HELLO INDIE Exeter goes vintage

FROCKS IN SWING TIME We go for a wander around the family-run vintage haven on Fore Street By Harriet Noble

STEP BACK IN TIME… Frocks in Swing Time has always been a sprightly and colourful kind of shop. If you want to feel – or look – like you’ve just stepped off the lm set o Some Like it Hot, The Great Gatsby, or any Hitchcock thriller, this is the place to be. The boutique is family-run; owners are husband and wife team Gary and Hayley Shaw, who specialise in vintage-inspired clothing, shoes and accessories for adults and children, with a focus on clothes in the 20s, 40s and 50s.

When I pop in for a chat, Hayley tells me that normally rushed off her eet lockdown gave her the time to focus on social media and promoting their website, resulting in the expansion of their online customer base to include sales to Australia, USA and Europe.

They also took part in the In-Exeter Summer of Kindness Campaign, which encouraged businesses to buddy up and promote each other’s products, teaming up with their neighbours The Black Pearl and The Belt Makers.

Bright yellow, you can’t miss it; BELOW: The debonair couple

WHAT CAUGHT OUR EYE…. Loads of beautiful swing coats – think Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn – lot’s of polka dot, wide-leg trousers, tie in the front blouses, lovely leather satchels with bow details, animal jewellery, and colourful scarves.

1

2

3

4

5

SHOPPING LIST 1. Brogue t-bar shoes, £50 2. Clarice blouse, £42 3. Vintage satchel, £40 4. Dancing days bow belts, £10 5. Mabel polka dot dress, £89

CLOCKWISE: Movie-style outifts

“e now o er ree appointments so that I can give one-to-one styling advice and fi tting service

© EMILY APPLETON PHOTOGRAPHY

PRESENT AND CORRECT… So what’s new in the store? Well, like many of us, they’ve done a bit of DIY during lockdown, painting the front door entrance a bright, sunny colour and adding a wall o owers. Prettinesss is everything here.

They’ve kept their changing room open so people can try on out ts theyre steam cleaned ater eery use and because o the socially distancing rules, they actually off er a more bespoke service than ever. e now off er ree appointments so that can gie a one-to-one styling adice and tting service. Feedback from our customers has been really positive,” says Hayley.

“It’s taken some getting used to learning how to describe and model how to fasten a dress, belt or add hair accessories, as opposed to just doing these things myself, as previously these are things I would have done automatically for a customer!” ts de nitely uieter, naturally, but our regular customers have been delighted to see that we survived and have been able to reopen,” adds Hayley.

“We have been incredibly grateful for the loyal support we have received from local customers.” ■

Frocks in Swing Time, 151/152 Fore Street, Exeter; www.frocksinswingtime.com