A woman known as ‘The Second Hand Queen’ visited some of the best charity shops in the most affluent areas in London to see if she could find any designer gems on the cheap
Many of us can only dream of splashing out on top-notch designer gear due to the eye-watering prices, particularly amidst the soaring cost of living. Yet, a rummage through a charity shop can often yield an absolute steal.
It’s not uncommon to find that your wardrobe is bursting at the seams with garments you no longer fancy. A thorough declutter is the ideal solution for tidying up your space, taking stock of what you own, and passing on those pre-loved pieces to someone who’ll cherish them. Plus, every so often, a lucky shopper might stumble upon a high-end treasure tucked away in a charity shop for a fraction of its original price.
One savvy lady has revealed where she snaps up swanky attire at slashed prices. On her latest quest for holiday outfits, she hit up some of the poshest charity shops nestled in London’s wealthy neighbourhoods for a thrifting session.
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Anna, dubbed ‘The Second Hand Queen’ by locals, recently went bargain hunting in Kensington. She shared: “I’m in Kensington where the average house costs £2million – insane- and we’re testing out whether that makes the charity shops better.”
She often unearths fabulous finds in this district. Her first stop was Royal Trinity Hospice. “It’s near the station but it’s not worth it,” Anna admitted. She found that the price tags, soaring over £100, were simply “just too expensive” for her taste.
Anna also popped into Oxfam and Cancer Research. She commented on both: “The stuff is okay and the prices are not too bad, but I find the clothes just a bit dated.”
She revealed that there are two hidden treasures on Kensington High Street – a Vision Foundation store and an Octavia shop. “Oh my God they are some of my favourite in London,” Anna enthused.
In Vision Foundation, she stumbled upon lovely jeans, bags, shoes and other accessories, including a brand new £65 Jaded dress going for £17. “Perfect for beach holiday,” she remarked.
She also came across some exquisite display plates for the home, snazzy skirts, and charming tops. She observed that while the items aren’t the cheapest, there are some good bargains to be found with a thorough rummage.
“Love this shop,” one person penned in the comments. “Those shoes though, may need to take a visit,” chimed in another.
Others were quick to offer their own hot spots, with one suggesting: “I recommend East Dulwich for charity shops.
“Fulham Road ones were always so good to me,” another contributed. Someone else recommended: “I recommend the charity shops in Victoria and Pimlico. Got a Hugo Boss blazer new for £25 and a vintage Gucci purse for £30.
“Go to Knutsford, Hale, Altrincham,” shared another. “Anything in Westbourne Grove is always amazing, don’t skip them,” added another avid charity shopper.