Been there readers recommend their favourite places to stock up on retro outfits and vintage pieces, in the UK and abroadUK AND IRELANDWinning tip: The House of Avalon, YorkThis shop is full of quirky surprises. After picking through a stunning array of vintage gear, from gorgeous tea dresses to sparkling handbags and headgear, you can enjoy tea and cake in the cafe, where classic films are projected on to a screen. You can also get your hair styled into a retro do. The shop is a project of the Avalon Group, which provides work opportunities to people with learning disabilities. Apillay? 5 High Petergate (+44 (0)1904 622055, thehouseofavalon.org.uk)W Armstrong & Son, EdinburghW Armstrong & Son (founded in 1840) on the Grassmarket is the heart of Edinburgh vintage. It has room after room filled with genuine military uniforms and jackets and 1940s fancy dress, complete with trunkfuls of top hats, wigs and Venetian masks. Other vintage gems can also be found at shops along Teviot Place and Frederick Street.Lucejane ? 81-83 Grassmarket (+44 (0)131 220 5557, armstrongsvintage.co.uk)Vintage Warehouse, NottinghamA big vintage emporium with loads of cool clothes. It is fairly jumble sale-like and requires a good trawl, but I've acquired some great finds here. There is a �1 bargain pit with some nice materials if you rummage. Even if you don't buy anything, it's a fascinating place to wander around.Lottieback? 82-84 Lower Parliament Street, +44 (0)7578 763873 Southsea, PortsmouthThere's a selection of vintage shops in the Albert Road area. Start with Tango Tea's flapper and art deco collection then on to Style in the City and the One-Eyed Jockey with clothes from the 1970s or, for a real 1950s feel, step into Dead Man's Glory and bop to skiffle music while riffling through the rails.JayDee25? albertroad.insouthsea.co.ukThe Real McCoy, ExeterTucked away at the end of the kitsch McCoy's Arcade is the even more kitsch The Real McCoy. With its baby pink colour scheme and 50s cafe to entice you in, the shop is an archetypal Aladdin's Cave. Gorgeous replica clothes, real vintage coats, waistcoats, pyschedelic 60s dresses and evening wear are scattered everywhere, and on the second floor you'll find leather jackets, jeans, fancy dress, and famous band T-shirts. Teenagers love it for prom wear. I love it for the hot chocolate in the cafe after a spending spree.JillCarolineB? Fore St, 21/21 McCoy's Arcade, +44 (0)1392 410481 therealmccoy.co.uk CorinaCorina, WarwickThey take original vintage pieces, rescue, re-work and update them to create unique one-off garments. They also source and sell gorgeous, wearable vintage, everything from 1940s clothes to 1970s leathers and retro items.Girldoesvintage? 37 Smith St, +44 (0)1926 400087, corinacorina.comUnicorn Vintage Clothing, OxfordStep into Unicorn and you will find yourself standing in roughly three square feet of floor space, surrounded by piles upon piles of untamed clothing. You will soon be greeted by a helpful lady who, once you have requested an item, will dive - quite literally - into the realms of clothes and nearly always return (sometimes a considerable while later) brandishing the said item, be it bodice or brogues.Gcahill? 5 Ship StreetThe Assembly Rooms, LancasterA vast range of second-hand clothes sold from a number of stalls under the one roof. From Bebe Babette Costumiere for rent or to purchase period clothing, to the wall-to-wall madness that is Malcolm's Place.Andrew42? King StreetThe Northern Quarter, ManchesterVintage addicts should head to the Northern Quarter for their daily dose. The number of vintage shops here has blossomed in recent years, with shops catering for all tastes. For girly, try Retro Rehab; for bargain basement go to Ryan Vintage. Those feeling altruistic have Oxfam Originals or for full on, whacked out craziness head to American Graffiti. Not to mention many more hidden backstreet gems. Failing that head straight to Afflecks Palace - possibly the world's only punk/goth/vintage/alternative department store.BettyK? Retro Rehab, Oldham Sreet, +44 (0)161 839 2050; Ryan Vintage, 46 Oldham Street, +44 (0)161 228 1495; Oxfam Originals, 51 Oldham Street, +44 (0)161 839 3160; American Graffiti, 10-14 Hilton Sreet, +44 (0)161 228 3677; Afflecks Palace, 52 Church Street, +44 (0)161 839 0718, afflecks.comUrban Village, BirminghamA fantastic vintage shop selling all sorts of quirky, cool and often mad wares from days gone by. There is also an excellent accessories and home section. Located in Digbeth's old Bird's Custard Factory, now a thriving centre for artists, designers and creators of all genres.Cosmicgirl1600? The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth, +44 (0)121 224 7367, urban-village.co.ukDing Dong Vintage, DurhamA classy jam-packed vintage store in the heart of Durham City. Many vintage designer pieces and friendly staff.HeatherJaneSteeley? 45 The Gates, Durham City, +44 (0)7887 536409Fur Coat No Knickers, LondonFur Coat No Knickers is a vintage wedding dress shop in Kingly Court just off Carnaby Street. The dresses are mostly 40s and 50s pieces altered to fit by two girls who spent years in West End theatre fitting actors and actresses.117words? Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, +44 (0)20 7734 4338, furcoatnoknickers.co.uk Rellik, LondonMy wardrobe is crammed with vintage and I love the fact each piece has its own secret story of previous lives and mistresses. There are so many great, low-cost vintage shops in London, but if you are searching for something special (with a price tag to match) then this tip is for you!Rellik stands on its own down the end of Golborne Road, as if it's been snubbed by its Portobello peers. You will discover rail upon rail of designer names and high-quality pieces - a sleek 50s Dior suit, or some vintage Vivienne Westwood. It's all scandalously glamorous but also surprisingly wearable. And as you pass over your credit card you can relieve yourself of retail guilt by remembering that buying vintage means you can be more ethical while enjoying your individuality. As my mother would say as she trawls the charity shops: "second hand has soul".Emsdarling? 8 Golborne Road, +44 (0)20 8962 0089, relliklondon.co.ukRadio Days, LondonIf you wanted a time machine - you've found it. Radio Days sells more than just clothes - packed with all sorts of collectible items, you could stock up on everything you might need to move back in time, from magazines through cups to clothing. As well as being wonderfully laid out, the staff/owners are extremely friendly and interesting and the stock is carefully chosen. It's a real experience.Ladylouise62? 87 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, +44 (0)20 7928 0800, radiodaysvintage.co.ukPoppy Valentine, NorwichAmazing clothing and handbags made from genuine vintage fabrics.Flightydan? 11 Royal Arcade, +44 (0)1603 928802, poppyvalentine.com Bedlam, Derry, Northern IrelandCome here Thursday to Sunday to find really great retro pieces. A variety of different stall-holders trade in this fabulous shop, located in the basement of an old 19th-century library, selling vintage clothes and furniture to antiques and lamps.Elgee73? Old Library, Great James StreetEnchanted Vintage, Co Sligo, IrelandEnchanted Vintage's San Franciscan owner Victoria really knows her stuff. Clothes, bags, shoes, hats, jewellery, even wedding gowns, are sourced from America and the UK, and Victoria can tell you the history of each item. She guides you to colours and cuts to suit your shape, and accessories to match. Her knowledge and enthusiasm make her a real asset. There is a wonderful website, but nothing beats rifling through the racks yourself. I was looking for a unique dress for an important ball, and snapped up a beautiful green and gold gown (very Irish, I know) for ?120. No danger of bumping into someone wearing the same thing! Pre-ball, I went to meet up with friends in a local Dublin pub, and got stopped multiple times on the way there by strangers who wanted to know where I had bought my dress. I told them it was from a shop in Sligo, but assured them all it was well worth the drive.Sinead2502? Benbulben Centre, Rathcormac, +353 71 914 6680, vintageclothing.ie EUROPEGarage, Berlin, GermanyI can't recommend this shop enough. Floral dresses, retro college jumpers, patterned leggings, and jeans, jeans, jeans! I found a pair of perfectly fitting Levi's for ?7. They charge ?14 a kilo on much of their stock. My sister and I spent a good couple of hours there because we were spoilt for choice and had limited luggage space. Ellieetc? Ahornstra�e 2, Sch�neberg, +49 30 2112760Episode Vintage, Amsterdam, NetherlandsThe London branch of this shop is nothing compared with this one, which focuses on the 70s and 80s. For girls looking for sequins it's paradise; guys wanting tapered trousers or casual flannel will be just as pleased.Rkswaine? Waterlooplein 1, Old Centrum area or Berenstraat 1, Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) area, episode.eu/splash.jspDe 9 straatjes (the 9 little streets), AmsterdamIn the city centre, between the Singel and the Prinsengracht and behind the Royal Palace, are nine little streets dotted with interesting shops, galleries, places to eat, and the best vintage shops. I love Laura Dols for fabulous party dresses for the ladies and classic dinner jackets and morning suits for the gents. You can pick up a pair of gloves there for ?5 or an 80s ballroom dancing dress for ?100. For vintage day wear my favourite places are Zipper and Exota. Zipper stocks original synthetic sports clothing as well as leather jackets and jeans with prices ranging from ?10 to ?100. Exota does great floral dresses in the ?50 price bracket.augustevp? de9straatjes.nl; Laura Dols on Wolvenstraat (lauradols.nl); Zipper (zipperstore.nl) and Exota (exota.com), both on Hartenstraat. AND BEYOND ...Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, USThe whole area around Williamsburg's Bedford Avenue ? the home of many New York hipsters ? has so much affordable vintage on offer that many shops sell it off the footpath - a cheap way to buy vintage clothes and the stuffy musky smell of most thrift stores is not an issue. Emigood? Bedford AvenueRed Light Vintage Clothing, Seattle, USThis place is seriously amazing ? I was so overwhelmed by the array of clothes, I had to go three times. They have designer pieces, costumes for fancy dress and even clothes from the turn of the 20th century. I think you could buy something for any occasion.nic12? 312 Broadway Avenue East (+1 206 329 2200, redlightvintage.com)Ziggurat Fashion Emporium, Wellington, New ZealandA great selection of vintage clothing, shoes and accessories plus rails of more recent second hand New Zealand designer labels. Outies? 144 Cuba Street, +64 4 385 1077Shopping tripsFashionShoppingGuardian readersguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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