Music & Fashion – The Wardrobe, Fab Boutique, Chelsea Girl, Maridadi & Others in Hastings.

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supplied by Nick Prince

Anyone remember The Wardrobe boutique?  This had an entrance in York Gardens and was part of Wards. Also have fond memories of Huckels, The Fab Boutique and Cyril Savages. Any others?

Nigel Ford… Underground, and I think I got my Parka from Millets in 1969…I too remember all the others Nick.

Dave Nattress… What about the Trading Post for the ex.Army gear!! But for the early 70′s smooth phase, yeah, used to come over from Bexhill to Fab Boutique and Huckells for sure. But then broadening it right out, Kensington Market for the Afghan Coats, scoop neck T shirts and Loon Pants.

Matt Thomas… Scorpio

Caz Simpson… Was the Fab Boutique owned by on of the Fisher brothers? Brian? If so the ladies part do it was called She in Queens Road.  She was quite high up Queens Road, I think it was upstairs to Fab. Very small but lovely clothes.

Jim Breeds… Yes, bought loads of clothes in there. And Fab. Great days for huge butterfly shirt collars.

Lucy Pappas… Loved The Wardrobe x

Andre Martin… Brian Fisher taken with a Model from FAB BOUTIQUE on Hastings Beach we think about 1966.

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Steve Thorpe… Scorpio for a pair of Brutus, then into the Golden Egg!

Mick Knights… No matter what I tried on in the Fab Boutique apparently fitted me like a glove and could have been made for me,!!

Robert Wren… I thought Wadrobe was on the corner where Andrews the estate agents is now? At Priory Road school we always thought it was very cool to keep your school books in the latest fashion shop plastic bag!

Alan Esdaile… I remember trying on a pair of leather trousers in The Wardrobe. No way could I wear them and really struggled to get them back off. Brings tears to my eyes thinking about it now. What was the name of the boutique opposite The HiFI?

Jim Breeds… Hastings New Centre For Fashion Conscious Men. Advert in my 1970-71 Priory Road School magazine. 1 York Gardens.

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supplied by Jim Breeds

Alan Esdaile… The Andrews estate agent shop has changed hands another of times but remember it was an Athena Poster Shop for awhile.

Lucy Pappas… I’d forgotten the poster shop!

Robert Wren… It must of moved as my 1974 Kelly,s directory lists ‘The Wadrobe, men’s fashion centre. Telephone, Hastings 32410. 61 Robertson Street’.

Caz Simpson… Chelsea Girl was everyone’s favourite in Queens road, below the Pamdor I think.

Alan Mitchell… Can anyone remember KEP Casuals.  KEP casuals was in Castle Street opposite Argos. It was owned by Keith Griffiths and closed mid sixties.

Lucy Pappas… I used to spend every sat morning in Chelsea Girl. Loved the clothes, always good music playing, the best place to hang out!

Nick Prince… Wardrobe did have a period at Andrews at some point in the 70’s and it then became an offical Athena Poster Shop about 1978.

Phil Gill… The boutique opposite the Hifi was Maridadi. Bought some great clothes there, including these loon pants. Petulant look due to being 17. Pete and Sue Sansom used to own it and lived upstairs. I came to know them quite well subsequently…just about everyone one of my male teenage friends had a crush on Sue, she was lovely. They sold really nice clothing.

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supplied by Phil Gill

Yvonne Cleland… I had purple ones – they were too long and used to get muddy around the bottoms.

Lucy Pappas… I had purple ones, too, Yvonne . I sewed on a yellow smiley face badge. I loved them.

Diane Knight… Underground boutique and pouring yourself into a new pair of jeans !!!

Andre Martin… Chelsea Girl 1969.

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Paul Sleet…  Priti Novelties on the seafront at Warrior Square for my Afghan coat.

Nick Prince… Priti Novelties ended up on That’s Life! twice!! And not for good reasons. Do you remember that?  Then at the other end of the market, the was Cheap Jacks in Castle Street. Before Albert Road was extended down to the Carlisle, there was a little covered walkway that led to the old loos at Pelham Street. Cheap Jacks had windows of alleged displays all the way down the walkway. I seem to remember it rebranded itself as CJ’s in the 80’s just to be really trendy!

