Blue Rinse is generally acknowledged as the first port of call for the city's trend-toting indie…read morehip-slingers. It's been this way for several years now but at one time, there was nothing to separate the several vintage abodes dotted around the city centre. Blue Rinse now stands head - and probably shoulders too - above it's competitors, not only because the quality of the goods is better (think original Lyle and Scott jumpers, retro Adidas originals gear and a mightily impressive selection of accessories) but because it's arranged and organised like a stylish boutique. Compared to a quest for treasure elsewhere, a treasure chest of desirable garments is presented to you. Open every day of the week, 10.30-6 (Mon-Fri), 10.30-7 (Sat) and 11-5 (Sunday), there's no excuse not go and have a peruse of every single floor. If you're not chasing a bargain basement belt (or any other item of clothing, I only chose belt for alliteration purposes) and are feeling just that little bit flush - payday? - then the Designer's Boutique on the top floor is well worth a look, showcasing some of the finest limited edition clobber local fashionistas have produced. And it does help when the girls that work there are so good looking, too. If they say I look good in something, consider it bought... They're not for me, but girls... the blokes behind the counter look a lot like an early Kings of Leon? Take your fancy?

I don't know if you'll have noticed this, but I have. Leeds is like some kind of Mecca for vintage,…read moreso how I've managed all this time without penning a few thoughts for the big boys at Blue Rinse, I don't know. But I have, so here are some mind-words. Blue Rinse is certainly one of the more long-standing places in which to purchase some great old goodies. They're like the vintage of vintage, having been about so long. And, as opposed to rather a lot of the shops, this place caters in equal measure to the boys and the girls. It's over a few floors, so there's a ton of clothing to rummage through, ranging from funky shirts, jackets, thick woolen jumpers, bright colours and more. It's almost overwhelming when you step inside as there is such a lot to browse through! But patience, friend. Good vintage comes to those who dig. The chaps in there are usually a friendly-ish lot, fash-ed up to the max in the latest vintage look, so if you're at a loss there's always the option to ask for advice. A bonus feature of the changing rooms is the poster collection: pretty much anything of worth going on in the city is plastered up, from gigs to club nights, so it's nice to get a bit of inspiration as you dress for a night out! As mentioned by others, prices are certainly that wee bit higher, but for myself I'd rather spend more and have a staple piece than buy something that will disintegrate in a few months. (I'm looking at you Primark et al.!) Either way, this is definitely another stop off to garnering the coolest threads in town, so pop in if you're after something genuinely old and genuinely cool. Pop in often though, there's a whole load that's one of a kind...

This is a great store! We managed to find a new bag for my mum and it's perfect! They have a…read morereally super selection of everything and their prices are amazing! Staff had the line moving efficiently and quickly! Very happy the purchase!

TK Maxx is both a blessing and a curse. The store is humungous, which bodes well in terms of…read morechoice. You can literally get lost in a sea of clothing, and there is such a vast range that they are sure to have what you are looking for. The handbag section alone is about 6 aisles, with all the colours of the rainbow covered. My favourite items to look for are their dresses. They have so many quirky pieces that you will almost certainly find something unique. All of their stock is marked down designer clothing so that is another bonus - bargains galore! On the flip side, the vast array of choice can often be overwhelming. If you aren't in the mood/tired/in a rush, then this place can be as hellish as Primark to sift through. Too much choice and too many people. The other dark side to TK Maxx is once again, the designer clothing element. Whilst in a lot of cases it means that the unique brands are more affordable, it also means that the one item that you might fall in love with is something like £300 marked down from £500. Whilst a £200 saving is great, it's not so much if you only meant to spend £40 in the first place! So I have a love-hate relationship with TK Maxx. On so many occasions I have walked away with some really lovely, quirky and well made frocks. But then on a few occasions I have run out screaming (or, at least, briskly walked out tutting) with nothing.

An exciting new addition to the independent label scene in Leeds, Each To their Own have opened a…read morebranch on Duncan Street, following their success of their Sheffield based flagship store. A better job could not have been done in creating an attractive decor. Exposed brickwork, boldly patterned wallpaper and dramatic baroque mirrors suggests an underlying confidence in the quality of their clothes. Catering for both men and women, the garments are mainly designed by Alex, the owner of the shop. He speaks animatedly about his passion for fashion, the love and attention he puts into making the clothes is evident. They have a funky style. There are some lovely dresses with gathered hems next to dressy racer back t-shirts; some sheer, floral camis for bed, next to some knee-skimming low crouched trousers. Originality created by independent designers does slightly increase the price of the garments, but that is an inevitable consequence. Let us unite to support local talent such as this, against the constant onslaught of chain shop mediocrity.

