My immediate instinct when I move to a new area is to try and explore the nooks and crannies and not to jump on the tube and go to supposed ‘civilisation’. Even the ‘dodgy’ areas of London have something to offer up and I’ve lived quite a few parts of it to know that it’s always best to seek things out. I’ll be frank. I wasn’t exactly thrilled at the prospect of living a stone’s throw away from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium even though Gunners fans aren’t a rowdy lot. However, a minute away from my doorstep doesn’t just lie a burger van and a fake Arsenal merchandise stall (the smell of beer and onions comes wafting up to my flat on match days… er… yum…). There are two amazing second hand furniture/retro stores where I’ve already spent a fortune.
Then there’s 21st Century Retro better known as ‘162 Holloway Road’ which is on…duh… 162 Holloway Road. I don’t think I’ve ever lived SO close to such a comprehensive vintage store. It also makes me ashamed that all this time, myself and everyone bangs on about Beyond Retro, in the back of my head, I did know that 162 Holloway Road is just as cheap and just as good as BR. Alas though, Holloway Road never used to be a place I frequented and only drove past as my mother took me to Chinese school in my youth (fear and dread were the feelings running through my head as opposed to excitement over a vintage store as invariably I hadn’t done my homework…).
I wasn’t allowed to take pics on my visit but I will get round to it just to show you how STUFFED the place is. Everything oddly seems to be ¬£20 and under… big dresses, coats, cashmere sweaters and shoes galore. My buys were ¬£7 a pop which does mean I am in danger of going back to my old ways of nipping out to buy an emergency top/dress for a night out… quite literally, it would be ‘nipping out’. I’m also in danger of being distracted when asked to say buy some milk/bread and instead be diverted into 162.
This coat is deceptively demure as from a far, it just looks like a normal navy coat but then up close, touching the fabric, it’s this nylon, nubby, bumpy sort of texture. Quite odd to describe and quite odd to wear too…. I’d be fine with just wearing this as a dress coat.
The boyf did comment that the top is a little ‘nu-rave’, but in or out (urgh… did I just say that…), I was attracted to the fact that the top came with a matching visor and of course features my favoured black sequins. The print is also crying for doses of toning down which I’m more than happy to do.
You just spilled my best kept secret!
Whew, the 2nd one gave me an ’80s flashback.
Wow! Those are both so cool. Th texture is amazing.
Isn’t it great when the local stores offer exactly the kinds of things you love?
Ha ha! Awesome! How to you not make the matching hat and jacket daggy? Mistress of Style!
I love the black sequins… it is bright but I still love it!
ha, whenever i unveil even slightly bright garments i literally wait for the “it’s a bit nu rave” comment from my boyfriend. never fails to come. am yet to find anything with a matching visor…
OMG Susie! 21st Century Retro is the best shop ever- and I almost bought one of those bobbly, plasticky coats too… they had loads there, in short-man sizes. A bulk buy methinks? PS the lady who owns/runs it is brilliant and has really interesting musical taste..
Hope you’re well!
Elliott
x
susie is that your new apartment?
it looks like such a well organised, interesting space. ha exactly the opposite of my room.
i love what you did with the suitcase and those polaroids.
My gosh, that coat is amazing. The place sounds like a real find–albeit in broad daylight.
ahh you make them both look great the navy coat looks very chic which the matching tights and the top and visor looks great as youve toned it downloads just wearing black with it!
be honest, you moved there to be near great vintage…
😉
bahhah matching visor! that’s cute.
btw your apartment cleaned up real nice.
Oh the blue coat is interesting!
Grayburn
i love the jacket! i think i need it for my autumn wardrobe…
Wow – I live a couple of minutes from that place (inbetween there and the stadium). Never even heard of it…all I usually see is that rubberwear shop lol!
Are you familiar with that vintage place on the same road? The one next sort of near the university (can’t remember the name or number)? It’s a treasure trove!!!
Sian, I think that’s the same place I’m talking about! The business cards inside say 21st Century Retro but on the outside, it’s got no name and is just 162 Holloway Road….!
Aaaaah yes I see! I got the street numbers mixed up! Yeah, it’s fab in there!
I’ve been looking for this shop forever, I think bc it doesn’t actually say “21st century vintage” on it … [I live off Holloway road, Tufnell Park WOOOOOO] though now you’ve put your stamp of approval on it I am going to try harder and actually look for 162. Do you know what shops it’s near to and which end of Holloway [near the tube or not?]
I’m in awe of the sequin rave jacket!
That “nu-rave” jacket is quite fabulous for dressing up an otherwise simple/plain/boring outfit!
I’ve been living in Holloway for just over 6 months now and I love the vintage stores there, they more than make up for the match days!