Classic with A Twist at Reignwear, London

Reignwear, 12 Berwick Street, Soho, London W1
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road


After calling into the Soho vintage store Reignwear, I just wanted to pick up on the thought that vintage shopping doesn't always have to be about colours, prints & sequins (although, I do love all three!) It can also be refreshingly simple.  Check out these pieces that I found instore....classic items with a vintage twist.

Take a classic black jacket, and add great cut-out detail.  This shape is very reminiscent of the iconic Luella Batman collection...a bargain for £15!

Another great black jacket, the fringing adds a touch of rock & roll

Classic black leggings in amazing 80's Lycra. The fit of these were perfect, nicely high waisted.

Soft black leather trousers, a nice loose fit....just add a white t-shirt

The classic jodhpurs...in charcoal grey, with black suede patches.

Loving the slouchy fit of these soft wool, dog-tooth trousers - a timeless print.

I think the key to wearing leather is to keep it simple....loving this black leather patchwork skirt...only a plain white t-shirt & chunky ankle boots needed.

The Vintage Showroom, Covent Garden, London

14 Earlham Court, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9LN

Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road or Covent Garden

www.thevintageshowroom.com

(t) 020 7836 964

The one for men's vintage coats

Selling menswear only, The Vintage Showroom has a real boys club feel to it.  The shop used to be home to a hardware store - FW Collins & Sons Ironmongers (since 1835), the guy's have done well to retain that workshop look, and the setting sits perfectly with the style of clothes.  Selling vintage from 1940's up to 1970's, focusing mainly on 1950's, this is not a shop for vintage bling, but one for classic men's fashion. Stocking chunky knits, shirts, smoking jackets, hats, the coat selection really stands out - 1950's hunting jackets, vintage Barbour jackets, amazing parka's (some with real fur lined hoods), 1950's worn leather jackets, suede bombers, khaki army coats.  A mid to high price range, but quality vintage pieces that will always be cool.

Youth Club, Soho, London

35 Marshall Street, Soho, London, W1F 7EX

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road

www.youthclublondon.com

Opening hours: Mon - Sat 11am-7pm, Sunday 12-6pm

The one for youth culture reference

A pop up store, just off Carnaby Street, Youth Club is part clothes shop, part book shop, part gallery.  Selling a mix of vintage & new clothes, trainers, jewelery, cool feather head-dresses for boy's and girls.  It's not the biggest selection, but a cool shop that's worth checking out...they also had brilliant vintage toy's - a bad-ass MC Hammer doll was my favourite one. The gallery section sells prints from the PYMCA archive (an online youth culture reference site) a diverse collection of images, from break dancers in New York, to the 80's gay dance scene.   Also an interesting selection of books (again using images from PYMCA)...on Acid House raves, Soul Style, Street Style - great reference for fashion students.  The shop is open in the run-up to Christmas, definitely worth checking out for  present ideas.

Bang Bang (women's), Soho, London

Basement 9 Berwick Street, Berwick Street, London W1F 0PJ

Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road

(t) 020 7494 2042

www.myspace.com/bangbangexchange

Opening hours: Mon - Sat 11.30am - 7pm

The one for quirky pre-worn designer

Bang Bang stocks a mix of pre-worn designer & high street labels and vintage pieces from 1960's - 1990's.  A small shop on Berwick Street market in Soho, they have another store over in Goodge Street and a men's shop in the basement.  The staff are pretty particular on what they buy (if you do ever want to take pieces to sell, make sure they're clean and ironed!) - picking interesting lables such as Preen, Maison Martin Margiela, Comme des Garcons & PPQ along with more well known brands such as Marc Jacobs, YSL, Chloe & Vivienne Westwood.  The overall look is one that is colourful, quirky & often quite girly, lots of dresses, skirts, jeans, coats, bags, boots - I always find the selection of trousers is good here, I picked up a great pair of sky blue Joesph trousers, with a deep blue glitter trim running down one side of each leg.  And an amazing fitting pair of black mannish trousers (both for around £25 each).  Bang Bang is a good stop for girls that like vintage, but find it hard to work into their wardrobe - the Bang Bang pieces are very wearable. (Tip - girls, if you're after a more tougher, edgier look, check out the men's shop in the basement).

Gold lurex ski-pants (£15) & a denim blue Margiela cropped sweatshirt (£45)....one hot look!

Loved this strawberry sundae 1960's dress (£65)...reminded me of the sorbet coloured dresses that Burberry put out earlier this year.  Would look great with minimal make-up & tough black ankle boots.

