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So where are the best charity shops?

ZaraElise

Posted by ZaraElise about 1 year ago
Last active about 1 year ago 6 responses

Ok guys and girls… I need help.

I have three, yes three weddings, to attend. My cousins next Saturday, my other cousins in December and my brothers in April. Pretty much all the same people will be attending all three so there goes my original plan of spending a fair bob on a dapper dress and wearing it to all three weddings.

So I have a few options. going to Pikemark and getting a cheapy cheapy ok-ish dress. Or finding a vintage ‘oh-my-is-it-really-only-a-tenner-for-this-Whistles-skirt’ absolute bargain at a charity shop. I prefer the latter option.

So all you Londoners… where would you recommend?

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6 responses

ZaraElise

Someone suggested heading over to the more affluent parts of London, but will they hoike up the prices just because it’s Notting Hill (yah yah)?

Posted about 1 year ago by ZaraElise

Mamfer

Traid. The Brixton branch used to be my second home (literally, they had to evict me from the changing booth.They changed the locks and everything).

Posted about 1 year ago by Mamfer

CravenMaven

I’ve never been to the notting hill shops, and it is possible that they will hoike up the prices, but then it’s likely that the stuff in there was more expensive to start with? So you may still be getting a bargain. There’s a British Heart Foundation shop on Brook Green in Hammersmith that I’ve found a few gems in. I think the best approach is find one that you can get to easily and go every few days . You’re more likely to find something great that has just come in.

Then there’s the vintage shops – Rokit has two branches on Brick Lane in addition to the one in Covent Garden – more expensive, less worthy and often trying to pass hideous stuff off as “ironic” but worth a look.

Posted about 1 year ago by CravenMaven

jd28

I know this isn’t London, but Oxford has fantastic charity shops if you fancy a day trip, with excellent, good quality stuff. The Oxfam shops on Broad street and on Banbury Road in Summertown are especially good. Have you considered hiring? There’s a good dress rental place there too, called The Ballroom. I expect there are similar things in London.

There used to be an Oxfam shop just off Carnaby street that was a special ‘vintage’ shop ie it was just the good stuff and not mountains of woolly jumpers and strange ties. Not sure if it’s still there. The Notting Hill and Westbourne Grove Oxfams are also good. Yes, the stuff’s going to be pricier, but if you’re looking for nice frocks you probably won’t find what you want on the Kilburn High Road, though there are many charity shops there (including a branch of Traid, though I’ve only ever found it any use for fabrics).

Posted about 1 year ago by jd28

dark_deer

CravenMaven is right – find one reasonably near to work or home and go as often as you can. I live in West Hampstead and the four or five on West End Lane have been known to throw up many a find at stupidly cheap prices. The same no doubt applies to your local area too.

Notting Hill might well be overpriced. I once browsed a charity shop on Marylebone High St and although the clothing was gorgeous, it certainly wasn’t a bargain (£50 for a second-hand jacket, anyone?)

And failing that, there’s always eBay. Bought a lovely dress for a friend’s wedding for £11 from Monsoon (brand new) and then sold it two weeks’ later for £30! There are many bargains to be had, but would recommend buying dresses from brands you know you fit into.

Posted about 1 year ago by dark_deer

MonkeysAhoy!

I recommend ebay too. It’s taking a plunge a bit, but I got two fabulous vintage dresses for about £20. For vintage things, they usually give the dimensions of bust, waist, etc and the two I’ve bought based on those numbers have fit like a charm. Yay ebay.

Posted about 1 year ago by MonkeysAhoy!