Charity shops are a very movable feast. I remember one in Islington that was full of the most dire clothes - really tatty, threadbare, old men’s clothes - but where occasionally you could find beautiful vintage dresses for a few quid. Then there are some where customers complain that the staff know the value of what they’re selling far too well - no bargains perhaps, but a chance to get very, very nice stuff for a secondhand price.
Oxfam’s new boutiques are the second kind of charity shop. There are now three of them - all in West London.
As well as selling secondhand designer clothes, they’ll also be selling a mix of new fairtrade, sustainable, and reworked clothing.
They’re a bit more cutting edge than most charity shops. You’re not going to find anything your aged auntie might want to wear. Oxfam has worked with a number of young designers, and Jane Shepherdson - formerly boss of Top Shop - helped refine the concept. The shops will all carry reworked clothes from Junky Styling and other labels.
The bad news? Well, the prices are way, way above what I’m used to from a charity shop. You’ll pay over £100 for a decent dress. So, I think, Oxfam boutiques are for serious fashionistas only!
Where: 245 Westbourne Grove, LondonW11: 123a Shawfield Street, off King’s Road, SW3: and 190 Chiswick High Road, London W4.
Photo credit: Christan Guthier on flickr
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