Marc West joins the stylish people at a fiesta of retro cool

Oxford’s ab fab fashionistas were queuing round the block even before the Town Hall doors swung open at midday to reveal an Aladdin’s Cave of vintage delights to tempt even the most frugal of clothing consumers (me).

The Victorian venue was transformed into a sort of cathedral for retro-heads to worship/drool at the altar of all things kooky, kitsch and collectable. Crammed with colour, teeming with tweed and packed with pattern as far as the eye could see it was a baffling assault on the senses that simply willed me to reach for my wallet, but thankfully not dig too deep for that must-have item. Fashion-conscious freshers, however, seemed more than happy to splash their cash in a bid to assert their individuality throughout Michaelmas Term.

After two hours non-stop shopping, I waltzed out wearing not only my new purchases, but also a huge smile on my face – who says retail therapy doesn’t work, eh?

If you too shopped (at elbow’s length next to me) last Saturday but have still not dropped, there are other opportunities to make yourself look like you’re living a life of champagne but with pockets of lemonade.

Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair will pop-up at St Aldate’s again on November 9, but if you simply can’t wait that long for a fashion fix take this tip from me.

Reign Wear at 136 Cowley Road is one of my favorite spots to bag a bargain in the city’s bohemian east – and will no doubt also become very popular with the new influx of freshers this month.

With a dazzling array of vintage items from funky 1960s to (currently very trendy) 1990s grunge, this really is a one-stop shop and maybe the best place to grab a glitzy lil’ number just in time for the forthcoming annual office Christmas party.