London's best charity shops
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By Time Out Editors
Posted: Mon Jan 22 2007 Octavia Foundation, South Kensington
MARY PORTAS-APPROVED
A large, slightly austere space packed with designer donations from wealthy locals. Plus a 'brilliant' hushed vintage book department with oriental rugs and coffee tables covered in art periodicals and old Christie’s catalogues.
Mary's verdict ‘Yves Saint Laurent? Wow! Miu Miu! Chanel! Max Mara for 30 quid? Come on!’
Octavia Foundation, 211 Brompton Rd, SW3 2ED (7581 7987/www.octaviahousing.com). South Kensington tube. 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, noon-5pm Sun.British Red Cross, Chelsea
MARY PORTAS-APPROVED
Couture cast-offs, big-label handbags and Manolo Blahniks are presented beautifully on an airy, uncluttered shop floor, flooded with natural light.
Mary's verdict ‘It’s where a shop is based that’s the key. Just look at the incredible donations in here - you wouldn’t get this in Orpington.'
British Red Cross, 67 Old Church St, SW3 5BS (www.redcross.org.uk). Sloane Square tube. 10am-5.30pm Mon-Wed, Fri; 10am-7pm Thur; 1-6pm SunCrusaid, Pimlico
MARY PORTAS-APPROVED
Crusaid’s tiny Pimlico store, lit with fairy lights and an antique chandelier, is a real find. Nicole Farhi and Designer Warehouse Sale’s Roger Walker-Dack regularly donate unworn stock, alongside Urban Outfitters, Ralph Lauren and Hackett (often dropped off by the Hackett family themselves). Stock is perfectly merchandised in two rooms packed with on-trend designerwear and handpicked bric-a-brac.
Mary's verdict ‘It’s gorgeous! I think charity shops that try to copy boutiques lose the soul of what a charity shop is. In here you know you might just find something incredible.’
Crusaid, 19 Churton St, SW1V 2LY (7233 8736/www.crusaid.org.uk). Pimlico tube. 10am-6pm Mon-Sat; 11am-3pm Sun. Feature continuesAdvertisementBritish Red Cross, Victoria
This branch is packed with designer labels thanks to donations from wealthy locals. Brands currently in stock include Prada, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Christian Dior, plus Manolo Blahnik shoes. A selection of bric-a-brac, handbags and hats are also up for grabs alongside a range of ballgowns.
British Red Cross, 85 Ebury St, SW1W 9QU (7730 2235). Victoria tube/rail. 10am-5.30pm Mon-Fri; 10am-4pm Sat.Cancer Research UK, Marylebone
A high-quality selection of fashion and accessories, many of them in mint condition, can be found here. The shoes are particularly noteworthy.
Cancer Research UK, 24 Marylebone High St, W1U 5RB (7487 4986). Baker St tube. 10am-6pm Mon-Sat; 11am-5pm Sun.
Fara
A small shop with an overbearingly pushy shopkeeper (don’t let that put you off) selling goods in aid of Romanian children. It specialises in an excellent range of kids’ and baby wear along with prams and buggies at bargain prices. There are two other Fara branches, including Retro Mania at 6 Tachbrook Street.
Fara, 40 Upper Tachbrook St, SW1V 2JS (7630 7730). Pimlico tube. 9.15am-5.15pm Mon-Sat; 11am-5pm Sun.
Cancer Research UK, Islington
A treasure trove of clothing, accessories and general bric-a-brac where you might even find the odd antique. Clothing ranges from designer labels, including recent Hugo Boss and Moschino, to cheaper high-street items, all still in good condition.
Cancer Research UK, 34 Upper St, N1 0PN (7226 8951). Angel tube. 10am-6pm Mon-Sat; 11am-5pm Sun.
Salvation Army
Two floors of sublime thrift. On the ground floor you can find brilliant shoes, including designer labels like Charles Jourdan, and great old ladies’ sandals. There are lots of faux-fur jackets, an abundance of 1970s dresses and skirts, and a fine selection of second-hand denim. Upstairs is a little more boutiquey, with luxurious finds such as floor-length fake-fur coats and glam evening bags - the latter can be snapped up for less than a tenner.
Salvation Army, Princes St, W1B 2LQ (7495 3958). Oxford Circus tube. 10am-6pm Mon-Sat.
