Armstrongs Vintage

Came here after hearing about it in Patrick Grant's book. There's a wide variety of vintage items, and a nice mix of larger sizes! It's also just a beautiful shop with lots of interesting decor, which we were informed is part of the owners personal collection! The employees were lovely and friendly, and answered any questions we had. We had a lovely time, I bought 2 jumpers and a Norwegian cardigan, and they're doing if the contest clothes I have worn, as well as being beautiful! Totaled to ~£100, but they are incredibly good quality, beautiful items that'll last a long time. Definitely recommend coming here, your wallet may hate you for it though 😆

The best most amazing shop, just go in and have look. It's well worth it

Massive vintage shop with a great selection of pieces. I could’ve spent hours in here 🤩

i usually only leave positive reviews, but after shopping at armstrongs for years, i ended up leaving my most recent visit empty-handed due to how rude the shopkeeper was to me. i’ll probably return to other locations due to the great selection, but not this one. really disappointed!

More than a shop...it's an Edinburgh institution, a museum to ancient clothes and uniforms. I went in to get ski gear and emerged with a jacket from the 80s and some glam rock motorbike gloves. Perfect for the slopes. The shop was packed and the atmosphere is exciting and mysterious. I love it

Daughter loves vintage shopping and she was not disappointed. Some things look a little rough but most is very nice.

Highly recommend this chain as a vintage store. The most perfect place to find yourself a tweed blazer. I’m so glad I found one here :)

Where do i start.....this shop is amazing. I'm from Essex and was spending a week in Scotland, I would do anything to have this shop where I live! I spent over £100 in this shop today, not because the prices are bad but because I couldn't stop buying stuff (including these really cool trousers). So many gems in here and so much stuff to hunt through. I'd be in here every week if I lived here. I've told my sister she needs to visit Edinburgh so she can come here😂

Disappointment. I was excited for this store. This store has interesting clothing to offer - some vintage some new. The prices were pretty steep. Many clothes were damaged, and the tag did not mention the damaged item. I understand that items are vintage, but it should be disclosed of the condition of the clothing. The v store was very hot and packed with people. I was unable to look at everything because shoppers kept bumping into me or cutting me off unfortunately. The clothes were not very organized either. It was hard to look through them. If they did crowd control and limit the shoppers inside, I may have had a better experience. This has been the most disappointing shop during my Scotland holiday so far.

One of my favorite vintage shops in the world! I look forward to coming here every time I am in Edinburgh. I have found some really unique pieces for great prices.

Tons of great thrift Would definitely recommend great selection a must visit in Edinburgh

Super organized shop. The clothing items are separated by color schemes, eras, tops, bottoms, jackets, and everything else. Whomever organized the store is a genius because there's nothing worse than shopping in a chaotic vintage store. Credit card accepted They have men and woman items, most of the items are from 1950s and on. They have some various older clothing items, but not much. They also stock some accessories, including hats scarves, belts and shoes. If you're not a vintage shopper, it's OK. You might be surprise and find an item that you will fall in love with and wear it on a daily basis. The only thing I would complain about is the smell of old clothes, but that could be easily fixed with dry cleaning. Definitely a must stop if you want to find some good old traditional Scottish items. They even have kilts!

Ok, this is a store you want to go see but prepare it is a little overwhelming. I think the best part of the store was the collectibles hanging from the ceiling that you can't buy! Total disappointment to realize the very best most amazing items were just to gawk at like a vintage museum. There were a lot of people there and salespeople too but not one asked to help me. I was jealous when whom I assumed was the manager or owner, took another customer dressed head to toe in vintage like she stepped out of the 70's into the back to shop. Bummer. I didn't have on my go to blast from the past groovy girl outfit. If you want a kilt at a good price, they have lots of those too but warning the store has a musky smell, not really bad but def old, which I guess is to be expected. All and all, check out the store to see vintage treasures but remember they are for looking at only.

Best Vintage shop I've ever been to. I'm in love with it! I loved shopping vintage on Melrose street in Los Angeles growing up, I love my vintage shops now in San Diego but this one takes the cake for quality, variety and in style articles and the prices were good. The stylists that work there had the mannequins dressed so well, I wanted to take each of those outfits home with me!