Jim Breeds… Underground – Wasn’t that on the corner of Queens Parade and York buildings? I used that too. I think the basement was a part of the shop? And am I making it up or was there a spiral staircase.

Caz Simpson… I really loved going into Priti Novelties, they had puzzle rings and all sorts. Underground – There was I’m sure!  It was the basement that flooded, it was the ladies section.

John Storer…Never really into clothes in the 70s (until I got married and my wife taught me some clothes sense) because most of my money went on records, fags and beer. However, remember my mum buying me a really cool yellow and silver striped shirt and a pair of hipster flares from Wardrobe one Christmas …. not that I ever had the figure for hipster flares but … LOL. Did used to get my Levis and a Parka from Milletts and my suits made to measure in Hepworths. Hepworth’s then started up a section for trendy clothes. They got so popular that the stores were rebranded to the name they labelled those clothes with …. Next. During the 80s, don’t think I ever bought anything that wasn’t Next or Principals. Also remember Colin Jarvis buying an army greatcoat and a leather and sheepskin-lined USAF flying jacket from the Trading Post, both of which he eventually passed to me. Loved that flying jacket!

Peter Millington… KEP Casuals was opposite where ARGOS is now – very up-market and trendy. This label is a leather waistcoat that I have and dates back to about 1961, still in amazing condition.

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supplied by Peter Millington

Lucy Pappas… Aw, I remember Colin’s army greatcoat and flying jacket. They suited him so well. Such a wonderful bloke and good friend. We used to chug up Fairlight Rd on his bike! I guess he never really knew how loved he was x

Nick Prince… “Hepworths. A Little bit more your style” Rebranded as Top Man in the 80’s to attract younger people, I believe. Hepworths ended up as part of the Burton group anyway.

Alan Pepper… Early seventies in Hastings town on a Saturday meant spending our wages first visit Huckells then Two plus One cheesecloth shirt, oxford bags , stack heeled shoes etc. Then across the road to buy the latest Al Green LP , a quick coffee in Iorios or Demarcos. Then up to the Aquarius at night Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon are playing
live with Blame it on the Pony Express speeding up the charts ! Happy Days !!

Nick Prince… What about Jax Fashions pictured here in 1977. Did any of you ladies go there? It was there for years, eventually becoming Salisburys.

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Nick Prince Collection

Jane Dorsett… I worked in Chelsea girl 1970s, great times.

Janine Anne Hemsley… Escapade shoe shop top of Queens Rd and Scorpio

Dawn Leaney… How about Trendy girl? It was top end of Queens Road. . Then moved into the row near Woolworths. , and Van Allen? On the corner which is Jempsons now. 🙂

Dave Nattress…  I remember the first pair of Levi 501′s – bought from Peter Jackson, Sackville Road, Bexhill. Literally the only clothes shop to sell anything trendy in Bexhill – competition was Wards. Those 501′s were £3.2/6 I think, £3.12p. Dark Blue, straight legs, button flies, Red Levi’s tab of course, stiff as a board, took months to start softening up and getting faded. Used to wear them in the bath to make them shrink down a size “shrink to fit” or go in the sea and laundered them time and time again in the Sackville Road Laundry – still there, all to make them fade. Then made them into flares with a bit of Green courdoroy in each leg. I still wear 501′s but they’re serious cash now – mind you, they always were costly even in 68 – 69 at £3 odd!! Hey Jane catch y soonxx

John Wilde… Ahh Cyril Savages. Some excellent trousers, shirts, belts and boots.

Chris Sambrook… I remember my LOONS a flapping through sheer noise terror of Judas Priest on Hastings Pier.

