ack to the future
Katy McAulay visits Watermelon, a new addition to Glasgow’s steadily growing selection of shops selling RETRO FASHION.
here comes a time in everyone‘s life when the urge to experiment with something a little bit older takes over. Talking in a strictly shopping
sense. we want to wear a pair of
jeans that have been around the block a few times. take a flounce in a 40s frock. or walk a mile in someone else‘s shoes.
This is no longer the domain of
the fancy dress victim or the Miss llaversham eccentric. and even high street outlets are catching on to the lure of vintage clothing and dipping their toes into the annals of fashion. allowing you to purchase that pair of perfectly ‘distressed' denims or carefully downtrodden cowboy boots in the
sanitary surrounds of the likes of
Topshop and Urban Outfitters.
Of course. the true retroista would spit upon such paltry efforts to source that perfect cravat. preferring instead to scour the shelves and rifle through the old
drawers — sometimes literally — of
the smaller. and more pungent independent boutiques.
Hanging tip its moth—eaten chandelier somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between the over-sanitised and the overtly smelly vintage outlet is Watermelon. the latest shop to make itself some elbow room on (ireat Western Road in (ilasgow. A quick glance around its colourful displays immediately conveys the eminently wearable nature of the stock. leaving you confident that
picking an outfit from the packed shelves will allow you to stand out
in a crowd (and not because of
your tacky live inch platforms). Having previously worked on the supply side of the much-revered retro emporium. .»\rmstrongs'. lidinburgh-born owner (iavin ()‘Brien clearly knows how to please his audience. He says: ‘In lidinburgh. retro and vintage shoppers can be a lot more party- orientated. People go into second— hand shops because they want a 70s outfit. In (ilasgow. and
'THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF HERE FOR GUYS, WHICH I THINK WAS LACKING IN GLASGOW'
especially in the West lind. it seems to me that people buy this stuff because it’s what they like to wear all the time. They can match
tip a vintage top with a pair of
l.evis just to look a little different and own something that no one else is going to have.‘
livery inch of space is made to
count. Down the left hand wall of
the shop. coloured net skirts
protrude from the odd scrap of
glitter and sparkle. while multicoloured macs destined to he twinned with massive sunglasses
mingle with simpler knits and soft velour jumpers. On an A-Team shirt hanging behind the counter. Mr T keeps an eye on a great
selection of mellowed leather
jackets from about £28 plus some stunning 50s dresses that hang from a chandelier with serious seance style.
The right hand side of the shop caters for men. ‘The one thing that most people who have come in
have said is that there is a lot of
stuff for guys. which I think was lacking in Glasgow] says ()‘Brien. ‘When I went shopping I was always struggling to find anything
decent apart from in the likes of
Armstrongs. You‘ve got your 70s Adidas track tops. loads of nice ()(ls shirts and then men‘s trouser flares in denim and cord. old Wrangler and Levi denim jackets. velvet jackets and pinstripe suits.‘ The 27-year-old says that much of the collection is a basic reflection of his tastes. but is there any decade that should. on no account. he raised from the ashes‘.’ ‘Iiveryone says the 80s but I think they were all right.‘ says (iavin. ‘There are bits of every decade you can pick out as worthy of wearing. but the vast majority of the 80s —- batwing leather
jackets. turn-ups on jacket sleeves
and (shudder) shoulder pads — should probably be forgotten.‘
Watermelon, 603 Great Western Road, Glasgow, 0141 334 3900
Starry Starry Night Vintage Clothing The thrill of the search is definitely one of the charms of this ramshackle West End institution. A varied selection of dresses. kilts and beautiful fur coats (controversial. but true) are happy bedfellows to bags and accessories including silk scarves and jewellery. You'll have to rummage to find what you want but it's all part of the appeal. 79 Dowanside Lane. 07 47 337 7837 Saratoga ‘lhmk
Quantity and quality are both watchwords at what is essentially a warehouse stuffed with an extensive collection of dresses. jewellery and accessories. The stock. which ranges from Victorian through to 708. is used to supply TV and film crews and some is also available for hire. so beware. not all is for sale. 67 Hydepark Street, 0747 227 4433.
Mr Ben’:
A particular favourite with Glasgow residents. this second-hand shop has been known to contain the odd Prada cast-off among its mostly 708 and 708 selection. Readin wearable. the clothes at Mr Ben's are a fashion- lover's dream. Kings COL/r1. 99 King Street. 0747 653 7936.
The Glory Hole
Tucked away in a clutch of quirky shops on Ruthven Lane in the West End. the Glory Hole stocks mostly modern second-hand clothes with a small collection of vintage handbags and a couple of well-preserved pairs of shoes. An immaculately cared for. well edited selection. Rut/wen Lane, 0747 357 5662.
Red Tabs Vintage Denim
Yet to prove its true staying power. this relatively new addition to the West End specialises in — you've guessed it — denim. The petite outlet claims to stock 3000 pairs of new and vintage Levi jeans priced from about £712. so there's bound to be a pair to fit. 6 Chancel/or Street. www. redfabs. com Retro
The 50s. 603 and 708 are the stomping grounds for another West End gem. As well as clothing for men and women and some helpful staff to boot. Retro crams 608 jewellery plus handbags. Curtains and vintage bedding into its diminutive interior. 8 Otago Street. 0747 576 0765
18%35‘) Aug) 200:") THE LIST 39