I tend to seek out vintage shops wherever I go and Edinburgh was no different. I think coming from Manchester I am spoilt for choice, and at very reasonable prices! So although I appreciate this place is full of gorgeous items and is a visual delight, the prices were just too high for me. I didn't end up buying anything but enjoyed browsing. The window displays are well put together and the inside is full of quirky decorative pieces like mummy cases! Loved them :) I spotted some vintage Prada slip on shoes and a D&G belt amongst the sequins and tulle, very nice but again priced too high for what they're worth. In my opinion. If you love vintage, it's definitely worth popping in but it's pretty big so give yourself ample time.

What a place! I have walked past W. Armstrong & Son many times because of 2 reasons : 1. Vintage shops in city centres are usually stupidly expensive which makes me sad when I can't afford anything in them. 2. It always looked busy inside and too small to get around, which also makes me sad trying to squeeze past people apologising for the entirety of my time in said shop. But I was wrong on 2 counts. This place is a vintage lovers dream, with everything being great value and with some items even discounted from their original price. It is also, huge. As I walked through the first section of the store, I was amazed to find, a little room up a few steps, and another room around the back. Everything is grouped in a way that makes it super easy to find what you want, all put together in similar styles; with rails of Sequins, 70's, fur, christening gowns, hats, and enough tartan to have your own highland fling! A great place to wander round even if you're not usually a vintage fan.

I wandered in with no expectations and left amazed at the depth and breadth of this shop. Such care has been taken in stocking this shop with amazing vintage pieces for every budget. The first room has an enchanting hat display but venture into the back for the meat of the collection. For women, you can find genuine silk kimonos (~£85), floor length wool cloaks (~£75), an entire rainbow of cashmere sweaters (£10-£15), skirts, dresses arranged by decade, a small selection of shoes, and a hat bin (~£8 each). Yes, they know what their more valuable pieces are worth but there were plenty of pieces for a student on a budget as well. If you like quirky or vintage fashion, make sure to visit.

This is not a good place to go when hungover As a guy who enjoys retail therapy, this shop is a nightmare for me - never knew I was so crazy for Harris Tweed... Or black kilts... Or that an ancient cycling jersey would be the shirt I choice for this year's tough mudder. The kilts are the best thing here, I had two English pals up for the Ireland game last week and they both picked up a good one for £20 - not the finest kilts you have ever seen, but they replace all the buckles so you will at least get a good few drunken adventures! Plenty of classic clothes to match up , whether you want traditional, country bumpkin or something a little more retro, you can probably get a full outfit for £70! They have a sister store on Nicholson Street also

Remember in Harry Potter about the Ravenclaw diadem, that became a horcrux and was stashed in the "Room of Hidden Things" on a moose head? (faintly I hear someone yelling "NERD!" as I type this) That's what I think this place is like. It's filled from top to bottom of all things old and used. There are scarves, sweaters, boas, purses, blankets, and dresses, just to name a few. Filled to the brim. I liked this place, but found some of the items stained or dirty, like you could clean it but weren't sure if the stains would come out. I tried to barter with the counter clerk but she wouldn't budge with the price, just said I could come back and return it if it didn't come out. Ummm, no, that wouldn't work for myself as a tourist. But, I thought if there was a shop like this in Anchorage I would go. It's a slightly more expensive thrift shop, with the apparel cute and used.

Amazing vintage clothing shop! Best I've ever encountered- couldn't buy anything because luggage is overfull- but I'm sure I would have otherwise. If you're wanting a kilt or any other traditional Scots clothes- the first part of the store has a huge rack of kilts. The only thing I couldn't find was a skinny tie

I still can't decide how I feel about this place... I love the concept of vintage clothing and if I could get past the musty smell then I'm sure I'd have found some great stuff in there by now. Except its not just the smell. There are so many items crammed onto the poor rails that just trying to browse is like a gym workout in itself - some people love that sort of thing but it's really not mine. Maybe I'm too mainstream and boring but I prefer high street shops any day. Even so, this place is fantastic for things like the odd belt, quirky jewellery, scarves and the like, and for certain fancy dress themes this is very often the best place to start looking. You'll find everything from genuine1950s ball gowns to white PVC go-go boots, and everything in between - my flatmate came home the other day clutching a tiger-print faux fur jacket they'd snapped up. You can't buy things that are in the window display, you have to wait until the stock is rotated, so if something's grabbed your attention then you need to just keep your eye on it. The branch in the Grassmarket is the biggest, but there are several more across the city centre.