This little boutiquey shop is probably in a slightly unfortunate place as I have a feeling not many…read morepeople frequent that side of Duncan Street (opposite the big Oxfam). I noticed it pop up relatively recently...probably less than a year ago (though I have a poor sense of time!). It is uber fashioney and would appeal to people who like to dress in unusual and striking clothing with a unique look. It's a small shop selling both women's and men's clobber. Men's stuff seems to specialise in giant collars and unusual fastenings as well as low-crotch trousers with long ties knotted around the ankles. Women's wear features similar trousers, some in vintage-style hound's tooth and cheques (which I love) and I like this slightly unisex edge to their offering. There are also quirky little waistcoats for women featuring leather buckle fastening as well as cute freeform tartan dresses and long confusing tops that you'd have to try on to figure out. Prices are understandably higher than average high street as the shop features underground labels and fashion-forward pieces...with trousers around £80. There is a lot of attention to detail in Each To Their Own as well as a love of unusual design and eccentricity, which unfortunately is often lacking in the often brand-name centric offering of many Leeds' clothing shops.

What a gorgeous shop! Situated in one of the more run down arcades in Leeds, Upstaged Vintage is a…read morewelcome addition to the thriving vintage scene. The thing that makes this one distinctive for me, is I could tell that the owners are very selective when buying stock. In many vintage shops, it seems evident that a large order has been delivered from wholesalers, and it doesn't always seem completely genuine. There is an old-fashioned, celebratory feel on entering the family run local business. With bunting and fairy lights decorating the place, and an iconic washing line hanging from the ceiling displaying 50's style lingerie, it feels special. I can't speak highly enough of the pieces on sale. The faux fur coats and numerous jackets are absolutely stunning. I tried on a classic pilots waistcoat and jacket. Complete with gold buttons and a stripe on the cuffs, it was beautifully tailored to fit a women. Collections of tea dresses and evening gowns from the 1930's to the 1980's adorn the interior. There is an interesting shoe section of the shop, with some truly unique pairs on show. Upstairs, there are further delights in store. It is a burlesque pin-up boutique; filled with a wide range of corsets, gloves, burlesque accessories and pin-up style lingerie. Dita Von Teese would be in her element. The woman running the shop was absolutely lovely, she was patient and attentive whilst I dithered over what to try on. There is a men's section of the shop and they also sell goods online. Although Upstaged Vintage is not in an obvious location, the treasure you uncover when discovering it, is reward in itself.

Who would have thought that tucked away in the Grand Arcade was a shop that is some kind of vintage…read moreheaven? No, not me, and so imagine my surprise to nip in the other day and discover it?! According to the guys in there people often say that they had no idea that it existed, which is really quite shameful, since it has been here for over a year! Imagine that. And all the delights that I have missed. The ground level shop space has two changing rooms, which you will need, and all the glorious vintage items that you could possibly wish for. There are beautiful eighties puffed sleeved dresses, glorious gorgeous full length coats - one in particular which was absolutely divine but sadly a size wrong for me. They also have some beautiful classy hats, gloves, scarves, shirts - you name it. It's hard to actually describe the amount of beauty within, you really must go and see it for yourself. The people in there are lovely, friendly and vintage fans themselves so you won't be short on advice either! Prices are ranging, but considering they are selling high end clothing for a fraction of the original price I would call it bargainous - investment pieces. The upstairs section also deserves a special mention in its own right. Set out as a burlesque boutique it has a number of beautiful items especially collected for ladies who perform burlesque acts. There are fitted corsets galore, of the finest quality, in a range of sizes. I couldn't sing louder about such a cool and exciting place to shop. It's beyond fancy dress in every sense of the word 'fancy', it is divine! You absolutely must visit, if only for a browse.

Despite being quite a small shop, this Aldo manages to pack quite a lot in, with a wide range of…read moreshoes for both men and women, as well as hand bags and accessories. Aldo's prices are about average high street prices, or just above...their range appears to reflect this with most styles pretty standard for a high street shoe retailer but with a few standing out a as bit more fashion forward. For blokes , unless you're going for 'casual loafers' or 'sports shoes' you have to abide by the current apparently unbreakable fashion rule that is irritatingly long pointed toes. I must admit I'm getting a bit tired of this look. To me, most guys wearing a pair of these shoes just look overly-self-consciously trendy but it appears a man would have to try pretty hard to find a non-pointed toe on the high street...unless venturing into Clarks or Slaters. It has actually got to the point where a man wearing a more rounded toe will probably look like he's making some sort of fashion statement...cue rounded toes coming back 'in'. Yawn. But if you like your toes trendy and pointed there's plenty to choose from! So to sum up, Aldo's not breaking any boundaries, but probably serves the average shoe-shopper well.

