The Best Vintage Shops In Dublin
Today’s shoppers recognise the value of a mature, well-made garment over a mass-produced, throwaway item of clothing. In a post-global-recession world, we are all more wary of the culture of mindless consumption that got us there. This set off more than a trend; this shift in attitude has seen second-hand shopping move from the margins to the mainstream. If you love ‘pre-loved’ then here are the finest vintage stores Dublin has to tempt you with.
Lucy’s Lounge Vintage
This self-styled ‘vintage wonderland’ in Temple Bar is nearly 30 years old, giving it a more authentic claim to that title than most. A veritable treasure trove, their stellar collection of 1970s and 80s mens- and womenswear keeps their choosy clientele browsing the floaty floral dresses, winningly worn denim jackets and other in-vogue items in their ‘trend-led’ room.
NINE CROWS
Store
A relatively recent addition to the Dublin vintage scene, NINE CROWS stocks pure vintage, reworked vintage and own-brand clothing. Their store on Ormond Quay is a joy to visit, with a tidy selection of high quality, well-coordinated items. It’s little wonder they’ve become one of Dublin shoppers’ favourite places to search for pre-loved clothes, and are currently expanding into a new store.
Om Diva
Shop, Store
One of the best boutiques in Dublin, Om Diva in the Creative Quarter has a beloved vintage basement packed with unique pre-worn wonders, like chiffon kimonos, satin blouses and white leather pencil skirts. As an added bonus, this pretty Drury Street store has some of the friendliest, most helpful staff in the city.
Siopaella
Shop, Store
Siopaella (Irish for ‘Ella’s Shop’), the brainchild of Canadian expat Ella De Guzman, is Ireland’s largest designer exchange store. It’s split into four locations throughout Temple Bar. The original store in Crow Street takes care of high street and vintage, the same goes with the store in Wicklow Street. Temple Lane houses new arrivals and Cecilia Street is the home of all things designer, where lovers of luxury vintage can swoon over pre-owned Céline, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and more. As well as buying, vintage mavens can swap, part-exchange or resell designer handbags here.
Folkster
Owned by Irish stylist Blanaid Hennessy, Folkster is an enterprising outfit with a celebrity following – vintage pieces from their own label, Shutterbug, are worn by people like TV presenter Angela Scanlon and actress and author Amy Huberman. As well as day and evening wear, shoes and accessories, they also stock their own line of lifestyle items and homeware.
The Harlequin
Shop, Store
A vintage and repo boutique run by a mother-daughter team, The Harlequin is a haven of wearable secondhand clothes and accessories from the 1920s up to the present day. Catering to both men and women, they hold an unrivaled accumulation of men’s tweed jackets, as well as evening and occasional wear.
Dublin Vintage Factory
Starting out in a basement on South William Street, Dublin Vintage Factory now calls the trendy Smithfield area home. This is where hardcore vintage shoppers come to spend – inside a 1950s garage they sell previously owned clothes in bulk at €20 a kilo.