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City feature: Nottingham
Alt Fashion ventured up to Nottingham and discovered there’s far more to Robin Hood country style than men in tights and trashy T-shirts for tourists.
Also home to the legendary Rock City club, as well as a thriving Goth scene and large student population, Nottingham has all the alternative outlets to clothe the patrons of it’s varied and vibrant nightlife. Here’s what we found...
First stop is Void on Carlton Street.

A large, split level alternative clothing store catering mainly to the Goth market, Void carries staple brands such as Emily Strange, Strangeways and Stargazer along with many unique pieces of velvet and vinyl gear. They also stock a range of band merch items and a large selection of stack heeled and stilettoed goodies from Fantasy Footwear.
A little further up Carlton Street you’ll find Ice 9, a store selling all kinds of crazy clothing and curios which is divided into two branches directly opposite one another. The smaller outlet focuses on alternative attire, while the main store, positioned on the corner with Heathcoat Street, fills it’s two floors with jewelry, ornaments and cards. The upstairs has quite a hippyish feel, being stacked with printed scarves and ethnic pendants and homewares, while the basement offers piercing jewelry and gothic / rock threads.
Next to the more modest of Ice 9’s two stores nestles Jugglers, selling - as the name might suggest - juggling gear and magic tricks. Cyber kids may fancy a nose at their range of Poi equipment though.
A stones throw away from this cluster of Alternative stores is Broad Street’s

Wild Clothing.
Geared to indie kids and retro lovers Wild deal in a mix of genuine vintage and retro reproductions. Paul Frank patterns and Batman belt buckles crowd the window display and the look is a kind of geeky kitsch, with the mannequins modeling 50s sundresses alongside lurid knitted tanks.
Just up the road in Pelham Street Jade Shoes can be found, selling styles ranging from the endorsed Tank Girl 13-hole Doc Marten, to chunky heeled, ultra-feminine leopard print courts which rockabilly kittens with simply adore.
Plus their glitter-encrusted Dorothy spikes are the kind of objects of beauty that cause grown women to splurge their entire payday packet on footwear and happily endure freezing for the next month when they can’t pay the gas bill.
Just off Pelham Street, tucked into a tiny alley, is Bodycraft Tattoos, where both male and female tattooists and piercers are available to punch holes in your flesh in the name of fashion.
Those in need of some liquid courage before they go under the needle may be interested to know that Nottingham’s own Gothic-themed Eerie Pub, The Pit And Pendulum is situated directly opposite. Not that you should ever drink before getting inked of course. Or that we would ever recommend such a thing.
Bridlesmith Gate is another hotspot for unusual retailers. Here you’ll find giftshop The Tokenhouse

Which, behind the kids gear and cards, hides some kitschy band merch (Rolling Stones Warhol tongue mug, anyone?) and cute retro-style pin-up chick printed bags.
Bridlesmith is best for shoes though. It can boast the Moda In Pelle footwear boutique, plus chain outlets with some interesting items, Dune and Office.
The latter is great for picking up scenester standards Converse in every print imaginable, along with quirky related merch items, such as the Converse messenger bag that laces up like a giant hi-top! Moda In Pelle, though pricey, is bound to have glam rock chicks swooning over its impressive selection of cowboy boots and uber-80s zebra print stilettos.
Also worth a mention is Market Street, where crafters will love The Bead Shop, stocking every size and shape of bead, plus plenty of other DIY project essentials.
A little further up Market Street is Page 45 comic shop
also selling T-shirts, action figures and some bizarre books and obscure Japanese imports that may appeal to Lolitas seeking out that rare edition of FRUiTS. Plus next door Select-a-Disc is a must for hard-to-find music bargains.
Finally, VS2 on Mansfield Road is very much worth a look. This unique store specializes in DIY’d, customized and handmade goodies, including the fabulous deathrock / psychobilly styled skull & ouijaboard print shoes of local designer Miss Fiendish.