Taking it slow — the lowdown on neighbourhood charity shops
by Zainab Mahmood /@zainab.slow.fashion
I don’t think charity shops were ever ‘cool’ when I was a teenager, but for a short period of time I remember them being my solution to vintage shops (those were definitely cool) and they didn’t require my mum chaperoning me to central or East London. Having said that, finding clothes in charity shops that catered to my personal style at 13–16 years (or perhaps lack thereof) wasn’t always the easiest so I focused on hunting for accessories and other knick-knacks in an attempt to feel like a classy antiques collector. But the secondhand fashion scene has changed significantly over the last decade and five years ago, once I decided I didn’t want to fuel the fast fashion system anymore, I came to rely on charity shops once again to scratch my fashion itch.
Why slow fashion and why charity shops? Let’s look at the facts. Only 2% of garment workers make a living wage and retailers dispose of 25% of items returned by customers, thus contributing significantly to landfill sites that harm the land itself and the health of communities living near them. Choosing to shop secondhand, or more broadly keep existing stuff in circulation by repairing, sharing and swapping, can be an empowering way for consumers to resist brands and systems that exploit both people and the planet. It seems like caring might just be the coolest trend in fashion, and hopefully the most timeless.
“It seems like caring might just be the coolest trend in fashion, and hopefully the most timeless.”
However, it’s important to acknowledge the unintended consequences of this growing trend: the increasing popularity of shopping secondhand has pushed charity shop prices up to the extent that fast fashion is sometimes the more affordable option. Some individuals and communities who previously relied on charity shops to afford clothing are being somewhat pushed out by middle class, socially-conscious shoppers who have the privilege of choosing secondhand over mainstream. But there are ways we can continue to limit waste whilst also looking out for the communities around us. For me, I still choose to visit charity shops but I seek them out in areas where I can ensure I’m not compromising the needs of those less privileged than myself.
There’s also a real joy in discovering a hidden gem of a charity shop. The stock in any given charity shop is reflective of its neighbourhood and the style of the people in it, which is why from both a fashion and a social perspective I enjoy visiting charity shops in areas that are new to me. Over my years of exploring London’s charity shops, mainly in West, South West and East London, I’ve narrowed down my favourite neighbourhoods: Gloucester Road, a few minutes’ walk away from South Kensington’s trio of museums; Notting Hill, already famous for its vintage, antiques and quaint, colourful houses, and Pimlico, which is probably the more unexpected location of the three but still central and home to some real hidden gems. Some of the most affluent neighbourhoods in the city, charity shops in these three areas consistently stock luxury designer and premium high street items, making shopping crawls more of a boutique-y experience.
“The stock in any given charity shop is reflective of its neighbourhood.”
Not only do charity shops give me a rush similar to the newness of a large, maze-like fast fashion store, but they also act like a museum. There’s something warming about being drawn to an item that has been worn & loved by someone else, particularly if it’s vintage. Not only is a charity shop purchase good for the planet but part of the magic is speculating about its previous owner and planning your future with it. Exploring charity shops isn’t just about slow fashion for me — it’s fashion, history, community and people-watching all rolled into one and I can’t wait for you to experience it through my list.
Find Zainab’s list of 8 fashion-forward charity shops in London over at Bimble.
If you have a story you’d like to share about a great little place or other bimbling experiences, get in touch with us at hello@bimble.com.
