The best charity shops in London: a fashion editor's guide for secondhand gems

In late 2019, I was hurrying home on a wintery afternoon down the Northcote Road in Battersea when my eyes were drawn to a suitcase in the window of the Royal Trinity Hospice charity shop. It wasn’t just any suitcase, it was an ivory, large check-in, two-wheeled trunk from luxury luggage makers Globetrotter, and it was in great condition. These retail for £2,495 in Burlington Arcade but in front of me the label read £100. What was the catch? “The keys are missing” the shopkeeper told me (nothing that an email to the company couldn’t fix), so five minutes later I was skipping back to Balham, suitcase flying behind me, happy in the knowledge I had donated to a charity that is dear to me. This is why I love charity shops: the thrill of looking for a steal and actually finding one. And the odds in London are in your favour, with over 800 stores in the city and many affluent and generous residents to donate.

I love to mooch for crockery, glassware, books and jewellery. The trick is to know where to look and to have an open mind. Each London borough has a distinctive style, so don’t expect to find the same skirts in Chiswick as you'll find in Camden. The racks are rarely curated beyond ‘tops’ and ‘bottoms’ so be prepared to get stuck in. Charity shops offer a real opportunity to experiment with personal style, when prices are low and pieces don’t fit the current fashion trends, you can afford to get creative and crafty. We all know that trends are cyclical and chances are you might find some ultra trendy Noughties pieces that the Gen-Zers are picking up like hotcakes. Plus, secondhand shopping is a great way to give back not only to the named charity but to the environment – the fashion industry is one of the world's biggest polluters and we can all do our bit to help reduce our fashion footprint and increase the sustainability of our wardrobe. What’s better than a good old humble brag – “Oh, this old thing? I bought it from Oxfam”.

With that in mind, here is my pick of the best charity shops in London for rack raiding:

The best charity shops in London

Traid, Brixton

You know Traid is going to be a fun shopping experience before you cross the threshold, as the visual merchandising can only be described as exquisite. Curated by visual artist Francesco Colucci, the mannequins are dressed in his ‘ephemeral couture’ – a real manifestation of the creativity charity shops can foster. I particularly love the Brixton branch of Traid (which has 13 stores across London) because I know stylists shop there to source for photoshoots, and the local buzz of Brixton brings in some very fun and unique pieces. Traid also partners with Harrods on repair workshops, hosts styling sessions with fashion stylists and has a host of celebrity ambassadors who donate to store themselves, from Martin Freeman to Laura Bailey. Check their Instagram for their most exciting new drops, from of-the-moment Scandi brands to Wales Bonner tracksuits.

Address: 2 Acre Lane, London SW2 5SG
Website: traid.org.uk

Octavia Foundation, Kensington

I added this branch to my must-visit list after a charity shop crawl along Kensington High Street with a suavely dressed friend who swears by it. Incidentally that trip yielded a mint-condition Ferragamo silk scarf and an N.Peal cashmere crew neck sweater – I think they speak for themselves. It’s under-the-radar design means, despite its location, it's rarely busy and filled with hidden gems. Get there via an inspiring walk past the sharp dressers of Holland Park, or a quicker stroll from Kensington High Street station (past no less than four other leading London charity shops).

Address: 266 Kensington High Street, London W8 6ND
Website: octaviafoundation.org.uk/charity_shops

Royal Trinity Hospice, Balham

I have to admit a personal bias toward this branch: it's my local and I regularly donate pieces from my own wardrobe. Across all 23 stores in central and south-west London, stock is kept fresh – director of retail Andy Keen has learnt this practice over the years. “We've know our customers really well. We know the kinds of pieces they love, and that can be different from one neighbourhood to the next. Most of our donations are sold close to where they were given, but we also move stock between shops when we think it will find the right home and to make sure there is always a changing selection in our shops.” Inside, everything is neatly organised by item type, sizing and colour palette, plus a dedicated rail for designer labels. A personal highlight is the accessories display, where I've even spotted rare pair Alexa Chung wedges up for grabs.

Address: 107 Balham High Road, SW12 9AP
Website: royaltrinityhospice.london/balham

Mary's Living & Giving Shop for Save the Children, Primrose Hill

The Primrose Hill branch, one of 17 of the elevated off-shoots from Save The Children set up with the Queen of Shops Mary Portas, feels like a high-end boutique. Outside there are two full height windows and inside the deep turquoise walls, wooden floors and pillared archways are warm and inviting. The staff make an effort to curate the rails for the season, with shearling coats in autumn and beach-ready buys in the summer. Particular specialities here are event dresses, designer shoes and really retro '90s designer shirts. The eclectic decor and trinkets are a visual feast and are reminiscent of that famous scene from Wild Child.

Address: 109 Regent's Park Rd, London NW1 8UR
Website: savethechildren.org.uk

Fara, Islington

An emporium of second hand clothes and bric-a-brac, the Fara in Islington is the largest of their 29 London branches (which include specialist book, kids and vintage stores). It is well known for being the place for cheap bargains. I love it here because it is understated and lauds the second life of unwanted items with the aim of us all living more sustainably. Only 5 minutes walk from Angel station it's very easy to get to and is conveniently sandwiched between two very nice pubs.

Address: 28 Pentonville Road, London N1 9HJ
Website: faracharity.org

Crisis, Dalston

If the Crisis shop Instagram is anything to go by, then you’re in for a treat. The page is poppy, contemporary and filled with hauls and styling tips from customers and exclusive collaborations with up and coming designers. There are 16 stores in London and a website where you can shop upcycled edits called ‘unsold retold’. Influencers are also invited to ‘Create for Crisis’ and the Dalston store Instagram posts events, such as ‘Dalstonbury.’ The focus here is on great high street buys, books, vinyl and small interior decorations.

Address: 74 Kingsland High St, London E8 2NS
Website: crisis.org.uk

Oxfam Boutique, Westbourne Grove

Launched with fashion fan-fare in 2008 as the charity-shop sector's answer to musty clothes and worn-out shoes, the OG of curated second hand still stands proud with neighbours including Ganni and Sezane. The shop is a treasure trove of donations from the neighbourhood's generous patrons and stocks designer and premium labels for men and women. Add it to a day of second hand shopping including a mooch down neighbouring Portobello Road which is a veritable honeypot for second hand. There are only 3 of the boutiques in London, so it’s an easy bet that the good stuff (think Jimmy Choo, Missoni and Prada) will end up here.

Address: 245 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2SE
Website: oxfam.org.uk

Carboot, Peckham

Car boot sales, in the yards of local schools, are picking up a cult following in London amongst fashionistas, students and second hand boutique buyers looking to find new stock. For a small fee visitors can find anything and everything on sale from tables and mirrors to boxes of homemade scrunchies and rails of vintage Burberry trenches. The Peckham Carboot organisers have opened a twin-sale in Balham and are looking to open new spots later this year in Stoke Newington and Leytonstone. Known at the Sunday Service and only open every other Sunday (and not in January) the carboot can get quite busy and vibey, with DJs and coffee vans. Importantly, and what earns them a place on this list, sellers who don’t shift all their wares at the sale are encouraged to donate them on site to sight loss charity Fight for Sight so no one goes home empty handed.

Address: 112 Peckham Rd, London SE15 5DZ
Website: peckhamcarboot.com