The vintage UK High Street: 1960s-1980s

Let's face it: UK High Street shops don't often have the best reputation: Firstly there's controversy surrounding sweat shops and poor pay for hard labour which most often than not results in churned out, poor quality clothing and accessories which run the risk of falling apart after a few wears. Then there's poor designer copies which have fashion houses up in arms, filing law suits left, right and centre and then of course, buying mass-produced clothing means you run the risk of bumping into someone wearing the same outfit (oh, the embarrassment!)

...And then there's vintage fashion: any fashionista knows that if you really want to stay ahead of the fashion crowd then vintage is the way forward and guarantees a one-off, individual look which is both ethically sound and more often than not; excellent quality - (often on a par with modern designer pieces) - since many garments were either lovingly hand made at home or made in the same country in which they were to be sold, which included those sold by High Street shops which we are all too familiar with today! (Did you know 98% of our stock is British made and 100% is sourced from the UK?)

Not many people realise that these UK High Street shops that we are so fond of today have a long history spanning many decades. For instance, Topshop was established in 1964, Wallis in 1923, Dorothy Perkins in 1909 and Miss Selfridge in 1966, which originated in department store Selfridges, aimed at teen shoppers. With all these shops being so well known with such a loyal following, isn't it lovely to have a little piece of history in the form of an original vintage High Street garment which is amazing quality, an almost certain one-off, and British made too?

See below for examples of original vintage High Street items which are available to buy from us at Virtual Vintage, spanning three decades, from the 1960s-1980s...

 1970s Topshop blue summer dress

 1970s unworn maxi dress with original swing tag 

1970s Dorothy Perkins green marl midi dress

 1960s cream Wallis top 

 1970s maxi dress with attached cape by Jigsaw 

1960s olive green trench coat by St. Michael at Marks & Spencer

 1960s Chelsea Girl skirt: The former name for River Island who now have a relaunched Chelsea Girl concession

 1970s Debenhams cardigan

1980s sheer Miss Selfridge blouse