Everyone who's anyone has been to Beyond Retro and rummaged through the rails and rails of clothes that their former owner didn't want anymore!
Getting to the shop is slightly awkward because as you walk down the street it's on; every shop space/whatever they are, are completely abandoned and covered in graffiti (which, the majority, looks cool). But if you carry on round the slight corner you see the bold, metallic-ish sign that is Beyond Retro. As you approach the store, you can't decided wether it's open or closed because there is literally a door with no window displays, which separates it from the others. It gives the store a mysterious vibe. As soon as you walk through the door, you're instantly hit with the musky, old smell and you know you've arrived. It's a huge space filled with everything you could wish for - from fur coats to denim jackets to false eyelashes!
To find a amazing bargain in here is difficult because in my opinion it's overpriced compared with other vintage stores along the infamous Brick Lane. But finding a one of a kind piece isn't as difficult. As each section is organised by shirts, denim, knitwear, jumpers etc etc. It's easy to navigate round and find what you're looking for. The mannequins are all dressed in quirky outfits sat on top of a rail of clothing with accessories spread around them.
Surprisingly there is an area designated to changing rooms, which I only noticed the second time I went. The tills are near the entrance/exit so there isn't much to really catch your eye on your way out(apart from a massive chest filled with scarves) which I find quite odd compared with the high street. As you walk out of the store the are flyers available to take for what looked like upcoming events on around town, exhibitions and music events etc.
Overall Beyond Retro is somewhere I'd go if I was around the area or if I needed a one off thing fairly cheap. It's not somewhere where I'd shop for a whole new winter wardrobe.
taken from beyondretro.com
Our large-scale stores are packed full of thousands of one-of-a-kind vintage garments, handpicked from all over the globe, and spanning the decades from the 1900s through to the 1990s. With a century’s worth of vintage clothing to rifle through, you’re guaranteed to find a bargain!
Our eclectic and talented staff - made up of vintage clothing historians, performers, illustrators, designers and musicians - make Beyond Retro a creative hub which attracts fabulous individuals from all walks of life!
