Memphis Belle

On a brief trip in town the other day I popped back into Memphis Belle, drawn in beyond temptation by the beautiful 50s dress outside. The lady, as ever, was a delight to talk to and I explained that although I did have an event to attend I had simply been longing for one of their dresses for sometime so wanted to try one on.
The dresses inside are all rather fabulous, some in very bodacious cupcake prints, others in a more delicate rose print. Although there are a few with slightly different features to the design (some with more frilly adornments, others a little more standard) all have been lovingly made by Memphis Belle — something I’d not known previously! Essentially, the majority of items not in a packet have been made by these guys, which endears me even more to this gorgeous shop.
The 50s style dresses really are stunning, with slightly sweetheart necklines, high waists and flowing skirts they’re utterly flattering and I’m sure would suit all different shapes. After trying a number of different ones on, with lots of advice, I eventually chose one that we thought suited my skin tone best. (Being pale as death can be a real drawback.) They also sell the underskirts if you wish to make the dress more ‘poofy’, which I couldn’t resist, so I came away delighted with a new outfit!
For every aspect of retail this place is fabulous — from great products to customer service. I realise it’s an entirely ‘girly’ shop, but if you’re even a little tempted by glamming up I suggest you pop in and have a natter with the lovely lady who works here! There are all sorts of retro and burlesque style bits to choose from, or even simply some outrageous eyelashes…

Memphis Belle is really eye catching, perched neatly on the corner of the Leeds/​Kirkgate Market. It’s main items of sale are dramatic dresses, mostly varying around the 50’s era and burlesque ilk with some more gothic. The windows outside are also decorated with mannequins legs flirtatiously portraying various colourful tights and high heeled shoes that are all wacky and wonderful. They also stock a wide variety of fancy dress type stock such as those packaged witch outfits or nurses attire, plus a load of jewellery, fake eye lashes, silly string and the like.
I really enjoy having a look around in here, it is very busy on the eye and always draws me in and conjures up images of me dressed as a burlesque 50’s lady at a party or just strutting around in some garish colourful tights. A huge amount fun to be had with this place, however is really quite small so navigating inside is hard to say the least when it’s busy, and also wouldn’t be the most wheelchair friendly.

Happy staff and loads of things. You can find tights, socks, dresses, corset and spangling shoes. This place is nice to pop into though browsing isn’t much of an option as it is so small and you may feel a little under-​pressure from the staff if you are like me. Being a niche market and a little quirky (goth/​indie chic) I think the clothes in here are expensive and not the best quality or worth the price. Especially as there are similar stores dotted around Leeds however it is still good to see this variety after the travesty of the Corn Exchange pre-​takeover.

In need of some of those saucy ruffly pants and not sure where to get them? Here. Want a corset but don’t fancy paying out your left nostril in Ann Summers? Come hither. Memphis Belle is run by some lovely ladies, who are on hand to help should you find yourself having a fancy dress-​related panic attack.
It’s a tiny, weeny snip of a shop, on the corner of Kirkgate Markets, but it’s one of those places with really high ceilings and tons of stuff hanging all the way up the walls and from the ceiling. Go in even if you don’t want to buy anything. You’re bound to come out with some fingerless gloves, I bet you.

When the Corn Exchange was in all its glory, a shop like Memphis Belle would have afforded barely a glance from the discerning goth/​emo shoppers of Leeds. Now their stomping ground has been severely reduced, however, you can’t move in this tiny shop for dyed black floppy fringes and sore-​looking piercings. Don’t let this put you off — the cute mix of gothy corsets, dresses covered in vintage tattoo artwork and killer heels aren’t just for the My Chemical Romance-​loving masses. They also stock a good range of cheap and cheerful accessories like tutus and brightly coloured tights that are good for fancy dress, and the staff are cheery and helpful, if a little too keen.