940s blue above-the-knee skirt, with pleated detail front and back, for £10; a collection of summer dresses with button details to the waist, then a broad flowing skirt to twirl in (ranging from £10-45); a lovely brown leather day purse, with short double straps for £15; and many, many more.

Vintage shopping has become part of my travelling repertoire, I do thorough research before I go anywhere, to try and get the best I can get. London has definately spoilt me, though I find it is so expensive here, so don't come expecting a bargain, especially where tourists lurk (like Portobello Rd).

Here are some of my favourite vintage spots in London. They're not a secret, so enjoy.

- Vintage Market
F Block T2 | 85 Brick Lane, London
Every Friday, Saturday 11am – 6pm and Sunday 10am – 5pm

Coinciding with the Up Markets, grab some lovely thai duck rolls, and head up the stairs to the top floor. Here you'll find the professional stall holders, amongst the grots and gits of East London, selling anything from the 20s, right through to late 90s. A treasure trove of one-off things that change from week to week.

- Beyond Retro
110-112 Cheshire Street, London E2 6EJ
Monday - Wednesday 10am - 7pm; Thursday 10am - 8pm; Friday & Saturday 10am - 7pm; Sunday 10am - 6pm

This is the site of the original store, now pratically a chain after its expansion to central London, Brighton and even abroad to Sweden! Situated off Brick Lane, come here for cool clothes, colour coded on the racks and sorted down the line for men and women. I picked up an awesome silk scarve from the 70s, with the entire Waltzing Matilda poem penned on it (plus illustrations). Perhaps come here first, and then head to the many thrifts along Brick Lane.

- Absolute Vintage
15 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR
Monday - Saturday 11am - 7pm; Sunday 11am - 7pm

Frequented by stylists and those who want to pay a little more for their vintage, this medium-sized shop filled to the rafters with cloth, is definately one to poke your head in. Even just to scope the amount of second-hand shoes for sale. I have an elephant foot, though one can always look...

There are so many more thoroughout London, though I suspect these should be stumbled upon by yourself. That way, you can say 'I went to London, and discovered the most amazing little shop...'

Hint: Brick Lane, Portobello Rd (under the freeway overpass, ONLY), Camden Passage parallel to Upper St, and Shoreditch will all provide you with suitable starting points.

Still looking for inspirations, click here for a reliable guide.

Etsy Vintage

I did a post not so long ago about my favourite ebay vintage stores.

As it becomes more popular, I thought i'd replicate that post, but with Etsy instead. Similarly to Ebay, you can get lost in time and space in Etsy though the below is by no means comprehensive. It's merely a beginning as clicking into Etsy is almost like a Choose Your Own Adventure novel- take one path and bam, there's another opportunity. Take another, then another, and boom, a different shop catches your eye. You'll get to know your own bam's and boom's.

So here are a few that I enjoy.

The Pigeon Chest

Does she take her vintage seriously? Of course she does! The deer's head in the background is testament to that.

Retro Threadz

Wide variety of true vintage and stocks a lot of shoes. Can be very hit and miss.

Thrush

I've posted about this gorgeous shop before, though they do remain one to peruse. The name still leaves a lot to be desired though.

Noble Town Vintage

Cute pieces here and there. Pretty affordable for most currencies.

Graybird Vintage

'Functional' vintage, and more of it.

Ebay vintage guide

I think it's quite normal to confess that not so long ago, I had an ebay problem. It would be part of my internet routine, and became as normal as checking my email or social networking accounts. Bidding on something, eventually winning was not the attraction (although I can see how it could be for so many people), it was the pull of a virtual op-shop, dutifully laid out for my enjoyment.

Vintage clothes shopping is one of my hobbies and I would estimate that a good 40% of my wardrobe was pre-worn at the time of purchase. I'm not afraid of vintage as some are, instead I like to imagine the history and stories that could be told if the little garment had a voice.

Ebay provides and feeds my vintage love and is never further than a few clicks away. For all the places I have lived, I have a few faithful sellers that are convient and close by. Here are some that deserve to be shared.

MakiMaki Vintage

The model may be tiny, rendering it hard for one to imagine themselves in Maki's gear, though what gear it is! Careful, this store is not a secret so bids do run high.

MouseVox Vintage

Affordable, classic and not-so-classic. Always has really clear measurements and accurate photos.

Venus in Vintage

It began here, and I loyally check in from time to time to see her wares. Not always fully stocked, though when she does it's generally pretty, girly and won't break the bank. She also packages up the goods in tissue paper and sends gorgeous hand written notes.

Tin Roof Vintage

Whilst Tin Roof have some amazing things, the long auction periods and inevitable high bidding prices are a little off putting. Still, when you have the cash and want something you'll love, come here.

Mama Stone Vintage

Options to bid or buy it now on some sexy, sweet and stuffy clothes.

There are loads more, like California Vintage Connect, Mill St Vintage and Meat Market Vintage though I don't want to fuel an obsession.

Frock Me!

Frock me it's another lovely vintage fashion fair!

As a kitchsy treat, the fair has the biggest collection of Hawaiian print vintage wear in the UK! Woo!


Sunday 17th May, Chelsea Town Hall, Kings Rd SW3.

Vintage the Denver way

An unfortunate name, though not an unfortunate Etsy store is this little beauty.

Coined 'Thrush', she hails from Colorado to sell cute vintage clothing to all. Unlike ebay, you don't have to compete for her wares- just choose (this is difficult, given the 16 pages of wares), couple of clicks, pay and it's yours!

Peruse now!