LOOT
The vintage shops to know, according to the Irish style set
From the absolute best online marketplaces to the bricks and mortar stores worth a visit in Dublin, London, New York and beyond, Irish stylists have their say on the vintage stores to know…
Jenny Vander
A Drury Street favourite for the Irish styling elite, Jenny Vander has received praise from Eoin Gavin—who endorsed the store’s array of genuine vintage pieces dating back to the early 1900s—and Mairin Ni Bheachain of MoStyle, who sourced a look for a client attending the Oscars a few years back.
IMAGE Magazine contributing fashion editor Sinead Keenan also gives Jenny Vander her seal of approval, describing it as stocking a “treasure trove of special pieces, especially for evening wear.” In fact, Sinead’s mother bought some of her wedding jewellery there!
Tola Vintage
For fashion stylist, content creator and model Emmanuel Agbons, there’s no beating Tola Vintage. “Discovering vintage treasures becomes an absolute joy with Tola Vintage Designer and Tola Vintage in Dublin,” he says. “I’ve consistently found rare and breathtaking pieces at both stores, making them must-visit destinations for vintage gems!”
LOOT
A favourite among many Irish stylists, LOOT came highly recommended by Cork native Ali Byrne, a fashion stylist, social media manager, and content creator whose pared-back aesthetic is incredibly well curated. “I’m a big fan of LOOT, it’s a vintage shop on Drury Street in Dublin with loads of cool designer gems,” she tells us. “I also have a big love for charity shopping and used to do a lot of it when I lived at home in Cork. There is such a great selection of stores in Dublin too but I have definitely learnt that patience is key when it comes to finding a good piece.”
Nine Crows
I mean, duh. With locations in Temple Bar and on Mary Street in Dublin, and another at French Church Street, county Cork, Nine Crows is a beloved vintage shopping spot for many — even one Ms. Lana Del Rey frequents it when she finds herself in the vicinity. Multi-hyphenate creative Ben Harte is among the many endorsing the store, saying: “It has some great gems, once you’re comfortable with rooting through everything. Very reasonably priced as nothing is over €30 and they’ve four big bargain bins of €2 and €5 items!”
Vinted
If you’re familiar with Depop, Vinted is like its posh older cousin. A sure-fire way to find designer gems and one-off purchases to die for, personal stylist Kara O’Sullivan can’t recommend it more. “I cannot believe the gems I have found since I moved to Paris,” she says. “A Miu Miu skirt for €28 which I wore to the Miu Miu fashion week after party and Miu Miu vintage sunnies for €40 – I think it’s a crime that we don’t have Vinted in Ireland. I think I’ll start a petition so all the fashion lovers have access… I’ll keep you posted on that!”
The Fashion Relief Shop
“My favourite vintage shop for a feel-good fashion find is The Fashion Relief Shop in The Frascati Centre in Blackrock,” award-winning celebrity stylist and fashion broadcaster Emily O’Donnell tells us. “I’ve been a supporter of fashion relief for years ever since Lorraine Keane roped me in to model and donate my styling services to their runway show and auction in The RDS.
“There’s always something unique in the shop in Blackrock as many media personalities, brands and designers donate pieces regularly, so it’s well worth a look for anyone watching their fashion footprint, especially now that they have just announced a new charity partner Breast Cancer Ireland.”
Pretty Box
If it’s good enough for Bella Hadid, it’s good enough for us. An appointment-only vintage shop in Paris should be on every fashion lover’s bucket list, and as up-and-coming fashion stylist Becca Boyce puts it, if heaven were a place on earth, it would be Pretty Box. “It is where all the celebrities shop when they are over for fashion week and I happened to stumble across it with my friend when I was over for SS23 fashion week,” Becca tells us. “I tried on an archival Jean Paul Gaultier leather trench coat that was around €5,000 and I genuinely considered moving into the store just so I wouldn’t have to take it off. I would definitely add it to your must-see list for all fashion aficionados when visiting Paris.”
Cobbler’s Wardrobe
“I believe that consignment stores are the future of smart shopping, for many reasons,” says image consultant and owner of Ireland’s only full-service style consultancy StyleSavvy’s Laura Jordan. “Similar to vintage, but without the need for the items to be from a previous era, consignment stores sell pre-loved items, typically designer or high-end high street, and the best stores are carefully curated, so you are not overwhelmed with product. Cobbler’s Wardrobe in Sandymount is the best to know in Ireland, Hollie Creedon has an incredible eye and a beautiful edit.”
Vertigo Vintage
This appointment-only vintage store comes well-recommended by fashion stylist and creative director with Morgan The Agency, Jan Brierton. “Maeve Brady is Vertigo Vintage, and she has the best collection of beautiful vintage frocks and accessories,” she tells us. “I’ve gotten some really special pieces from her over the years, and I went through a stage where I collected vintage gloves and got some beauties from her. She pops up regularly at markets and antique fairs.”
Featured image by LOOT on Instagram.
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