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Armstrongs Vintage (Grassmarket)

A treasure-filled vintage emporium in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket — layered racks, era-spanning pieces and slow-browse delights for hunters of character clothes.

4.6

Armstrongs Vintage is a long-established vintage clothing emporium in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, occupying a multi-room, characterful space stacked with curated retro apparel and accessories from many eras. Expect densely packed racks of dresses, knitwear, coats, kilts and costume pieces amid exposed brick, timber fittings and treasure-hunt shelving — a place for slow browsing and unexpected finds in the city’s historic heart.

A brief summary to Armstrongs Vintage

  • 81-83 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2HJ, GB
  • +441312205557
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-5:30 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5:30 pm
  • Friday 10 am-6 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-6 pm
  • Sunday 12 pm-6 pm

Local tips

  • Allow at least 45–90 minutes for browsing—stock is dense and rewarding if you take your time.
  • Try items on where possible; vintage sizing varies and many garments have era-specific cuts.
  • Check pockets and seams for repairs or labels — these tell a garment’s history and affect value.
  • Bring a reusable bag for purchases; smaller items and accessories make neat carry-ons.
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Armstrongs Vintage location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Rain / Wet Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about Armstrongs Vintage

A compact theatrical interior filled with history

Step inside and the shop reads like a theatrical costume store crossed with a cabinet of curiosities. Low ceilings, original timber and narrow aisles fold into a series of rooms and alcoves; each holds a different mood, from 1940s tailoring to 1970s bohemian dresses and a steady supply of chunky knitwear. The layered display — mannequins, hanging rails and overflowing drawers of accessories — creates a sense of discovery rather than a polished boutique aesthetic.

Curated eras and the kinds of pieces you’ll find

Armstrongs specialises in decades-spanning garments: tailored wool coats, tweed and Harris tweed pieces, seventies dresses in period prints, vintage denim, kilts and more formal post-war tailoring. Accessories — hats, gloves, scarves, leather belts and costume jewellery — are displayed in boxes and trays, rewarding patient searching. Garments show authentic wear and character; sizing can be idiosyncratic, so expect to hunt for that one perfect fit.

The sensory rhythm of browsing here

The space feels tactile and deliberately tactile: fabric rubs under fingertips, the soft clack of hangers, and the muffled hum of conversation. Lighting is warm and slightly shadowed, which flatters older fabrics and colours but can make fine detail harder to read. The smell is a subtle mix of vintage fabric, old leather and ambient city air — comforting rather than clinical.

Why this place matters in the city fabric

Armstrongs has long been part of Edinburgh’s retail scene, offering secondhand clothing as an alternative to new consumption and acting as a resource for those who prize character and sustainable shopping. Its layered stock and breadth of eras make it useful for costume sourcing, collectors hunting specific labels, or anyone seeking a one-of-a-kind wardrobe piece that tells a story.

Practical rhythms and visitor experience

Browsing here rewards time and patience: the store’s dense layout encourages a slow, methodical approach rather than quick in-and-out purchasing. Pieces are priced according to rarity and condition, with a mixture of budget-friendly finds and higher-value items. Staff are generally focused on maintaining the displays and helping with fitting when asked; fittings are in tight, characterful changing spaces rather than spacious dressing rooms.

Things to notice beyond the rails

Look up and around: old signage, framed ephemera and costume-style mannequins add to the sense of continuity with past decades. The shop’s location in the Grassmarket places it amid historic streets and theatre life, so the ambience outside — cobbles, market stalls at times of year, and the rising facades — complements the shop’s nostalgic character.

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