The London "Heads up" thread

[Baron Kurtz]

British Army espadrilles?!?!?!? Did they mention if they'd be getting any in small sizes?? These have seriously been on my wanted list for as long as i can remember. Second only to LE espadrilles.

 

[Two Types]

No. They just said they were expecting to get some more and had asked their contact to see if they could get them in a range of sizes.

They also had a curious British Army khaki drill one-piece 'combinatiuon set' (in size 40/42, if i remember correctly). I've never seen them before, but knew they existed.

 

[Two Types]

A new vintage shop has opened in Crystal Palace (called Crystal Palace Vintage). It's on Westow Street and is open Thursday to Sunday.

They have got loads of menswear in there, including a few good pieces. Of particular note is a ginger, three-button, Harris Tweed jacket (about size 40) that I would guess dates from the 1940s. It is in fantastic condition. It's about £70. If anyone is interested, I will see if I can get photos and measurements.

Some pics of the jacket. It's a size 38:

That appears to be an early Harris label - before they added '100% Wool' (is that right BK?).

 

[AntonAAK]

I popped into this shop at the weekend and it certainly is worth keeping an eye on. I didn't come away with anything this time but will persevere. My visit was slightly tinged with sadness however when I discovered that it is on the site of the fine and long-standing Los Toreros Spanish restaurant which I didn't know had closed. I had my 40th birthday party in there.

 

[Two Types]

1940s CC41 labelled heavyweight double breasted suit jacket (black or navy - the light was bad!). It's the first time I've ever seen anything good (i.e. old British stuff) in 'Beyond Retro' (Great Marlborough St). About a size 40.

 

[Two Types]

Radio Days (Lower Marsh - near Waterloo)

They've got two lovely deadstock 1940s Greek sports jackets - I think one is size 36, the other 38. £85 each

They've also got a very unusual 1939 dated lightweight overcoat, made by a tailor in Manchester. It looks like a real wide-boy's coat: peak lapels, breast pocket, slanted hips pockets without flaps. I think it was £155. I've never seen anything similar.

 

[cookie]

Levisons has a pair of deadstock espadrilles (size 10) that were apparantly made for the British Army (circa 1930s/1940s). I don't know much about the more curious end of military wear from that period so i can't be certain about the background. They were priced at £55 and they are expecting to get some more in a selection of sizes. I know it's an odd one but there might be someone reading this who thinks "fantastic! just what i need!"

pics would be nice just off an iPhone whatever.

 

[Two Types]

my phone isn't good enough for photos, I'm afraid.

You could call them are ask them to send you a photo (if they haven't already sold).

 

[Two Types]

British Army espadrilles?!?!?!? Did they mention if they'd be getting any in small sizes?? These have seriously been on my wanted list for as long as i can remember. Second only to LE espadrilles.

They have a great big pile of espadrilles - only in sizes 7 & 9. But loads of them. Also loads of 1950s white Royal Navy plimsolls, in various sizes (really nice).

But most remarkably, they have got piles of deadstock British workwear trousers from the 1950s (and some 1960s), in loads of sizes (I didn't check them all but the ones I saw went from 34 through to 40). There were about two or three different styles - some flat fronted, some pleated. £65 a pair. If that's your thing, I recommend getting down there to have a look. Some were in a chino type cloth, others in brown denim and some in the same green denim that was used for British Army denims.

There's also a beautiful Edwardian/teens black jacket in really good condition. The chest measures 40 inches, so does the waist. I don't know whether it is from that period of full skirted jackets or whether it was simply made for a man with a bit of a belly.

 

[Two Types]

pics would be nice just off an iPhone whatever.

These can apparently be seen on Instagram.

 

[Two Types]

The branch of Beyond Retro that is off Brick Lane has about three American tuxedo jackets all dating to the 1920s or earlier. They are priced between £20 and £30. It's good to see such early stuff sitting there amid the sea of post-1960s clothing. They also have an American railway company jacket that appears to date from the 1920s sitting on the sale rails. It could look good with the silver buttons replaced.

Hunky Dory on Brick Lane has a deadstock belt-back, brown French work-wear jacket (probably from the 1950s). I think it was a 42 or 44 - £65 (I think). Downstairs they've got bits and pieces of other French workwear in larger sizes. And an amazing French military jacket (might be a pilot's service dress jacket?) in perfect condition, dated 1940: £85.

 

[Metatron]

I was on Brick Lane the other day, Levisons had a 1940s suit jacket, single breasted, peak lapels, grey with blue/shades of grey elaborate pinstripes. Very timeless cut with no exaggerated trendy features. Size 40/42, £120.
It fit me, but the price struck me as a bit hefty for an orphaned jacket-but then, pre-1950s things in good condition are exceedingly rare these days, so if it's something you want...

Hunky Dory had a beautiful leather French cyclist/Luftwaffe type jacket, size 40/42 for around £120 which is good value.
Interestingly, the label seemed post 1940s to me (it read 'made in italy'), but it certainly had all the right features: very short, two zippered chest pockets, two tiny flapped waist pockets, waist tab, riri zippers, wool lining.

 

[Two Types]

Vintage basement on Cheshire street has a CC41 labelled lambourne tweed jacket (about size 40) only £25. It has a bit of mothing, but might be worth fixing for someone who wants a nice CC41 tweed jkt.

 

[Metatron]

Vintage basement on Cheshire street has a CC41 labelled lambourne tweed jacket (about size 40) only £25. It has a bit of mothing, but might be worth fixing for someone who wants a nice CC41 tweed jkt.

Any more details?

 

[Two Types]

It was a sort of grey/brown tweed. In a weave that was difficult to describe. But it was the type of rough weave that helped conceal the damage and, as such, might have made it easily fixable.