What a gorgeous shop! Situated in one of the more run down arcades in Leeds, Upstaged Vintage is a…read morewelcome addition to the thriving vintage scene. The thing that makes this one distinctive for me, is I could tell that the owners are very selective when buying stock. In many vintage shops, it seems evident that a large order has been delivered from wholesalers, and it doesn't always seem completely genuine. There is an old-fashioned, celebratory feel on entering the family run local business. With bunting and fairy lights decorating the place, and an iconic washing line hanging from the ceiling displaying 50's style lingerie, it feels special. I can't speak highly enough of the pieces on sale. The faux fur coats and numerous jackets are absolutely stunning. I tried on a classic pilots waistcoat and jacket. Complete with gold buttons and a stripe on the cuffs, it was beautifully tailored to fit a women. Collections of tea dresses and evening gowns from the 1930's to the 1980's adorn the interior. There is an interesting shoe section of the shop, with some truly unique pairs on show. Upstairs, there are further delights in store. It is a burlesque pin-up boutique; filled with a wide range of corsets, gloves, burlesque accessories and pin-up style lingerie. Dita Von Teese would be in her element. The woman running the shop was absolutely lovely, she was patient and attentive whilst I dithered over what to try on. There is a men's section of the shop and they also sell goods online. Although Upstaged Vintage is not in an obvious location, the treasure you uncover when discovering it, is reward in itself.

Who would have thought that tucked away in the Grand Arcade was a shop that is some kind of vintage…read moreheaven? No, not me, and so imagine my surprise to nip in the other day and discover it?! According to the guys in there people often say that they had no idea that it existed, which is really quite shameful, since it has been here for over a year! Imagine that. And all the delights that I have missed. The ground level shop space has two changing rooms, which you will need, and all the glorious vintage items that you could possibly wish for. There are beautiful eighties puffed sleeved dresses, glorious gorgeous full length coats - one in particular which was absolutely divine but sadly a size wrong for me. They also have some beautiful classy hats, gloves, scarves, shirts - you name it. It's hard to actually describe the amount of beauty within, you really must go and see it for yourself. The people in there are lovely, friendly and vintage fans themselves so you won't be short on advice either! Prices are ranging, but considering they are selling high end clothing for a fraction of the original price I would call it bargainous - investment pieces. The upstairs section also deserves a special mention in its own right. Set out as a burlesque boutique it has a number of beautiful items especially collected for ladies who perform burlesque acts. There are fitted corsets galore, of the finest quality, in a range of sizes. I couldn't sing louder about such a cool and exciting place to shop. It's beyond fancy dress in every sense of the word 'fancy', it is divine! You absolutely must visit, if only for a browse.

Now then vintage fans. I've got and ruddy done it again - sniffed out another top vintage shop with…read moremy serious retro skills. How do I do it? Goodness knows. I'm like some kind of beagle for old. Anyway, here it is. In the mini labyrinth of the old Merrion market, where foot fall seldom falls but for the odd parker who's swfitly moving on to the main meat of Leeds' shopping, there stands a quirky stall-come-shop called Antique Boutique. I'm not even sure how I found it, I believe my friends and I were in search of a café we'd heard tell of, and stumbled upon this place whilst navigating out. At first glance it appears to be a fancy dress shop, but a closer investigation of the large shop window reveals that there are vintage treats to behold as well. Of course, I went in for a nosy. It's a long thin structure, packed to the rafters with bits, and doubles up with costume, fancy dress knick-knacks and vintage clothing. Tights, the odd hat and wig, fluorescent items, and more adorn the counters whilst the larger items are hung asunder - hinting at potential outfit building. There are knits, medieval style dresses, seventies prints, tiny waist coats for wee boys, lace jackets and scarves. All manner of things and a good long browse is required - to those who both do and don't know what they're after. I walked away with a joyful rust coloured knit body warmer, for a mere fiver, and the lady was both pleasant and willing to help if I'd needed. All in all, if you're in to your quirky stylings, antique-feel clothes and a right good rummage through the jumble-jungle, this is the ruddy place. A fabulous little shop and well worth checking out by all official magpies!

