Top Charity Shops Worth Monitoring for Designer Clothes and Hidden Fashion Treasures
In the world of fashion, going green and saving money has never been more stylish. Charity shops and online stores are becoming popular destinations for finding designer or high-end clothes at a fraction of the cost. Here's a guide to some of the best second-hand shops, vintage stores, and clothing rental sites in the UK that promote sustainability.
Charity Shops
FARA, a charity organisation with various locations across London, offers a unique shopping experience. Their store at 6 Upper Tachbrook Street Victoria, SW1V 1SH, known as Retromania London, is a specialty shop offering vintage items, hats, bags, scarves, dresses, menswear, memorabilia, and designer items. FARA's online stores on eBay, Depop, and Vestiaire provide a treasure trove of high street and designer items, including Celine bags, Manolo Blahnik heels, and a Dolce & Gabbana jacket.
Another popular charity shop is Barnardo's, which offers a wide range of clothing items on its eBay store, including Dr Marten's boots, Cos and Calvin Klein coats, and an L.K.Bennett dress. Proceeds from these sales help vulnerable children, young people, and families in the UK.
Vintage Stores
For a more vintage feel, TRAID Westbourne Grove, located in London and also online on Depop, is known for its designer and high-end cast-offs. British Red Cross also sells pre-loved clothes, secondhand furniture, books, vinyls, accessories, and more, with stores nationwide and online on eBay, ASOS, and their online gift shop.
Clothing Rental Sites
For those seeking a more sustainable approach to fashion, clothing rental sites are gaining popularity. Services like second-hand September, which celebrates pre-loved and vintage items, allow you to rent designer dresses and clothing for special occasions. While specific rental site names are not listed here, The Good Trade provides a curated list of the best online dress rentals in 2025, emphasising sustainability, affordability, variety, and inclusivity.
Ethical and Sustainable Brands
For those looking for ethical and sustainable clothing beyond vintage and designer resale, brands like Everlane, People Tree, Reformation, and Kotn are noted for their commitment to sustainable and fair trade fashion.
In summary, whether you're after second-hand designer clothes, vintage finds, or sustainable fashion, there are numerous options in the UK. Start your sustainable fashion journey with shops like FARA, Barnardo's, TRAID, British Red Cross, and online platforms such as Vestiaire Collective, What Goes Around Comes Around, ASOS Marketplace, Beyond Retro, and clothing rental services that prioritise eco-friendly practices. Happy shopping!
[1] The Good Trade - The Best Online Dress Rentals for Sustainable Fashion [2] Ethical Consumer - Sustainable Fashion Brands: Everlane, People Tree, Reformation, and Kotn [3] FARA - Retromania London [4] Barnardo's - eBay Store [5] TRAID - Westbourne Grove [6] British Red Cross - eBay Store [7] The Salvation Army - Shops and Donation Centres [8] Shop From Crisis - UK National Charity for People Experiencing Homelessness [9] Oxfam - Online Store [10] British Heart Foundation - eBay Store [11] Mary's Living and Giving Primrose Hill - Statement Fashion Pieces and High-End Finds
- Shopping at FARA's Retromania London, a charity shop with unique vintage items, can help you find designer pieces like Celine bags, Manolo Blahnik heels, or a Dolce & Gabbana jacket.
- Barnardo's is a popular charity shop known for offering high-street and designer clothing items, such as Dr Marten's boots, Cos and Calvin Klein coats, and an L.K.Bennett dress, while helping vulnerable children.
- For a more vintage feel, TRAID Westbourne Grove sells designer cast-offs like Chanel bags and Isabel Marant jeans, and their items can also be found online on Depop.
- British Red Cross offers not only pre-loved clothes but also secondhand furniture, books, vinyls, accessories, and more, with stores nationwide and online sales on eBay, ASOS, and their online gift shop.
- Renting designer dresses for special occasions is possible with services like second-hand September, and The Good Trade provides a list of the best online dress rental services in 2025 that prioritize sustainability, affordability, variety, and inclusivity.
