Seven great Notts spots for thrifted and vintage fashion

Over the years Nottingham has had many titles, including Queen of the Midlands and City of Caves. However, more recently, the city has earned itself the fresh title of the second best city in the UK for thrift shopping. And it’s no surprise, considering the city’s love for a bargain, and a thrift or vintage shop on seemingly every street corner. Or, more specifically, four charity or vintage shops per square mile and 127 citywide, as well as 43 regular car boot sales throughout the year.

If you’ve ever heard the phrase ‘one person’s trash is another person’s treasure’, it’s an ethos the people of Nottingham have adopted wholeheartedly when it comes to its clothes shopping scene, with the city boasting an array of preloved shops ranging from luxury retro designer pieces to budget charity shop bargains.

If you’re in the mood for an autumn wardrobe refresh, or are new to the city and aren’t familiar with the retail scene, here’s our pick of the best thrifty haunts to get your hands on a second-hand bargain this month.

White Rose

Starting off strong, could we really do a second-hand clothes shop round-up without mentioning charity shop powerhouse White Rose? 

Boasting two shops in Beeston, one in West Bridgford, one in Newark and five in the city centre, these hand-picked second-hand experts offer a charity shop experience that’s more reminiscent of traditional high-street shopping than regular charity shops. You won’t find any dusty or musty second-hand pieces here. Instead, each piece has been specially selected for its quality, with many men’s, women’s and kids’ highstreet and designer treats found in each store at bargain prices. All net profits from sales are donated to the Aegis Trust, a charity which works towards the prevention, prediction, and ultimately the elimination of genocide, meaning you can feel good that you’ve supported a great cause while you shop too.

Meanwhile, if you fancy venturing a little out of the city centre, the main high streets in Mapperley on Woodborough Road and Plains Road, and Sherwood on Mansfield Road, offer a treasure trail of thrifted treats, with a total of almost twenty charity shops to explore. Highlights include Mind, Children’s Society, Oxfam and the Nottinghamshire Hospice shop which also stocks an array of true vintage pieces dating as far back as the 1950s.

WILD Clothing

Did you know, Nottingham’s first love affair with vintage clothes shopping began back in the 1980s following the launch of WILD Clothing, the city’s very first vintage shop? Opening its doors to thrifty style hunters in 1983, you could say it paved the way for the city’s future vintage shops, pioneering the true vintage movement across the city.

Located in Hockley, just down from Broadway Cinema, today WILD Clothing offers two floors of men’s and womenswear vintage pieces ranging from the 1950s to the early ‘00s, with a kilo sale taking place downstairs each day from 1.30pm, allowing shoppers to pay for items by weight – similar to an old fashioned corner shop pick and mix.

COW

COW has been a staple of Notts’ vintage scene for almost twenty years now, and it’s easy to see why. Their main Nottingham store located in the heart of Hockley offers two floors of men’s and womenswear dating from the 1980s to the early 2000s, with shoppers often finding some rare treasures they won’t find elsewhere, including vintage designer pieces. Meanwhile, their reworked range offers a regularly changing collection of vintage pieces that have been redesigned and reimagined into new pieces.

With two shops on the main strip in Hockley, for those looking to get their hands on vintage pieces on a budget, COW Thrift has you covered. All items are colour coded, with each colour corresponding to a set price, starting at just £6. They also do a monthly kilo sale where items can be purchased by weight.

Argang

Launched two years ago, Argang is an independent, family run vintage store located in Hockley. The shop stocks a wide range of menswear and womenswear ranging from the 1980s through to the early 00s. From vintage denim jackets to retro sportswear, bright patterned ‘80s blouses to denim skirts, you’ll find them all in Argang’s glass-fronted shop on the corner of Pelham Street, just near the Bodega.

Glass Onion

New kids on the block Glass Onion launched in Notts earlier this year but they’re seasoned pros when it comes to vintage clothing, having been in the business for more than twenty years.

Here in Notts, you’ll find their store in the heart of the iconic Bridlesmith Gate, an area of Nottingham that was once widely regarded as the city’s retail centre, boasting an array of boutiques and mainstream stores over the years.

Sporting Glass Onion’s iconic neon smiley face logo in the window, the store is hard to miss. Inside, it’s well stocked with vintage men’s and womenswear pieces from the ‘90s through to the ‘00s, in a range of sizes, as well as Re:Made pieces and rare one-off designer pieces for an extra special treat. 

Their denim wall is not to be missed, with retro Levi’s, Lees and more, clearly categorised by size and cut for easy browsing. The shop also offers a generous points scheme at ten points per pound spent, which can be collected and exchanged in store for credit starting at 500 points for £5 off, allowing you to save even more on gems.

re_addressedfashion

Is there any better feeling than being able to brag about bagging a designer piece at a bargain price? Well, if you’re a lover of luxury clothing but not so much a lover of the price tag often associated with them, then re_addressedfashion could be for you.

Hidden away on Bridlesmith Walk, this blink and you’ll miss it boutique, is small but mighty. Stocking designer pre-loved and deadstock menswear, womenswear and accessories, it’s a must for flex appeal without breaking the bank.

Hopkinson

For lovers of undiscovered weird and wonderful treasures, Hopkinson, located on Station Street, is the perfect spot. Think flea market style rummaging, in a labyrinth of delights sprawling across four floors. Housed in an iconic building steeped in history dating back to the 1800s, Hopkinson has been wowing visitors with its world of curiosities for more than a decade.

Inside, rummagers will find anything from antique jewels and furniture, to vintage clothing, footwear, ornaments, art, collectables, trinkets and more, from more than a hundred traders. It also has a vintage barber and tattoo parlour for those looking for a more permanent upgrade to their look.

And, after a busy day of rummaging, Hopkinson offers the perfect way to unwind, with a slice of cake or a cocktail at its coffee shop and bar.