It's always nice to revisit a place sometime later and find that you like it better than before…read more Today, I did just that with Best Vintage. They've had a bit of a refit on the frontage, it seems, with new signage and suchlike but I wanted to investigate further and see if that had actually changed anything inside. The answer? Yes and no. Basically, I'm a magpie. And what did I spot in their gloriously large upper Victorian window? An amazing shirt. I had to go and check it out. So, I popped in and made my way upstairs. The downstairs seems now entirely dedicated to men's fashion -a brave choice, you might think, since I'm sure that most shops would have the girly bits on ground level to attract more in. Even so, I consider it a wise choice -the girls, like myself, will likely happily venture upstairs and it lets the guys know there will be plenty for them to check out, since most vintage shops overlook or underplay the men's choices. And there really are options for guys here; a hoard of funky t-shirts, cool jeans, excellent shoes and so on. (Perhaps I'm making assumptions about shoppers, but it's my small take on what might be going on.) So, upward I went and had a pre-browse before examining the aforementioned shirt. There's a large sale rack up at present with tons of dresses. 50% off, if you make it in time, which is quite the saving. Amongst the dresses were many different enticing colours and styles, all very vintage. Some of them had a bit of staining, which is unfortunate, but the nature of a second hand browse I have come to learn. As ever, the thing that hadn't changed was the pricing. I think some of it was a little steep, but then I am an honourary Yorkshire, so this penny-pinching may be learned behaviour. That being said, the range was pretty good and I'm certainly going to be back for a second look at the amazing display of beaded and glittery dresses and tops -honestly, I'm not sure I've seen so many in one place. There are plenty of other bits to gander at too. A plethora of fluffy jumpers, totally 80s style, boots and other knick-knacks. (Their jewellery on the other hand was pretty well priced!) But -to the shirt. I asked the chap if he could tell me the price, and he couldn't see the label so guessed at around £35-40. Hmmm, that seemed a little much to me. In any case, he offered to take it off the mannequin so I could try it, and after making sure that this would be ok since I might not buy it, he reassured me and fetched it down. It was a perfect fit, and as a total bonus, the label in fact said £25. Now that's a price I could pay for a one off beaded lemon yellow delight. Perhaps it was as I'd just saved fifteen quid in my head from his original price, but for a very delicate and unique piece, I think the amount was just right. (So obviously, I bought it.) At the till the chap was lovely, and one of the other lads commented on what an awesome shirt it was, so we had a great wee natter too. Basically, the staff must be new(er) as they're SO much friendlier than before. Awesome. They're ace, essentially. The best bit? Apparently a lot of girls had come in before and tried the shirt, none being brave enough to wear it. What an utter shame - ladies, be brave and wear something dazzling with pride! I'm sure you'd have looked fabulous. However, you'll have to find another glittered beauty, as the glory of this baby is all mine! Muh hah hah! (In short: check them out!)

avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store…read more so today i was in there with some frends and purchased what was sold as levis when i got back home i noticed they were primark!!!!! i paid a lot of money for these and to find out they are some nasty used primark is bare joke!!!!! do not shop here, i think they sell many fakes and pretend they are proper brands! i am going back next week to demand my money back!!!! avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store. avoid this store.

Finding a, um, 'Space', like this in Harrogate was a pretty strange experience really. Like walking…read moreon the moon. I saw it as I walking by and gravity went from underneath me, I got all bouncy in my step and bounded in - eager to forage for some vintage delights. Bargain vintage delights. In Harrogate? This is new. I didn't find bargain vintage delights. Rather expensive vintage delights. Very expensive vintage delights. You want £28 for a set of old cups? Oh right, I see. You're really vintage. Oooh. Oooooh. A new oooooh. You've got copies of The Face. I was never a cool enough early teen to be into The Face. I wish the face still existed. Oooooh. There's a copy here with The Strokes on the front. You want a fiver for it? Not a quid? Ah. Right. This place knows it has novelty value in Harrogate. And while it might spout about being an independent collective of vintage 'retailers', what would be a very enjoyable haberdashery of all nice, cute old things comes off feeling a bit too retail-based. We'll see how this one pans out.

I love this shop. All sorts of yesteryear nick-nacks…read more Shops like this have received a little bit of attention of late because they are selling the collectable stuff people hope to find in charity shops. The interesting bits you used to find in charity shops find a home here and the place does well. What's more the really knowledgeable guy who runs it is a great to spend some time with as he comes across a great deal more than can fit onto this Tardis-like shop. It's a wonderful place to browse in, but, as another reviewer said, don't expect charity shop prices as a lot of this stuff is now quite hard to find, and is priced accordingly.

It used to be PDSA, I think, and it was a vintage charity shop before, but the guys at Sue Ryder…read morehave done an incredible job of making this charity shop a consistently excellent source of vintage goods. When ever I'm in Headingley I pop in, no matter what schedule I'm on, as there's always a quick, amazing bargain to be had. I love their window displays -- they always catch my eye, and more than once I've bought something from the mannequin. If you're in any way a fan of vintage clothing, this place has to be on your list of spots to have a browse. As well as great threads (often with really ace old school labels or handmade items) they have some really great antique bric a brac -- leather handbags, scarves, ornaments, crockery, records, sewing machines, and all sorts. The staff are always lovely too! If you're about town, pop in and have a rummage. It's a feel-good buy all round!

