Week 4 - Vintage Treasure Troves in Bath

If you love vintage or retro fashion finds, look no further for some tips on the best places to stock up on a day out shopping in Bath. 

If you can time your visit between 25^th March and 1^st April, you can grab some great discounts and get tickets for some great fashion events too as it is Bath Fashion week.  Visit bathinfashion.co.uk to book. Some designer greats are hosting shows, talks and workshops, including Bath dweller, Manolo Blahnik, Amanda Wakeley and top stylist to models such as Kate Moss - Rebekah Roy.

Tweeds for the country couple

So back to Baths' vintage retail offerings.  Working forwards in time, the most longstanding vintage resident in Bath has to be Vintage to Vogue which has a stunning collection of women’s and men’s garments, antiques and shoes dating way back from late 1800’s/early 1900’s through to flapper dresses, 50’s prom dresses and Sherlock style tweeds.  The staff are friendly, helpful and know their vintage.

Scarlet Vintage www.scarletvintage.co.uk  tucked away on Queen Street is a real find.  With flapper dresses from the 20’s, more recent joys from Biba or Pucci and spotted today, a luxurious floor-length black velvet cloak from the 1930’s – very Scottish widow!  The owner is an ex-air hostess who did the London to LA haul where she found some of her fabulous designer pieces.  Staff are really helpful and called me months after I’d asked them to locate me a vintage Hermes scarf with the perfect one -  in the very periwinkle blues I’d requested. My last birthday present to myself!

 

Similarly, Heaven’s Bazaar, again off the main drag on St Margaret’s Buildings, is a feast for the eye with lots of fantastic vintage paste and dress jewellery. Gorgeous lizard bags and beautiful Dior scarves nestle alongside some vintage dresses and many more current second hand designer bits – Prada shoes, Miu Miu and Gucci, to name a few I’ve coveted.

Bringing us slightly more up to the present day, Mint, beautifully laid out and the clothes in immaculate condition, sells high end designer second hand clothing.  Buyer and blogger, the flower girl, www.theflowergirlblog.com has an excellent eye and I have had my beady eye on dresses by Valentino, Herve Leger and a vintage Coach bag, as well as some pre-loved Burberry trenches.

Check out those 50's lampshades!

Black and White lends more of a nod to the retro with some great pieces of 50’s furniture and prints rubbing alongside contemporary and old second hand fashion .  High street brands sit together with some great designer pieces, as long as the clothing is in good condition and marketable.

The Yellow Shop on Walcot Street is also a Bath old timer.  Full of second and retro denim, 80’s plastic hoops and some great Nordic knits, the Yellow shop has great second hand cowboy boots as well as pretty floral dresses sold as new.

Finally, bling it all up with some fabulous beads and paste from Bath's Guildhall Market. This hidden vintage jewellery concession is a riot of colour for the senses and at reasonable prices too.

Tip of the Week:  From 24^th March until 8^th May, the Holbourne Museum is hosting an exquisite display of hats curated by and sourced from Stephen Jones’ own collection.  Don’t miss out.

Next Week:  Fit in Bath – in honour of last Sunday’s Bath Half Marathon!