Vintage clothing has been making a huge comeback in fashion forward cities around the world, especial New York and London. Eccentric outfits from the 1960’s, elegant dresses from the 1920’s, hippy shirts from the 70’s, even denim jackets from the 80’s are being snatched up with great ferocity around the globe. Though mainly second hand, vintage clothes are usually true gems, representing the culture from an era past. Virtually all hipsters and stylish people on the streets of London flaunt at least one item of clothing purchased in a vintage shop. Meanwhile, a whole category featuring thousands and thousands of old clothing treasures and accessories flood eBay on a daily basis.

In comparison, the “vintage revolution” has been slow and less apparent in China’s capital. Though thrift stores and vintage shops are rare in Beijing that is not to say they don’t exist at all. Artists, musicians and China’s trendy youth are increasingly turning their sights to the previous generations for fashion inspiration. Just as vintage clothing shopping is all about finding hidden gems, so too are the shops and markets bearing the precious goods in Beijing. Below are two very contrasting spots for finding vintage goods in the capital.

M&M (Mega Mega) Vintage
This shop on Gulou Dongdajie may be small, but its space is packed to the brim with one of a kind, carefully selected vintage clothing and accessories imported from abroad. Stepping through the doors transports you straight to Brick Lane in London – the trendy street that is not only home to a large Bengali community but also one of London’s largest concentration of vintage shops. Even the fitting room assumes the form of a traditional London phone box. The walls are decorated with old band photographs, posters, number plates etc. However, of greater interest is the stock that fills virtually every available space within the premises. From old granny shirts, denim flares and leather jackets, to dresses and skirts from the 50s and 60s, you’ll find it here. The shop also sells a beautiful collection of male and female leather shoes and bags, belts and jewelry. The only thing that stops you from going shopping crazy is the fact the novelty aspect of finding such rare gems in Beijing is clearly reflected in the prices. While there is a bargain basket with items for as little as 25 RMB, the majority of clothes are priced at 150 RMB and up. Leather shoes, bags and jackets may well reach to the thousands. However, for those who value individual, non-mainstream fashion over mainstream, generic yet cheaper goods, then this place is the place to go.

M&M Vintage
Address: 241 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
地址: 北京市东城区鼓楼东大街241号
Tel: 13611113460
Website: www.mmvintage.com
Opening hours: 14:30-22:00
Getting there: take bus No. 107, 124, 635 and get off at Baochao Hutong stop（宝钞胡同站）
Or take subway line 2 to Gulou Station (鼓楼站）and walk to M&M (it's a pretty long walk)

Daliushu Guanxin Market大柳树官鑫综合批发市场
This market is for those who don’t mind rough and dirty for the sake of finding dirt cheap items of clothing. The shopping experience is quite the counter opposite to that at M&M. Vintage is not simply spoon-fed to you in pleasant, clean surroundings. However, this market is Beijing’s best kept secret, with very few foreigners knowing about its existence. While fairly hard to find, Guanxin market sells the cheapest clothes, shoes and accessories in Beijing. Forget trying to bargain down a pair of converse from 300 to 90 RMB at Yashow or Silk Market. Here they’re sold at 20-30 RMB, bargaining not required or appreciated. The products sold here are literally so cheap that it would be an awful insult to try to press the sellers for even lower prices. While the market is mainly good for finding new clothes and shoes, (even designer brands with slight faults or overstock items), there is an outdoor flea market style section that sells antique items, the odd vintage clothes, leather jackets and shoes. The best finds here are old leather shoes and belts, Chinese runners from the 80’s and wrist watches. However, you really have to plough through a lot of junk and the smells and rubbish on the ground may not be for every visitor. If, on the other hand, you’re willing to embark on an adventure to the south side of Beijing for vintage bargain hunting, then this is the place for you. The earlier you go here the better as a lot of the good stuff gets snatched up in the mornings and afternoons, and most vendors start to pack up at around 4pm.

Daliushu Guanxin Market 大柳树官鑫综合批发市场
Address: Daliushu Liu, Chaoyang District, Beijing (close to Jingshen motorway)
地址：朝阳区大柳树路(近京沈高速路)
Getting there: Take bus no. 677, 30, 34, 687, 348, 475, 735, 745, 637 to Daliushu stop (大柳树站).
Note: Dasliushu Ganxin market is only open on weekends. Be sure to keep an eye out for pickpockets

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