Fast fashion is out. Second-hand clothing no longer means choosing sustainability over style. In fact, cobbling together an outfit from other people’s cast-asides is exactly the in-look these days. And often the easiest and cheapest way to get that retro vibe. Of course, you can go bargain hunting in one of the city’s many charity shops. But the area also some amazing vintage clothes stores in Bristol dedicated to sourcing the coolest second-hand outfits. Making finding a fashionable bargain, which is good for your wallet and the environment, that much easier.
1. The Vintage Thrift Store
Serving Bristol’s student population on Park Street, The Vintage Thrift Store is packed with unique handpicked vintage and reworked items. The stock is constantly replenished and a go-to for a fashionable bargain. It’s possibly the easiest place to pick-up a trendy new outfit, completely for second-hand clothing. The looks are very 90s – older shoppers might fret they’re back in their rave days – and very on trend.
35-37 Park St, Bristol BS1 5NH
2. Repsycho
Repsycho actually started life at London’s Portobello Road Market in the 80s. But Since 1994, it has been posted on Gloucester Road. So we feel it’s more than earned its place on this list of second-hand clothing stores. It’s served the people of Bristol well too over the years, regularly turning yesterday’s fashion into tomorrow’s trend. If you head downstairs, you’ll also find their record store called Prime Cuts with a huge stock of vinyl. Is there anything more Bristol than that?
85 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8AS
3. Uncle Sam’s
If you want to stand out from the crowd, why not go for the cowboy-inspired look? Uncle Sam’s is somewhere for all those with a love of Americana. Pick up a pair of Levi jeans, a varsity jacket, maybe even some cowboy boots and a Hawaiian shirt or too. It’s a little down from Thrift on Park Street too, making the street a great double-visit. Yee-hah!
54A Park St, BS1 5JN
4. Urban Fox
Don’t expect bargain bins or racks-on-racks of clothing at Urban Fox. Everything is high-quality, carefully picked and neatly presented. So expect some really special pieces to be found here. You can ensure that you’ll be picking up an item to last you a lifetime. There is particular focus on items from the 80s and 90s, but you can discover all sorts here.
58 Corn Street, BS1 2AZ
5. Revival Market
South of the river, Revival Market is more than just a vintage clothing store. Or though for many it is its main pull. You can also find plenty of antiques, furniture, and collectables here too. So next time you’re on the hunt for a new jacket, you might end up heading home with a set of chairs for the kitchen, a child-sized cat statue or maybe a new painting to hang in your bedroom. Never know what you might walk away with at Revival Market.
45 East Street, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4HB
6. Rhubarb Jumble
Few of Bristol’s vintage clothes stores go as far back in time as Rhubarb Jumble. The second-hand items here really are vintage, running from 1940s to the 70s, with a particular affinity for mid century aesthetic. It means you might find anything from a 60s shift dress to an 80s raincoat. On top of clothing, you’ll also find everything from hair accessories to jewellery, plus plenty of mid-century furniture and homeware too.
52 North Street, Southville, Bristol BS3 1HJ
7. Loot
There are two Loot stores in Bristol – with a third in London’s Covent Garden. The first, and original, is situated near the Bearpit, while the second opened last year on Park Street in the same location as the former vintage store, BS8. Loot sources its close from across the globe, from NYC to LA, Paris to Berlin. Giving Bristolians access to the hippest one-off vintage items, few could find elsewhere.
34 Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5JG
6-9 Haymarket Walk, Bristol BS1 3LN
8. Beyond Retro
You’ll find this brand of vintage stores all over London, Sweden, and even one in Brighton. But it’s the Bristol location we’re concerned about. Packed into the heart of Bristol’s city centre, you can peruse over 10,000 vintage clothes at Beyond Retro – with something for every style, from retro gems to current trends, and every budget.
20 Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3HA