Vintage Shopping in Leeds

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor Last Updated 13 May 2023

Whether it’s RUN DMC sweaters or 1930s flapper dresses, we all love a bit of vintage. And vintage shopping in Leeds is one of the UK’s best experiences for shoppers who like their clothes ‘pre-loved’, with a whole bunch of options for the thrifty buyer.

Leeds has been a hub for vintage fashion since the 1980s when Pop Boutique first opened its doors, and when the trend for preserving and repurposing classic clothing took off. Blue Rinse, Ryan Vintage and many more now compete for attention. TV and film costume departments regularly descend upon Leeds looking for their character’s defining hat and shoes, and the young people of said city are known for being slightly more dapper than average.

If you – or perhaps your kids or grandkids – are interested in being a Mod or a Rocker, or some even more niche subcultural figure, hard-to-find but essential pieces can be tracked down and had for a good price in these vintage stores. Or perhaps you’re looking for an extra-special dress for an extra-special occasion – weddings and key birthdays come to mind … or dispense with the excuse all together and just slay on the dancefloor any weekend! Classic ball gowns line the racks along with enough costume jewellery to set off an entire squadron of Las Vegas backing dancers. Now that the 1980s are vintage themselves, you might find the perfect Blade Runner shoulder pads … or a suit that wouldn’t look out of place on one of Miami Vice.

Don’t fall into the trap of buying online – it’s always cheaper in a brick and mortar vintage store, before the scalpers get hold of that Debbie Harry leather jacket. You’ll find plenty of offers, and a made-to-last vintage piece will hold its value.

Here are the best places to go vintage shopping in Leeds – go forth and purchase!

Blue Rinse

Blue Rinse, 9-11 Call Ln, Leeds, LS1 7DH - Visit now

Blue Rinse are one of the big boys of vintage shops, with outlets scattered all across the North. And for good reason, their shops are piled high with excellent quality items at a reasonable price.

Find out more

Best Leeds

Best Leeds, 22-24 New Market St, Leeds , Yorkshire, LS1 6DG - Visit now

Best is one of the biggest vintage shops in Leeds. It offers a large selection of styles for Men, Women and Unisex. Since opening in Leeds in 2007 Best has branched out to Newcastle and Liverpool, proving that they are a Northern fashion house to take note of.

Find out more

Pop Boutique Leeds

Pop Boutique Leeds, 12-14 Central Rd, Leeds, LS1 6DE - Visit now

Another semi-independent, semi-chain vintage shop is the bright and cheerful Pop Boutique, crammed to the gills with cute and quirky clothes, shoes and the odd bit of kitsch. It even has its own retro fashion range, subverting the very concept of ‘vintage’ itself. Snazzy.

Find out more

Ryan Vintage

Ryan Vintage, 13 Duncan Street, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS1 6DQ - Visit now

Ryan Vintage is like some kind of old-school bazaar, with skirts, shirts and trousers all piled high as far as the eye can see. If you’re looking for something unique (and maybe even worn by someone now dead, excitingly), you’ll be sure to find it here.

Find out more

Johnsons Of Leeds

Johnsons Of Leeds, 2, Vulcan Foundry, Haigh Park Rd, Leeds, LS10 1RT - Visit now

This huge army surplus store can give you that military look minus all the sweat and hard-work. They’ve clothed everyone from Robson & Jerome to the Chippendales and the cast of Emmerdale.

Find out more

Where to go in Leeds

Leeds

Shop

Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Leeds

Shop

Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds

Shop

On The Wall

Bright, bold and full of character, On the Wall pairs expert framing with prints, posters and gifts inside Leeds Corn Exchange.

Leeds

Gallery

Ni Studios – Artist Studio & Gallery

NI Studios is a gallery and studio in Leeds Corn Exchange, showcasing resident artist Mimi’s work in an intimate setting.

Leeds

Restaurant

Canned Heat

Canned Heat is an independent bottle-shop & bar in the heart of Chapeltown, Leeds. Born out of a passion for Music, Art and Community.

We sell comics, graphic novels, manga, role playing games, board games, collectible card games, merchandise, apparel and much more besides!

Leeds

Shop

Travelling Man Leeds

A quirky little shop for comics, graphic novels, role-playing and board games, with frequent in-store events.

Leeds

Shop

The Bookshop on the Square Otley

The bookshop on the square is an independent bookshop located in the market town of Wharfedale, in the heart of Otley.

Chapel Allerton

Shop

The Little Bookshop Chapel Allerton

A place to explore literature and illustration with the whole family., enjoy story times, book clubs and other special events.

Leeds

Brewery

Springwell

The home of North, with a beautiful taproom over looking the brew house, on Buslingthorpe Lane. Every weekend we open the doors to our brewery and pour incredibly fresh beer next to the tanks where it was brewed!

Leeds

Shop

Waterstones Leeds

Standing proudly on the busy shopping hub of Albion Street, Waterstones Leeds is a bookshop that also hosts a variety of events

Leeds

Event venue

The Bookish Type

An independent bookshop specialising in literature across the LGBTIQA+ spectrum.

Leeds

Shop

Truman Books

Truman Books is an independent bookshop and cafe in Farsley, West Leeds.

See all places

Leeds Visitor Guides

Spas in the North West

If you find yourself in the North West of England looking for a spa day, look no further, check out our guide featuring our favourite spots.

Brewery Tours in the North

Brewery tours across the North offer more than just a behind-the-scenes look at hops and fermenters. They’re a window into the region’s character.

Walks in Leeds

A round-up of the best walks in Liverpool, including the city centre, its many parks, and over the water by Creative Tourist.

Boutique Hotels in Leeds

Small and perfectly formed, that’s the nature of the boutique hotel. Leeds has a whole host to choose from but don’t worry, we’ve picked out the very best, just for you.

Business Hotels in Leeds

Here are the best business hotels in Leeds, geared towards high-quality rooms at a bargain price - each boasting more than a few meeting room tables for you to bang your fist on.

Family Hotels in Leeds

Ah, kids. Can’t live with them, can’t get rid of them without getting into serious trouble with the law. Ease the pain by taking them on holiday in Leeds, and stay at one of our carefully-chosen family-friendly hotels

Cinemas in Leeds

From the latest art-house gems to the biggest blockbuster on the biggest screens, there’s a cinema to suit all needs in Leeds.

Museums in Leeds

Discover the treasures waiting to be discovered as you work your way through our hand-picked selection of museums in Leeds.

Music Venues in Leeds

Boasting a strong musical heritage, Leeds has a wealth of music venues to match: from suburban social clubs and former textile mills to co-operatively run DIY spaces.

Vegan Food in Leeds

Looking for the best vegan food in Leeds? Look no further. We have rounded up some of our top picks for cruelty-free eating in the city.

Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Food and Drink in the North

Here’s our summertime guide to great food and drinks across the North.

Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Tours and Activities in the North

Get stuck into some talking, baking and walking in this months top picks of Tours and Activities in the North.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.