The Best Vintage Clothes Shop In London (well the cheapest anyway!)

The other day my colleague popped in the office and told me he'd just seen a sign for a vintage fashion shop where you can stock up as much as you want for a tenner. We've been located near Mile End for the last five months and I can honestly say that despite the proximity to the park and canal there is NOTHING HERE, so to discover there is a clothes shop for me to hang out in was music to my ears. And he wasn't wrong. I popped in a few days later and found myself lost in a warehouse filled with clothes and when I say filled, I mean FILLED!

Taken from Mile End Vintage's Instagram account

Mile End Vintagestore does indeed work by a 'stock up on what you want' policy. You take either a small bag (which is still huge) or a large bag, fill it up with whatever you want for either £10 or £20 and that's it, done deal, a whole new wardrobe for less than a weekly travelcard. There are some rails of 'priced items' but they won't break the bank.

I popped in one lunch hour and only managed to make a dent in the stock, I didn't even get a chance to fill a bag. 

But's here's what I did take home:
3 Dresses

Sixties launderette chic

Seventies Hippy Dippy

Eighties power dress

1 knitted tank top

2 Scarves

1 jacket* 

NOT PHOTOGRAPHED YET! (check back soon!)

*it's pink wool, was a bit big for me, so I am currently having it taken in by six inches so it's nice and fitted!
ALL THIS BOOTY FOR THE GRAND SUM of £6!!!!!! Yes £6 and it's all good quality stuff.

I've been to ALOT of vintage clothing emporiums in my time, I used to live in Brighton, home of vintage chic and I spend a lot of time in Brick Lane, the heart of vintage in London. Generally the stores are colourful, creatively decorated with retro music blaring out of speakers and the costs vary from 'that's pretty good' to 'hmmm should I really spend that much?'.

Taken from Mile End Vintage's Instagram account

Take away all the styling and fanfayre and what really matters is the clothes, and Mile End has plenty. 1/3 warehouse, 1/3 market stall and 1/3 shop, it really is a proper bargain hunter's paradise and if you have time on your hands you really can dig deep and discover incredible finds.

It's a clean and spacious setting and there are several changing rooms. The team also offer an alteration service so if the dress you find is too long or jacket not figure hugging enough they can sort that out for you. Most exciting of all though is that stock changes regularly AND they hold regular £1 sales at weekends.....including this weekend 23rd and 24th October. Which translates as buying clothes for £1. £1.

Taken from Mile End Vintage's Instagram account

There are a variety of styles from different genres and decades in stock, for guys and girls. Above are some happy shoppers from their last Pound Sale.

I called this post 'The Best Vintage Clothes Shop' in London and I believe this because going there is a proper shopping experience. 

It's not about beautifully pressed frocks hanging on lace covered hangers beside a jukebox....this is rifling through a neverending car boot sale where treasure could be anywhere. And when you  discover something you like that , there's a great sense of achievement that you don't get from ordinary shopping.

Yes there are plenty of vintage shops, markets, fairs and boutiques in London but they are so predictable. At Mile End Vintagestore however you really don't know what you'll find.

 It gets my thumbs up and I recommend making the trip here when you can. Now then, when am I next going back? *consults diary*

Mile End Vintagestore, 452-454 Robeson Street, London, E3 4JA. Follow their social media to find out about their £1 sales, next one Sat Oct 23rd and Sun Oct 24th 2015. 
Usual hours are 11am-6pm and 2pm-7pm Fridays. 
www.eastendvintageclothing.com

My Vintage Shopping Spree At Old Spitalfields Market

Three weeks ago I won a £200 shopping spree at the new Pop Up Vintage Fair, which is held at Old Spitalfields Market, London, on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

All I had to do was send a Tweet and answer the question: Why do I love Vintage?
Mine had something to do with the fact each piece is full of stories...and that it looks good on me! I was given a challenge - to spend all £200 in one day on what can only be described as one of the most exciting days of my life!!! I felt like a VIP the moment I arrived, until I left laden down with shopping four hours later.

 

First stall to catch my eye was the incredible Spark Of Vintage. The owner Nadine  (pictured) blings up vintage bags & hats with Swarovski crystals. The second I laid eyes on this case (which has the words 'Sexy Women') painted on the top, it was love at first sight and it was my first snap up of the day for £30.

