7 of the Best Vintage Stores in Liverpool

Why shop vintage? It’s light years since "second-hand" meant "second best", or vintage fashion was the preserve of boho creatives and money-starved students. The days when there was a stigma attached to wearing second-hand clothing have long since disappeared, and in fact it has become something of a status symbol to wear quality retro clothing that lasts for more than one season and provides a more ethical alternative to fast fashion. Liverpool is a city that's always ahead of the game, and its thrift stores are no exception. So if you’re after some "new" old threads, 1980s vinyl or an unusual piece of furniture, and don’t know where to start, make a beeline for Liverpool’s best vintage stores – and to support your green credentials, they’re all within walking distance of each other or accessible on public transport.

The city’s booming pre-loved scene comprises charity shops, time-honoured chains, flea markets and iconic indie vinyl stores – and some have been around for more than 40 years. Many Liverpool vintage stores arrived in the 1970s, when the advent of punk threw out the old world order, and what started as a counter-cultural movement is today a city institution. Whenever you fancy a second-hand shopping spree, here are the seven top vintage stores in Liverpool for timeless style, pre-loved bargains galore and one-off finds.

Pre-loved clothing is much in demand in Liverpool, cementing its reputation as a forward-thinking, trendsetting city. It pays to know where the best stores are so you can search out quality vintage garments before the student and eco-warrier populations snaffle all the bargains. If you’re short on time, Bold Street is retro central – you’re sure to find something to please in its vintage stores, and it’s only eight minutes’ walk from the elegant Pullman Liverpool at King’s Dock on the world-famous waterfront.

Looking to source a worn-in pair of cowboy boots, vintage Stuka tartan trousers from the days of punk or a genuine 1960s mini-dress? Long the preserve of cool Liverpool fashionistas, COW is the place for you. Its two floors are packed with well-cared-for throwback finds like sequinned bags or suede brogues among the racks of leather jackets, jerseys and jeans, all cleverly organised by brand and style. Staff members are delightfully friendly and go that extra mile to ensure you find your dream item.

• 15 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4DN
• Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 12am-6pm
• Within walking distance of the bus and train stations

Another of the go-to vintage stores in Liverpool is effortlessly cool Resurrection, where label junkies scour the shelves for one-of-a-kind designer pieces. Prices are surprisingly reasonable, but you’ll have to go prepared to search among all the branded gear – they are big on hoodies, band T-shirts (Oasis is having another moment) and items with logos like Fila sun hats, Carrhart WIP sweatshirts and chunky Timberland boots. They customise denim too, so if you’re looking for a pair of bespoke jeans, get yourself down there!

• 27-29 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4DN
• Open Mon–Sat 9:30am–6:30pm; Sun 11am–5pm
• Within walking distance of the bus and train stations

Flash the cash and do some good at the same time when you raid the hoard at Mind, Liverpool’s branch of the charity shops supporting people with mental-health issues. With a carefully curated trove of once-loved treasures, this shop is cheery, bright and cleverly laid out with splashes of co-ordinated colour to draw the eye. Among the glassware, chunky beaded necklaces and pristine soft furnishings, the clothing rather steals the show, with lots of authentic 1970s flares, delicate embroidered kaftans and even a few well-made, expensive-looking wedding and prom dresses.

• 20 Richmond Street, Liverpool L1 1EF
• Open Mon-Sat 9am–5pm
• Within walking distance of the bus and train stations

Liverpool is the birthplace of Mersey Beat, Beatlemania and Scouse house – small wonder then that its streets are home to countless record shops taking advantage of the resurgence of interest in vinyl to accommodate your every musical need. As well as the recommended options below, you can also try Probe Records, Cult Vinyl and 3B Records for retro musical rarities.

Exuding the chilled nostalgic vibe of a 1970s record shop, the city-centre branch of Dig Vinyl skulks on the first floor of Resurrection (mentioned above). Here you’re transported to a world before iPods or Spotify and can while away happy hours rummaging through neatly labelled racks of albums, CDs, cassettes and rock-related memorabilia or listening to tracks through headphones. Passionate staff members certainly know their stuff and will help you source everything from funk to punk, folk to reggae – and of course, this being Liverpool, the occasional Beatles special edition.

• 1st Floor of Resurrection, 27–29 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4DN
• Open Mon–Sat 10am–6pm; Sun 11am–5pm
• Within walking distance of the bus and train stations

Established in 1947, the UK’s oldest indie record store is a mainstay of the Scouse music scene, where shelves are laden with an eclectic selection of vintage LPs and new releases spanning every imaginable genre, from rock and pop to jazz and blues. Still in its original Tuebrook premises and owned by the fourth generation of the same family, the shop has recently expanded onto its second floor and created a fascinating mini-museum displaying archive material, old 78s and memorabilia from Liverpool’s former indie record scene.

• 457 West Derby Rd, Tuebrook, Liverpool L6 4BL
• Open Mon–Tue, Wed–Fri 9:30am–5pm; Sat 9:30am–4pm
• Take the 18 from Liverpool ONE Bus Station

Despite being a leader in trends, a city where nothing ever stands still, Liverpool also has a long and cosmopolitan heritage. It’s no surprise that it still keeps one foot firmly in the past, celebrating its rich history with stalls and markets liberally piled with antiquities, rare collectibles and all manner of pre-loved curios from years long gone.

Combine a Magical Mystery bus tour and pilgrimage to world-famous Penny Lane with a poke around the two floors of well-laid out and easily navigable retail units at Penny Lane Emporium. Whether you’re after a shaggy hippy-era Afghan coat, Victorian antiques or handcrafted guitars, you’re likely to find just what you’re looking for at stalls selling an eclectic selection of decorative arts, refurbished furniture and ethereal lace nightdresses. All the stall owners are local, so you’re supporting local businesses when you buy souvenirs of your stay in Liverpool.

• The Substation, Smithdown Road, Wavertree, Liverpool L15 5AF
• Open Mon–Sat 10am–4:15pm; Sun 11am–3pm
• Take the 86A from Liverpool ONE Bus Station

Charmingly higgledy-piggledy it may be, but Red Brick Market is right up there with the best indie markets in Liverpool, supporting more than 50 Merseyside independents and start-ups under the one roof. Among its cornucopia of upcycled clothes, unique reworked furniture and artisan crafts, this might well be the only place in the world where you can unearth the iconic cut-out of Harry Styles wearing his pearls alongside vintage camera lenses and hand-embroidered silk slippers. Best finds include vintage posters of Bowie and Bolan.

• Stanhope Street, Cains Brewery, Liverpool L8 5RE
• Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm
• Take bus service 82a from Lime Street Station

1. To reduce wastage: Recycling existing items reduces the need to produce new products.
2. To conserve the planet’s resources: Buying vintage fashions saves on the energy, water and raw materials used to make new clothes.
3. To lower your carbon footprint: Most vintage items are made from high-quality materials that last longer, so less ends up in landfill – especially true of fast-fashion clothing.
4. To help your wallet: It’s not always the case (for instance with rare antiques or dresses from high-end designers), but generally old stuff tends to be more affordable.
5. To add character to your personal style or home: Each second-hand item has its own individual backstory that reflects its age and history. Your buy will be unique.

After your scavenger hunt through Liverpool’s richly stocked vintage stores, you'll be ready for more adventures in the city, so why not learn the stories behind Liverpool’s architecture or take a day trip to a nearby beach?