The London "Heads up" thread

[Two Types]

£5k per week! Plus all the rest of the expenses (staff, heating, lighting etc). No wonder prices are so high. I can only imagine they charge a solid rate for the consultancy work.

I'm amazed any of those shops manage to keep going with rents that high. Landlords get richer and central London gets blander.

Sometimes I wonder if the collapse of the banking system etc would be the best thing for the UK: the foreign banks etc all flee from London, rents have to fall, loads of second hand shops open up in the place of overpriced shops selling crap that no one needs. Britain has to start again without the avaricious chainstores but with independent shops in their place.

Sorry, I'm dreaming again.

 

[Edward]

£5k per week! Plus all the rest of the expenses (staff, heating, lighting etc). No wonder prices are so high. I can only imagine they charge a solid rate for the consultancy work.

I'm amazed any of those shops manage to keep going with rents that high. Landlords get richer and central London gets blander.

Sometimes I wonder if the collapse of the banking system etc would be the best thing for the UK: the foreign banks etc all flee from London, rents have to fall, loads of second hand shops open up in the place of overpriced shops selling crap that no one needs. Britain has to start again without the avaricious chainstores but with independent shops in their place.

Sorry, I'm dreaming again.

Course, if certain people for whom I did not vote are to be believed, with the EU voting to cap bankers' bonuses, that might well happen....

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I believe that Vintage Showroom get a very good deal from their landlord, who is one of the few remaining of the "old guard" of Seven Dials. This is what I heard from another vintage dealer, at least, one who also had to move out due to the prices.

 

[Two Types]

Course, if certain people for whom I did not vote are to be believed, with the EU voting to cap bankers' bonuses, that might well happen...

For me, it comes down to one thing: you need cheap rents if you are going to have risk taking and innovation. No cheap rents in London, no innovation. So the things that the tourists come to London in search of (it's pop/fashion history etc) are reduced to buying chainstore coffee and cheap beatles t-shirts amidst the fug of smoke from ethnic foodstalls (i.e. basically every London street market etc).

 

[tonypaj]

Course, if certain people for whom I did not vote are to be believed, with the EU voting to cap bankers' bonuses, that might well happen...

For me, it comes down to one thing: you need cheap rents if you are going to have risk taking and innovation. No cheap rents in London, no innovation. So the things that the tourists come to London in search of (it's pop/fashion history etc) are reduced to buying chainstore coffee and cheap beatles t-shirts amidst the fug of smoke from ethnic foodstalls (i.e. basically every London street market etc).

You've got it way better than most of us in Europe. I live and work in the Geneva region, prices higher than yours, yeah we got the Alps, and cows. And chocolate. Ho hum. I stay away from that as I stay away from the touristy places in London.

At least you have the east London, some parts very interesting, you've got alternative scenes, and jeans for less than 130 pounds... And I'm not talking selvedge. Also, it seems that the young Frenchies are flooding there, London is apparently the 4th biggest French town in terms of French population. My son will go to Uni there, if all goes to plan. He's not French or Swiss though, just happens to have grown up here. My next trip, only plan so far, is to see the Gaslight Anthem at Troxy. I do not get that here...

 

[Two Types]

I was in 'Blitz' (the Vintage Department Store) on Hanbury Street yesterday. I know its not to everyone's liking, but they had a 1958 British three piece suit in a fantastic fabric - black with small white chevrons. It looked very good. I think it was just over £100 (but don't quote me on that).

Levison's are selling a very nice, button front, suede jacket (a european size 50 - i.e. 40 - I think). They thought it was German and late 40s/early 50s. It has quite a distinctive short, knitted shawl collar. £125.

 

[Two Types]

Levisons also had a pair of size 7, American made, ventilated spectators. They told me they were a recent charity shop find (which must be rather rare in London these days).

 

[Edward]

For me, it comes down to one thing: you need cheap rents if you are going to have risk taking and innovation. No cheap rents in London, no innovation. So the things that the tourists come to London in search of (it's pop/fashion history etc) are reduced to buying chainstore coffee and cheap beatles t-shirts amidst the fug of smoke from ethnic foodstalls (i.e. basically every London street market etc).

Yeah.... Redevelopment kills. The last vestiges of Camden's soul were ripped right out by the glass and concrete brigade. Centrepiece of that market is now a building housing a trendy restaurant (?) which members of Girls Aloud [/spits] frequent. If that's not a sure sign that all credibility has not only died, but is being already digested by the vultures I don't know what is.

I was in 'Blitz' (the Vintage Department Store) on Hanbury Street yesterday. I know its not to everyone's liking, but they had a 1958 British three piece suit in a fantastic fabric - black with small white chevrons. It looked very good. I think it was just over £100 (but don't quote me on that).

They do have some nice stuff, if you hunt. Never in my size, alas....

Levisons also had a pair of size 7, American made, ventilated spectators. They told me they were a recent charity shop find (which must be rather rare in London these days).

They are indeed..... I suppose it's the wider trend of people selling atuff on eBay instead of donating, plus the cost.... Not an easy thing to find at all.

 

[herringbonekid]

did anyone notice if the recent Brit 30s suit on ebay with the BIN price of about £750 sold ?
i forgot to watch the auction and save photos of it.

 

[Two Types]

I don't think I even spotted that suit. What type/style was it? It must have been bloody good if they wanted £750 for it.

 

[Two Types]

Edward: you stated: "They do have some nice stuff, if you hunt. Never in my size, alas...."

Out of interest, what size do you wear (just in case I spot something in your size when I'm out and about)?

 

[herringbonekid]

I don't think I even spotted that suit. What type/style was it? It must have been bloody good if they wanted £750 for it.

it was a typical mid 30s British SB peaked with brownish POW check. i must have had a silly attack when i neglected to save photos.
it was the same seller who sold the brown tweed 20s suit last year for £900.

 

[herringbonekid]

p.s. if anyone saved photos of it please post them in the British suits thread.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Well if you know the name of the seller you might be able to view the finished auctions. Do you?

 

[Edward]

I don't think I even spotted that suit. What type/style was it? It must have been bloody good if they wanted £750 for it.

"Of course, dear, I'll sell that old suit you hate me wearing. Oh, nobody wanted it, I got no bids. I suppose I'll just hang onto it, then".... Alternatively, I've also heard of people putting items on eBay with a silly high reserve as a way of testing market price without having to let it go, but if it's a BIN only, that wouldn't work.

Edward: you stated: "They do have some nice stuff, if you hunt. Never in my size, alas...."

Out of interest, what size do you wear (just in case I spot something in your size when I'm out and about)?

Thanks, I'm a 38" waist, regular inside leg, and I vary between a 42R & 44R in a jacket. Mostly a 44R in vintage and on Jermyn Street, 42R in the High Street... (typically in a suit whatever comes to about a 46" chest in the actual jacket measurements).

 

[herringbonekid]

Well if you know the name of the seller you might be able to view the finished auctions. Do you?

yeah, i had a look... not there in the feedback. i'll bet Baron saved the photos.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

I think there is a way to go over the sellers page

see other items - buying format (choose more) - completed listings
or show only - completed listings

Works on american ebay anyway. [huh]

 

[herringbonekid]

thanks Flo, i didn't know about that... found it. will post the pics soon.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

dis one 'ere?

 

[herringbonekid]

yes dat one.