Vintage Gems: Bristol’s best vintage and secondhand shops

Jazz up your wardrobe with true Bristolian style by getting involved with the city’s ever-evolving fashion landscape. Check out five of the best vintage and second-hand shops Bristol has to offer to scope out some unique vintage gems.

Loot
6-9 Haymarket Walk, BS1 3LN
Conveniently bordering Bristol’s creative district Stokes Croft, Loot – which sits on the cusp of the city’s famous Bear Pit – offers a fantastic selection of 90’s streetwear, retro and reworked garments. The minimalist, aesthetically pleasing warehouse interior makes for an easy afternoon of flipping through the rails and getting in on the generous £5 bargain buckets. Look out for Loot’s student lock-in or take a look at their website for further vintage bargains.

Uncle Sam’s American Vintage
54a Park Street, BS1 5JN
Opening in 1984, Uncle Sam’s American Vintage is the oldest standing vintage shop in Bristol, cementing its place as one of the city’s must-sees. The perfect place to spend a spare half an hour between lectures, the clue’s in the name, with the store specialising in all things USA. Think baseball jackets and varsity attire – not to mention their fantastic selection of fur and sheepskin jackets, making it a great place to dig out a winter coat. Uncle Sam’s compact space calls for shoppers with a keen eye as the store bursts from floor to ceiling with hidden vintage jewels waiting to be discovered.

BS8
34 Park Street, BS1 5JG
BS8 is another of Park Street’s favourites, stocking an abundance of vintage items in the large back section of the shop and a handful of independent boutique brands at the front. Forever crowded with Bristol’s most fashionable residents, BS8’s vintage selection is sourced from all over the world, creating a diverse and exciting range of items suitable for all styles and ages. The spacious store contains a multitude of affordable designer and branded items – from Louis Vuitton bumbags and Gucci accessories, to every millennial Bristolian’s staple – a pre-loved pair of Converse, ready to buy in mint vintage condition (just how we like them).

Stokes Croft Vintage Market
15-19 Stokes Croft, BS1 3PY
In the heart of Bristol’s creative corner, Stokes Croft Pop Up Vintage Market is home to a huge, eclectic assortment of items, from retro furniture and home-wear to eccentric second-hand garments (including the odd piece of taxidermy). The menagerie of market stalls are available to browse every Thursday-Sunday, and with the newly added sandwich bar, it’s an ideal place grab a bite to eat between shopping for those treasured vintage items. Whist relatively new to Bristol’s vintage scene, this Aladdin’s cave is definitely worth checking out.

RePsycho
85 Gloucester Road, BS7 8AS
Found on the vibrant yet undeniably laid back Gloucester Road, RePsycho is a vintage shop that’s hard to miss – not just for the unique one off pieces – but also that sunny yellow exterior. Bargain’s are easy to find with the help of this vintage emporium’s passionate staff, and the stores fair pricing makes for an enjoyable shopping experience. RePsycho’s secret basement is additionally home to hundreds of second-hand vinyls ranging from hip-hop and blues to jazz and classics, making it a must for any music lover.