Mick Mepham…. …. especially when Halford hit the high notes Chris …. he certainly could hit ’em…

Peter Pursglove… brought my first made to measure suit in the early 60’s from Burton’s ,the second in the 70’s from the tailors under Toff’s ,the old ChelseaGirl shop but can’t remember the name

Tony Davis… I remember the Wardrobe well. When it was at Andrews it was run by brothers Dave and Andy Johnson and they both worked at the Astral Club when I was dj-ing there. Dave on the door and Andy behind the bar. I remember buying a crimson satin jacket from them. It looked great with my black loons. I can’t say I wish I still had it though – I don’t think crimson is my colour!

Dawn Leaney… Has anyone remembered “2 plus 1 ” that was at the lower end of Have lock Road? Was this something to do with the Fishers to ?

Trevor Greenwood… Remember it well, first job in Fab Boutique , moved with shop to Two plus One , then Cats Whisker’s in Arcade where butchers is now, so many good memories of Hastings at that time.

Robert Wren… My mate Trev found this old Two Plus One bag when having a sort out recently.

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photo by Trev, via Robert Wren

Wendy Weaver… When Graham was 17 and going to his first formal dinner dance (Hastings and Thanet BS at Dixieland) he bought a velvet jacket and smart shirt in Wardrobe. Obviously the Bees Knees.

Diane Knight… What about lying on the floor desperately trying to get into jeans that were really tooo small …underground boutique !!!!

Jo Howard… Anyone else remember the tiny little shop Maridadi, in the Old Town near the amusement arcade, round a corner on a side street that sold the best loons ever ? All colours and sizes – a favourite was my red velvet with French knee , platform boots , my friend has his covered in red stars , then off to the Cobweb (or Astral club a couple of years later )all my old student nurse cronies on a great Tuesday night out . Couldn’t beat it .

Alan Esdaile… Found this Jo from 1976

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Lucy Pappas… I bought my favourite purple velvet loons from Maridadi, great shop x

Janine Anne Scott… Loved this shop.

Peter Thomson…. I remember Maridadi. What was the one in Robertson St that sold records and clothes? Huggy Lever worked in there for a time and got up to some juvenile pranks as I recall!

Alan Esdaile… Are you thinking of Supertramp Pete?

Fleur Crones… Maridadi… Who can forget?

Sheila Maile… Yes.I remember it well in those heady days when I was young and slim.

Bob Saunders… Got a Maroon pair Alan, spray on if memory serves add the 3 inch platforms off I went what a picture! Shop smelt of musk and was at at bottom of high st near George st junction I think.

Maggie Banfield… Where John the cobbler is now.

Tony Court-holmes… remember it well had good partys upstairs.

Dee Hall… I still have my leather Chelsea Girl handbag I love it x brought it when I was 14 x from babysitting money x

Mick Knights… Malcom Mitchells boutique supplied the submariner’s white polo neck sweater to complete my “refer look” circa 1965

Chris Meachen… Because my mum was a widow, there was a local charity that used to send me to Wards every year, supposedly to buy school uniform. As there was a budget, I’d go in the ‘wardrobe’ & get flared levi’s cords, & other slightly fashionable stuff which I could get away with wearing at school ‘because we were poor’… Another shop not mentioned so far was Landers in Kings Road. with some of my first paper round money, I bought a pair of ‘sea dogs’ flared denims there, which Roger Carey mercilessly took the piss out of….

Eugene Hughes… Hob nail boots from the army surplus store in the High Street. And what was the place along George Street near The Albion? Blakeys anyone!

Chris Meachen… Baldock’s menswear, basically sold working clothes, but with the odd tie-dye t-shirt thrown in…

Jane Hartley… There was a boutique near your shop Alan Esdaile, can’t remember the name?

Eugene Hughes… Fab boutique. Became Two Plus One on Havelock Rd.

Dennis Torrance… And flares to Lol

Tony Court-holmes… loons and tie dyed

Valerie Whing… I remember working in Maridadi in 1973 .It was during the 3 day week power cuts and I had to thread all the loon pants onto display ladders by candlelight.It was a fab little boutique and I remember being one of the first to wear the new moleskin loons out that winter. Happy days

Yvonne Cleland… I remember a Val who worked in Maridadi! Curly hair, and a couple of years older than me at the High School. Used to catch the same bus home and she had a blonde friend who worked there too. Is that you, Val? xx

Harry Randall… Buttons had some decent gear and Dengates!

