Circa Vintage - Fulham Road

The total antithesis of mass-produced, high-street fashion stores, Circa Vintage is a real one-off. Stocking an impressive range of antique garments, from billowing 30s chiffon creations to lung-compressing Victorian corsets, this is the place to come for something truly distinct that looks and feels fantastic. A fantastic place to browse, it almost feels like a museum to fashion, any real lover of clothing will find it hard to leave without indulging in at least one design classic.

Circa Vintage Clothes

64 Fulham High Street

SW6 3LQ

Rag&Bow Sale this Saturday (7th August)

Rag&Bow are having another wondrous vintage market this Saturday (7th August) at Kensal Green for a specatcular summer sale.

Paradise By Way of Kensal Green

19 Kilburn Lane

Kensal Green

W10 4AE

(12 - 5pm)

Alfie's Antique Market

I've been hearing for many months now the wonders that this place holds and I finally managed to find the time to gander through this fabulous haven of old, antique, vintage and glamour.

As I walked into the discreet entrance on Church Street I found myself in Tin Tin Collectables, a boutique of period costumes and accessories. It throws the browser back to the 19th and early 20th Century theatre and fashion world with old props and masks, make-up cases and fans, it is crammed full of exquisite memories.

This is how I started my adventure and I ended with probably the most sensational vintage boutique The Girl Can't Help It which focuses on mid 20th century American vintage. Think Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, gowns, slippers, everything you've always wanted to try on... and you can! Prices range from the small to the large but give yourself enough time cause there is a lot there and although it is well organised you certainly don't want to be caught short with a dinner date across town...

Alfie's Antique Market

18 - 25 Church Street

Marylebone

London

NW8 8DT

www.alfiesantiques.com

ADvintaged - Wimbledon

It's not very often that I walk into a shop and not want to leave, as much as I love fashion I am surprisingly impatient when it comes to clothe finding. However, not only did I refuse to leave this shop when my housemate started to fidget I almost squeezed out a cheeky tear being surrounded my such beauty.

Said shop is in Wimbledon village, newly opened and a haven to all who want to purchase original dresses, hats, shoes, gloves from the the 1920s and up. Prices for dresses start from around £30 all the way up to £750 (an original 1950s Dior, gulp) so if you find yourself in the area please please please go and take a look, or just take a peek online.

ADvintaged

15 High Street

Wimbledon

SW19 5DX

www.ADvintaged.com

Online Vintage... Mmmmm

If you haven't got the time to trawl the markets every weekend well now you don't have to as the clever-clogs at pretaportabello have put everything online. From vintage goodies to young design talent there's even a Let's Trade section where you can haggle from your sofa.

www.pretaportobello.com

House of Magic

Held in a secret location (revealed when you book), Lady Gaga has performed in this house of horrors. Open to the public one night a month, tickets buys you dinner, a fortune-teller reading and a one-off magic show from illusionist, Simon Drake. There's also drinking and dancing until 1am. Magic.

Website

Stoke Newington

Who'd've thought that the hidden away village of Stoke Newington could hold such delights?

As I was badly coping with a hangover from the underworld I stumbled across a plethora of vintage shops, tea rooms, book havens, record treasure troves and antique jungles and soon my troubles extinguished. Not only did I purchase a fabulous 1970s Dorothy Perkins maxi dress the colour of faded sienna I munched away my troubles in their organic cafes on Stoke Newington Church Street. If you get the time check out the old grave yard on the other side of the road... a treasure trove of wildlife and past lives.

Ribbons & Taylor