When it comes to vintage shops, everyone has an opinion. Whether you think they’re junkyards full of old rubbish or treasure troves of one-off pieces, there’s no denying that bargain hunting is back in style. Not only can you bag yourself a good deal, but vintage clothes also have a history that big brands can’t compete with. Vintage stores dotted around Leeds should be perfect for students trying to find wavey garms without stretching their loan to the limit. But how popular are our local vintage retailers?
A short fifteen-minute walk from campus will get you to Retro Boutique, a few stores down from the Hyde Park Pub for those of you Otley Run regulars. The store has been open for over twenty years, frequently changing location due to the increased space needed as a result of continuous growth. Whether you need to deck out your dorm room or refresh your wardrobe, this local business has you covered. We spoke to the owner, who claims that most of their customers are Leeds students, attracted to the store because of its convenient Hyde Park location. This perfect positioning has contributed significantly to the business’ success and ability to grow over the past few decades. With business booming, will customers still stay brand loyal as more competitors to Retro Boutique set up shop in Leeds? One such shop is Hyde Park Vintage. Having opened just over a month ago, the store has already seen a huge influx of customers hoping to grab some great deals. According to the shop’s owner, the business’ unique selling point will help them stand out from the crowd; the owners are dedicated to hand-picking every individual item in order to keep up with trends and choosing pieces they know their customers will want. On top of this, they aim to keep prices as low as possible in order to appeal to their primary target market: students.
However, because Hyde Park Vintage is linked to the long-established Hyde Park Book Club, they aim to appeal to a wider demographic, including locals outside of the student population. The choice of location has been vital to the company and was a strategic decision to not only be close to the universities but also be far enough away from the many vintage stores situated at the centre of town.
There’s no doubt vintage shopping is gaining in popularity, but what’s the reason behind this growth? I spoke to Sarah Flanagan, a fashion student at the University of Leeds, who claims that the fast fashion industry in Britain is at a worrying level with around 235 million items of clothing sent to landfill each year. Vintage stores such as the ones discussed are popular with students keen to try and preserve the environment and support local business. This makes sense considering that the University of Leeds is the top UK university for environmental impact, according to Times Higher Education. So, is the success of local Leeds vintage due to students’ environmental concern, or their desire to bag a bargain? Either way, these local vintage stores are close, affordable and good for the environment, so you can’t go wrong!
Daisy Woodford