One of my favourite purchases this year (and by no coincidence, one of my favourite outfit posts) was this fabulous canary-yellow vintage skirt. I was bitten by the vintage bug and I’ve been seeking out vintage sales ever since so I thought I’d share what I’ve learned so far…

1) Vintage shopping can be a tall shoppers heaven. The added length of yester-year’s dresses/skirts makes them perfect for those of us who are long and leggy. (Waist-height can still be tricky but it’s amazing what you can find if you’re prepared to rummage through the rails.) It’s also the perfect way to nail throw-back fashions like the current 70’s trends.

2) It’s about more than just the clothes. It’s a costume-jewellery paradise (I’ve never seen so many sparkly things in one place) and perfect if you’re looking for a one-off piece of furniture.

3) It pays to think about your underwear in advance of your shopping expedition. Most vintage sales have make-shift changing booths so make sure you’re covered just in case. At the last vintage sale I went to one of the booths was no more than a wicker screen…

4) There is always cake. I don’t know why but every vintage sale I’ve attended has had a cute little tea-and-cake cafe running in the corner. Which suits me just fine. The added bonus is that you can usually buy the seat you’re sitting on if it takes your fancy.

5) Do your research beforehand. Most vintage sales are one-off or annual events so it helps to follow vintage stores online to see where they’ll be showcasing their wares next. I’ve included some links below to get you started!

Vintage at Manchester Cathedral – Manchester (pictured below)
Pear Mill Vintage Emporium – Stockport
Rif Raf Furniture – Manchester
The Vintage Village – Stockport
Nells Loft – Liverpool
Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair – Newcastle
The Vintage Furniture Flea – London
Portobello Road – London
Judy’s Vintage Fair – Various locations and dates