With more of us actively aiming to shop consciously, doing our best to stay sustainable, and encourage zero-waste (shout-out to Love Island’s recent collaboration with eBay!), thrifting has become increasingly popular over the last few years. And now there are some serious gems to be found amongst the thousands of racks of clothing across high streets all over the country.
If you love nothing more than an afternoon trawling around vintage stores, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve curated our top 10 list of thrifting hotspots in the UK, based on Instagram engagements, so read on to discover where to book your next shopping trip to…
#1. London
With 16,100 engagements, there’s no better city in the UK than London for thrifting and with so many great areas and stores, it can be hard deciding where to go!
For high-end designer pieces, head to Serotonin Vintage on Brick Lane for Burberry and Dior, then head to the nearby House of Vintage and Atika for high street finds.
For quirky, one-of-a-kind accessories, check out Rellik on Ladbroke Grove, with its sheer abundance of shoes, bags and jewellery. Or for a truly special experience, see if you can spot One of a Kind on Portobello Road. There are so many hidden gems waiting to be discovered here, and it’s been visited by many a supermodel over the years (just take a look at their photo wall to see all the famous faces that have shopped here!).
#2. Sheffield
With 1,270 engagements, the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield has come in at second place, and is a haven for vintage shoppers everywhere.
COW Vintage is an obvious first stop, with vintage and upcycled clothing, or if you’re after some retro sportswear or denim, then head to Freshmans. For some real bargains, head to Preloved Kilo, where you pay for your finds by weight.
Alternatively, if you want some discounted preloved designer garments, there’s no better place than Vulgar – look hard enough and you might just find a 90s Moschino or Prada design!
#3. Liverpool
Liverpool has made it into third place, with 961 engagements, and there are so many thrift stores to uncover here! Head straight to Renshaw Street where you’ll find 69A and Total Recall. 69A is full of vintage trinkets that are waiting to be loved once more – think artwork, vinyl, and antiques. Whereas Total Recall has some of the coolest vintage clothing in all of Liverpool.
The area around Penny Lane is another thrift store hotspot – visit Penny Lane Emporium for all of your antique needs, or Mooshy LaLa’s Attique for statement jewellery and over-the-top clothing.
#4. Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital has made it in position 4 for thrifting hotspots, with 757 engagements. And since the city has such a historic and traditional feel to it, it seems fitting that you’d spend a day trawling through thrift stores here.
Pie in the Sky, Armstrongs Vintage, and Little Blue Door are just a few places you should visit when you’re looking for some cool finds that you don’t want anyone else wearing.
Alternatively, if you head out of the city centre to Stockbridge, you’ll find a few great thrift stores, including Those Were The Days, and Chic & Unique, which boast a wide array of costume jewellery and are perfect for perking up any outfit.
#5. Brighton
Rounding off our top 5 is the quirkiest seaside city, Brighton, with 509 engagements. Just take one look at the fashionable locals, and you’ll soon see that vintage shopping is a huge part of Brighton’s identity.
If you love the boho-style fashion of the 60s and 70s, then head to All About Audrey, or for Americana chic, discover Waiste Vintage.
Wolf and Gypsy, and Snooper’s Attic are two other thrift stores that are certainly worth a mention, with impeccably kept clothing from a whole range of eras available here. For designer finds, check out Hope and Harlequin.
#6. Glasgow
The second Scottish city to feature on our list, Glasgow’s 350 engagements has secured itself as a thrifting hotspot. For an over-the-top ballgown or decadent jewellery, pay a trip to Starry Starry Night, which is home to so many hidden gems that are just waiting for a new lease of life!
The Glasgow Vintage Company and City Retro are both must-visits, too, with their vast spaces selling a huge amount of second-hand clothing and accessories.
Alternatively, if you like the idea of vintage shopping but can’t bear to spend hours trawling through rails and rails of clothing, then Glorious is the place for you. All pieces here have been carefully curated and well-placed, to give you a great shopping experience.
#7. Norwich
In 7th place is Norwich, with 283 Instagram engagements, and whilst this city may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of thrift stores, it definitely shouldn’t be overlooked!
Lovering and Co and Taxi Vintage – both located in Norwich Market – are great places to start, and sell a huge variety of second-hand clothing and accessories, alongside Retreat, on Magdalen Street.
For high-end designer finds, there’s no better place than LuLu Vintage Clothing, which has more of a luxury boutique vibe, as opposed to a classic thrift store.
Finally, if you’re after more than just clothes, then check out Aladdin’s Cave, where you’ll also find furniture, pottery, books… and pretty much anything else you could think of! You could easily spend a whole afternoon rummaging around here.
#8. Belfast
With 279 engagements, Belfast definitely deserves its place as a thrifting hotspot, and has so many stores just waiting to be discovered. Young Savage is one of those places you need to visit, with the owner handpicking all of the pieces he sells himself.
Octopus’ Garden is another Belfast classic, and it’s absolutely huge, stocking not just clothing and accessories, but vinyl and CDs too. Or for boho-style clothing, check out The Yellow Submarine.
#9. Hereford
Just sneaking into the top 10 is another unassuming city, Hereford, with 254 engagements. Lizzie May Vintage deserves a mention, where they sell a huge array of second-hand clothing, and rework old clothing that’s been damaged, to ensure it can have a new lease of life.
Alternatively, head on over to The Magpie or Millwards – the latter is where you can find lots of great finds for your home, including chairs, desks, mirrors, and other home furnishings.
#10. Leeds
Rounding off our top 10 list is the West Yorkshire city of Leeds. With 170 engagements, you can easily while a day away in thrift stores. Head to Blue Rinse for all your 80s and 90s needs (think lots of denim, high-top trainers, and caps), or BEST, for lots of classic brands.
If it’s jewellery you’re after, then there’s no better place than Aladdin’s Cave, which is full of glittery finds. Or for all kinds of finds (think clothing, furniture and vinyl), check out Vintage Boutique in the student area of Hyde Park, which stocks pretty much anything and everything!
Fashion is a great way to express yourself and let your creativity shine – and there’s no better feeling than uncovering that perfect vintage find, that you know no one else has!
Art is similar, too, in that it enables you to embrace your creative side, and dress your home in a way that shows off your personality. Browse our range of paintings and photography, to see if you can find that perfect piece for your home – we even have an extensive range of fashion paintings, perfect for fashionistas!
Alternatively, if you want more creative inspiration – whether that’s fashion, art or home décor – head on over to our blog.
