Harper & Lewis

This is the kind of review where you hover between three and four stars… I am feeling generous today but also decided on four because for the Bullring this place is a real breath of fresh air.
A lot of high street stores offer a ‘vintage’ line these days which is basically an excuse to offer second hand clothes for a stupidly high price tag… however Harper & Lewis is a more classic vintage shop with well selected garments but in an unusual high street location. This is a bit of a hit and miss shopping experience for me but I think all vintage shopping can be. Usually when you are looking for something you never find it but when you have no money or you are not looking for anything specifically you find 20 things you literally love… always the way!
The staff here are always really friendly, up for a laugh and seem to know the stock pretty well. If you are looking for vintage in the city centre I wouldn’t make this your first choice but definitely worth popping in.

I really like vintage inspired… By Vintage inspired, I’m talking 50’s flare dresses and Rockabilly style clothing. I totally dig the look that some people create using proper «vintage» wear, but I’ve never been one for blue denim, faded tee’s and overly flowery «twee» prints. The latter is what you will find at Harper & Lewis.
Now, I’m not quite sure how these stores popped up. There seemed to be an explosion in ²⁰¹³⁄₂₀₁₄ where these stores seemed to take over all the main places in Birmingham City Centre (New Street and Oasis were two notable additions), but I don’t know when this Birmingham Bullring branch opened.
I was wondering through the Bullring the other day and thought I would pop in and have a nose. Yep… The same kind of gear that was in the previous incarnations were there. That being said, the wares at Harper & Lewis don’t seem overly expensive (and they have sales so you can pick up a real bargain). They are currently offering 50% off of their clothing.
The staff are smiley and helpful and (providing the store isn’t too packed), they will hunt for a certain size or style with you should you need a hand. These stores are a bit of an Aladdin’s cave (with lots and lots of items to peruse), but it’s nice to see that a store of this nature can make it in the competitive marketplace of the Bullring Centre.
If you’re into curating and creating an individual vintage look, I would recommend popping into Harper & Lewis on your hunt. You might just find the perfect item you’re looking for (without breaking the bank).