Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair

Being a fan of all things vintage and (more importantly) all things cheap, I anticipated Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair would be a wonderful event to attend. I am enthusiastic about not only vintage items, but also second hand clothes in general. It is simply the knowledge that I am investing my money into something I know is reliable. I am also a sucker for a good designer label.

                I will start by saying that the garments, jewellery and other goodies were overall a pleasure to look through. It’s a good job I enjoy browsing as unfortunately, in my opinion, a vast amount of the items were overpriced. I appreciate that some of these items were as old as my Nan and in great condition however from experience I know I could find something similar a great deal cheaper. As I gazed across to the jewellery, I couldn’t help but witness a stall owner debating with numerous potential buyers about the price of her stock. Her jewellery was lovely but I’m glad I wasn’t the only one noticing the contradictive use of ‘Affordable’ in the event title.

                On a more positive note, all of the stalls were an absolute joy to look through, indulging the raw musty smell as I moved along. The event was in Freemasons Hall in Manchester, popular for holding banquets and weddings. Its popularity is due to the beautiful interior design, including huge marble pillars and grand ceilings. Built in 1912, it complimented the antiquity of the occasion massively.

                One item that court my eye especially was a collar/scarf entirely made from the whole body of an arctic fox, (yes, entirely) eyes, nose and nails all included. I understood that it was an old piece but there was something disturbing about it. Perhaps it made me think of my cat when he got ran over or maybe because I think foxes are adorable. Come to think of it, I recall it looked extremely hideous and disfigured. Grimacing as I curiously touched it, I wondered who would buy such a thing, but then again what a waste it would be if it was thrown away.

                Overall, regardless of the fact that I left with my purse no lighter than when I arrived, it was a really interesting experience. Tea and cake along with an opportunity to indulge into racks and rails of history was definitely worth the trip.