This vintage shop located a hop, skip and a jump from the Royal Mile is a spectacular spot!!! Upon entering I was astonished by the 'floor to ceiling' array of clothing and costume items. Seriously, you could spend hours perusing the endless racks of quality pieces.

I live in Glasgow which has a multitude of great vintage shops but I regularly take a trip thru to Edinburgh purely to visit Armstrong's. There are 3 Armstrong's in Edinburgh but this branch in Grassmarket is my favorite. The outside of the store is lovely and the window displays are always extremely intriguing and inviting. You would be forgiven for thinking that this is a costume shop as the displays are so overdramatic and wonderful. Armstrong's does have a fantastic costume and wig section which I have never bought from myself but it would be great if you wanted something different instead of the 10 a penny outfits you can buy online or from dedicated costume shops. The staff are superb and genuinely know there stuff about second hand clothing. I love how Armstrong's has a multitude of different stock from retro 60s and 70s gear to stylish 40s and 50s styles and right back to fragile and beautiful Victorian pieces! They have a great Mens section which I have found some great stuff in (for myself though of course!) and they have some unbelievable vintage wedding dresses if you dare to be different on your big day. You can find some great bargains here and I have never visited this store and not left with something! If you don't live in the Edinburgh area it is still definitely worth the trip because you can be in this store rummaging for a good hour or more so it becomes a sort of day out and the staff seem genuinely thrilled to help you in your quest for the perfect 50s prom dress or retro 70s sunglasses.

I really like the stock and decoration of Armstrongs. Its decorated with outfits, old carnival horses, and mannequins wearing the wildest sparkly catsuits you'll ever see in your life. But before I continue, I have to throw a spanner in the works to complain about their "no returns" policy and how bloody aloof the staff can be! When I've been in recently I have been greeted with the sullen, pouting faces of young girls who, quite honestly, come across as having an attitude problem. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt and perhaps am being too catty but I can't deny their lack of interest in customers when I've visited has been offputting. I visited once near closing time so I didn't take note of it then but it's happened often enough now for it to be notable. Sorry, ladies. Anyway, that's more a personal gripe. It's downright frustrating buying something and then not being able to return it if something goes wrong! They don't even offer an exchange policy, and even though the girl was apologetic when I tried to take something back it was a motor response more than anything else. Not that I'm expecting a flamin' red carpet, but it would've been nice to have been offered some kind of alternative solution. Now I'm stuck with this grotesque, disco ball of a top and nowhere for it to go. If there's any takers, please message me and take it off my hands. I have no idea why I bought it. I look like I should be in Abba's "Super Trooper" video when I wear it. So maybe it was my fault for buying the top in the first place, but them's the breaks. Now, you ask, why the hell give it four stars if you're hating on the service? Quite simply: it looks awesome. I like things that sparkle. I like shops which are glittering prizes. And, despite everything else, Armstrongs is. It's exciting to look around even if you don't surface with a purchase, and the plus side of staff ignoring you is you can gawk at outfits in peace. It's long been established and it really is a treasure trove. As long as you don't make the mistake of buying a top which resembles a Christmas decoration, you'll enjoy it.

Absolutely loved this store! I got a wonderful pair of Levi jeans for just 15 pounds and I couldn't be happier. Considering that there are expensive tourist traps just around the corner, we were very pleased. There was a friendly, upbeat vibe and the store was large enough for all our shopping needs.

A vintage paradise! Walking into Armstrongs is like being Mr. Ben. Remember Mr. Ben? They stock all sorts of costume gear from wigs and packaged costumes to accessories and pimp canes. I need me a pimp cane. Apart from that, there's a huuuge selction of clothes from 1920's onwards. Often clothes are divided up by type, then colour and never really size so it can be heartbreaking when you find the cutest 1950s dress and it's 2 sizes too small. People were smaller then after all! A lot of the stock is mildly outrageous, as in, you wouldn't wear it to the office. A fair bit of the stock is pretty day to day and you can pick up a few bargains here and there, it's like TK Maxx but in the 50s.

