Acres of rich pickings at Beyond Retro

Vintage has become a fashion buzzword. It adds an edge to your wardrobe, whether you wear it head to toe or mix it up and it never fails to make a unique style statement. The great thing about vintage pieces is that they have history and character. Then there’s the pleasure of quietly knowing that no-one else will look like you. Vintage has taken Europe by storm and there are great vintage shops to be found across the continent. No idea where to start? Then the RIH definitive guide to Europe’s vintage emporiums is for you.

London: A Treasure Trove

Of all Europe’s capitals, London has the most going for it in terms of vintage finds. From Portobello Road to Camden Market, there are thousands of square feet of the city dedicated to great quality vintage. If you’ve got a heavy purse and a fair amount of caffeine inside you, then head for Brick Lane in the Shoreditch area. Rows upon rows of vintage boutiques are hidden in little nooks and crannies so keep your eyes peeled. Your first stop however has to be Beyond Retro on Cheshire Street. A 5,000sqft warehouse, it’s packed with racks upon racks of vintage garments. And 10 years after opening, it’s still London’s largest and most diverse vintage store. An East End institution worshipped by stylists, if you’re in the mood for a rummage you’ll find a bargain here as it’s renowned for its extremely reasonable pricing. There’s also the chance to rifle through clothes spanning decades while listening to live music if you visit on a Saturday.

If you’re after a classic, then Annie’s Vintage in Islington’s Camden Passage is your next stop. The fashion set adore this boutique; Kate Moss and the late Alexander McQueen among others, have looked to this place for inspiration. With a window display reminiscent of My Fair Lady, you will find plenty of investment pieces. Think delicate dresses, feather capes and embroidered shawls. Most items are sourced from markets in and around Paris and each comes with its own little story.

Paris: Luxe Label Heaven

Not much comes cheap in Paris, so don’t expect to pay peanuts for French vintage. There are hundreds of boutiques specialising in vintage all over Paris, so save time by sticking to three key areas: the Marais, Palais Royale, and the Left Bank. If you’ve got plenty of cash, head to the appointment only boutique, Quidam de Revel, in the northern Marais.

Expect to find vintage from the 1920s to 1970s, with ready to wear and haute couture available to buy or rent. Labels include France’s biggest-hitters including Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Balmain. If you thought Quidam de Revel was impressive, then your next stop is Didier Ludot in the Palais Royale. A remarkable vintage collection spread throughout three shops (couture, accessories and prêt-a-porter), the boutique’s collection is to die for and lives up to its reputation as ‘the king of Parisian vintage’. A long weekend in Paris will also give you enough time to visit the Left Bank and the boutique Les Trois Marches de Catherine B. The store sells a range of vintage clothes but is famous for its selection of bags and accessories. Expect to be style blinded by the enormous collection boasting designers such as Chanel and Hermes to name but a few. For something a little less expensive, check out one of Paris’ busy fleamarkets. Lots of rummaging is required, but you’re certain to come away with a bargain.

Stockholm: Bargain Boutiques

Stockholm is the city for those on a real bargain hunt. Although Stockholm is a fairly expensive city to visit, second hand shopping here, like Barcelona, isn’t particularly popular so prices are substantially lower than in London and Paris. The area to be seen in is Soderhalm, a bohemian neighbourhood in southern Stockholm dotted with second-hand stores. The choice is improving but the name you really need to circle in your guidebook is Lisa Larsson. Open for more than twenty years, the boutique’s small space is crammed with racks of floaty dresses and sequinned blouses. A firm favourite with Stockholm fashionistas, the fairly priced pieces are well chosen and cared for. Don’t forget to check out the amazing shoe collection too.

Barcelona's quirky Le Swing Vintage

Barcelona: A Careful Selection

Vintage isn’t huge in Barcelona compared to other European cities, but it has a tiny selection of boutiques worth checking out. The pick of the bunch is Le Swing, which is known for its carefully selected, high quality pieces. With three branches spread around the city, it carries clothes that date mostly from the 40s, 50s and 80s with many a prestigious designer present. With a plethora of quirky, beautifully displayed vintage classics, it’s a real treasure trove. There are also a handful of vintage boutiques on C.Reira Baixa, which are well worth checking out.

Berlin: Clothes by the Kilo

Berlin probably isn’t the first place you think of for fashion but with its thriving design scene and eclectic style, Berlin has plenty of vintage haunts for you to try. The busiest and best, is Garage, a spacious basement split between carefully selected, individually priced items and clothes sold by the kilogram.

Situated in Berlin’s liveliest gay district, Schoneberg, it’s the perfect place to hunt for make and mend projects. This is one of Berlin’s largest second hand stores and is renowned for selling the cheapest Levi’s in town. Also on your ‘to do’ list should be Humana. Spread over five storeys, it’s filled to the brim with thousands of items at extremely low prices. Make sure you check out the superb collection of 80s leather jackets. Other boutiques to try include Sterling Gold, which stocks a sublime collection of hundreds of dresses, and Lunettes, a vintage eyewear shop with an amazing range of unworn designer eyewear. Look out for original Ray-Ban Wayfarers and classic 60s Dior sunglasses.

Florence: Italy’s Vintage Capital

You might assume that Milan is the obvious choice for sniffing out a vintage find, but it’s Florence that has the thriving vintage scene. Home to lots of tiny, incredibly well stocked shops, the winding streets and alleys are a Pandora’s box of vintage.

First stop is Pitti Vintage, a wonderful mix of top names and unlabelled handmade items. This is the shop to visit if you’re after swimwear and elegant lingerie: they stock a wide selection of 50s pieces. There’s also an impressive men’s section.Next on the agenda is Ceri Vintage which offers an eclectic selection of older garments and looks a bit like a home grown museum. The collection is perfect for those who like to rework their vintage, with roll upon roll of vintage fabrics bundled in the corners. Considerably cheaper than other Florentine boutiques, make sure you take a look at the extensive collection of beads and trimmings.