Guest Blogger: The Best Cities to Live in for Thrift Shopping

Thrift shopping has become a huge phenomenon in the fashion world. Many trend-setters have realized that there are bargains to be had when visiting a thrift store, whilst the most skilled shoppers have mastered how to pick up a good-quality item of clothing for a fraction of the price on the high-street.

Most thrift stores are more commonly known as charity shops, although car boot and jumble sales are similar and also offer customers the opportunity to rummage through piles of items to find that special gem amongst piles of junk.

For many people, it is the thrill of finding a unique item that could be hiding in a bargain bucket or on a £1 sale rail. But the question is, how can you locate the best cities for thrift shopping?

Why not try these cities for some magnificent finds:

London

You might be surprised to know that London is not only great for buying high-street and designer clothing and accessories. There are many thrift stores located in the more affluent areas of London such as Chelsea or Knightsbridge and although you may find some high-quality items here, the prices are likely to be higher than you expect!

 The best place to go for a thrifty bargain is the east end of London as you can visit wholesale warehouses such as the East End Thrift Store, where you pay an entrance fee on arrival and then get to fill a bag up with thrifty finds all for the same price!

 The more central you go, the more likely the prices are going to increase, so think about the individual area you are targeting. If other people are likely to flock there to find a bargain, you may find that all the great items have been snapped up. Try visiting stores that are on the outskirts or in less popular areas to ensure you get the best pick each time!

New York

If you are planning to move overseas, why not head to the amazing thrift stores in New York where there are many bargains to be had. Shopping in New York itself can be a little pricey, so finding thrift stores will help you to be more cost effective and savvy with your savings.

The best places to go are 2^nd and 3^rd Ave in New York, where you may find designer labels at discounted prices, some great furniture finds for your home as well as some bric-a-brac pieces with great character and charm. Many of the thrift shops in New York sell good-quality items so be prepared for a full day of browsing!

 Paris

As Paris can be another expensive place to shop, you may be glad of a thrift store or two to keep the bank balance happy! The Free ‘P’ Star thrift shop is a great place to start as it has inexpensive treasures for under 5euros each. The atmosphere in here is pretty buzzing so you may have to be patient and do serious amounts of rummaging before you find something worth the wait!

Living in Paris sure to give you a great advantage when it comes to thrift shopping as the store owners are very aware of catwalk trends and have great expertise to help you find the right item.

Wherever you choose to live, you will be sure to find some nearby thrift stores that will help you to look great, even when you’re on a budget.

Have you had any success at your local thrift stores? Comment below with your top tips, inspiration and your experiences of thrift shopping to date!

This article was provided by Susie Francis; an experienced content writer for Areavibes with great fashion knowledge and shopping expertise.