“How many pairs of shoes do you have?!” and “Where’s that jumper from?” are two questions I get asked a lot, from fellow acts to audience members at gigs. Many friends and loved ones tell me I have too many pairs of shoes (80-90 pairs) with a worrying tone in their voice. So here are some of my recommendations to have that classic “look good, feel good” mentality without going into your overdraft.
Focus Skateboard Shop
270 Canongate, EH8 8AA
I’ve always loved the atmosphere of skate shops; the owners and regulars know how difficult skateboarding is, so tend to just be nice people and Focus is my favourite. They have a huge array of custom shop hoodies as well as a wall of Nike Dunks, a beautiful cornucopia of colour ways to compliment any outfit. A huge reason I buy so many skate shoes is because I used to have one pair of shoes that I would skate with until they were a pile of duct tape and shoelaces. In a psychological sense, I’m paying back the skint kid I used to be by buying him everything he used to want. I was also lucky enough to be asked by Focus to do a photoshoot for their Edinburgh Fringe capsule of clothing, a merch collab for my show last year, with every single penny being donated to charity, as well as voice-over work for their 25th Anniversary across socials. The best people with the coolest stuff. Check them out on the Royal Mile and support local.
Pieute
19 Candlemaker Row, EH1 2QG
Another local gem in Edinburgh is Pieute, a lovely wee shop on Candlemaker Row. A longtime staple amongst locals, Pieute offers a range of clothing and accessories, with huge collaborations with Lewis Capaldi in 2020 and Tennent’s for this year’s World Cup. My favourite piece is a football top they made, 20% of the profits of which were donated to SkatePal, a non-profit organisation supporting communities in Palestine and promoting the benefits of skateboarding for local youth. Good eggs!
Size?
5 Frederick St, EH2 2EY
Whether you you are shop-hopping from Route One on Rose Street and popping in on your way for a seat in the sun at St Andrews Square or you are a diehard sneaker head who joins the line of camping chairs, portable speakers and smells of herbal enhancements to wait overnight for the latest pair of Travis Scott Jordans, Size? is always a cool shop to check out. I remember running there to claim a pair of shoes I won in a raffle; Jordan 4 Thunders I believe.
Out of the Blue Drill Hall
36 Dalmeny St, EH6 8RG
Edinburgh often has “pay and weigh” events and “kilo sales” which are really good for finding clothes that you just don’t see anymore. Think TK Maxx on steroids; racks and racks of vintage stuff that will only benefit your upper arm strength as you rake through it all. The Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Leith often has them. It’s always beneficial to reuse and recycle, especially in a cost of living crisis.
Robin Grainger: Lemonade, Assembly George Square, 5-31 Aug, 8.20pm