Barnardo’s, Brixton
A vast and lively charity shop with an exciting, unpredictable mix of clothes and accessories, stocking all kinds of high-street brands with designer bargains going for no more than £50. The sales lady will probably give you fashion tips as she used to work at Browns.
Barnardo’s, 414 Brixton Rd, SW9 7AY (7274 4165). Brixton tube/rail. 9am-5pm Mon-Sat; 10am-5pm Sun.
British Heart Foundation, Balham
This clean (it reeks of Mr Sheen) and brightly lit branch sells a good selection of high-street and mid-range brands at very good prices. The shoes and jeans are well worth a look here. They’re all sold alongside a range of new, cheaply priced accessories, including necklaces, earrings and hairbands from £1.99.
British Heart Foundation, 184 Balham High Rd, SW12 9BW (8675 5401). Balham tube/rail. 10am-6pm Mon-Sat; Sun 11am-4pm.
Marie Curie Cancer Care, Richmond
A must if you’re after designer labels. It’s previously stocked Chloé, Prada and Gucci so you may well find a hidden gem. There’s also always a great selection of designer accessories, including Mulberry handbags in near mint condition. Look out for good quality bric-a-brac as well.
Marie Curie Cancer Care, 1 Lichfield Terrace, Richmond, TW9 1AS (8940 1800). Richmond tube/rail. 9.30am-5pm Mon-Sat.
Oxfam, Dalston
This branch of Oxfam used to be a cinema in the 1950s, which accounts for its ample floor space. Men’s and women’s clothing, books, records and homewares are all up for grabs with the average garment priced at a modest £2.79. There’s a huge choice with a hotchpotch of serviceable separates, dresses and curios, plus decent plates, teapots and the like, as well as grander pieces such as suits, ballgowns and wedding dresses in the mêlée. It has something of a cult status in the area; there’s even a local blogger known as Dalston Oxfam Shop who rummages the music section for obscure tapes.
Oxfam, 514-518, Kingsland Rd, E8 4AH (7254 5318/www.oxfam.co.uk). Dalston Kingsland rail. 9.30am-5.20pm Mon-Fri; 9.30am-6pm Sat; noon-4pm Sun.
Traid, Westbourne Grove
A favourite of fashion stylists and journalists alike, and with mentions in Japanese and British Vogue, this is the charity shop to head to for superior secondhand clothing. Raising money for international development, the shop has a small, boutiquey feel, making it a great place to rummage. In particular, check out the vintage section, where you’ll find quirky one-offs. They get some impressive designer pieces: a Burberry coat recently sold for £69. There’s also its renowned remade clothing to look out for.
Traid, 61 Westbourne Grove, W2 4UA (7221 2421). Bayswater tube. 10am-6pm Mon-Sat; 11am-5pm Sun.
Trinity Hospice, Kensington
Revered for its ladies’ clothing and accessories, this is a great charity shop where you’re bound to unearth designer pieces. They’re currently stocking Dries Van Noten and last week staff sold a beautiful Louis Vuitton handbag for £50. There’s always a good selection of well-known designer handbags and shoes.
Trinity Hospice, 31 Kensington Church St, W8 4LL (7376 1098). High St Kensington tube. 10am-5.30pm Mon-Sat; 11am-5pm Sun.- Add your comment to this feature
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82 comments
Achiles
More men should definitely take up charity shopping!! Traid have a good selection but quite expensive compared to most and if you are really into what the charity represents then you should check out where money goes to. Most of the other charity shops have clothes for men and, like women, probably more branded goods in the affluent areas. However, this does not mean that you cannot find a bargain in other areas. You may get more sports goods like Nike in some areas and designer labels in other areas. Some shops want their designer goods passed on to the best selling, higher end market, such as Marylebone Road and Islington, West End etc.
Happy shopping!!
Hi,we are Handcratsartist in Kenya how can we shop ours Goods,such as Girafs,handbags and other Items
This feature will be really helpful for the fashion page of my student newspaper. My fellow students definately need to start dressing better and charity shops are obviously appeal to our pockes! What are the best stores for clothes for young men? Im fed up trundling around Westfield with all the Topshop clones!
