Vintage Clothing

RADIO DAYS. A sort of one-stop shop for anyone interested in leaving the noughties behind and disappearing into the 1930s and 40s. The clothing favours the ladies, though gentlemen's hats are often to be found in abundance, along with all the ephemera one would need for the lifestyle of a Bright Young Thing. Radiodaysvintage.co.uk

HORNETS. Long-established in Kensington, this trio of shops is bursting with quality tweed, serge, worsted and cavalry twill. The stock includes jackets, suits, hats (new and second-hand), shoes, ties, cravats, in fact a gentleman could construct an entirely new wardrobe without leaving W8. Hornetskensington.co.uk

BIRDS DRESS AGENCY. As old as the hills of this forgotten southeast London suburb, but surprisingly worth the trip, which one can combine with an educational trip to the Horniman Museum. The clothes are for both sexes, and are as musty and redolent of a more agreeable era as one would wish. 251-253 Malpas Road, London SE4 Tel 020 8692 0333

CLASSIC CHAPS. A treasure trove of elegant garments in the delightful Sussex town of Rye. The shop, like the clothes, recalls an era when going shopping meant being served by nice chaps behind the counter, tape measure at the ready. Rope Walk Arcade, Rope Walk, Rye, Sussex TN31 7NA. Tel 07918 664512 Classicchaps.co.uk

THE REAL McCOY. A musty cavern in over-developed Exeter of nicely-priced vintage wear for ladies and gentlemen. While not exactly offering an on-line purchase service (and why on earth should they?) the shop nevertheless invites non-Devonian customers to order items from their web site by telephone. therealmccoy.co.uk

ECHOES. One of Britain's best and most remote vintage clothing outlets, with men's and womenswear from the 1900s to the 1950s. 650a Halifax Road, Eastwood, Todmorden, West Yorkshire OL14 6DW. Tel 01706 817505.Echoes-vintage.co.uk

LUCAS T LUCAS. If one falls asleep on a southwesterly-bound railway service, one will awaken in Penzance, an unremarkable town save for this little emporium. As well as the staple variety of ladies' and gentlemen's attire, Mr Lucas peddles essential home furnishings such as stuffed birds, antlers and ancient radiograms. 51 Market Jew Street, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 2HZ

SABRE SALES. A wide variety of genuine WW2 military wear for sale and hire, including webbing, uniforms, caps, boots, cap badges, cloth insignia, buttons, divisional patches, shoulder titles, collar badges, dog tags, camouflage nets, helmets, stirrup pumps, beds, tables, chairs, air raid sirens. 85-87 Castle Road, Southsea, Hampshire. Tel 02392 833394. Sabresales.co.uk

VIVIEN OF HOLLOWAY. A boutique for the ladies and gentlemen who like to wear polka dots and checks rather than tweeds and stripes. So it's fifties rather than forties, Betty Page rather than Bette Davis, but nevertheless a frightfully long way from velour romper suits. Vivienofholloway.com

CORSETS AND CRINOLENES. Principally for the ladies, with the accent, quite rightly, on racy underwear and corsetry. The gentlemen are also catered for with a good supply of vintage shirt collars. Corsetsandcrinolines.com

BARTON AND BARTON. Also one for the ladies, and as well as clothing they sell antique teapots, glassware and even maternity wear. One need never go to Ikea again (not that one ever went there in the first place). Bartonandbarton.com