Calling all second-hand seekers, find a bargain and do good while you're at it!...
With the rise of the retro trend growing rapidly and sustainability becoming a high priority for a lot of shoppers, it's no suprise that the odd visit to the charity shop is on the rise. Being conscious about the environment is one thing, but when you combine that with finding an awesome treasure for an absolute bargain - you're truly on the way to a great day.
Whether you're a charity shop veteren or a newcomer to the scene, shopping sustainably will always be in style. So grab a gem for a knock-off price and do some good by giving to a wonderful cause while you're at it. Read on to discover our list of where to find the best charity shops in London.
Retro Mania
6 Upper Tachbrook St, Pimlico, London SW1V 1SH
Part of the FARA charity helping vulnerable, disadvantaged and young people in Romania, Retromania is top of our list for finding vintage and designer gems. The store focuses on everything a vintage lover might want, from hats to bags, menswear to memorabilia, nick nacks and much more. If it's quirky, it works here, and you never know when you're going to come across the odd designer bargain. Filled to the brim with jewels, scarves, ball gowns and anything else you can imagine, it's worth spending an hour browsing through the goods on a weekend afternoon. Proceeds go directly to FARA and all the pieces are handpicked to bring you the best of their donations.
Follow them on Depop here.
TRAID
TRAID focuses on stopping clothes from being thrown away. Mainly by selling them. They turn clothes waste into funds and resources to reduce the environmental and social impacts of our clothes. With their mission their aims are to encourage and increase the reuse of clothes, to educate people and to fund development projects that improve working practices and conditions in the textiles industry. In fact, you've probable seen one of their charity clothes banks somewhere- easier than having that plastic bag of clothes sit on your front porch for a century.
They have 12 shops in total across London so they're certainly easy to access. And if that's a struggle, you can always shop online on their depop or ebay stores. TRAID really does have everything, beautiful vintage clothes and well-kept second-hand-goods, great bargains and sometimes the odd designer. Depending on the branch you visit will certainly dictate the vibe of garment available, so we recommend visiting a few.
If you're looking to donate clothes, click here.
Mary's Living and Giving Shop
Part of the Save The Children Foundation, Mary's Living and Giving Shop is a charity initiative set up by retail legen Mary Portas to aid in raising proceeds for Save The Children. If you're looking to shop for pieces a little more 'niche', this is the place to come to. Mary Portas has a reputation for shaking up the high street from her positions at prestigious retailers to her loved-by-many tv show Mary, Queen of Shops. Mary has commisioned several Living and Giving shops across London curating a wonderful array of designer and vintage items that will leave any bargain hunter happy.
If you'd prefer to shop online, click here.
<> Octavia Foundation
Our favourite branch would have to be the one on Kings Road and it should be on your bucket list if you love fashion- why? It's set in the affluent area of South Kensington and any charity shop veteran will know that that means the donations are going to be chic and higher end. The Octavia Foundation itself works in partnership to help people on low incomes, social isolation, ill health or those that are faced with unemployment. They do this by providing sports clubs for children, employment workshops for those that may be seeking jobs and befriending services that take care of the older generation that may be suffering from social isolation.
From mint-condition homeware goods to spruce up your flat and vintage pieces that will trump any online stores when it comes to prices The Octavia Foundation will undoubtably satisfy your fashion craving. Best yet, there's tonnes of quaint coffee shops in the area to relax at after you've scoured the shelves.
All Aboard West Hampstead
Another great charity shop in an affluent location- All Aboard West Hampstead is the last but certainly not least shop on our list. There are multiple locations across London which you can explore by clicking the link above but if you're looking for designer discoveries, this location is the best. Founded by Stella Lucas MBE in 1987, All Aboard are a chain of 21 shops aiming to support a wide range of research projects, learning programmes, hospital equipment, outings and respite for terminally ill children and residential care for the elderly. Covering a broad range of wonderful causes for you to feel good about when you purchase from here- aside from being more sustainable.
Prices here are incredibly reasonable and you never know what hidden gem a Hampstead local is about to drop off, this brightly coloured chaos of a store is something you'll have to spend time digging through, but it's worth it to find that vintage piece you never knew you needed!
All Aboard West Hampstead is located at: 224 W End Ln, London NW6 1UU.