This is what you can buy for a fiver in Leicester’s vintage boutiques

Everyone loves Highcross. Highcross is a pinnacle of retail experience to which all other shopping centres should aspire. But there’s scarcely a shopping centre in Britain that can’t offer you Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Waterstones and, obviously, Muffin Break.

So, armed with only a fiver, we tried out some of Leicester’s best vintage offerings instead. They have a thrilling style which nowhere else – not even Highcross – can offer you.

Sue Ryder Vintage & Retro

Location: 14 Loseby Lane
Overview: The Sue Ryder charity supports people with life-changing illnesses. Like all charity shops, it is a veritable, cost-effective treasure trove, stocked solely, unlike all charity shops, with vintage and retro goods.
Best finds for £5:

It’s like Belle

Fiver find: pink paisley frock of striking similarity to the changing room curtain (£5)

Mod for it

Location: Directly opposite Sue Ryder
Overview: Sixties-inspired clothing (mainly for fellas), as the name suggests. Limited selection for ladies, but just moved down from the top of the Silver Arcade so clearly there’s a future for it. Suitable for fans of Oasis, Quadrophenia, snazzy brogues.
Best finds for £5: Okay, so there was nothing for a fiver in this shop. For £10, though, a fabulous stencil or snazzy pair of brogues can be yours. Disappointing really.

Voodoo

Location: 44 Silver Street
Overview: Eccentric and diverse independent shop; sometimes gothic, sometimes hippy. Probably the most band t-shirts you’ve ever seen in one place.
Best finds for £5:

Personal fave: Elsa finally lets it go

For three quid this pink UV mascara could be yours

Watch this space

Location: 6 Silver Walk
Overview: Overflowing with pricey but gorgeous handmade goods, and manned by frighteningly trendy Made in Chelsea castoffs. The kind of shop that you aspire to buy one item from and treasure it forever.
Best buys for £5:

Bargain

Wardrobe

Location: 6 Royal Arcade
Overview: A satisfying blend of modern and vintage; perhaps the most accessible shop on the list thanks to its fairly tame prices, brilliant soundtrack and clothes that are difficult to dislike.
Best buys for £5:

Sunglasses, particularly ones that make me look like a housefly on MDMA

Jay n Bey earrings, fierce and just a fiver