I must admit that I have never really been into buying second hand (vintage) clothes. Not sure why apart from I like the idea that I am buying ‘fresh’, though that doesn’t really hold up as most clothes we buy have probably been tried on by someone before us in the changing room.
My husband is a huge fan of eBay and kept going on about the bargains to be had, so I decided to take look for myself. Not for one second did I think I would find anything. How wrong I was.
In the last few weeks I have bought some stunning Vivienne Westwood ( my fave designer as you’re probably well aware) for a fraction of the retail cost and I love all the pieces as much as if they were brand new.
I sell many of my unwanted clothing to a dress agency called Circles. When I went in yesterday Sue Albright, the owner, showed me a fabulous Roland Mouret trouser suit with the Net-A-Porter price tags still intact. For £150, I have something that not only looks fabulous but has saved me well in excess of £1000. I know she also has some Westwood jackets but, unfortunately, they were too large for me. Circles has lots of great stock and the shop floor is in the process of being extended, so providing you with an even better to bag some great bargains. Circles – 01733 242539.
Another local agency, Arch, got a fabulous write up in the Sunday Times Style magazine last week. Known more for its designer shoes and bags, they have an online store so well worth a look if you don’t live nearby.
http://www.archlabelagency.com/catalog/information.php?info_id=9
Sly, is another Stamford based dress agency that also houses some great stock. It’s just off the main street leading into the town from the George Hotel, so be careful you don’t miss it.
The great thing about buying vintage is you are doing your bit for the planet too. ‘Waste not want not’, as my mum used to say. I’ve even managed to customise a couple of my purchases (this is where you need a good seamstress to support you) and that ticks ALL my boxes about authenticity and uniqueness.
December 15th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Great article. Like you I too was adverse to buying second hand. I do nearly all of my shopping on line these days and stumbled across an online dress agency called Designer Desires, unlike the Arch store you can purchase directly whilst browing, I have been over the moon with my purchases from them which have all come divinely packaged. On top of which they have also sold a number of my own unwanted designer items. Certainly worth adding to your favourites. Happy shopping. L x
December 18th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I’ve been seeing this trend recently also, especially with students (on student budgets) purchasing vintage clothing. One established businesswoman in our area also sells back her clothes. You’ve definitely got a point about authenticity! How much less likely you are to show up to an event wearing the same thing as someone else.