The origins of vintage began in England in 1967 when fashionable women liked to wear vintage camouflage and Edwardian dresses purchased from boutiques in public. The concept of vintage culture has been around ever since. In the early nineties, vintage came back into the limelight, in large part due to the rise of international supermodels in the fashion world. Many designers also looked to vintage shops for inspiration. In modern times, vintage is a form of self-expression and an environmentally friendly way of life. For a long time, vintage has been a culture loved by many for its relatively inexpensive price point and deep-sea quality. Today’s article will introduce you to the best vintage shops in Edinburgh, which contain clothing and most accessories, jewellery, home furnishings and bags.
Vintage Shops
Difference Between Vintage and Second Hand
What we often hear as vintage is derived from the Japanese word “ふるぎ”, which means old clothes. Many of my friends will confuse the concept of vintage clothing with second-hand clothing, but in fact, it can be called vintage clothing; there is generally an international definition: at least 30 years of history and well-preserved, has been discontinued, the age of the division is usually in: the 1920s ~ 80s. You can find good vintage goods in second-hand clothes shops but can’t see old clothes in vintage shops. Vintage means something special is implied. A piece of clothing that qualifies as vintage has to stand the test of time, prove its timelessness over a long period, be stylistically, qualitatively, historically and culturally significant, or have a unique origin.
Why Choose Vintage Shops
Environmentally Friendly: FMCG fashion’s damage to the climate is evident to everyone. We consume around 80 billion items of clothing annually, and after they go out of season, they end up in landfills. According to the UK charity Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), around £140 million of clothing is estimated to end up in landfills annually, causing massive damage to the environment.
Vintage Fashion: You may think that out-of-season clothes aren’t fashionable, but the truth is that wearing old clothes can be cool too! The UK is full of vintage shops with great character and fashion. Whether it’s Victorian vintage or disco-era nostalgia, you can show off your fashion sense without worrying about clashing with anyone else.
Top 8 Vintage Shops in Edinburgh
Herman Brown
Relaxed boutique offering vintage attire for women, plus jewellery, bags & other accessories.
Herman Brown is an old shop that opened in 1983. It specialises in vintage second-hand clothing and jewellery, as well as belts, shoes, and bags. The owner’s introduction highlights their accessories and jewellery, and it’s worth noting that most of their vintage clothing is sourced from all over the world. This includes not only Scottish-inspired pieces from the Edinburgh area but also silk scarves and trench coats from vintage haunts such as Munich, Amsterdam, Seattle, and London.
In addition, Herman Brown is very up-to-date, with a large selection of 1940s animal print jumpers and skirts, 1930s beaded bags, cameo brooches, diamond necklaces, and 1950s evening bags. In contrast to these period pieces, Herman Brown also offers many 70s/80s shirts and dresses for those who want to emphasise understated textures.
Address
151 West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DP
Open times
Tuesdays to Saturday: 12-6 pm
Unicorn Antiques
Victorian antiques shop with a treasure trove of glass and silverware, small furniture and curios.
Unicorn Antiques opened in 1969 and will be 55 years old in 2024. The shop features antique furniture, chandeliers, and glassware of all kinds. Unicorn Antiques’ primary source is Scotland, and the price point is relatively correct, from inexpensive cups and cutlery, brass and enamel frames, painted ceramic plates and dishes, to the more expensive crystal chandeliers and illustrations, ideal for those who want to decorate their new home with one or two pieces of antique home decor or to harmonise their overall taste in art.
The shop also displays stone figures and some jewellery, and the 19th-century marble shelves simulate the neo-classical style that has become so popular in recent years. This store has a wide range of items spanning a wide range of eras and is suitable for those who have enough time to select their favourites.
Address
65 Dundas St, Edinburgh EH3 6RS
Open times
12–5 pm except Tuesdays, Wednesday and Sunday
Antiques& Curios Cabaret
Antiques & Curios Cabaret is a little-known shop on Ins, but it’s by no means an internet sensation built on bragging rights and celebrity traffic. Cabaret is known for its fairytale and girly style but also has a unique taste as a vintage shop. It’s on the same street as the one described above and not too far away, so you can do both if you have enough time to spare.
The main business of this shop is a bookstore and antique ceramic art; there are a lot of charming and beautifully made sculptures of the Virgin Mary and angels, tea set style baroque, but also more complete, the picture can be seen like Alice in Wonderland carved style teapot, variety of complex details moist bright. The glassware in this shop is also from a wide range of sources, and the overall positioning favours a grocery shop. The price is also more affordable, and it is suitable for students to spend time in their leisure time.
Address
137 West Port, EH3 9DP
Open times
Wednesday to Sunday: 10:30 am–5:30 pm
Carnivale
High-end boutique carrying vintage clothing from the Victorian era to the 1990s for men & women.
Carnivale is one of my personal favourite of all the vintage shops in Edinburgh, not only because of its quirky and dreamy style but also because the owners are highly dedicated to the business itself. This shop specialises in vintage clothing, stocking everything from Victorian court dresses to late 90s shirts. It’s worth noting that this store also has online shopping via an ins link, which is a great way to take care of all the sociopaths out there.
