Blackout II

Hhmm,
I’ve bought things in Blackout a few times (I usually check it out when I’m passing) and generally have a good experience. The staff say hello, they’ve happily looked after my drink while I browse, and although they’ve never gone the whole ‘Can I help you find something’, I’ve never minded as it is a pretty small store and rummaging is part of the experience. I usually take a particular look at the jewellery and whoever is behind the counter has always been happy to show me any items I’ve asked to see.
I logged on today as I was going to compliment a recent trip, but I was pretty disappointed to read the customer complaint and owner response: The lady obviously was upset and it would be difficult to understand why anyone would make up a complaint. It is somewhat claustrophobic and possible to feel uncomfortable. Perhaps the two people who she said hello to and who might have trailed after her in the shop were other customers and she misinterpreted the situation. Whatever, reading the owner dismiss her with the suggestion that she has a race persecution complex and needs to get a life is shocking.
I’d have preferred if, while acknowledging that the woman may have felt she had a reason to be upset, the owner had refuted this by reassuring us that racist and insulting behaviour was not tolerated at Blackout. Because the owner’s response IN CAPITALS was, erm, racist and insulting, which kind of lends credence to the customer’s complaint about the owner being rude on the phone and hanging up. It and makes me think twice about going in again

Love, Love, Love!
A great vintage store, this caught my eye when I was walking through Covent Garden the other day. It has loads of 50’s style dresses with big skirts, cardigans and lewellery. A huge selection of handbags are crammed onto a high shelf that runs around the whole shop. I found an awesome gold sparkly clutch with a jewlled clasp for £26.
The shop is really tiny, so don’t take your shopping in, it’s an effort to squeeze yourself around the racks, but it’s worth it!
They hire as well as sell if you have a special occasion.

This vintage store has been around for a few decades now and attracts those who know their vintage from their merely second-​hand.
Stock is mostly women’s clothing and accessories (incl some jewellery) with a small section for the men in our lives. Items are interesting, in good condition and some boast serious credentials so can command decent prices.
If you’re only looking to hire a vintage item this can also be arranged. Not surprising that some items have appeared on your television screens, then.
The store is smallish but well laid out and there’s a tiny staircase at the back that leads down to the basement area — so don’t forget to search there as well.

As far as vintage goes this places ticks many a box, the only problem for me is the pricing. Yes I know that this dress is from the 50s but it does have a rip in it and it’s missing 3 buttons.
Not all the clothes here are tatty, and you can find some genuine gems hidden in the Aladdin’s cave layout that it has but something makes me feel they are a little bit greedy. A store like this has to be run out of love and not out of profit. I have to say though, it is worth the visit and I did find an 80s sundress for £6.99. If you do go, make sure you check out the basement, they have a superb selection down there that is not to be missed, oh and also send your boyfriend to the comic book shop at the end of the road, you may be here a while!!!

Almost everything is truly vintage.
But also truly priced as a representation of its Covent Garden location.
The small upstairs area contains a good variety of eras and pieces, and a little section at the back is devoted to men’s clothing. Just when you think it’s over, the lower ground floor opens up and holds an overflow of the pieces you just saw upstairs.
I had my eye on a fabulous canary-​egg blue and brown plaid skirt suit from the ‘50s, but then I realized I’m a bum and don’t have a job to which I could wear it. If you’re a size ⁸⁄₁₀ and have a job and £55, go give it a good home. Maybe I’ll go back and buy it and just wear it while walking around my 10′ x 12′ flat all day, vacuuming the carpet and Unilocaling.
Be warned that Blackout II only has one changing room. After waiting in line for ten minutes to try on some tops, I gave up and just went to the relative privacy of the lower ground floor to try them on over my clothes.

The best thing about this shop is the half a room filled with rack upon rack of shoes downstairs. There’s no sales staff working down there so you really have free reign just to try try try. There are also rails down here with clothes organised by decade which I always think is a pretty good approach as I usually have a vague shape, length or fabric in mind when I’m shopping so this approach makes finding items with that relatively easy. The stuff’s also not all that expensive considering the location and the quality, you can get nice jumpers and party gear upstairs and you can also hire some of their more extravagant outfits.

This store is it. I would love to be locked in here overnight. There are two floors of fab vintage pieces and a sizeable handbag selection. There are also vintage gloves grouped in pairs and loads of vintage shoes downstairs.
You can get a pearl choker that even smells old (I smelled it) or a hat with a little netted veil.
The prices are not low and not everything is a name brand but I couldn’t care less.
I love this place. I will buy something here even though I can’t afford anything.
The 20’s stuff interests me the most. It’s behind the register. I wonder if they actually have a flapper dress.

This is exactly as a vintage shop should be: crammed with goodies like a huge dressing up box, and with friendly, knowledgeable staff to help you navigate.
It can be pretty expensive, but the extra cash is worth it for the quality. The lady who owns it is an expert, which is evident from her collection.
Entering for a browse is a treat in itself. You’ll see clothes straight from the movies and be filled with the feeling that you could be anything for the evening — Twiggy to Audrey Hepburn — whoever takes your fancy.
Items are also available to rent, which is excellent if you can’t quite justify the purchase. This is by far the best, most authentic and professional vintage shop in the Covent Garden area.

Blackout 2 is a great vintage shop just off the beaten track in Covent Garden. There are so many great vintage shops in Covent Garden but places like Rockit or Pop Boutique don’t always cut it for me, this place has got something a little more special…
If you want something a little extra special I’d recommend coming here. The vintage clothes here are slightly more expensive but are worth it. I got a gorgeous 50s dress here for £90 but it was 100% vintage and I’ve worn it 3 times now and have always had great comments.
If you are willing to spend £50-£100 on a vintage piece of clothing then Blackout 2 is one of the places you need to visit. Forget places like Rockit — there’s lots of choice there but I’ve found more worth while things in Blackout 2 than I ever have in Rockit…

This is a proper, true vintage shop. You can buy original mary quant dresses here! I have found clothes from the past 100 years here infact, its amazing!
Unlike the other junk that other vintage shops sell, this is the real deal, and as the other places have raised their prices so much, this place is now competitevly priced!
It sells mostly womens clothing, but they also sell mens stuff too.
This shop is well-​known among costumers for TV and Film for it has such amazing pieces!
I really sugest trying this place out, you will find some amazing stuff!
(Plus its next door to the most amazing fish and chip shop!)

This vintage clothing shop has been here for as long as I can remember. I once bought a 50s ball gown reminiscent of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, brown with a big bow and tiny white polka dots, to wear to a Cambridge ball. Though small the shop is packed inside and has a basement area with more men’s clothing too. The clothes are more theatrical/​party/​evening than everyday wear, and they sell unusual vintage jewellery and accessories too.

This small boutique of second hand vintage clothing offers some beautiful pieces from the 1920s to the 80s. Not only is it a sales shop but they hire out as well. You will find makes such as Chanel in Blackout II as well as lesser-​known names. It’s like a treasure trove of clothes and accessories and it’s an exciting experience rooting through the amazing and distinctive offerings. They have some extravagant and showy jewellery pieces that you really wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else.
If you’re looking for something really special and unique I would really suggest this place hidden away between Covent Garden and Holborn. The prices are just as special as the pieces you’ll find there but if you have a root through you can sometimes find some fairly reasonably priced items as well. But if it’s a bit pricey why not enquire about hiring out something for a special occasion.