Ok so im a boy....you will have noticed I am not remotely fashionable or cool or well dressed but this place is so so so so cool!! When it comes to vintage this place is where its at, when you are trying to do fancy dress and not look like your been assualted by a joke shop this is the place to go. For the latest awesome elite party I got myself kitte dout here with the asisstance of the lovely staff who talked me through what I needed and gave me some pointers on tying a bow tie - which I managed to do on the night HOOOORAY!!! :) All in all this place is a treasure trove for all sorts of thigs!! particularly happy with my Ralph Lauren cords for £9.

I'm not a huge fan of vintage stores, I don't like the fusty smell and the ridiculous prices of some of the bobbly old garments that have probably been rubbed against old ladies liver spots. I just don't see why something is automatically cool because it's "vintage" if I put my dad's old socks in such a shop would they be considered cool too? I generally tend to steer clear of vintage stores but this one is really inviting so I just couldn't help myself. The yellow sign outside and they also had a board outside with opening times that was cute too. As far as vintage stores go this one is actually pretty good and nowhere near as pricey as some. They had a large box of scarves all at £1 each, I even saw some gorgeous shoes that were only £12 and in pretty good nick - I saw a similar pair in Urban Outfitters "vintage" section last week and they were £35! They also had a good selection of sunnies £10 each but they had an buy one get one half price offer on. I also noticed they had a good mix of guys and gals clothing and I spotted a rather fetching cravat. The staff are also really friendly and said hello as soon as I walked in, I ended up not buying anything but I may pop back and get some of the shoes.

V I N T A G E H E A V E N Seriously, I could spend three days straight in this place. I came back twice during my stay in Edinburgh. From vintage knickers, fur coats, to fancy dress and accessories, this place is my vintage dream. The selection here is out of control. The racks go up four layers up to the ceiling, so high you must take a ladder to get up to some of the goods. But let me tell you, it's worth it. If you don't dig in this place, you might miss a gem. Everything is so ridiculously affordable and priced so fairly. Not to mention the condition of all the garments were excellent. And if there was anything wrong with the item, it was priced down to a very fairy and dirt cheap price. I get so excited when I find cheap vintage because I feel like all you see these days are out of control markups and rip offs. I feel that Armstrongs shows up most of the vintage shops here in London. Looks like I need to plan another trip back to Edinburgh soon!

Maybe one of the best vintage shops I've ever been in, and I'm comparing it to some excellent shops in San Francisco and nyc. Really great selection and a wide range of pricing. There's some really special pieces and also some fun, cheaper pieces. I bought a lovely printed dress from the 70s for only £10. I highly recommend taking a peak if your in the area.

Someone once told me that Armstrongs gets its clothes by looting the recently-deceased. I laughed at the time, but there is still a smell in the jumper I bought.... Armstrongs is a really edgy place to shop, it's mainly students who buy the old clothes and handbags. Every now and again, you come across something gorgeous, but my experiences have been less successful. I have only one thing from Armstrongs, a purple jumper which I always get comments about. You have to hand it to them, they have taste. The mannequins outside the shops are always dressed to perfection and always manage to lure me in, but I can never find those great purchases. I know they are there, whether I'm not looking hard enough or they're all taken by the time I get there, I can never find them. But, I have hope - I have the purple jumper to remind me that there are somethings worth searching for

Love a bit of vintage? Looking for some old stuff for fancy dress? Armstrong's is the place to come. Dotted around the capital, there is loads to chose from and lots of era's covered. There are some fabulous things which are always hanging from the roof and not for sale (18th century cape anyone?) but for themed nights, then this is the place to find vintage clothing. I came here in search of an authentic 50's petticoat and I found it. A selection of petticoats of different lengths, and colours, I found one which would be perfect for my non vintage, but 50's style dress. Try before you buy as purchases are non refundable (there is always ebay) and check carefully as to the condition of the clothing, though any faults are always pointed out on the labels. There are some fabulous items - 50's style coats which made my mum go all nostalgic as it was the same as the one my nan wore when she would go out back in the day, 70's style dresses which my mum recognised from her own going out and travelling days and then the horrors of the 80's - big Princess Di, frilly dresses, all puffy and ruffled. It's not only vintage that you'll find here - some vintage 'style' products can be found and don't have a vintage price tag. I found a 40's style tea dress in Armstrongs in Newington and it was a topshop label - good contemporary fit as some vintage sizes can be way off (you may have to go a dress size down as body shapes were different then!) and a bargain price for something that still had the tags on. So, well worth a visit. I love a browse in here as there is some cool stuff but weekdays are better as there are less tourists about.

