As a teenager during the 80’s I strove to create several authentic “looks” from the 60’s and would source clothes from every outlet available – ranging from second hand garments that required alterations and repairs through to tailored items made from my own selected materials and designs.
Before Top Man, Next and River Island took over the high streets and shopping centres in the mid-80’s traditional gents-outfitters and department stores were the staple – but hardly the stockists for what 1 required – my local high street did include a couple of fashion (boutiques?) but again neither really catered for my needs.
I regularly searched second hand shops in Edmonton, Tottenham and Walthamstow but the best outlets for vintage clothing that I knew of (at 14/15) were Flip located near Covent Garden and Johnsons who were located in Kensington Market and on the Kings Road. Also, the Robot (later known as Merc) upstairs in the Carnaby Street flea market was worth a visit.
I don’t have any interest in vintage clothing nowadays although I did recently bid on ebay for a 1985 Style Council tour t-shirt – although I was scared off once the price rose above £30.