This site is great
To E Gordon
Why don't you and the others write to the Management about what is going on. They have ways of looking into things like this when it is this serious. Knowing that expensive jewellery is being put in a bag and taken is akin to aiding and abetting. Yes, most people have a few perks where they buy cheaper but not to this extent as it is outright theft. Don't think that just because someone has worked in a place for a long time that they can get away with this. By the way you said that she thinks you are her friend. Why are you pretending to be? If you feel so strongly about this then how can you be friends and why are you not reporting it?
unox
I know of a charity shop where the manageress has prime pick of the stock,what comes in her adult children grandchildren and herself have the best I know because she believes I am her friend and she suffers from social dyslexia she speaks to customers just how she likes well not speaking but actually yells and swears at them if they guestion anything. some of the volunteers have seen her put expensive jewellery in her handbag when oap's donate her adult son who conviently works with her has all the best designer gear and also approaches other people if they want to buy the excess electrical stuff this is for his benefit. It is one of the biggest fiddles I have ever seen but because she has been working with this charity for years apparently she is well thought of it is disgraceful as I believe the actual chairmen etc of this charity which it's based in london (we are in the W-Midlands) are not aware of this. What she cannot sell her son does tip runs and all sorts of stuff that is worth goog money is just thrown away.
Mick you are right certain charities were named and shamed in our local gazette for spending more money on admin, wages etc. It's not hard to find out about this.
All those who see primark clothes for higher prices than in the shop COMPLAIN TO THE HEAD OFFICE not the shop - they dont make the decisions generally on what to price as they have a minimum price to sell at even when they don't agree with it. If something is say worth £2.00 because it sells in Primark for £5.00 many shops are told to rag it rather than sell too cheap even though this is rediculous as they are losing money, throwing away donations that people would buy (especially the poorer people) and only the rag men win at 5p per item or less.
DO YOU WANT A CHEAP BARGAIN
Traid has a sale at the end of each month starting at £4 then £3 then £2 until the last weekend usually a sunday when everything is £1.00 (coats and jackets are a little more. This is the day that it gets packed BECAUSE THE POORER PEOPLE SHOP THEN and unfortunately a few greedy traders who literally try to buy up half the shop at a time. GO EARLY
Zara and Michael - British Heart Foundation in Wandsworth High Street and Trinity in Garrat Lane (10 minute walk from Wandsworth Arndale) both sell furniture - everything from beds to sofa beds to chairs. Wednesdays and middle of week seem to be best days to go - you seem to have a lot of landlords filling their sacks up with the good furniture but you may get lucky. Dining tables and chairs are slower to sell as not everyone has a dining room - good hunting!!
The first charity shops - In the nineteenth century, Salvation Army shops sold second-hand clothing to the urban poor. During the Second World War, other charities started to run shops as a way of raising money for the war effort and relieving hardship. It was after the conflict had ended that the first modern-style charity shops appeared, selling mainly donated goods to raise as much money as possible for the parent charity. The first such shop was set up by Oxfam in 1947-8 in Oxford, to raise funds to relieve famine in Nazi-occupied Greece. The charity’s name in fact originated as a contraction of ‘Oxford Committee for Famine Relief’.
Sorry, can't agree with your assessment of the Dalston Oxfam. Full of dirty old rags with the originals selling for not much more up the road in Peacocks is what I've found.
Why are most of these shops selling designer stuff, I want cheap and tacky charity shop stuff, not desinger rubbish.
Can anyone recommend some good charity shops in Surrey.
I am an avid reader and always on the lookout for books. Some of the charity shops are now charging high prices for books, especially Oxfam and British Heart Foundation.
I'm going to London in October and planning on starting a search for a dress to get married in. Any tips on the best charity shops for this type of search would be great. Have heard of barnardos so far. coming from overseas so areas also good to know.
I volunteered (unpaid) in a charity shop last year, while I was on Maternity leave, I was struggling to make ends meet and thus although there were loads of beautiful items at great prices, I couldn't justify shopping. I really loved doing that job, if I could get free child care I'd gladly do it again! Selling an item which you have lovingly displayed is a real buzz! My top charity shop is Oxfam Chiswick High Rd. Staff fantastic prices very reasonable and plenty of top labels. They also have new Fairtrade labels such as People Tree.