Carnivale’s website also provides a lot of information on vintage cleaning, making and care. Clothes are arranged neatly in the shop and divided by age, making it easy for those new to vintage to find something that suits their style. The vintage shop also offers a selection of wedding dresses and long gowns made of precious satin materials. Accessories such as embroidered purses and earrings are well-priced and can be worn for everyday wear, as well as college balls.
Address
51 Bread St, Edinburgh EH3 9AH
Open times
Mon-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm
W. Amstrongs& son
W. Amstrongs& son is one of the largest second-hand vintage shops in Edinburgh, with several branches. W. Amstrongs& son has three branches in Edinburgh, located on the main campus of the University of Edinburgh and around the Castle. The main focus is on vintage jewellery, clothing and accessories, and it’s a very receptive, vintage-meets-pop shop, ideal for newcomers to vintage fashion, with a wide range of prices for in-depth shopping and comparisons.
This vintage shop for women’s main 50s to 90s, brands from the Italian niche handmade suits to Levis, Burberry, Lee and Adidas, is a collection of well-known brands. A variety of qualities is also due to its chain of qualities, which has a more solid guarantee. Suppose you want to choose to buy online. In that case, the company also provides a certain amount of spending on home delivery service.
Address
64-66 Clerk St, EH8 9JB
81-83 Grassmarket, EH1 2HJ
14 Teviot Pl, EH1 2QZ
Open times
Mon-Thurs 10am-5:30pm, Fri-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-6pm
Miss Bizio Couture
Upscale vintage clothing shop carrying unique dresses, jackets & other pieces, plus accessories.
Miss Bizio Couture’s history is relatively short compared to the ones described above, with only 43 years in business. Still, the shop’s taste and style are different. The shop is owned by its namesake, a silver-haired aunt with a distinct style. Judging by the feedback on Instagram and TripAdvisor, she has a unique take on fashion and pop culture. She almost exclusively handpicked and sourced the shop’s collection.
Miss Bizio Couture has a lot of vintage shops in the goods and references to the wind vane. The goods are of good quality, and many are the owners of the handmade improved production, so some of the exhibits cannot be touched. The degree of freedom is not as high as mentioned above. The price is relatively expensive, more like a small vintage museum, more suitable for the budget for the design of the high demand for the students.
Address
41 St Stephen St, Edinburgh EH3 5AH
Open times
Monday to Sunday: 10 am–5:30 pm
Elaine’s Vintage Clothing
Quaint womenswear retailer carrying a selection of vintage apparel & accessories.
Elaine’s Vintage Clothing is an owner-operated second-hand vintage clothing shop. This one has a carefully selected display of items from the 00s to the ’70s of the last century. The style of this shop is different from mainstream second-hand vintage shops, although it is also a smaller shop with its own collection as its main source. It offers more affordable prices and a more liberal approach to business.
Elaine’s Vintage Clothing is on the same street as Elaine’s. It offers a more comprehensive selection of dresses, tuxedos, suits and wedding dresses. The overall style of the shop is very sophisticated and ballroom-orientated. The layout is reminiscent of the golden age depicted in The Great Gatsby, where ladies stepped out into the middle of the night on Teutonic Boulevard with their hand-pushed curls and tasselled purses. Their serpentine masks were the only hint of the gold-dusted scent they had left behind.
Address
55 St Stephen St, Edinburgh EH3 5AH
Open times
Wednesday to Saturday: 1–6 pm
Those Were The Days
Bridal shop carrying women’s vintage bridalwear and accessories.
Those Were The Days is a little shop full of vintage nostalgia. The name of the shop is poetic, and it relives those glorious moments with the most precious fashion finds. This much-loved boutique is a curated collection of sought-after items showcasing the best of women’s and men’s vintage pieces from the 1920s to the 1990s. From gold-layered cocktail dresses from the 50s and pink sequinned numbers from the 80s to high-end designer pieces from Chanel, Givenchy and Versace, each piece perfectly reflects the era. It’s more of a spiritual adventure than a mundane shopping spree.
Address
26 Saint Stephen Street, Edinburgh EH3 5AL
Open times
Thursday to Saturday: 9 am-5 pm
FAQ
Does Edinburgh have good thrift stores?
Yes, Edinburgh is a “Famous European tourist attraction”; its profound historical and cultural heritage also incubates an exceptional vintage culture. It is worth mentioning that the University of Edinburgh will carry out several vintage sales in September every year during the academic season. The exhibits are inexpensive and in good condition, so students can also pay attention to them if they are interested!
Which street is the main vintage shop in Edinburgh?
One of the main streets known for vintage shopping in Edinburgh is Victoria Street. This picturesque and winding cobblestone street is located in the historic Old Town area, just off the Royal Mile.
What's the best vintage shop in Edinburgh?
There are some of the best vintage shops in Edinburgh.
- Herman Brown
- Unicorn Antiques
- Antiques& Curios Cabaret
- Carnivale
- W. Amstrongs& son
- Miss Bizio Couture
- Elaine’s Vintage Clothing
- Those Were The Days
