Butterworth’s Vintage Company | Devon, England

A Storied Treasure in Totnes

Tucked into the heart of Totnes, Devon, where rolling hills give way to woodland glades and the River Dart winds toward the sea, there’s a shop with something of the soul of the English countryside — Butterworth’s Vintage Company.

Part time capsule, part atelier, it’s the kind of place you stumble into on a misty morning and end up losing hours. You run your fingers across sturdy canvas, soft denim, weathered leather, and suddenly you’re not just shopping — you’re traveling back through time, following the journeys of garments that have lived whole other lives before reaching these shelves.


Butterworth’s

Butterworth’s Vintage Company is a curated vintage shop based in Totnes in Devon in the south west of the UK. We specialise in vintage French workwear, Americana, military and outdoors gear. We have been working in vintage retail for over 25 years and handpick all our stock to ensure quality and authenticity and reduce wastage.


A History Woven in Fabric and Story

The story begins more than a quarter-century ago. Colin, with an eye for well-made, storied pieces, started his first vintage venture in the late 1990s, becoming one of the region’s more established names in heritage clothing. His passion was never just about fashion, but about craft and endurance — things built to last, things worth saving.

In 2007, Holly joined him on a buying trip and immediately found herself hooked. She loved the quieter magic that happens behind the scenes — sourcing, cataloguing, photographing, and breathing new life into each piece.

Today, Colin and Holly run Butterworth’s as a true partnership. Colin still roams the UK and Europe hunting down treasures, while Holly curates the shop’s story — the photography, descriptions, and care that allow each garment to speak to a new owner.

Over the years, their work has built a reputation for authenticity and respect. They’re not about fast fashion or flash-in-the-pan trends. Here, every item is hand-selected, inspected, and chosen for its quality and soul.

Totnes: The Perfect Home

Totnes isn’t just where Butterworth’s happens to be; it’s part of the company’s identity. This Devon town is known for its independent spirit, arts scene, and a surrounding landscape where countryside meets coast. A castle overlooks narrow streets lined with quirky shops and cafés, while the River Dart offers a touch of wild beauty.

It’s the kind of place where history feels close, where the past isn’t just remembered but woven into daily life — a natural home for a shop devoted to giving old things new meaning.

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The Vibe: Rugged Elegance

Butterworth’s has a certain texture to it — tactile, grounded, quietly beautiful. Its collections tend to center around three themes:

  • French workwear, with its practical cuts and lived-in charm.

  • Classic Americana, from well-aged denim to rugged shirting and perfectly worn leather.

  • Military and outdoor gear, garments originally designed for utility, now beloved for their timeless design and resilience.

Walking into the shop feels like stepping into a world where craftsmanship still matters. Canvas, brass hardware, indigo dyes, and hand-stitched seams surround you. There’s a sense of reverence here — not for nostalgia’s sake, but for the stories embedded in each piece and the way they connect past and present.

Why It Resonates with C&C

Butterworth’s Vintage feels like part of the coastline itself — weathered, resilient, softened by time and use. Many of these garments were once worn in fields, factories, or aboard fishing boats, and now they live on as stylish, meaningful pieces for modern life.

For those who love slow mornings in cottages, the creak of old wooden floors, walks along windswept beaches, and the beauty of things made to endure, Butterworth’s speaks a familiar language.

Finding the right piece here isn’t just shopping. It’s a small act of preservation — a way of carrying someone else’s story forward, adding your own chapter to a garment’s long, remarkable journey.

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