When I arrived in Nottingham as a fresher, I couldn’t wait to search out all of the best second-hand clothing shops to satisfy my thrifting addiction. As I’m sure it is for many readers, thrifting and charity shopping for clothes is a hobby, a pastime and something I love doing with friends. The great thing about Nottingham is there is something for all tastes and budgets. Here’s my run-down of the best areas, shops and events for sustainable shopping. Here’s my run-down of the best areas, shops and events for sustainable shopping.

City Centre

Bubble Vintage

What I love about Bubble Vintage is that when I browse the clothes, I can actually afford them! You can find designer brands as well as unique pieces. The best thing I ever purchased here was a pair of Schultz wooden chunky sandals - and for only £15; I knew I had to have them. A warning: the store is cash only, so come prepared.

Cancer Research

A small Cancer Research shop is tucked away on Friar Lane (near the Kitty Cafe), and it’s always worth having a browse for clothes and jewellery. 

White Rose

A charity shop started by Nottingham Trent Graduates, aiming to recycle high street clothing and reduce waste. White Rose Stores can be spotted all over Nottingham City Centre, Hockley and Beeston.

Hockley

Hockley is one of my favourite areas of Nottingham. It was, naturally, dubbed the ‘Soho’ of the city. This area is brimming with cool food spots, trendy bars, record stores and an abundance of sustainable clothing options. Start on Carlton Street, grab a coffee and dedicate a morning to exploring.

COW

COW is an independent vintage clothing store found in cities across the UK, which boasts an array of hand-picked pieces for all styles and genders. While a lot of their branded pieces are definitely on the pricier side, they have sale racks and a kilo sale at the end of every month.

WILD Clothing

A few minutes walk from Cow, sits WILD Clothing, and it's not hard to miss with its bold red facade. This independent vintage store has been around since 1983, offering vintage jackets, shirts, jeans and much more. While you do pay for higher quality, be aware that this place is definitely for those with higher budgets, or that leather jacket you’ve been wanting for years. 

My Sight

If you're on a lower budget or just prefer the hunt in charity shops, My Sight is always worth a visit. This local charity shop is only small, yet if you rummage for long enough you can find vintage items of clothing and accessories for reasonable prices. 

Oxfam

Further along Goose Gate I always like to go and browse in Oxfam, not just for clothes, but books too. As far as sustainable and budget shopping goes, Oxfam is the best of the bunch. 

Beeston

I love spending an afternoon in the little town of Beeston, for its calmer atmosphere which reminds me of my Suffolk home town. The other selling point is that its high street is quite literally flooded with charity shops. Whether you get the tram or bus you can start at either end of High Road, and you will find nine or ten charity shops in very close proximity to one another, including an Oxfam and White Rose. Sustainable shopping in Beeston is as affordable as it can get, and a fun escape from the city.

Events

St Mary's Church, Lace Market

As an alternative to visiting shops, you can keep an eye out for events at St Mary’s church, often the site for Worth Weight Vintage Kilo Sales. There is also an event coming up on the 5th of October called Lou’s Vintage Fair where independent sellers will be based. Make sure to get tickets in advance and get there early!