I did four circuits o the market before deciding what I wanted to try on. Thankfully, unlike some markets there was a curtained changing room. The patterns on these two dresses were gorgeous but sadly they didn't fit me - vintage clothes can sometimes be made for tiny frames : (

So I opted for this fabulous felted fascinator instead (£3)

An incredible pleated collar jacket (£38) from Gin Lane Vintage

A seriously cute sweater (£20)

A fabulous printed dress that I wore last weekend (£20)

 This amazing Harris Tweed satchel (£30)

and a hippy chic printed cotton top (£12)...I know I know. I've had 3 different hairdos in the last 3 weeks....I can't explain it other than my hair has it's own life. It does what it wants when it wants!

The market also has a fabulous collection of homewares and collectables. This huge pink crocheted blanket was bought from Rare and Racy who sold the most stunning vintage cups and saucers but sadly I didn't need any. So I stuck to this prety blanket; a steal at just £10.

I've always wanted an ice-cube pineapple - it's the ultimate in kitschyness. So I decided to give this one (£18) a home after eyeing it up for a good couple of hours. I lost their card but I know these two ladies go around to fairs in a camper van selling cool stuff so look out for them!

This lady was lovely and from her stall I also bought a long red St Michaels button up top/jacket which I haven't worn yet hence the lack of pictures, a snuggly woolley hat and a couple of metres of stunning retro print fabric which she pointed out, I could make a couple of cushions from.

 

Vintage vixens won't just be spoilt for choice by the impressive range of fashion, accessories, jewellery, collectables and homewares at Pop Up Vintage. They can also get their hair done by Candy Pout. Perfect if you've got a night out ahead. Sadly my hair is too short at the mo for up-dos.

Here are my buys laid out at home, I spent every last penny and have been using nearly all of what I bought (minus the red belted dress and the fabric but that will happen soon.) I can't stop wearing my new patterned dress and have worn the jacket twice at two glamorous events, my book launch and my guest appearance at a WI meeting earlier this week.
So glad I found it, it's fitted into my life perfectly.

Here are the Need To Know dates for your diary. 

Old Spitalfields is amazing enough as it is, and regularly hosts special events. 
Pop Up Vintage Fairs is one of them. 

I know there's alot of vintage markets & fairs in the capital and it's hard knowing which ones to go to but here's why I liked this one in particular:

1. Location: Spitalfields is buzzing on a Saturday so it's not just Pop Up Vintage you can enjoy - there's all the other stalls and shops and Brick Lane is mere minutes away which makes for a perfect weekend trip.

2. Size: It's a comfortable size - sometimes vintage markets are so huge halls they feel too overwhelming. This one is compact and is not just about clothes. It's the perfect intro to Vintage for newbies.

3. Choice: Despite the size there's a good collection of stalls covering clothes, jewellery and homeware. I did feel that there was too much emphasis on garments from the 1980s rather than true vintage but I guess that was bound to happen sooner or later.

4. Stall holders: They were genuinely friendly, chatty and open to talking about their products. I didn't see a single sign which said 'No Photos' which I always find so ridiculous and off putting. In that sense it's great for bloggers!

5. Prices: I know I had vouchers so I was lucky, but it was a very affordable market - lots of brooches for £5 and plenty of bargains £10 or under. Shopping is far more pleasurable knowing you're not breaking the bank. Oh and it's free entry too!

www.OldSpitalfieldsMarket,com

On a different note it's been so nice blogging again! It's been over a month since my last post but this year as has been a tough one where time has been concerned. I finished one book and am gearing up to hand the next one in.
I miss blogging so much but several things had to go and blogging was one of them. So it's been an extra pleasure doing this one : )

How to bargain hunt at a Bootsale!

Last week at the legendary Battersea Boot Fair

(APOLOGIES: I was meant to post this on Saturday for anyone going to an Easter 
Sunday bootfair but was so busy outside in the sun I forgot, however there are also Bank Holiday Monday bootsales to explore tomorrow...)


This blog post is not a descriptive version of the TV show 'Bootsale Challenge', (quite the opposite considering I know pretty much nothing about antiques). It is a guide to going to car boots sales for people like me, who like to find treasure by rifling through other people's unwanted clutter. 