Armstrong's website calls it a "cornucopia", of vintage and because, trying to be true to good writing, I hate to copy other people's, I just enjoyed this word so much that I had to reproduce it in this review. Armstrong's certainly has been on the scene longer than your average vintage punter, and is one of the old school gang, who were in on the joy of vintage long before every girl and her handbag decided to get involved, i.e. at the moment, with the current crazy for anything vintage. Not that I'm complaining, I love vintage jewels and I do enjoy a good hunt for random, crazy items, depending on my mood. If you're a dedicated vintage aficionado and will wear nothing else, Armstrong's really is something to see, and to hunt down for its retro joy. The main section with all the ladies wear is absolutely awesome to behold, with the wedding dresses and fur coats hanging up (some real, some not, I'm not really sure) above your head, and any other vintage garment or accessory you could imagine chancing upon. If you've got a spare 20 minutes just to have a good rummage, this is a brilliant place to come and adventure through. Last time I was in I tried on a silver, sparkly jumper dress, which made me look very 80s, and which come to think of it, I should have bought. That's it, I'm going back to hunt for it...right now. Review break!

A great place to just waste time and you're bound to find some great gems. But if you're going to go, make sure you set aside a good hour or two to spend time sifting through all the stuff they have.

Very nice store , have some quality cloth . Specially cashmere sweater . All separate by colour . Good style and quality . Many choice . Price is about 20-35 GBP. Reasonable for the quality

Being inside Armstrongs is a little bit like playing in your Mums wardrobe when you were a kid! Old dresses, clomping around in the wrong size shoes and finishing the ensemble off with an old set of pearls and floppy hat! When you walk in you're immediately taken back to bygone eras, with rack upon rack of original 1920's flapper dresses, 1940's tea dresses, Zoot suits and all the vintage accessories you'd ever want! There's even a sort of musty, old clothes smell which, far from being something off-putting, is actually quite authentic and comforting! The shop is divided up into male and female sections, and both are well stocked with a few changing rooms to try on the wonderful things you'll find. I would, however, suggest you go with the time to have a proper rake around, as I can guarantee there will be a gorgeous 50's sun dress hiding somewhere at the back of a rack! The store also has a reasonable selection of fancy dress wigs, accessories, net skirts and tights to really dress up the perfect outfit. The only negative I have is that some of the older dresses, and accessories, are really quite expensive...but I guess that's the price you pay for having something truly vintage! This place is really amazing, and whether you're looking for a fancy dress costume, or a vintage outfit for a special occasion, Armstrongs is definitely worth a visit next time you're in the Grassmarket!

A haven for all of those who love thrift shops and vintage clothing. Although unassuming from the outside, Armstrong's is massive inside, with rooms branching off the main area full of old clothes. Whether it be for fancy dress or just rocking some funky jacket, Armstrong's is the place to come. On first glance, it can seem a bit daunting, with the whole store full of vintage items, from floor to (and including) ceiling. But if you can get past this then there are some treasures to be found. I know many people like their clothes shops properly ordered, by size and style, but something of this ramshackle nature appeals to the anarchist in me and I love having a good browse through endless racks of shite before finding an awesome jacket or other item of clothing. They have it all, t-shirts, trousers, shirts, skirts, dresses, jackets, shoes, accessories...the list is endless. Also more peculiar items such as army hats or old school 40s ball gowns. For those of you who's inner gimp cannot wait to break free, there are also a few PVC bodysuits and enough leather goods to satisfy a German S&M fan. All of the clothes are reasonably priced, obviously depending on quality and age. Sometimes if you find a slight flaw with some of them (ripped stitching etc) you can get a slight discount. Being a vintage store, there are no refunds though, so make sure you're happy with what you've got before buying it. Another of Edinburgh's hidden treasures and one of the best vintage clothes shops around

Love love love... I could spend HOURS in Armstrongs! What a treasure trove of goodies ... though, admittedly you have to be in the right mood... and someone that enjoys hunting through over-stocked rails for that diamond in the rough! I am consistently impressed with their selection, and love that they have the clothing separated into 60's, 70's, 80's ... Also-if, like me, you are a huge fan of fancy dress - this is your 1 stop shop... inspiration at the very least! Get yourself down there.......