I stumbled across Pop Boutique after visiting the haberdashery right next to it. I was surprised to…read moresay the least. Cute little woollen skirts and check shirts seemed to be the running trend. Along with lots of lurex and sparkles! A lot of the clothes here are recycled, hence their motto - recyclable fashion! The fitting rooms are plastered with cool band photos and pin ups advertising burlesque evenings. I bought a shirt and a skirt from here and can't wait to wear them. Different and affordable with lovely, polite staff. 5 stars from me!

Pop Boutique is one of that strange breed of shop that seems to market itself as a 'vintage' yet…read morestocks entirely new clothing, cut from new textiles in designs vaguely inspired by vintage clothing. There are a few genuine vintage finds in here, but they seem to be getting fewer and farther between as the stock leans more and more towards the new. Put aside any qualms over the label 'vintage', however, and you'll find that Pop Boutique is a fine addition to the pile of central Leeds clothes shops, and while its cute tea dresses and floral skirts may not be originals from the 1950s they're still different - and cheaper - than anything you might find on the high street.

Big thanks to Gab behind the counter, super sweet and helped me get all fitted up for cowboy night…read moreim going to!!

Ingeniously situated in one of Leeds' most bohemian and effortlessly cool areas, Hyde Park, Retro…read moreBoutique provides customers with vintage items from many eras with which to wear and furnish. Like any retro shop, you have to root around for ages before you find anything worth buying, and sometimes you won't find anything worth purchasing at all. There are heaps of clothes on offer, but they are more geared towards women than men, which is a bit disappointing if you have a Y chromosome. Unlike most of the other vintage shops in Leeds, however, this place does offer plenty of quirky items of furniture as well as its clothing selection. So if you're a woman, or in need of some bizarre bric-a-brac, I'd recommend Retro Boutique. If, like me, however, you want to find a 1980s Adidas tracktop, I'd recommend Blue Rinse in town.

Oh my word. This shop has a 100% sale record with my every visit - does that demonstrate a serious…read morelack of control on my part? Maybe. Does that mean they have some excellent second-hand high end to low end brand labels? Definitely. Let me explain. It's Horsforth. It's New Road Side, and there's a lovely run of little shops along the road. Along one end you'll see Sophie's Choice snugly tucked in between a couple of establishments, and when you spot it, you must go inside. For starters, the staff. They've always been really lovely. If you want a bit of advice because your male housemate is useless at giving a fashion-related opinion, call on the ladies that work there. Secondly, the clothes are simply great. I've no idea where they source their items, but as I mentioned previously, there's simply a myriad of labels. More importantly, the clothes are really different. Whilst labels aren't something that I worry about, per se, being told I'd picked up a dress that was featured in Vogue for only £49 seems like a true bargain to me. And I left feeling super smugly fashionable to boot. Thirdly, the prices are excellent. I've bought a wee jacket here for £15, and new shoes as well. Dresses seem to range from a tenner upward, though I'd not seen any more that about £70 so you know it won't break the bank to find a real gem either. The only slight issue is that the odd item is marked -I saw one with those fatal deoderant marks, but that is to be expected of second hand items here and there. In any case, it's a fantastic little shop and I'm only glad I don't come to Horsforth more often - I'd be broke! One final note: they're old school and don't have a card machine! Never fear though, there's an ATM just down t' road.

I really want to know what happened when they were naming this place. Seriously, did the owner just…read morethink it sounded familiar from somewhere? Or is it actually appropriate these days to name a dress agency after a book about the holocaust? I concede, or at least hope, that the owner simply wasn't aware of the implications of the name, as this shop is actually a nice idea. You can come here and hire posh outfits for parties, ideal if you don't want to spend £100 on a wedding outfit you'll never wear again. They've got everything from M&S to designer names, and outfits and accessories to suit a range of budgets. It's just a shame they're either poorly read or have a rather macabre sense of humour.

Hasseen exclusive wear is just one of the many sari shops on and around Roundhay Road. It stands…read moreout for me because it has some exceptionally beautiful elaborately beaded garments which seem to be of a higher quality and level of detail than the pieces in many of the other sari shops. Some of them really are gorgeous, in vibrant gem colours with intricate patterns of gold and silver beads painstakingly sewn in. It would be worth a visit just to drool over them even if you don't intend to buy anything. The most elaborate garments are suitably more expensive than their less-detailed counterparts, with a very elaborate tunic top selling for £85.Though I'd be worried if it sold for any less considering the work that must have gone into it! If you want to experience the real beauty of traditional South Asian fashion then I would highly recommend Hasseen.