There's been an N16 to E8 shift going on as both Hub and Strut, the fashion heroes/saviour of Stoke Newington have opened additional stores on Ada Street off Broadway Market. I must confess that I've rarely been lured up to N16 despite its many slightly twee London village charms. Therefore I've never been to the original Strut, a buy-and-sell designer vintage store which people on Yelp (you'd be surprised how useful Yelp reviews are...) rave about for its selection of anything from 'Vivienne to Coco.'
I wandered down Broadway Market today, when it is tolerable. On a Saturday when the market is heaving and the style strutting is turned right up, it can be a little too much but on quieter days, additions like Strut combined with the number of eateries lining the market makes this a pleasurable detour. Strut's storefront and decor is pretty much in tune with current vogue for clean-cut and sparse spaces in which to showcase vintage. In Strut's case, when you have a list of labels such as those that are painted on the shopfront. The list is no exaggeration thankfully.
Comb through the rails and Chanel, Helmut Lang, McQueen, Lanvin, Biba and more really do jump out at you, at prices that aren't hyper expensive. It's not bargainous but definitely more than fair when we're talking about the sort of grade/quality of vintage.
From Biba and Ossie Clark...
... to beautiful vintage pieces picked out for their own merit, rather than any designer labels...
... and then to more contemporary designer clothing. I was tempted by this Jil Sander blood-orange supple leather jacket/shirt...
Head down to Strut if you're after a pair of these Stella McCartney S/S 09 lucite heel shoes in a size 37 and can fork out £185...
For a touch of Miu Miu S/S 11 shade of lime green, these Paul Smith heels are also up for grabs...
This Balenciaga knit/denim jumper was definitely a tempting contender to come home...
...but in the end, eschewing subtle greys and chambray comfiness, I opted for the loudest piece in the store in the form of this Gucci floral jacket/shirt...
