» Cover Feature: Tramp Vintage Clothing
All the ladies (and generous gents) will love new vintage boutique Tramp
Stunning dresses line the rails and portraits of famous ‘tramps’ such as Elizabeth Taylor and Marlene Dietrich gaze down in approval from oyster pink walls – welcome to Tramp, Brighton’s new vintage clothing boutique.
Now, you may be wondering why our city needs another vintage shop, but Tramp is a little different. While most vintage stores are so crammed with bulk-ordered items your grandma threw out last year (yes, there are warehouses you can order, say, 50 ‘vintage’ leggings from), Tramp is pleasingly uncluttered. It’s easy to sift through the rails, and you don’t have to waste hours rummaging in bargain barrels.
Each piece is carefully hand-picked and sourced by owner Michelle Terras and manager Francesca Pendlebury, then attentively cleaned and altered to bring it in line with current trends without losing that vintage appeal.
You’d think this level of care would come with a hefty price tag, but prices start at just £28 for a summer dress. Here you can also find those slightly more special pieces, such as an elegant dusky pink, 1930s embroidered gown in pristine condition for around £200, or a ’70s Bianca Jagger-esque catsuit for £100.
Michelle and Francesca are very good at knowing what suits various shapes and tastes, and they encourage chaps on the lookout for that something special for that someone special to come and have a chat with them. Tell them a little about the lucky recipient, and they will find the very thing to make their face light up as the tissue paper parts. (While the chap takes all of the credit, of course.)
Tramp received celebrity endorsement within a few days of opening as designer to the stars Bella Freud sported a pink ruffled number at The Hoping Foundation’s charity fundraiser, an event which was also attended by the likes of Kate Moss, Nick Cave and Tom Jones.
All in all, Tramp is a welcome addition to the ever evolving North Laine and a relaxed shopping break for those who are sick of that musty vintage smell.
Tramp, 22 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, 01273 687968, opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am–6pm, Sunday 11am–5pm, www.trampvintageclothing.com
