I know, I know I'm supposed to be selling my clothes not buying more. But when I saw this gorgeous red vintage jumper with kittens and mice, I just HAD to have it! I thought I'd just pop into COW vintage in Manchester (near M&S in Picadilly Gardens) and see this newish vintage store. It's probably been open about 6 months or so but I hadn't managed to have a look until last weekend. What's different about COW than any other vintage store is its a vintage shop in an old Peacocks store and the shop-fit is more high street than junk shop. All prefectly lit slatwall in white and chrome it has big high ceilings and no vintage feel to the decor whatsover.
In a way it feels a bit like a temporary store or a jumble sale but we're so used to shopping in these big white boxes you can't help but see the clothes more instead of the quirky shopfit. It definitely makes for an easy shop but it doesn't give you the same feeling of discovery that a great cluttered vintage store can give.
They have a good mix of stock which is fashion led - you want a great fisherman jumper you can get it here. As they bulk buy they can offer good prices and my jumper cost just £20 but a good cable knit will set you back £40-£45. But as with any larger vintage store there's a lot of rubbish there, you don't get the feeling that the pieces you see are hand-picked and sourced for quality or originality. Its delivered, they put it out, it sells - there's no real passion there. Its an interesting take on vintage and will definately sell the concept to people that maybe haven't worn secondhand clothes before. Hopefully they'll then take a trip off the high street and come and visit Afflecks where the clothes, the surroundings and the people are a bit more interesting!
and rightly so young lady, it is a lovely jumper!!
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