My first experience of Aldo Shoes was wandering past and espying some rather fab looking biker…read morestyle boots that were a bit slender than actual biker boots with a bunch of fab buckles and shoe bling, being a sucker for footwear I wandered in and picked them up expecting their price tag to read £300 plus, colour me pleasantly surprised when they came up at £140. Further poking around, led me to see another buckle clad biker boot for just £90, a quick sniff test and, yes, it was leather. Why hadn't I taken the plunge before? It's always been a place I'd walked by and never felt compelled to explore. Is it because I've got an uncle Aldo and I was avoiding it through disassociation? I'm not sure. It could be down to the fact that every time I've wandered by the store is absolutely teeming with people, or that I prejudged it to be super expensive and beyond my budget. My sensible shoe/non sneaker budget is always less than my kickass sneaker budget. In addition to women's shoes they do a range of men's boots and shoes, although on first glance, your man in your life would have to be a bit on the metrosexual side, as styles are more on the exploratory fashion conscience side of things rather than practical Clarks' types. Some of the selections are hit and miss, and as a demographic it's hard to decide if they're targeting the older middle aged crowd, the fashion conscience students, or the teenagers with far too much money yet a healthy appetite for switchblade stilettos and thigh highs. Hmmm. The last time I went in sale season was still in bloom, and due to busy periods staff were a little fraught and run ragged from traipsing up and down stairs, one imagines. More comment on that when I go back for my boots, preferably at a quieter time.

Located on the basement floor of the Victoria Shopping Centre (the entrance is, however, on the…read moreground level) New Look is a largish shop that offers decent quality clothes, for decent prices, and aims to keep up with all the fashion trends. This particular store contains the female section, a tweenage/teenage section aimed at 9-15 year olds, a big changing room section, and a fabulous shoe selection! There is also a good selection of decently priced gifts, ideal for youngish girls, and a great High School Musical section (although if you're not a fan, don't let that put you off!) All in all, this shop has decent quality for decent prices, and may not be where you want to do all your clothes shopping, but could be great to pick up the odd item. Worth a look.

Ilkley Dress Agency is another one of those quirky one off indie clothes shops of Ilkey, situated…read morein The Arcade. From the window display, and the shop signage, I had thought that the shop might not have been for me. However, on further investigation I found that they had a lot of lovely accessories, clothes, jewellery and handbags etc, that were really rather nice. It just goes to show that one shouldn't judge, doesn't it! I think being in Ilkley the customer is likely to be a little bit of a more refined in taste, and so if you are after young/alternative fashion I wouldn't necessarily suggest this shop. I happen to like quite vintage styled items and so this is why the accessories and such appealed to me - there was a fair amount that agreed with my kind of taste. But this sort of thing is all dependent on your opinion, isn't it? Even so, there was a great range of branded clothing to choose from, so what ever your preference it's always best to nip in and have a quick scan, isn't it? They had a large shoe rack too, with some pretty tempting heels, and of course some lovely hand bags! Similar to Deja Vu of Oakwood, the idea with this shop is that they buy in hoards of designer dresses - including Nicole Fahri, LK Bennett, Prada and more - to sell on at discounted rates. That alone is tempting enough for me to want to come back again for a secondary visit!

Now I'm a giddy kipper. Well obviously I'm not or else I'd be a fish and would have no fingers to…read morewrite but you get my drift. It's shopping baby and it's the Ilkley Dress Agency. Hoorah to it I say. A shop dedicated to dresses. What is a girl to do but spend? What you'll find is a lovely shop with a wide range of high quality, new and pre-owned fashions. Whether you want clothing, accessories, jewellery or footwear it's all here. It really is a great place to have a delve around and you can pick some really unique and top quality goods up. This is a girls dream. All I need now is a pair of killer pins and I'm ready to go. Oh well best come back in a year then. Wonderful shop.

With half of their eight stores located in Yorkshire, I associate Ark with the region and am keen…read moreto support it. As a former inhabitant of the Corn Exchange, I was relieved to discover that it had survived the inevitable financial upheaval of the move. Situated on The Headrow, it faces out of The Light and is difficult to miss. Ark caters for both men and women, and I am constantly impressed with their range. When I first noticed the shop, some evil preconception fairies whispered falsities in my ear in regards to their supposed exclusivity. The reality is the inverse of this, there are a variety of dainty dresses and cardigans lined up next to stylish jeans and power jackets, all at very affordable prices. The labels that are stocked at this store are amongst my favourites, namely Vila, Motel Rocks and Layers. Recently I became the proud owner of a black dress with white polka dots, costing £20. Although it is rather conservative for my personal style, there is a gold thread running through it, and teamed with brightly coloured tights, the cut of the dress flatters the figure. I also became fond of a sheer body with a dramatic floral pattern, I have a niggling feeling that we may be having an imminent reunion. The male population are also supplied with choice in abundance. Plenty of Gio-Goi and Franklin and Marshall jumpers sit alongside Carhartt jackets and Supreme Being garb, to name but a few of the labels on offer. I noticed that there were a particularly large amount of checked shirts for men in store recently. Every colour, and every check size was on offer. A great place to pick up some interesting clothing at reasonable prices.

I went in here with my friend when he was looking for a new casual jacket. The store is kind of…read morecool, there's plenty of nice shirts and tees for guys to choose from in a variety of colours and styles. The price is good - there's also quite a few brands in here ranging from Superdry to Carhartt. Cool place for your guy friends to check out if they're in need of a few need wardrobe accessories.