Our favourite markets and secondhand shops in the UK and beyond

“When we first moved to Deal we hit the local auction houses and found a gem of an upright piano, bought for a lovely sum of £6. (Just don’t ask about the delivery or the second attempt at delivery, or the fact that it lived in our hallway for a week…). In terms of second-hand shops, I’d recommend Mileage in Deal (see image above). It’s a cool vintage and interiors store, based in an Edwardian stable by the sea. They upcycle furniture with lots of bright licks of paint.”
Dan Bell, BRiMM marketing consultant 

“I recently took a trip to Ibiza and discovered a brand called Echaniz.They make clothes and accessories from recycled materials and I bought the most beautiful shopper bag at the Hippie Market. It’s made from hessian potato sacks and what looks like an upcycled pillow or curtains: it is so light, the perfect holiday beach bag for chucking in all your essentials, but still chic enough to take out to dinner. Back home, there’s an amazing second-hand store in Marylebone called Cirkel. They have an insane selection of fashion and accessories that are in incredible condition. I also love their socials, so if you can’t get to the store, definitely give them a follow @the.cirkel.”  
Sam Zimmerman, head of beauty at BRiMM 

"I LOVE second-hand shopping. The thrill of purchasing something that has its own history or story to tell. Holidays will always revolve around food and vintage shopping, some of the best I have done has been in Copenhagen. Closer to home I am always refreshing our local Sell and Seek for furniture we do not need for a house that can’t fit anymore in. I have a fab pair of floral vintage shorts, I think they are old Ralph Lauren. My husband [Matt Kenyon, co-founder of Northern Pasta Co] absolutely thinks they look like wallpaper from a Nan’s house, which is all the more reason to love them.” 
Imogen Royall, co-founder of Northern Pasta Co., as seen in our Pantry Essentials Reset Box 

“I've been embracing second-hand fashion through Vinted, discovering the joy of both selling and buying pre-loved pieces. I love giving my unwanted clothes a second life, while finding unique preloved items for special occasions. My top second-hand purchase so far was a vintage Burberry coat that epitomises quality craftsmanship. It’s perfect for any season or occasion, proving that well-made pieces truly stand the test of time. Finally, if you ever find yourself in Salisbury, Foxtrot Vintage has some real finds.”
Harriet Murphy, founder of Hotel, Mike, as found in our Luxury Bathroom Reset Box

“It’s on-line, but Thrift+ has been doing some amazing things for the last 8 years or so - they offer great service to both buyers and sellers - and have some great brands.”
Tom Berry, sustainability advisor at BRiMM

"My all-time top second-hand find is a battered vintage Le Creuset casserole dish £4 from a car boot sale in Suffolk. Still use it weekly. It’s a beauty. Mooching for pre-loved treasure is basically my favourite pastime! I love vintage clothing and charity shopping – and will happily do that anywhere and everywhere. The vintage clothing stands on Broadway Market on a Saturday are great and I love the Walthamstow Flea Market – for weird prints, old cookbooks and accidentally bumping into friends.”
Renée Williams, co-founder of Dabba Drop

“Honestly, Vinted is a gamechanger. Oxfam on Westbourne Grove also always has some hidden treasures. My top treasure? A Fendi Baguette bag from a second-hand shop when I camped across the USA. Still the best find ever!”
Danielle Clementina Close, founder of My Skin Feels. Check out My Skin Feels Moisturised in our Minimalist Bathroom Reset Box

“I would recommend the whole of my home town, Ryde on the Isle of Wight. It's always had really great, very well stocked charity shops, but it also has some great curated vintage from the likes of The Velvet Pig for fashion, and Jack's, Dotty for Lifestyle and Antiek for furniture. We found a 1960s G-Plan sideboard in one of its charity shops for £50 about 15 years ago. We love it so much that when we moved and renovated our house, we gave the measurements to our builders to make sure there was space for it in the spot we wanted to put it. People often comment, saying ‘that space looks like it was made for your sideboard!’, and it literally was. If it's ever in shot on as Instagram post, it never fails to get a compliment!” 
Hannah Rochelle, founder of Slowette and BRiMM newsletter writer

“My kids bought me a second hand Isabel Marant cross body suede saddle bag on Vinted. I can only imagine it was a steal as I know how much their pocket money is! I got it for my birthday this summer and now she is coming with me everywhere. And Chilli London on Portobello is my top second-hand store tip – for really cool streetwear curated by two ex-fashion and music biz execs. You won't find anything like it anywhere else.”
Tiffanie Darke, activist and BRiMM editorial and community advisor

“My sister found a beautiful vintage denim jacket that I’ve probably worn 2,000 times in the last decade for £5 in a charity shop. When I’m shopping? Any charity shops. Always hidden gems. Shout out to Known Source who are bringing premium to the space.”
Milo Pinckney, founder and chief of experience at Rollr, as found in our Luxury Bathroom Reset Box

“My best ever second-hand find? My menswear Burberry winter coat – I bought it from John Simons where there’s great vintage menswear. It’s much too big for me and I love that! Definitely recommend that store.” 
Anna Foster, founder of E.L.V. Denim, BRiMM founder member and partner in our first ever BRiMM event 

"A tweed jacket that belonged to my mum – that’s the best second-hand find you’re ever going to get – fits me like it was made for me, and comes from circa 1980. And I’d recommend checking out The Vineyard Boutique in Richmond.”
Vanessa Marx, Head Chef – Bingham Riverhouse, Richmond

“You can always find a weird piece of art at Peckham Carboot. I got a vintage Wrigley’s Gum poster for 50p there a few years ago.”
Helen Kirkhum, creative director and community and events lead at BRiMM

““I’ve collected vintage pieces for over 25 years from Portobello and Notting Hill, but the standout is a pillar-box red leather Dior jacket I found for £150. It’s a forever piece - bold, beautiful and endlessly wearable. Portobello Market will always be my tip. Especially the vintage stores tucked around Notting Hill. I never leave empty-handed and never regret buying either.” 
Lisa Oxenham, ex beauty and fashion director at Marie Claire, BRiMM founder member

“I have always loved second-hand clothes… finding a great piece whose former life you can only speculate about. There are too many to mention, but stand outs are a big cream aran cardigan bought by the kilo in Santa Cruz and a pair of LL Bean loafers from Oxfam in Summertown in Oxford.”
Dr Johnny Drain, a chef with a PhD on a quest to reveal the secret science of flavour and sustainability

"A pair of vintage terracotta-coloured Bally sandals with black piping that I found while I was at uni. The heel height is perfect – even for a long walk – the design is timeless, and I suspect they’re from the 1980s. The quality still holds beautifully. I’ve just sent them off to be refurbished by the ever-helpful team at Shoe Spa London in Kings Cross, so I can wear them for another 10 years! The second-hand stores in Chelsea are truly elite. The one closest to me is the British Red Cross shop on Old Church Street – they have a fabulous selection of Manolos, Ferragamos and Jimmy Choos. And if you’re lucky, you might even find a few things that no longer fit in my closet…”
Isabella Charlotta Poppius, creative, One Tree Planted ambassador, model and London It Girl

Now read about The Individuality of Second-Hand Shopping and more on our Journal