Shopping vintage isn’t always easy. There’s the heartbreak of finding a perfect dress but the nature of vintage meaning it’s only available in one size… the wrong size. There’s the tiring hours of searching somewhat rubbish stacks of charity shop fare before you glance a star buy. And of course, the fact that usually if someone’s selling it as ‘vintage’, the price skyrockets. Not to worry though, as the shop owners at The Arcade have solved not one, but all of these problems in no more than two shops.
Dolly What Not, situated in Unit 14 of The Arcade, is a real find for those who love the thrill of owning something unique. The shop is the product of a partnership that extends beyond the business, as the experienced couple Sarah and Mike decided to start up their own company. The shop sells a varied selection of unique, one off items from some of Bristol’s finest artists and designers, including Sarah herself. The bottom floor is also home to a gorgeous selection of vintage and handmade clothes, most of which have been made locally, thereby taking out the need to sift through mounds of rubbish before finding a gem. These clothes are hand-selected for their charm, and remain unbelievably affordable.
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And now for the solution to those pesky ‘one size fits all’ clothes, and when a perfect piece of clothing just won’t fit! The Arcade has its own tailor in the form of Needle and Thread. This bespoke tailors offers professional garment alterations from some of Bristol’s finest. Their quick needle skills will quickly shape up any item you wish, from hem adjustments to full dry cleaning services, so you never have to say no to that perfect skirt again!
