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Friday 25th July, 2014

The Classic Car Boot Sale

By Sally Sweetlove

Weekend of 15th & 16th March 2014
London South Bank

Saturday the 15th of March was a gloriously sunny day. Spring had without doubt sprung in London! It was the day I visited The Classic Car Boot Sale on London’s South Bank, held in a car park in the shadow of the London Eye.

This was the second time the event had been put on (the first being October of last year) and to say it was busy would be an understatement.  There was a queue at least 100 people long but I was lucky enough to sneak in the side gate without waiting.  The atmosphere was wonderful – the good weather helping the spirits of all and sundry.  All in all around 8000 people passed through the gates.

I was greeted with music and the hustle and bustle one would expect of any car boot sale on a spring day, but what made it special for me was the sheer choice of vintage goodies on offer. From clothes, bags and shoes from the 30s through to the 70s. There were some delicious pieces for sale. With such a vast selection of assorted house hold ephemera on display, I could have spent a fortune!

Possibly the prettiest picnic set I’ve seen in a long time, and it was complete too! I was imagining sitting on a river bank on a hot summers day, eating cucumber sandwiches and drinking champagne from tea cups - how perfect!
Possibly the prettiest picnic set I’ve seen in a long time, and it was complete too! I was imagining sitting on a river bank on a hot summers day, eating cucumber sandwiches and drinking champagne from tea cups – how perfect!
Despite my strongest protestations of ‘I’m not buying anything’ I left with an adorable pair of pink satin 1940s heels. What I really coveted was this dress and hat. Oh to be teeny enough to have worn that dress (I am lucky enough to now own the hat!)
Despite my strongest protestations of ‘I’m not buying anything’ I left with an adorable pair of pink satin 1940s heels. What I really coveted was this dress and hat. Oh to be teeny enough to have worn that dress (I am lucky enough to now own
the hat!)
I just adored this 50s Melamine tableware!
I just adored this 50s Melamine tableware!
...and a shameless use of a Triumph to promote a rather yummy frock!
…and a shameless use of a Triumph to promote a rather yummy frock!

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Let us not forget the cars and bikes, polished to perfection they did steal the show. I confess to not knowing a great deal about cars, but I could have quite happily driven away in most of them. Chrome I feel is something sadly lacking in today’s automotive industry, don’t you think?
Let us not forget the cars and bikes, polished to perfection they did steal the show. I confess to not knowing a great deal about cars, but I could have quite happily driven away in most of them. Chrome I feel is something sadly lacking in today’s automotive industry, don’t you think?

I had a wonderful afternoon! I met up with old friends and made some new ones too. In attendance were some stalwarts of the vintage scene, as well as newcomers looking for inspiration and ideas. Without exception everyone that I spoke to had a fabulous time. I even had a lovely ice cold vino purchased from a Routemaster bus! What could be more super?
I was even lucky enough to be introduced to Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway – both of whom were just charming.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and I would recommend it to everyone. Lets hope the British weather plays its part again next time!
Sally x

Sally Sweetlove is a dressmaker, frockaholic, and shoe and vintage stuff hoarder.  She’s been passionate about Vintage since her 20s and has dressed in it on and off since then… which is more years than she cares to count!