In town and itching to shop some vintage? Head to Cape Town’s quirky Observatory suburb, where most of our recommended stores are located. Overall, Cape Town’s vintage scene is delightfully eclectic. While most cities rush to open up glossy designer resale shops, CT is keeping things authentic with properly vintage thrift shops where fashion-history lovers and generally nostalgic people can browse bygone fashion.
Below, our guide to the best vintage stores in Cape Town, curated with the help of our global editors.
Bang Bang Vintage Market
For flea-market vibes, head to this beloved permanent indoor market. It’s a zany assortment of retro corduroys, steampunk leather goods, and totally kitsch vintage pieces. Don’t come here looking for high-end labels, but do come ready to sift through endless racks containing secondhand surprises.
Address: 65 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925
Glitterati
Bettie Page and Betty Draper fans will delight upon entering Glitterati—there’s a case of downright dazzling 1950s-era costume jewelry. Composed of both men’s and women’s clothing, the selection mostly ranges from the 1950s to the 1980s. Be prepared to rummage through all the offerings—this is not a sparsely merchandised store but a full-on jumble of vintage.
Address: The Long Street Antique Arcade, 127 Long St, Cape Town, 8001
Gracious Daisy Vintage
When the hangers are all mismatched and the goods are not sorted by color, you know there’s a vintage treasure to be found. At Gracious Daisy Vintage thrift shop, located in Cape Town’s eclectic Observatory district, you’ll find a variety of men’s, women’s, and accessories behind the store’s doors—a wrought iron gate with playful flowers. The offerings span ’70s floral maxidresses to 2010s chambray shirting. It’s all in the mix!
Address: 77 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925
Grand Funk Retro Vintage
Per their Instagram bio, at Grand Funk Retro Vintage Shop, “We Keep it Groovy.” This means a combination of hippie-esque fashions—boho floral dresses, Indian block-printed cotton sets, caftans galore—as well as a line of locally made upcycled one-of-a-kind fashions. The two-story space is colorfully but neatly organized with artwork and stacks of pillows that come together to create a flower child’s utopia.
Address: 26 Lower Main Road Observatory, Cape Town, 7925
SecondHand Rose
Opened in 1971, SecondHand Rose enjoys the title of the longest and oldest-running secondhand ladies’ clothing shop in town. Both modern secondhand and vintage fashion are on offer here, with pieces in the latter category going back as early as the 1900s. The shop is mostly stocked with newer items, however, and the environment is airy and easy to navigate.
Address: Shop 8, Grove on the Square, Warwick Street, Claremont, Cape Town, 7708
Original article can be found on Vogue Us
