Thrifting and Pre-Loved Fashion in Kingston

Check out local charity shops…
Charity shops are the heart of thrifting in the UK – and luckily, Kingston town centre has tons of affordable charity shops in close proximity to our Penrhyn Road and Knights Park campuses!

Some of my personal favourites include:

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British Heart Foundation (Eden Walk): a great place for both pre-loved fashion and second-hand furnishings. My favourite winter coat was bought here for only £10 in first year!

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Fight for Sight (Kingston Market Place): although this charity shop sells all sorts of items, this is my go-to place for accessories; they usually have lots of affordable vintage jewellery and handbags in stock.

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Save The World Club (Southsea Road): if you’re someone who’s interested in upcycling pre-loved fashion, Save The World Club is the perfect choice. I used to come here regularly for fabric off-cuts when I was a KSA student, and the staff were always very kind and accommodating.

If you’re not a huge fan of fashion and want to focus more on thrifting books and furniture instead, head to the Princess Alice Hospice and Oxfam locations on Old London Road for more variety.

…or focus on true vintage!
Whether you’re a design student gathering vintage pieces for a university project or just someone who wants to immerse themselves in the 70s, Kingston has a wide range of dedicated vintage and antique stores. Antiques of Kingston (Old London Road) is a two-floor treasure trove of vintage fashion, jewellery and homewares with a great independent café located inside; I’ve bought tons of cool 1960s pin and enamel badges in here for only a few pound. On the same street, head to Union Vintage for unique vintage menswear and womenswear sourced from across the globe.

Keep an eye out for student events and kilo sales.
Throughout the academic year, Kingston Students’ Union host a range of events – including pre-loved fashion sales! I attended a great sale in the Students’ Union in my second year of undergraduate, and picked up two embroidered denim jackets at a significant discount. Make sure to keep an eye on the Kingston Students’ Union Instagram and the KUExtra website for more information on upcoming sales/upcycling workshops.

Hope this was helpful for any pre-loved fashion lovers at Kingston! Are there any great local thrifting locations I’ve missed? Let me know down below! 🙃

Eve (Kingston Rep).

(edited 3 months ago)