Ditched Designer Gear and Cast-Off Cashmere: London’s Eight Best Charity Shops

Ditched Designer Gear and Cast-Off Cashmere: London’s Eight Best Charity Shops



We’ve
finally woken up to the ethical impact of our wardrobes:
fast fashion is clogging up our landfills and the industry is one
of the biggest polluters to the climate crisis. Steer yourself away
from “add to cart” and shop consciously; charity shops all over
London are a haven for barely worn bargains, eco-friendly finds and
stockpiles of designer labels. Besides, one person’s trash is
another’s treasure.

Rummage the rails at these London
charity shops for a guilt-free shopping spree.

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shopping

Geranium Shop

Kensington

Bougie neighbourhoods are by far the best for second-hand finds,
so it’s well worth trawling through Marylebone’s charity shops. Pay
particular attention to the wares in the Geranium Charity Shop,
which helps raise funds for the blind and partially sighted.
Androgynous Alexander Wang blazers and pristine pairs of classic
Gucci loafers often crop up.

Address

269 Kensington High St, Kensington, W8 6EA

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Fara

Pimlico

Sashaying upon a pristine Chanel handbag may be the stuff of
thrifting legend, but if there’s one London charity outpost where
this could happen, it’s Fara’s Pimlico boutique. Sézane shirts and
Erdem maxi dresses regularly rock the rails here, and it’s not
uncommon to find several pairs of freshly steamed-and-pressed COS
trousers displayed. Treasure-hunter tip: the newest garbs are often
hung on the walls.

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shopping

Boutique By Shelter

Kings Cross

In keeping with hip Coal Drops Yard, Shelter’s flagship boutique
is decked out with edgy industrial interiors – including a
brickwork centrepiece filled with a hand-picked selection of the
store’s top picks. This isn’t your typical ramshackle charity shop;
barely-worn premium items and colour-coordinated high-street
staples line the rails.

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shopping

Mary’s Living & Giving

Primrose Hill

Queen of Shops Mary Portas can be credited with giving the musty
charity shop an upmarket makeover – Mary’s Living & Giving
windows are as well-dressed as those at Selfridges and stocked with
a comparable selection of high-end pieces. Prices may be on the
steep side, but when you’re picking up a Lanvin dress – tags still
intact – for less than a pair of Topshop’s Joni jeans and saving
the world one hanger at a time, there’s little to complain about.
Plus, we have it on good authority that Victoria Beckham regularly
donates here.

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TRAID

Brixton

On a mission to tackle the environmental and social impact of
the textile industry, TRAID encourages us to reuse donated clothes.
It has locations all across London, but the Brixton branch is our
firm favourite thanks to its retro denim aisle and dedicated
vintage section – 70s suede cowboy jacket for less than a Pret
lunch? Yes, please.

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Shop From Crisis

Finsbury Park

This charity-cum-concept store stocks everything from eclectic
shirts and never-been-worn Converse to vinyl records and an
eclectic selection of books. In a bid to help end the capital’s
homeless epidemic, Shop From Crisis offers training and employment
opportunities to homeless people looking to work in retail. Stop by
the on-site coffee bar for a post-retail refuel and a (vegan)
doughnut.

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Little Lives

Tooting

A far cry from jumble-sale piles of odd shoes and Primark
cast-offs often associated with the charity stores, this tiny store
on Tooting High Street presents neatly size-ordered rails. Brand
samples that haven’t made it into production and designer stash are
frequently donated here, plus there’s usually a rail reserved
entirely to cast-off cashmere. We’re sold.

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Cancer Research UK

Notting Hill

It’s no surprise that Cancer Research UK’s Notting
Hill
branch is stuffed with barely-worn designer threads. Pop
into the store regularly to sift through its impressive label
selection – on our last visit we scooped up a YSL two-piece suit
and a classic Burberry trench. If you can’t make it to the store,
keep an eye on Cancer Research UK’s eBay page – a well-curated
selection of the best donations from all stores are put on
there.