I have lived in London for a good few years now. I completed my university placement year here then came back following my degree. Along with ‘Where is the nearest Post Office?’, ‘How do I get to the closest overground train?’ and ‘How long will it take me to get home if I go out in East London?’ – (with the answer to the last one being approximately seven hours by the time I get on the correct night bus), I also wanted to know where a concession of great charity shops were. On arrival I found the odd one or two dotted around but when I travel to charity shops, naturally, I like there to be a good few in a row. A few years later and I have a few recommendations that I like to visit following a quick hop, step and jump on the tube.
Home to Fara‘ as beautiful Retromania, Pimlico is not only easy to get too (it’s near Victoria station), but it also hosts a number of great charity shops. Retromania is vintage designer treasure chest. Home to Chanel, Gucci, 1960’s two-pieces and incredible wide leg jumpsuits. Their Instagram is pretty much what I want my wardrobe to look like. And occasionally they have sales where everything is five pounds so, y’know, you have to drop everything and RUN.
Another favourite in the area include a Trinity Hospice where I once tried to squeeze my big ol’ feet into a size 4, brand new pair of Acne boots, but it sadly wasn’t going to happen.
I used to live West London way so when scouting out charity shops I wanted somewhere West and on the Metropolitan line (the easiest tube line for me to get too at the time). One Saturday I hopped of a Ruislip Underground turned left out the station, then turned right at the top of the stairs. After crossing the road I found a Barnardo’s, an Oxfam, a Cancer Research UK and a Scope charity shop all in quick succession of one another. Over the road there are then a few more.
The charity shops in this area are amazing for a bargain. It’s where I picked up my favourite heavily beaded top for a few pounds and a silver Alexa Chung for M&S blouse for a £1!
I thought about which area was my favourite between Camdan (which is a good’un) and Kentish Town. But I think Kentish Town just best Camdan. As well as there also being a number in quick succession, I have found some absolute bloody bargains there. My favourite in Kentish Town is the Oxfam which as well as having a nice atmosphere, also always seemed to be full of pieces I would buy. I try not to visit to often because I don’t think my wardrobe would fit an entire shops worth of second-hand clothes in so please, go shop there and take the temptation away from me.
And that’s it. Three charity shop areas I visit time and time again when after a good ol’ second-hand splurge.