Jack Apps… Carnaby Street acidic Chelsea had Forbidden Fruit non toxic

Martine Elizabeth Carrington… I worked at 2 plus one for Brian Fisher , loved it there

Pauline Richards… What was the one Tony Demarco had next to Queens arcade.opp Lloyds?  Martine, was that the same Fisher that had bingo on the pier?

Monica Bane… Funny I haven’t seen Brian Fisher for ages then bumped into him at the park two weeks ago!

14 thoughts on “Music & Fashion – The Wardrobe, Fab Boutique, Chelsea Girl, Maridadi & Others in Hastings.”

  1. What about the Trading Post for the ex.Army gear!! But for the early 70’s smooth phase, yeah, used to come over from Bexhill to Fab Boutique and Huckells for sure. But then broadening it right out, Kensington Market for the Afghan Coats, scoop neck T shirts and Loon Pants.

    Reply
  2. Never really into clothes in the 70s (until I got married and my wife taught me some clothes sense) because most of my money went on records, fags and beer. However, remember my mum buying me a really cool yellow and silver striped shirt and a pair of hipster flares from Wardrobe one Christmas …. not that I ever had the figure for hipster flares but … LOL

    Did used to get my Levis and a Parka from Milletts and my suits made to measure in Hepworths. Hepworth’s then started up a section for trendy clothes. They got so popular that the stores were rebranded to the name they labelled those clothes with …. Next. During the 80s, don’t think I ever bought anything that wasn’t Next or Principals

    Also remember Colin Jarvis buying an army greatcoat and a leather and sheepskin-lined USAF flying jacket from the Trading Post, both of which he eventually passed to me. Loved that flying jacket!

    Reply
  3. Early seventies in Hastings town on a Saturday meant spending our wages first visit Huckells then Two plus One cheesecloth shirt, oxford bags , stack heeled shoes etc.
    Then across the road to buy the latest Al Green LP , a quick coffee in Iorios or
    Demarcos.
    Then up to the Aquarius at night Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon are playing
    live
    with Blame it on the Pony Express speeding up the charts !
    Happy Days !!

    Reply
    • I remember the first pair of Levi 501’s – bought from Peter Jackson, Sackville Road, Bexhill. Literally the only clothes shop to sell anything trendy in Bexhill – competition was Wards. Those 501’s were £3.2/6 I think, £3.12p. Dark Blue, straight legs, button flies, Red Levi’s tab of course, stiff as a board, took months to start softening up and getting faded. Used to wear them in the bath to make them shrink down a size “shrink to fit” or go in the sea and laundered them time and time again in the Sackville Road Laundry – still there, all to make them fade. Then made them into flares with a bit of Green courdoroy in each leg. I still wear 501’s but they’re serious cash now – mind you, they always were costly even in 68 – 69 at £3 odd!!

      Hey Jane catch y soonxx

      Reply
  4. I remember the Wardrobe well. When it was at Andrews it was run by brothers Dave and Andy Johnson and they both worked at the Astral Club when I was dj-ing there. Dave on the door and Andy behind the bar. I remember buying a crimson satin jacket from them. It looked great with my black loons. I can’t say I wish I still had it though – I don’t think crimson is my colour!

    Reply
  5. Remember it well, first job in Fab Boutique , moved with shop to Two plus One , then Cats Whisker’s in Arcade where butchers is now, so many good memories of Hastings at that time.

    Reply
  6. Anyone remember the name of the tiny little shop in Old Town near amusement arcade round a corner on a side street that sold the best loons ever ? All colours and sizes – a favourite was my red velvet with French knee , platform boots , my friend has he’s covered in red stars , then off to the Cobweb (or Astral club a couple of years later )all my old student nurse cronies on a great Tuesday night out . Couldn’t beat it .

    Reply
  7. I remember working in Maridadi in 1973 .It was during the 3 day week power cuts and I had to thread all the loon pants onto display ladders by candlelight.It was a fab little boutique and I remember being one of the first to wear the new moleskin loons out that winter.Happy days

    Reply

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