A girl's guide to vintage

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 11:20

IT was her grandmother's coat which began it all for Lynne McCrossan. Sandy brown fur, with a silk purple lining and bracelet sleeves. Sitting like a museum piece in her mother's wardrobe, it captivated the young Lynne's imagination.

"My grandmother died before I was born," she explains. "But that coat seems to say so much about her personality.

"That's when I started to get really interested in clothes which had a history and a story behind them."

As a West Coast girl, Lynne's first forages were in the Barras Market in Glasgow, but her love of vintage continued to grow when she moved to the Capital as a teenager.

It was a passion which ended up being combined with necessity when she was made redundant twice last year from the now defunct radio station Talk 107, where she had worked as both a presenter and producer.

Now she's putting her expertise to good use and writing a book: Vintage: The recessionista's guide to reshuffling her cabinet, a UK-wide look at where to buy the best pre-loved clothes and accessories. But despite her extensive trawls throughout the country for her research, the 25-year-old still reckons the Capital is one of the best places to shop for second-hand special finds. "I love shopping for vintage in New York and Prague, but there is no place like Edinburgh," she insists.

Her tips for second-hand shopping include looking for clothes made in the 80s or earlier – it was the 1990s which really saw the introduction of cheap, poorer quality mass goods. And keep an eye out for anything cut on the bias, which was far more common in times past and is a style which tends to flatter most. Charity shops do tend to be cheaper than vintage stores – but not that much these days, Lynne says.

"It's very rare to find something special these days – and you have to look through a lot of junk. When you go vintage shopping, everything has been hand-picked so you know you're getting quality."

According to Lynne, the best clusters of charity shop are found from Gorgie Road to Dalry Road; on Morningside Road; on St John's Road in Corstorphine; in Deanhaugh Street in Stockbridge; from George IV Bridge to South Clerk Street; and on Easter Road. But if it's vintage you're after, here is Lynne's guide to the best vintage shopping in the city.

OCCASION WEAR

Top of Lynne's list is Herman Brown on West Port. "Its dark wooden floors, sash windows and high ceilings give the feeling of stepping into someone's very elaborate dressing room," she enthuses. "The railings are sensibly split from tops to dresses, from suits to coats. The shoes and belts sit beside the cash desk, which itself straddles a Pandora's box of costume jewellery. On the tables in the middle of the room you can rummage through scarves and hats to your heart's content."

Prices range from a recession-proof 20 to 60 for dresses, although special items are considerably more.

Anyone who knows anything about vintage in Edinburgh knows of Armstrongs, the Edinburgh institution on Grassmarket. But according to Lynne, its reputation is fully deserved and it's well worth a visit and a rummage. "There's an Alice In Wonderland charm to it, of pure fantasy, decadence and excess. It's an assault on the senses.," she says.

Look out in particular, she adds, for its fabulous prom dresses – although she warns she finds this store veering towards the more expensive, with prices starting at around 40 for a dress.

EVERYDAY WEAR

Everyday definitely doesn't equal ordinary at Godiva, located on a narrow street at the foot of the Grassmarket – its amazing range of styles from different decades means there are stunning and individual clothes for every possible occasion.

"When you first arrive you get that 'kid in a candy store' feeling," says Lynne. "Everything is heavenly, from the Victorian cornicing to the gilded mirrors, not to mention the clothes."

Lynne recommends looking out for the knitwear in particular. Prices average at around 30 for a dress.

Under the same ownership as Armstrongs is The Rusty Zip on Teviot Place. "They have a good range of 70s gear, particular dresses for everyday wear," says Lynne. "A good range of classic gear at realistic prices."

JEWELLERY

There's some fabulous costume pieces out there, according to Lynne, if you know where to look. One of her favourites is Unicorn Antiques on Dundas Street. "This shabby-chic basement is host to all manner of trinkets from light fixtures to mirrors, but it's the costume jewellery in here that is truly delightful." Prices start from just 1 and it's great for beads.

Lynne also recommends the curiously named Antiques and Curious Cabaret on West Port – , look out for the rings, which start from 25-30, and the silver.

And while Threadbare on Broughton Street showcases the best of vintage, from back to the 1920s as well as collections from new designers, Lynne reckons the vintage-looking brooches are the biggest draw. "Threadbare is the bonniest, bijou basement, one of my favourites in the city."

BAGS

While Joey D at 54 Broughton Street recycles all manner of clothing and unusual materials, turning them into bespoke pieces – his client list includes Kimberly Stewart and Paris Hilton – Lynne reckons it's his handbags above all that make the store worth a visit. However, the designer bespoke element makes this a bit more of a pricey experience.