Retro News

Latest stories and updates from the Old’s Cool universe

Vision Street Wear: The Brand That Helped Define Skateboarding's Wildest Era

Vision Street Wear: The Brand That Helped Define Skateboarding's Wildest Era

June 23, 2026

Founded in California in 1976, Vision Street Wear became as famous for its clothing as its skateboards. Neon colours, the iconic Psycho Stick logo, and a brand that crossed into...

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Beat Street: The VHS That Turned Hip Hop Into A Worldwide Fever

Beat Street: The VHS That Turned Hip Hop Into A Worldwide Fever

June 16, 2026

In 1984, Beat Street brought hip hop to the world — DJing, breaking, graffiti and street fashion captured on film before the culture went global. Discover the story behind one o...

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Garbage Pail. Trading in the 1980's.

Garbage Pail. Trading in the 1980's.

June 09, 2026

Topps created Garbage Pail Kids in 1985 as a gross-out parody of Cabbage Patch Kids and the playground went wild. Adam Bomb, Nasty Nick, swapsies and namesakes — the full story ...

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Troll Mania: The Tiny Weirdos That Refused To Die

Troll Mania: The Tiny Weirdos That Refused To Die

May 27, 2026

Created in Denmark in the late 1950s, Trolls refused to die — exploding in the 60s, reviving in the 90s, and spawning keyrings, pencil toppers, glow Trolls and more. Original 19...

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British Knights: The Trainers That Walked Straight Out of the 90s

British Knights: The Trainers That Walked Straight Out of the 90s

May 19, 2026

Launched in New York in 1983, British Knights blended basketball, hip hop and street fashion into one bold trainer. Padded tongues, oversized BK branding, air-pocket soles — and...

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KANGOL: From Towelling Sun Hats to Hip Hop Royalty

KANGOL: From Towelling Sun Hats to Hip Hop Royalty

May 12, 2026

From 1920s towelling sun hats to LL Cool J, Run DMC and Slick Rick — KANGOL's journey from British headwear brand to hip hop royalty is one of fashion's great crossover stories.

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The Tiny World Of Polly Pocket

The Tiny World Of Polly Pocket

May 07, 2026

Created in 1983 and launched in the UK in 1989, original Bluebird-era Polly Pocket sets are the holy grail for collectors. Tiny worlds, big nostalgia — and genuine early sets ar...

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ROOS: The Trainers with Pockets

ROOS: The Trainers with Pockets

May 07, 2026

ROOS had a zip pocket before anyone else thought to put one on a trainer. Created in the late 70s by Bob Gamm, millions of pairs sold worldwide — and we have a pair of boxfresh ...

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Early 90s Rave Culture

Early 90s Rave Culture

May 05, 2026

Acid house, jungle, techno and 20,000 ravers at Fantazia New Year's Eve 1992. The story of early 90s rave culture in the UK — before the Criminal Justice Act tried to shut it al...

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Gold Star Sticker = Top of the Class

Gold Star Sticker = Top of the Class

April 29, 2026

Every time you bag any retro items from Olds Cool® it earns you something extra

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Old's Cool Clothing

Old's Cool Clothing

April 29, 2026

Ink-splatter logos, slime graphics, pixel hearts — Old's Cool® clothing is wearable nostalgia for people who get the references without needing them explained. Clean fits, minim...

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Even Our Business Cards are Collectable

Even Our Business Cards are Collectable

April 20, 2026

Old's Cool business cards aren't just cards — they feature characters from the universe and come with every retro purchase. Buy something, earn a card and a gold star. Collectin...

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Super7 Figures: When Retro Got Rebuilt Properly

Super7 Figures: When Retro Got Rebuilt Properly

April 14, 2026

Super7 rebuilds nostalgia properly. Founded in 2001, they've reimagined Run-D.M.C., Transformers and Back to the Future with restraint and respect — retro done right, complete r...

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Spice Girls Dolls: When Girl Power Took Over the Toy Aisles

Spice Girls Dolls: When Girl Power Took Over the Toy Aisles

April 13, 2026

11 million units sold, $200 million in retail sales, and a Geri Halliwell Union Jack outfit that became iconic. The Galoob Spice Girls doll line was Girl Power in plastic form —...

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Chewbacca: Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

Chewbacca: Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

April 09, 2026

Chewie was inspired by George Lucas's dog, understands Basic but refuses to speak it, and is over 200 years old. Interesting facts about the galaxy's most loyal co-pilot beyond ...

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Not Everything Retro Has to Be Old

Not Everything Retro Has to Be Old

April 09, 2026

The Mandalorian Retro Collection proves retro is a feeling, not just an age. Six colour variants, vintage-style packaging, and a bounty hunter reimagined the old-school way.

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The Gold Star — A Proper Old’s Cool Moment

The Gold Star — A Proper Old’s Cool Moment

April 01, 2026

Paul came in, spotted three rare pieces, and didn't hesitate. The first proper Old's Cool collector moment — a gold star for knowing exactly what you're looking at.

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Tomy Whooshers: When Games Didn’t Need Batteries

Tomy Whooshers: When Games Didn’t Need Batteries

March 31, 2026

Tomy Whooshers, when games didn't need batteries. 

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Transformers G1 Optimus Prime: 40 Years Later, Still the One

Transformers G1 Optimus Prime: 40 Years Later, Still the One

March 31, 2026

40 years on, the G1 Optimus Prime is still the one. The Autobot leader that defined a generation — this is the toy you wanted, the one someone else had, and the one you can fina...

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MF DOOM Masks: The Man Behind the Metal

MF DOOM Masks: The Man Behind the Metal

March 31, 2026

MF DOOM didn't wear a mask as a gimmick — it was a statement. No face, no compromise, just bars. The story of hip-hop's most iconic metal faceplate and the villain who made myst...

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Throttlebots: The Underrated Autobots of the 80s

Throttlebots: The Underrated Autobots of the 80s

March 31, 2026

The Throttlebots weren't the flashiest Autobots — but wind them up and let them go. Six pull-back racers from 1987 that captured a simpler side of G1: fast play, bold designs, a...

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Garbage Pail Kids in 1986 UK.

Garbage Pail Kids in 1986 UK.

March 24, 2026

The UK Adam Bomb mini card has its own collector story — smaller format, regional name changes, and a 1986 release that made it a distinctly British offshoot of one of the most ...

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Ladybird Tell a Tale Transformers series

Ladybird Tell a Tale Transformers series

March 24, 2026

A sealed Ladybird Tell-a-Tale Transformers book and tape set is a rare time capsule from the 80s — bold artwork, cassette storytelling, and Transformers history exactly as it lo...

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The Retro Boba Fett Prototype figure.

The Retro Boba Fett Prototype figure.

March 24, 2026

The all-white Boba Fett Prototype is one of the most iconic 'what if' designs in Star Wars toy history — a bounty hunter stripped back to his original concept. We have all 6 var...

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Vital Toys Snoop Dogg Action figure 2002

Vital Toys Snoop Dogg Action figure 2002

March 24, 2026

Before he carried the Olympic torch, Snoop Dogg was a 12-inch boxed toy. The 2002 Vital Toys Lil Junior figure is one of hip-hop's most bizarre and brilliant collectibles — a sn...

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Old's Cool Invades your smart phone.

Old's Cool Invades your smart phone.

October 22, 2025

From 10p arcade machines to your pocket — the retro gaming spirit is alive and well. Relive the joy of Space Invaders, Pac-Man and the golden age of arcade culture with Old's Cool.

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