THE Oxford Vintage Fair held at the Town Hall was a hotbed of hipsters. They had come from all over: the lure of past glamour a honeypot of contemporary chic. Many wore the look as they stalked the stalls. I liked the trenchcoat with shorts and one had even drawn on a fake, curling single line moustache.

It was a celebration of style, much in demand – by all ages and body shapes. Everyone enjoys dressing up, especially at Christmas.

There were kimonos and silk 1940s tea dresses; there were silver fox fur coats and impossibly lithe hand-stitched leather gloves.

There were Barbours and belts, there was alligator and python. There were berets and baskets, vintage Adidas and PVC shorts.

Earlier that day I’d been in Helen and Douglas House’s superb vintage store in Summertown.

Its striking window display was a glorious Christmas retro hit with vintage sleds and traditional toys – teddies galore.

In the centre was a voile dress with a black sequinned bodice and yards of tuile.

It looked show stopping on the model, and drew me inside.

Inside was a sensational Santa’s grotto for nostalgia seekers.

Everything from vintage handbags to traditional toys, jackets and A-line skirts.

It worked wonderfully well. So much care had been taken in sorting, selecting and displaying stock, it was a pleasure to navigate its roomy floor space and its beautifully displayed goods.

I came away with a suit for my son, and a photo on my phone of the ball gown in the window.

There’s only so much guess work a parent can employ when it comes to their loved one’s vital statistics but anything not suitable may be returned within 14 days for a credit note.

This may be spent within 30 days at Helen and Douglas House’s five shops in Oxford – including another vintage outlet in the High Street’s Covered Market.

Elsewhere, the charity shops in Oxford are bursting with wonderful gift ideas – quirky, individual, and all for magnificent causes.

Christmas is all about sharing. What better way to hit all the bullseyes at once by choosing your Christmas gifts this year from charity shops?

It’s a circle of good: you select and wrap, your friends and family unwrap, and anything not wanted goes back to the shop?

By that Christmas ritual of gift giving – a really worthwhile cause has been supported, while you’ve had all the fun.

Helen and Douglas House’s hospice in Magdalen Road supports children and young adults with life-limiting illnesses.

How much better, when you wind that hipster belt around your hips for a Christmas party, to know that your happiness has been shared around.

Helen and Douglas House Vintage, 268 Banbury Road, Oxford 01865 515383

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