Billie Jean Clothes

This good quality vintage clothing shop, full of retro, bohemian and alternative clothing, is quite a way up Gloucester Road away from the city centre, but it has a loyal following in the local area.
It’s pretty small but packs in quite a range of clothes, hats, scarves, belts, boots and bags — and thankfully doesn’t smell fusty like some second-​hand shops do.
Billie Jean’s owner seems to buy very well, avoiding anything too shabby, and alongside the genuine vintage clothes and accessories there is a range of reproduction vintage items. I rarely buy vintage stuff myself, but I do enjoy browsing from time to time and buying the odd item — and this is the shop I’d choose over most others because most of it is in good condition.
The prices are quite steep, but it’s hardly surprising with authentic vintage clothes in such high demand. Have a rummage along the sale rails and in the boxes near the front of the shop if you’re after a bargain for less than a tenner.

Billie Jean is not my lover but if I were into Object Sexuality then I might have to reconsider. Towards the top end of Gloucester Road, this vintage clothing store is a little out the way but worth the trek if you are looking for top quality vintage.
Garments here are well cared for and you would hardly be able to tell that some items had ever been worn before. This quality is reflected in the prices so when I shop here it is rarely for fancy dress purposes. Having said that, the shop does a great line in vintage and reproduction-​vintage hats, including bowlers, pork pies and trilbies.
The bargain rails and boxes out the front of the store are great to rummage in for a cheaper dose of retail therapy and there are usually plenty of bags, scarves, belts and throws here for less than a fiver.
When I was last here the owner spent more time chatting to her friend than assisting me but don’t let this slightly cold approach put you off — the vintages treasures are worth it!

I love anything kitsch and Billie-​Jean Clothes scratches that itch. This shop is rammed with colourful retro clothing, half of which I wouldn’t wear, and most of which wouldn’t fit me, but I still love to look at it. often. Nevertheless, I’ve bought a number of things here over the years, all of which are still in my wardrobe. I’m a bit of an Emelda Marcos when it comes to shoes and so, somewhat inevitably, I’ve bought a couple of pairs of patent sling-​backs to go with the vibrant summer dresses that I’ve also picked up here.
The men’s range is equally superb, and Lord knows where she gets them from, but there must be well in excess of 100 trilby’s lining the top shelf of the men’s section.
Billie, now easily in her fifties, seems to be as ardent as she ever was about what she does. If anything, the shop looks better than it ever has when I visited it again recently. I’m in the market for a pair of old velvet curtains, (the kind with the really thick nap, lined with heavy-​duty cotton), always guaranteed to quell the stiffest of draughts. I came away empty handed on this occasion, but I know that Billie will find some that fit my windows in the colour that I want before too long. Where does she magic all of that stuff from?

Do you have a penchant for brightly coloured, bohemian style clothing? If so, you must visit Billie Jean Clothes. Here you will find a selection of weird and wonderful fabrics, from scarves to hats to glitzy party wear to curtains. And not forgetting the numerous accessories! The shop itself is a vision to behold, radiating colour and spilling its vibrant content out onto the street; baskets of various fabrics surround the shop’s entrance, encouraging passers by to have a good old root around. Some of these baskets contain discounted items, all the more appealing for their affordable prices. Due to the retro nature of much of the shop’s produce, items tend to be quite pricey: authenticity don’t come cheap, you know!

Up the top end of Gloucester road and well away from much other competition from vintage clothing boutiques, Billie Jean Clothes offers a dedicated service of providing clean presentable vintage clothes. The inside of the shop is pretty small, but I’ve always managed to find the odd vintage shirt or t-​shirt in here.
A lot of my female friends rave about this shop too. They’re forever picking up scarves and bags here and I’ve managed to find the odd present after quite a lot of rifling through. If you’re looking for something in particular though, make sure to ask, as the staff are really helpful and know exactly what they have in store. This is definitely a great alternative if you have exhausted the city centre vintage shops such as Uncle Sam’s and Re-​psycho.

Hooray, for once a decently priced vintage shop. It’s pretty out of the way in the grand scheme of things, but if you live near Gloucester road, it’s worth walking that little bit further for. I went on a sunny December day, and the stock stretched out onto the street, with bright scarves, belts and accessories that I simply couldn’t walk by. Inside were a few rails of carefully selected clothing and a few staff making the effort to prepare new clothes by ironing and folding them carefully. Prices were very reasonable considering the care taken. I did notice one item with an atmosphere label (primark’s make) and a couple of H&M items but on the whole, the stuff for sale was very well selected and suitably vintage looking.

Wandering with the 80s lycra masses is all very well, but what if you don’t want to look like a complete high street clone?
I was intrigued by this lil’ vintage shop, stuffed to the gills with alternative, retro and hippy clothes and sporting a rather lovely hand painted sign.
Inside, psychedelic patterns and velvet fabrics took over my brain. Denim, leather, gorgeous 60s flat boots, strappy sandals and rows of handbags. The thing they do best is hats (though not strictly a miliners). There are loads of different types from sun visors to full on Bogart hats — get the distinguished look! The guy behind the counter will give you his opinion on which one looks good, if you should so wish!
What I didn’t expect was the selection of retro velvet curtains on offer (I thought it was a fashion shop!!) which they’ll alter on site. They come in every colour and smell a tiny bit musty — but I guess that’s part of the appeal.
I ended my visit with an obligatory look through the super rummageable bargain bin full of material and random clothes/​tights/​beaded necklaces. Needless to say, my wallet did not leave unscathed.

This is a great shop full of vintage, alternative, retro and hippy clothes for those who like dressing a bit differently.
Their hat selection is huge (the sizes not the style, which is the kind that Frank Sinatra would wear), and the staff are happy to give you feedback as to which one suits you best.
They always have a bargain bin full of material and random clothes, which is always worth having a rummage in.