The Rough Guide to London

Thursday 25 November 2010

Vintage Market

As a massive fan of vintage clothing myself, I've struggled on a student budget to find a place to source nice, wearable vintage pieces without the heavy price tag. Until now.

The Upstairs market on Brick Lane which runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11-6, is the perfect location for a style queen on a budget.

Rails and rails of woolly jumpers, fur coats and pretty dresses, to keep everyone warm and chic.

There are tonnes of styles to choose from the 1920s -1990s. So you could leave with a sequined evening dress or an Run DMC style tracksuit. Who knows?

The eclectic mix of clothing, also provides an eclectic crowd. Indie kids searching for old band tees, 50s style pinups brousing the lingerie or new age dandies trying on old tan brogues.

It's a lovely little market to have a browse, and while your there, a style scout at the people around you.

For all those budding George Formbies, or if your just a fan of the Ukulele, head straight on down to Hanbury St - to The Duke Of Uke. It's London's one and only ukulele and banjo emporium, and the wide array of instruments will have any musician drooling.

The friendly staff will be happy to help you find your perfect uke, and after your purchase the shop runs classes to help you on your way to becoming the next George Harrison.

The Duke also has it's own recording studio - for the real professionals, which is available to hire on request.

The shop hosts music events, gigs and signings making it a hub of musical entertainment 24/7.

The shop really does deserve it's regal title.

Tea for Two

What started out as a small cafe, hidden, just off Brick Lane - the Tea Rooms has expanded; into a trove of antique treasures. The numerous stalls inside sell an electic mix of soft furnishings, vintage cothing, records and collectables.

It's just the place to find that perfect gift, a treat for yourself or someone else.

And when you've exploring everything there is to see, you can sit down, relax and have a nice cup of tea.

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Bits and bobs

Here are some of londons best bits and bobs places to get all those little things that make a big difference

Kliens

5 Noel Street

W1 8GD

Tube: Oxford Circus

Monday to Friday 10am-5pm

This is a specialist haberdashery, accessories and trimmings place. It's a personal favorite of mine as its has so much choice and you always seem to end up buying more than you went in for.

They seem to stock everything from buttons, shoulder pads, webbing, ribbing, bag handles... everything a textile king or queen could ask for!

Macculloch and Wallis

http://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/

25-26 Dering Street

London W1S 1AT

Tube: Oxford Circus or Bond Street

Here they also seem to stock everything from habberdashery to millenery suppiles, fabrics threads and trimmings. It always seems to be buzzing here so i suggest coming early if you don't like people!
I could spend hours perusing and fantasising about the bits and bobs they sell in here, but i have to say i don't find the staff very helpful...

Button Queen

http://www.thebuttonqueen.co.uk/

76 Marlybone Lane

London W1U 2PR

Tube: Bond Street

Button queen is as it sounds the queen of buttons! if they don't have it well lets just say it will be hard to fins those perfect buttons.

Anyone say Leather?!

best Leather places in London are:
JT Batchelors

http://jtbatchelor.co.uk/

9-10 Culford Mews

London N1 4DZ

Tube: Hackney Central

Monday to Friday 10am

They offer a wide range of leathers, spikes and accessories, leather craft tools and embellishements and the crafts men there are happy to take time out and explain porocesses and leather making tips!

But be warned its quite tricky to find so get your google maps out people!

Walter Reiginald

http://www.walterreginald.com/

This is a MASSIVE warehouse with a lot of leathers, they have a very easy index of their products and can order almost any leather you could ever wich for, snake, fish anything is possible here but i suggest making an appointment to ensure you walk away with the perfect leather. You can even have up to 6 swatches!