I bought this Mary Quant snakeskin catsuit for a friend's birthday present...she wore it with a Lewis Leather jacket, and tied a bandanna around the waist....smoking!

Vintage canvas boots are always a good find - I loved the early 90's street vibe of these Vivienne Westwood ones, the off white is a great colour (£65)

And the best piece in the shop goes to....this incredible Karl Lagerfeld soft beige suit. Such understated cool, an amazing classic piece that you could just wear forever...a great buy for £145.

Had to do this suit justice and show a pic of it on....the cut is great.  Someone needs to buy this!

Soho Vintage, London

12 Ingestre Place, Soho, London, W1

(t) 020 7734 7029

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus

Opening hours: Mon - Sat, 11am-7pm
www.facebook.com/sohovintage

The one for edgy Victoriana

Super cool & very edgy, this new vintage shop in Soho is a great find.  A small, theatrical space, selling women's & menswear.  The pieces all feel very individual and decadent, the kind of clothes with a rock & roll edge.  They stock gorgeous, Gothic Victorian pieces...capes, cropped jackets....such a hot look!  Lots of dresses ranging from 1930's - 1980's and a great selection of men's leather coats.  There's also an unusual range of costume pieces (to buy, but also for hire) - flamboyant Prince coats, crazy Alice in Wonderland type dresses, carnival head-dresses, all with a very historic feel.  Prices are mid-high range, but priced fairly. (There was also a sale rail of £15 dresses).

How hot is this Victorian jacket?? Beautiful black polka dot lace...

I loved this dreamy pale lemon dress, effortlessly cool

I fell in love with this cape, so perfect for festivals! Great colours and detail...

Back detail on the cape....amazing

Winter Wonderland Knitwear at Beyond Retro, Soho, London

Have just been into the Beyond Retro Soho store...usually I am drawn straight to the party dresses, but this time it was the knitwear that grabbed me.  I'm really into Native American print at the moment...loving the mohair madness!  And all of these jumpers are under £25...for boy's & girls :)

Great colours, loving the tribal print

Love this abstract knit...reminded me of Jean-Michel Basquiat

Dancing Elephants....Amazing

Such a cool print

Marshmallow Mountain, Soho, London

Ground Floor, Kingly Court, 49 Carnarby Street, Soho W1

(t) 020 7434 9498

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus
Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed 11am-7pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-8pm, Sunday 12-6pm

www.marshmallowmountain.com

The one that's good for leather bags & boots

Marshmallow Mountain has a nice boutique feel to it, stocking a well edited vintage collection, that's neat & easy to shop (all the shoes for example, are sorted into size order). Ranging from 1960's - 1990's, very girlie, (no menswear here) lots of pretty-in-pink style party dresses, leather skirts, jump-suits. A good selection of high boots, shoes, silk pucci-esque scarves, jewelry, hats, & cute vintage swimsuits.  The leather bag selection really stands out, good classic shapes with nice detailing and always in perfect condition.  The average price for a dress is between £35-£50, and bags range from £30-£60. If you visit, be sure to check out the £10 or less basket outside the shop – you’ll need to rummage, but you can always find a gem in there.

Loving this bad-ass 90's catsuit

Supercute Marshmellow Mountain shop girl, Ai

Beyond Retro, Soho, London

58-59 Great Marlborough Street, Soho, W1F 7JY
Nearest tubes: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road
(t) 020 7434 1406
www.beyondretro.com
Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed 10.30am-7.30pm, Thurs-Fri 10.30am-8.30pm, Saturday 10.30am-7.30pm, Sunday 12-6pm

The one that's good for everything!

As you walk down the steps into the giant dressing up box that is Beyond Retro, you are greeted by a soundtrack of 70’s rock and a selection of mannequins showcasing the look of the week, be it Ziggy Stardust Space Attire or Egyptian Lover with an 80’s Edge, (it’s always worth checking out, as the best pieces from the shop are often displayed here.) 

Covering vintage from 1920’s – 1990’s, the good fashion moments & the bad, there’s a big, well ordered selection offering something for everyone, although still remaining edgy. Jumpers, rock t-shirts, 50’s sundresses, kimono’s, sequined jackets, playsuits, party dresses, body con skirts, jeans, leather jackets, shirts, bombshell swimsuits, shoes, boots, belts, trainers…considering the Soho location, everything is surprisingly well priced and good value. Beyond Retro is also a great stop for festival costumes & theme party looks, you can find theatrical pieces to create a unique outfit, rather than going down the obvious fancy dress path.

Loving the latest mannequin display...Grey Gardens, Little Eddie inspired layers!