Weekend Guides: Vintage in Shoreditch

Weekend Guides: Vintage in Shoreditch

01 August, 2008
by: Street Team

It's Saturday morning and the weekend stretches gloriously ahead. Silence the gentle lapping of impending doom, distance the idling of the economy's failing motor and step out with us for 24 hours. Come, join us. You are our quarry.

In light of the vast expanse of styles, options, nights out, days out, exhibitions, markets, shops, pubs, parties, after parties, after-after parties and bedazzling potential for extreme fun that co-exist in London, we have pieced together a 24 hour itinerary for you to enjoy/endure. You will not need to return home or use public transport at any point so wear your comfy shoes, pack your brolly and don't forget the A-Z.

This programme will culminate at an underground vintage night in Shoreditch called the Lady Luck Club – for which you are required to don your most pimping vintage finery. With this in mind, we have scheduled in some shopping time, but start your day at the noisiest museum in London: the Museum of Childhood. They explore the best bits about being a kid - past and present - for adults and children alike. In a double whammy of sporty topicality and vintage glory, they today invite you to feast your eyes on a Century Of Olympic Posters.

Hit Broadway Market next, peruse the stalls, snack on the treats and end up at the London Fields Lido for a swim under an unlikely blue sky. Born and Bread, Broadway Olives or the organic deli and bakery L'eau a la Bouche are all good places to grab some picnic items. If it's raining or you're still hungry head to the traditional Pie and Mash shop for some satisfying stodge to set you up for your afternoon of shopping. Finish up with a beer at the Dickinsonian Dove before heading to Brick Lane to pick up some Vintage Clothes for tonight's outing. The time frame you're dealing with at Lady Luck is 40's to 60's so think lounge lizard, gangsters and molls, rockabilly rockers, teddyboys, mods, flapper dresses, ballgowns: explore your fantasies and dress up to the nines - everyone else will be. Rokit, Beyond Retro and Paper Dress are all excellent.

After all that rooting through vintage clothes emporiums you'll be needing a pint. Aim for the Carpenter's Arms on Cheshire St – the pub the Kray Twin's bought for their mum. Perfect for cosying up to plan your next manoeuvre or bank job. Get dolled up in the loos and hot foot it over to The Diner on Curtain Road for a burger and an ice-cream float (or jug of Long Island). Nip into Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes to wet your whistle before heading over the road to the On The Rocks Rehearsal Studios where the delectable Lady Luck awaits.

After shaking your thang to the super sounds of the past, partying like its approximately 1948 and twisting and shouting till you're a disheveled, postmodern mess, why not carry it on down the road at Ye Olde Axe where Rock-A-Billy Rebels invite you to sample the delights of their low-down-dirty rock 'n' roll – you'll be surrounded by plenty of other 50's pin ups.

They kick out at 6am - so stop off at an offie for a Magners to accompany you on your stroll over to the Colombia Road Flower Market – which opens at 7am. After you've had your fill of flowers and plant-life, Pellicci's – the 50's Italian Coffee Bar on Bethnal Green Road is the place to come for a breakfast of champions. The grade II listed building has been run by the same family since it was built 105 years ago and is an East End Institution that's fed gangsters and civilians. The wooden art-deco interior is dense with history and fat – and is the perfect place to complete your Spoonfed 24hour Vintage Itinerary.

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Lowri Clarke

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Street Team