Pop Boutique Liverpool

Richard Free, the man behind the Pop Boutique mini empire, began collecting vintage clothing in the 1970s and has built up a very enviable list of sources and suppliers over the last 50 years. 

Pop Boutique Liverpool is one of six stores, including one in Manchester and a couple in Sweden. The clothing arrives from the US, Germany and Japan in shipping containers before being sorted at their warehouse in Fornby. They supply other vintage shops as well as the various Pop Boutique stores, meaning you can often get a better price here than you would elsewhere. As Alannah explained in the Liverpool shop, “We cut out the middle man because we are the middle man.’’

As well as original vintage wear, they sell their own vintage-inspired clothing, plus upcycled homeware such as lampshades and cushions made from unwanted garments.

Downstairs, about half the space is devoted to secondhand vinyl. Richard is a Northern Soul enthusiast and this shop is known as one of the best places to find rarities. There’s also lots for the casual browser with 7-inch singles starting from 50p. You could easily spend an hour here, digging through its fashion and music finds.