20/7/2010

WOW.

So, even though this shop is hidden away in the Grand Arcade (not the easiest place to get to in Leeds), it is definitely well worth having a look for.  
When you go in, you are completeley amazed by all the beautiful things you're surrounded by.
The bottom floor has to be the best vintage shop I have EVER been in. It's definitely the best in Leeds. It's all REAL vintage. None of the shitty re-makes of 70's & 80's fashion, and no tatty pieces of clothing thrown into a basket, pretending to be vintage. All the clothes, which range from about the 1930's to the 1980's (and I think they even have some Victorian clothing), are in perfect condition. They're not just dumped in the shop somewhere, they're set out in a very organized way (which I personally admire) so you know what year the clothes are from.  
If you want something really original, this is the place to go. Why would you want to buy fake vintage, and be wearing the same clothes as everyone else, when you could buy an outfit from this shop, and not only look fantastic, but know that nobody else will be wearing the same thing!
There's also VINTAGE MATERNITY CLOTHING! Where else do you see that?

Also, they sell Dr. Martens! A personal favourite feature of the shop! They're the only shop I know of that can order any pair of Dr. Martens, especially for you.

And then you go upstairs...

The room is full of beautiful, excellently made corsets of all sizes and styles. There's bustles and suspender belts, tights and stockings and Burlesque gloves. There's also a rail of gorgeous halterneck dresses and tops, designed by Voodoo kitten 13, that come in a wide variety of patterns.

And the Staff...
They have to be the friendliest and most intesting people I have ever met! You can tell that they actually know what they're talking about when it comes to vintage.

This shop is definitely worth looking for, especially if you like vintage clothing!

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29/3/2010 2 photos

So you want to have a bit of a swing in your step and avoid looking like many of the chic clones or fashion slaves in Leeds. Well you may well find gold at Upstaged.
This cracking little boutique is tucked away in the Grand Arcade and offers a really different shopping experience. You won't love it but what you do, you'll really love. I've found a fair few little gems adding retro accents to my wardrobe and some truly one of, stand alone pieces of clothing.
If you want to go really old school, you can. I've found items ranging from Victorian and Edwardian right through to some sumptuous 1920s and 80s (no shell suits for me mind) clobber. For the braver among you, you can even stage it up with some wicked and outlandish theatre gear.
Upstairs is raunchier with a burlesque department. Ideal for you would-be, well burlesque dancers or those wanting to make an extra impact. You can also bag some gifts galore and if you're expecting a sprog, fear not. There is even a maternity range.
Great little find for those wanting to stand out from the crowd and you can go as wild as you dare. Hell, dress to stop traffic if that's what you desire.

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25/2/2010 3 photos

What a gorgeous shop! Situated in one of the more run down arcades in Leeds, Upstaged Vintage is a welcome addition to the thriving vintage scene. The thing that makes this one distinctive for me, is I could tell that the owners are very selective when buying stock. In many vintage shops, it seems evident that a large order has been delivered from wholesalers, and it doesn't always seem completely genuine.

There is an old-fashioned, celebratory feel on entering the family run local business. With bunting and fairy lights decorating the place, and an iconic washing line hanging from the ceiling displaying 50's style lingerie, it feels special.

I can't speak highly enough of the pieces on sale. The faux fur coats and numerous jackets are absolutely stunning. I tried on a classic pilots waistcoat and jacket. Complete with gold buttons and a stripe on the cuffs, it was beautifully tailored to fit a women.  Collections of tea dresses and evening gowns from the 1930's to the 1980's adorn the interior. There is an interesting shoe section of the shop, with some truly unique pairs on show.

Upstairs, there are further delights in store. It is a burlesque pin-up boutique; filled with a wide range of corsets, gloves, burlesque accessories and pin-up style lingerie. Dita Von Teese would be in her element.

The woman running the shop was absolutely lovely, she was patient and attentive whilst I dithered over what to try on. There is a men's section of the shop and they also sell goods online. Although Upstaged Vintage is not in an obvious location, the treasure you uncover when discovering it, is reward in itself.

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4/2/2010 1 photo

Who would have thought that tucked away in the Grand Arcade was a shop that is some kind of vintage heaven? No, not me, and so imagine my surprise to nip in the other day and discover it?! According to the guys in there people often say that they had no idea that it existed, which is really quite shameful, since it has been here for over a year! Imagine that. And all the delights that I have missed.

The ground level shop space has two changing rooms, which you will need, and all the glorious vintage items that you could possibly wish for. There are beautiful eighties puffed sleeved dresses, glorious gorgeous full length coats - one in particular which was absolutely divine but sadly a size wrong for me. They also have some beautiful classy hats, gloves, scarves, shirts - you name it. It's hard to actually describe the amount of beauty within, you really must go and see it for yourself. The people in there are lovely, friendly and vintage fans themselves so you won't be short on advice either! Prices are ranging, but considering they are selling high end clothing for a fraction of the original price I would call it bargainous - investment pieces.

The upstairs section also deserves a special mention in its own right. Set out as a burlesque boutique it has a number of beautiful items especially collected for ladies who perform burlesque acts. There are fitted corsets galore, of the finest quality, in a range of sizes.

I couldn't sing louder about such a cool and exciting place to shop. It's beyond fancy dress in every sense of the word 'fancy', it is divine! You absolutely must visit, if only for a browse.

Listed in: Best Local Flavour in Leeds, Women's clothes shopping in…, The best of Leeds city centre

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6/1/2010

This shop is something of a marvel. Very rockabilly in style with a few vintage and provocatore styles too I love staring into the shop window and sometimes chap to the owner, she's very nice and has an amazing dress sense. Oh there are some beautiful multi-patterned tights and sexy little skirts in here too. It is a real treasure trove of alternative styles, a break from the norm and something a little bit classy to add to your wardrobe.

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25/9/2009 1 photo

Hidden away in the depths of the run-down Grand Arcade, upstaged is a vintage shop that stretches the definition to include antique items from the Edwardian and Victorian eras alongside the standard  vintage fare. The boutique feel of this shop is a far cry from the chaotic free for all found at other vintage clothing stores - think the imaginatively named Vintage on Briggate - and the prices reflect that: someone else has done the rummaging for you, and that comes at a price. Having said that, with dresses coming in at around the £60 mark, beautiful jive skirts for £30 and men's suits around £100, prices are comparable to many high street stores and here you can be sure your outfit is unique. Upstaged also stocks vintage jewellery, forties and fifties-inspired lingerie and a range of new 'retro style' clothing.

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