Vintage Clothing

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

OLD HAT. Another trio of shops, the first selling quality vintage clothing, much of it originally bespoke; the second showcasing David Saxby's own line of country tweeds, manufactured in England's last menswear factory; the third displays new cravats, waistcoats and other silk items. Telephone 0207 610 6558

THE REAL McCOY. A treasure trove in Exeter of reasonably 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

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