This year, the Vintage Festival came to Glasgow…
Wayne Hemingway’s vintage extravaganza takes place in a different location each year, and luckily for us Scots this year it was Glasgow’s turn. I went to the Vintage Festival the Summer before last when it was held at London’s Southbank Centre and loved every minute, so I was very excited when I heard the news that it was heading to Scotland. With everything from vintage-themed nightclubs to a dazzling Great Gatsby themed fashion show curated by the talented Lynne McCrossan, it was a vintage lover’s dream set against the bustling backdrop of the Merchant City.
Vintage Glasgow took place the same weekend as the Edinburgh International Fashion Festival, so there was just enough time for a flying visit and a wee browse of the vintage marketplace. This was a real highlight of my previous visit – I still have pangs for a mint green vintage typewriter we found there in perfect condition but sadly had to leave behind – and Glasgow’s retro offerings certainly didn’t disappoint.
The marketplace was curated by the talented duo behind popular vintage fair Gin in Teacups and brought together a unique mix of vintage fashion, accessories, antiques and collectables. I’ll certainly be taking a trip to their next event – be sure to keep an eye on their website for details.
One of my favourite stalls was by Oxfam Vintage, which had some really great pieces. I had my eye on a mint green polka dot tea dress but it was a smidge too big, and I’d barely had a chance to convince myself I could take it in before someone else had made off with it! They had some gorgeous accessories too – just look at the beautiful vintage bags above. It was all rather reasonably priced; dresses were around £10 and those bags were absolute bargains. Look out for Oxfam Vintage at vintage markets and festivals near you, and they have a great selection of wares online as well.
We’re moving into our new Edinburgh abode very soon, so I was keeping an extra special eye out for vintage homewares and accessories (any excuse). I particularly loved this gorgeous wee picnic set, and how sweet is the retro bread bin? We also spotted lots of lovely vintage sewing patterns in the marketplace; my Gran was a dressmaker and used several of these exact patterns – my Mum even had the cape pictured above. I was sorely tempted and will certainly be bringing my sewing machine when we move in, so watch this space.
It was a rainy day in the West, but that certainly didn’t keep the vintage shoppers away – and what a cute idea to signpost the puddles with rubber ducks. I loved the woodland-themed street art too.
More lovely vintage accessories, and a healthy smattering of tweed and tartan.
Vintage 2013 coincided with the Merchant City Festival, which was a treat for all the senses. The atmosphere was buzzing as vintage-goers lined the streets, dressed to the nines in their retro garb. There were some really adorable vintage-themed stalls too – I loved the florist’s van especially.
I couldn’t resist taking home these beautiful vintage postcards featuring images of Edinburgh. They all date from the 1900s, and 5 out of the 6 I bought had a wee message on the back. The stall owner came across them all together, and told me how fun it was to sort through them. What an incredible find, and so amazing to think of the stories behind them.
Many of them featured mentions of the weather (some things never change). Here’s my favourite:
‘The weather is not very bad and not very good’.
Obligatory Highland coos! I also added another floral vintage plate to my (rapidly growing) retro crockery collection. It’s become something of a tradition.
I’ve been getting into my vintage all over again – there have been so many great fairs and vintage events in the last few months that have really given me the bug.
Have you found any vintage treats recently? Have you been to the vintage festival before?