This passion dates back to as long as I can remember. My father was a keen bootsale shopper and among other things brought home an incredible vintage umbrella and exercise bike. As I was growing up I always enjoyed visiting jumble sales but it wasn't until I got to university in 1999 that I discovered the true beauty of car boot sales.


The carpark behind Brighton train station* used to house the most remarkable bootfair imaginable and it was here that I purchased many a cuddly toy (who I still love dearly), a blue guitar and endless books and CDs. During my final year of living in Brighton I lived one minute's walk from the station and this meant I was able to go every week AND get the best bargains. I once picked up a pair of 70s platforms covered in animal print velvet - before 7am! 


*(Sadly after I left, the bootsale shut down)


Having been back in London now for almost nine years trying to find a decent bootsale has been a mission, I always try and go when I'm on holiday in another part of the UKs however one of the best known in the capital is Battersea held at Battersea Technology College, Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 5AP every Sunday from 1.30-5pm, where I went last week and took these photos. (50p admission)


I can't imagine there are people who dislike bootfairs (though in reality I know this is the case - their loss!) In this respect I'm not looking to convert anyone but I hope people reading this who like a good bootsale rummage like me, will appreciate my advice: 


Do's

Gifts are good!

1. Do buy gifts
This apron will never fit me, but alas, if you're in the same situation but know someone that can give it  a home, then by all means purchase it!

Guaranteed wear!

2. Do buy something you already own that you want more of
Matt has an obsession with straw hats; his belief is you can never have too many...obviously this does have it's implications, storage especially, but it's so hard to find one's that fit properly. So, whenever he sees one he gets it, and now he has one for home, his other home, work and some spares!

Things you LOVE

3. Do buy things you love (or people you're in love with)

The tasty specimen in this photoframe is Bollywood hunk John Abraham, who low and behold, was inside a wooden frame (which the stall holder bought in India but had no idea who was inside). To find such a rare thing that only you could ever love (l'm sure 99% of all other visitors blanked this) is a personal treasure so indulge and buy!


4. Do ask
Unlike in shops car boot sales are rarely priced so if you're interested in something, decide what you think it's worth, how much you'd pay and then enquire about the price. Haggling is perfectly normal so never be afraid to negotiate. One story I'll never forget is when I bought a giant cuddly Barney the Dinosar. I walked past him so many times in awe but was convinced that because of his size, he would be out of my price range. It turned out he was 50p and has been bringing me joy for nearly a decade!


5. Do take a shopping list
Bootfairs can be so overwhelming that you often don't know where to start and as your eyes dart across the wares, you find yourself wanting things you probably can do without. Taking a shopping list of things you genuinely need will help you focus your mind.

Don'ts

Save it for later...

1. Don't buy things you won't wear
I was really drawn to this dress, it was a stunning colour but on reflection I knew I wouldn't wear it now; perhaps in another 10 years time and for this reason I left it behind. 

Looks aren't everything...

2. Don't be sucked in by displays
This was clearly the prettiest stall by far but looks aren't everything, it was ludicrously pricey whereas when you get huge boxes marked 'everything 20p' and you have to hunt around to find things, it's much more satisfying; this stall just felt like a shop. 

Seriously, are you ever going to make it?

3. Don't buy things that's don't yet exist
Ask yourself, will you actually make it, mend it, fix it???? If the answer is no, don't go near it. (The item in this photo on the other hand I will be making!!!)


4. Don't leave things too long
If you eye up a potential find buy it immediately - the good stuff does not last long and by the time you go back it will most likely have been snapped up.


5. Don't get carried away...
The worst possible scenario is that you buy so much stuff you can't carry it home...the second is that you do, but once at home your new 'thing' gets shoved in the corner and forgotten about. Don't just 'buy' because things are cheap, enjoy what you buy, love it as you would something you've paid full price for and take comfort in knowing if you do leave something behind, another customer will come along and give it a better home than you.


One more Do: check out my favourite Car Boot Sale song, 'Jumblesailing'. It was written by Brighton band Clearlake (who must have been inspired by the Brighton Bootsale)....the song has some superb lyrics like.....


'we'll be just like two millionaires going out on a spree' (exactly how I feel when I'm bootsailing)


'it won't break the bank 'cos it's only 10p'  (at Brighton bootfair lots of things were 10p but they weren't at Battersea ....ah how times have changed..)


It's a fine song and it brings back fond memories, I hope it inspires you to get to your nearest bootsale ASAP!