Incredible vintage store-found the perfect warm duffel coat and the staff is so friendly and lovely. So many treasures to be found! Can't wait to return whenever I'm in Edi!

I love this shop ........ bought 2 really unusual and beautiful Winter type coats, a blazer and some other stuff at the weekend for just over £70. An amazing lady who works there (short hair and glasses) was of no end of help.

I found the prices and selection to be very good. I do a lot of vintage thrifting in NYC and even with the exchange rate the prices were appealing. The size of the store is pretty impressive too for being right in the middle of the Grass Market. The large selection will have me visiting whenever I'm in town.

Interesting and varied array of vintage kilts, war clothing, vintage! Stay and enjoy! Fun atmosphere.

Armstrongs has a special place in the heart of every trendy Edinburgh girl and boy, it's an emporium of wonderful vintage clothes and accessories and first stop on anyone's shopping list for fancy dress outfits. If you've got some time to spare, it's good fun to pop in and have a rake through the rails - you'll find all manner of clothes from various eras. My favourites are the cashmere and fur rails, and in the past I have found some wonderful unique pieces. The shop smells a little musty, but most places selling old clothes do, also it's not as cheap as you might expect, but you are pretty much guaranteed to be purchasing a one-off.

Best vintage/used shopping in Edinburgh that I could find. Decent prices. Good for braces, belts, army jackets, and the like.

Ahh-mazing! Even if you're not a vintage clothing fan, this is a must-see if you're in the Grassmarket neighborhood. I couldn't believe their selection. I was particularly taken by their vintage hats and scarves. I left with two scarves at 4GBP each. Not bad considering they look brand new! This would be a super cool place to shop if you're looking for a costume or just wanting to play dress up!

What a brilliant vintage shoppe! Costumes, cute vintage finds you wont see anywhere else, real one of a kind stuff, very colorful, was one of my favorite places to see in Edinburgh. They have an ebay store too! Check out my pictures: http://trysomethingfun.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-vintage-fashion-wonderland-in.html

I'm not one for trawling through loads of clothes so places like this do give me the fear a bit. However, if you make the effort you can come up with some pretty cool stuff. My friend found a 1970s jumpsuit that was AMAZING! The rails go all the way up to the ceiling which is kind of annoying as you have to get up on ladders to properly have a look through it all - not great if you're afraid of heights and a bit wobbly on your feet like me! They do have some incredible stuff, from beautiful (and appropriately expensive) genuine 1920s gowns, to cute 1950s prom dresses and velvet capes! Their selection is huge, and it's not that expensive, considering. There is the odd Topshop or Primark item mixed in which is a bit cheeky but I suppose if it looks vintage-style, it might be useful to someone.

Vintage treasure trove- one of several dotted around Edinburgh. Perfect for bargain hunting!

Armstrongs is brilliant for a interesting way to lose 30mins... so many fascinating items in here, floor to celling is crammed. Although there are some true gems floating about it is sad to see 1920's dresses being unkept & gathering dust at the top of the rafters! This shop has everything from very very old items which are usually not for sale through to some more modern reproductions at the back. There is a lot of stuff in this shop with is gorgeous to look at but probably no one in their right mind could pull off. I like to think of this place as half museum-half shop. Prices can be iffy, sometimes good but sometimes steep... a lot of the items have a lot of damage,...obviously as items are very old this is to be expected, but sticking with the £50 price tag seems a little strange when something is moth eaten & falling apart. I have brought a few little items here...my best tip is dont come here on Halloween because you wont be able to move! Overall go in to have a little look round but don't expect to come out with much.