The Best Thrifting Spots in Edinburgh
The Scottish capital city is a go-to for vintage and preloved finds. From charity shops to retro emporiums, there is something for everyone at every price point.
By Emily London
I’m a former fashion and beauty journalist working for over 15 years in magazines and online publications, such as Vogue, Good Housekeeping, Net-A-Porter, and Refinery29. While I loved reporting on the latest runway shows and seasonal trends, I was also an avid charity shopper and vintage fashion fan. I started thrifting as a kid with my granny (we called it ‘knicky-knacky-nooing’) and by the time I went to Edinburgh University, I had caught the secondhand shopping bug hard, bunking off lectures to shop at the charity shops close to campus. The city is still one of my favourite places to discover true secondhand gems, and below, are the main locations I still thrift in. Happy shopping!
Leith Walk
Forget about Princes Street; Leith Walk is where it’s at for cool and quirky fashion and home décor finds.
The Bethany Shop, 17 Duke Street, Leith EH6 8HG
This large fashion and homeware store has an eclectic mix of nearly new and vintage pieces. A recent trip revealed 70s smoked glass coffee tables for £20 and 1980s wool shirt dresses by Jaeger for £25.
St Columba’s Hospice Care, 352 Leith Walk EH6 5BR
This charity shop might be my favourite one in the city. It is so beautifully presented it’s hard to believe it isn’t a luxury fashion boutique. Look out for cashmere sweaters, midcentury crockery and vintage patchwork bed throws. The haberdashery department is second to none.
British Red Cross, 1 Croall Place, Leith Walk EH7 4LT
If you prefer items that are gently pre-owned or never worn, step into the British Red Cross, which has a large offering of new-with-tags Zara fashion and accessories. The store is beautifully merchandised by colour, which makes for a very easy shopping experience.
Grassmarket
In one of the most picturesque parts of the city, lies a selection of vintage stores, one of which has been trading sine the 19th century. Come for the views and stay for the shopping.
Armstrongs Vintage, 81-83 Grassmarket EH1 2HJ
Can you believe this institution has been trading since 1840 when it began life selling men’s fashion from a tiny store in Cowgate? Today, make this your go-to for statement knitwear, cashmere overcoats, tweed blazers and love-worn denim.
https://armstrongsvintage.co.uk/
Herman Brown, 151 West Port EH3 9DP
Walking up the Grassmarket will take you to Herman Brown, another icon that’s been trading since 1983. The edit of fashion and accessories has kept me coming back here for over 25 years. I still carry the vintage Dior bag, I picked up for £17 in 1999 to this day.
Carnivale, 51 Bread Street EH3 9AH
A newer addition to this area is Carnivale, a bijoux store offering a mix of fashion and accessories from the Victorian through to the 1990s periods. Snap up 70s maxi dresses in time for the summer and don’t leave without looking through the store’s limitless array of vintage silk scarves.
Raeburn Place
Stockbridge has a special place in my heart, and it is mainly due to the fabulous charity and vintage shops nestled amongst the independent businesses on the high street.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Boutique, 71-73 Raeburn Place EH4 1JG
The men’s section of this boutique store always has a great collection of wool blazers and tuxedo jackets, which look fantastic worn with oversize t-shirts and boyfriend jeans. They always have a tight edit of designer footwear, too.
Shelter Scotland, 104 Raeburn Place EH4 1HH
The homeware section is one of the many reasons to frequently shop here. Update your cocktail cabinet and look for cut crystal glasses and decanters.
Mary’s Living & Giving Shop, 34a Raeburn Place EH4 1HN
Every corner of this store has something to delight the senses. Don’t leave any area unexplored, especially the accessories section, where you can snap up a brooch for as little as £2.
https://www.savethechildren.org.uk
Top 10 Do’s & Don’ts For Secondhand Shopping
1. Do follow your curiosity and look for colours, textures and silhouettes that interest you.
2. Don’t think about size. Try everything on. It doesn’t matter what is written on the label.
3. Do check out the men’s section. The shirts, jackets, and knitwear options are a higher quality compared to similar styles in the women’s section.
4. Do look through every box. Vintage and Charity shops have stock lying everywhere. Check each box for treasure. You never know what you will find.
5. Don’t forget about the belt section. A statement buckle belt looks incredible worn over a blazer or maxi dress.
6. Do remember secondhand shoes are not icky. You can find barely worn designer styles for a tenth of the RRP.
7. Do enjoy the experience. You don’t always have to buy everything you see.
8. Don’t buy something because it is ‘on trend’. Who cares if it is giving ‘mob wife life’, ask yourself, does it connect to your style?
9. Don’t think of secondhand shopping as discount shopping. Look on it as finding pieces that truly connect with your style.
10. Do think outside the box. Look for the potential in the items in front of you. How many different ways could you wear this piece?
Emily London is a sustainable stylist and vintage fashion seller. She offers in-person and online services, to help people find their personal style through secondhand shopping. Follow Emily on Instagram or check out www.emilylondon.co.uk