About Top of the Town vintage
Top Of The Town Vintage was founded in 2019 by Northern content creator and vintage lover, Sophia Rosemary. A real-life bricks and mortar store followed not long after, fulfilling Sophia’s dream of owning a vintage shop in Stockport’s Underbanks.
As an avid fan of retro style and a seasoned vintage treasure hunter, Sophia wanted to find a way to make shopping vintage clothes easy and accessible by sharing her finds online and in-store. It also gave her a great excuse to keep on hunting completely guilt free...
Sophia grew up on a strict musical diet of Tamla Motown and Northern Soul thanks to her incredible mum. It was this early introduction to 60s and 70s culture which subsequently ignited Sophia's love of vintage and inspired her personal style. Top Of The Town Vintage was affectionately named after the Manchester nightclub Sophia's mum would often frequent to dance to soul music in the 1970s.
Each preloved item is carefully hand picked, repaired, laundered and curated into seasonal collections by Sophia Rosemary, making vintage shopping a breeze for fellow nostalgia lovers from start to finish. Every month we release a limited number of pieces online and you can shop our full stock selection in store. We also offer style advise and personal shopping appointments over email or in store, where we’ll happily pick out items just for you, your personal style or a certain occasion (see our styling section for more details). Top of the Town also creates vintage-inspired, sustainable t-shirts for vintage lovers who love a slogan tee with jeans - it’s a classic combination for a reason.
Shop online or visit our Stockport store
Wednesday to Saturday, 11am until 4pm
17 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, SK3 8TP
12 Questions with Sophia Rosemary, Top of the Town founder, head vintage-hunter and Pep the dog’s number one fan
It’s 2022, and it’s been a wild couple of years, especially for anyone in retail! How are you feeling?
“Actually pretty positive! The pandemic gave me the push I needed to open a bricks and mortar store, which has been my dream since I was a little girl. I think the pandemic forced people to value their local high street more, and it’s changed the way we view shopping. There’s a lot more awareness of shopping small after independent businesses struggled so much, I think it’s a real opportunity for indie shops to flourish.”
What do you love about having a boutique in Stockport?
“Well, I grew up here. Some people like to escape their hometowns, but I just love it here. Stockport has my heart. I love the Underbanks area so much, and I just think it needs a bit of love, love that independent businesses want to give. I think it’s such a beautiful and unique area, and the independent shops and cafes that are here make it even better. I also love that the shop brings new people to the area. Top of the Town had success online before launching the shop, and it makes my day when people travel here and fall in love with both the shop and the Underbanks. Also, my shop used to be a cafe where apparently all the locals mods used to hang out in the 60s - which is SO COOL and so fitting, don’t you think?”
Where do you get your style inspiration from?
“George Harrison. It’s always been George ever since I was young. I love all of the Beatles, but I really like George’s style, he’s just effortlessly cool. I’m a big believer in unisex dressing, and I like being more feminine one day and more masculine the next. I also love Marianne Faithfull for her classic babydoll and Mary-Jane look, and of course Jane Birkin. She’s the ultimate in laid-back French girl style, and I think everyone can take something from her style. She has a real less-is-more approach.”
If you had to change something about Stockport what would it be?
“I’d love more independent shops and especially a really good authentic Italian restaurant in the centre. I’m half Italian, so I have very high standards!”
Speaking of food, should we go for a bite to eat after we’re done with this interview? I’m hungry.
“Laco does a good brunch and light bites, Hillgate Cakery for something sweet, and the Mekong Cat just opened which is AMAZING for pan-Asian food.”
Where do you get your interior style inspiration?
“Well, it’s definitely vintage-inspired. And it’s not just the shop! One of the best compliments I had when I opened the shop was from a friend who walked in and said ‘it looks just like your living room’. He was right! It sounds cheesy, but I do eat, sleep and breathe vintage, and fortunately my other half is much the same. He loves it almost as much as I do.”
Alright, now for some quick-fire this or that questions and then I’ll free you. Dressed up or dressed down?
“Dressed down.”
Flats or heels?
“Always flats!”
Favourite cocktail
“Amaretto Sour.”
Fringe or no fringe?
“Fringe! Always fringe!”
Manchester or Liverpool?
“…I really REALLY love Liverpool, but I have to be loyal to Manchester”
70s or 60s?
“Oh my god that’s so hard! I think it will have to be 70s, because I think as an era it’s so wearable for everyone of all shapes and sizes.”
Sophia would like to stress that she did not in fact interview herself for this, and was bullied into it.
