Age Concern@183

Last Saturday I went to the opening of a new Age Concern Original Retro store on the Cowley Road in Oxford. It was truly amazing! Gem upon gem stashed away in every corner – hidden under a rail in a basket of scarves I happened upon a vintage Gucci and a vintage Liberty – both of which I snapped up for a total of £30. Then the next box along was filled with mounds of vintage undies – some of you may have realised that I have a bit of a thing for them! They ranged from £2 - £6, including a vintage pointed bra in its original packaging. I also spotted an original straw boater hat – just as seen in the Marc Jacobs SS09 collection. At £45 not so cheap, but certainly cheaper than a Marc Jacobs and it’s original. See this months Lula Mag for a shoot dedicated to boater hats, featuring Ellen Christine Millinery, Marc Jacobs and Early Halloween – but I think they missed a trick not finding an original one! Also check out the store for home ware – delightful tea sets and floral saucepan sets – children’s toys – amazing retro teenage mutant ninger turtles figures – an amazing collection of radios, and then, another of my favourites, taxidermy. The boss has a stash of taxidermy which he stores at home so he keeps the shop regularly re-stocked, and I would suggest if you’re looking for something specific, to just ask. But it really was a joy to see such a fabulous shop – the usual suspects are so often filled with cheap junk or totally overpriced garments about which the sale people are ridiculously snobby, and neither can be said of here.

Any other oxford fashionistas should also visit Reign, again on the Cowley Road, which sells fab original 1930s, 40s and 50s pieces, mainly by European designers. On Saturday I found a jacket, almost identical to the SS09 Dolce and Gabbana, seen on Gwyneth Paltrow on the cover of March 09 Elle.