UpStaged is a small family-run Yorkshire business based in Leeds. We have an actual shop in White Cloth Hall as well as our virtual vintage shop online. We do not import huge bails of generic grade 2 and 3 retro stock because we prefer to cherry pick what we sell and have a more confident idea of the provenance of our items. We do not re-produce, re-work or manufacture our own 'vintage' range. We are always honest about a garment's true age, so if you want genuine, quality vintage items then you are in the right place.
We aim to offer the same level of customer service online as you receive in-store. You can ask questions and expect answers in a reasonable time period. Even with international customers we keep close personal e-mail communication open throughout the enquiry and order process. If you prefer a more personal shopping experience, but can't make it to our Leeds store, you can be confident in the very best telephone service for orders and enquiries during opening hours on:
0113 243 5855
UpStaged is simply about individual style. The essence of our philosophy is to provide fashions which are truly individual as well as stylish. We do not support any particular ‘alternative’ style, but encourage all those who identify with a style to investigate the roots of their look and discover that it is possible to be ‘Rockabilly’ or 'Punk' (for instance) without buying into a High Street ‘uniform’.
Buying
We do occasionally buy direct from individuals and theatre groups but we have good low cost suppliers for 1970s & 1980s fashions and you are likely to get a better price for these items by selling them on the well known auction sites.
WE DO NOT BUY OR SELL REAL FUR - so please don't call us about these items.
We are always interested in good quality genuine vintage items though. We may buy ladies or gents clothing and accessories but these need to be from the 1950s or even older. We will pay good prices for the best early 20th century dresses and will come to any Leeds postcode to view, value and collect if you have a large quantity or bulky items. (Further afield can be negotiated).
The advantage of selling to UpStaged is that you know that your treasured garments will be looked after, repaired and cleaned if necessary, and will eventually be re-homed with someone who will love them and give them a new lease of life.
Please contact us via e-mail with as full a description of your items and photographs if possible.
Vintage
Vintage garments were usually produced with higher standards of manufacture than today’s fashions and are invariably made from superior quality materials. We deliberately seek out certain items which have been made in the UK so you can be assured of the quality.
Unlike many online vintage stores we do make an effort to carefully launder our products before they go on sale. Depending on the age and care instructions this can mean a cool hand wash, dry cleaning or steam cleaning. We pride ourselves that our clothes and shop do not have that musty, lingering, second-hand smell. Your purchases will never arrive covered in pet fur or smelling of smoke. Your purchase may need hanging to reduce the signs of packaging but otherwise will be ready to wear. We recommend that you pay close attention to care instructions where available and do not take risks with your vintage wardrobe. If in any doubt of how to clean vintage garments, either take to a specialist cleaner or simply hang in the fresh air (but not bright sunlight) and you will be surprised how this can revitalise your clothes.
Ethically you can rest assured that vintage fashions were not mass produced in third-world sweat shops and you know that wearing vintage fashion is recycling at its best. You could even be helping preserve an item of historical importance.
Theatrical
The selection of vintage products available through UpStaged is so far reaching that we are also becoming a popular source of Theatrical Costume. This is not fancy dress, but genuine examples of bygone fashions.
We have sourced original early Police uniforms, a Victorian lady’s mourning outfit and period wedding dresses. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is a specific costume you are looking for. We have various established contacts in the world of Vintage fashion and will attempt to source any item of clothing you might require.
We have assisted actors, opera singers, stylists, dancers, drag artists, musicians, museum curators and film makers with genuine vintage garments as well as Dr Who and Star Trek enthusiasts and of course, those who just want to wear unique fabulous clothes!
Hints & Tips
To help you make the right decision as to whether an item is suitable for you, we've included this guide of the simple steps you need to take when purchasing vintage online. Some of these steps may seem obvious to experienced online shoppers, but are especially essential when spending your hard-earned cash on vintage clothing.
Check the measurements!
Many vintage items, especially hand-stitched, knitted or tailored items, do not come with a size label and even when they do they may not be an accurate representation of the item's modern UK size. Clothing guides have changed dramatically over the past few decades and manufacturers now produce to a completely different size scale than that of 30-40 years ago. If we state that an item fits like a 10-12 or a pair of shoes fits like a UK size 6 - this is our estimate based on our size guide and works very well most of the time. Should you require the actual measurements of any garment taken with the article laid out flat, please use the enquiry form and we will get back to you with a quick response.
Read the blurb and examine the pictures!
We know you don’t want to be reading pages and pages of text when you can clearly see the pictures but please be aware that the description can contain important information about the age and condition of the item which cannot be illustrated in a photograph. It is important to remember that, unless stated, vintage items have been pre-worn and pre-loved. They may well exhibit signs of wear such as faded/bobbling fabric, cracking print and missing tags. This is simply the nature of vintage clothing and we always aim to state and photograph any major defect, so please take the time to read the description and examine the pictures.
We have detailed terms and conditions which you are agreeing to when you place an order with UpStaged. It is essential that you take the time to read them.
Talk to us! We are always happy to answer questions via e-mail and every item has the facility for you to make an enquiry. We would rather you found out that an item isn’t suitable for you before you buy it than after we have packaged it up and posted it to you.
