A Lincoln student’s guide to thrifting in the city

Thrift shopping is a unique way to shop. Most places don’t just contain clothes, but other products such as jewellery and books. I would recommend everyone to give thrift shopping a go. I find it a fun way to find different items I wouldn’t see in a normal high street shop. It is also a fun activity to do with friends and an affordable way to find new sustainable clothes for your wardrobe.

I’ve found that thrifting is a better way to purchase clothes. An American charity shop, GoodWill, highlights why it is good to shop from charity shops and second-hand clothing shops. They said: “Disposing of unwanted clothing also takes a toll on the environment. In the United States, individuals throw out 60 to 80 pounds of textile waste each year…By choosing to buy second-hand clothing instead of brand new, you reduce waste and help the planet”.

This is why shopping at thrifts shops is important and a good way of helping the environment. Shopping from independent shops works in a similar way as you are buying a product which is not manufactory made and most of the time, the items are handmade.

Here is a list of some of Lincoln’s thrift shops and independent stores, this is only scraping the surface of the amazing unique shops Lincoln has to offer.

High Street

You will find loads of charity shops on Lincoln High Street, such as, Oxfam and British Heart Foundation. These charity shops are affordable and if you are lucky, you might find a high-end brand for more than half the price! They also don’t just provide second-hand clothes, you can get other items such as jewellery, books and even home decorations.

You can donate your old clothes at any one of these charity shops, so the items you may not like may become someone’s new favourite clothing item. It is also a much more affordable and environmentally friendly way to buy new clothes and random stuff you need rather than shopping with fast fashion brands.

Rock Retro

Rock Retro buys and sells vintage clothes and is located just off the High Street. It provides a wide range of vintage clothing at a reasonable price. I would highly recommend this shop to anyone who is looking for a new vintage item to spice up their wardrobe. It also has its own Depop page so for the days you are too tired to walk into town, you can scroll through their stuff online.

Yak Clothing

A favourite among the students here is Yak clothing, which is located on The Strait, where you will also find other vintage shops and boutiques. It is an independent clothing store that also sells accessories such as bucket hats and watches. This is another shop I recommend to people. It is so different and the store is so welcoming. It has something for everyone!

Fab Vintage

Fab Vintage is another vintage clothing shop in Lincoln, which is located near the High Street. It offers a wide range of different quirky items and products at a very good price. It also has its own Esty page so, like Rock Retro, if you can’t be bothered to walk into town, you can shop for their products online.

As I have said with all of the vintage shops I have mentioned, this is another shop I highly recommend to people, but I do believe all of Lincoln’s vintage shops are beautiful and provided such a variety of cool and unique vintage clothes.

 Steep Hill

There are loads of independent shops and boutiques in the Cathedral Quarter, along Steep Hill. This makes the pain going up Steep Hill more bearable as along the way you can stop into one of the independent shops it has to offer. It’s a great way to shop for items that no one else will have. Some of the items you might come across might be handmade, making the product even more special.

Kilo Sale

Every couple of months, the Engine Shed holds a Kilo sale. On March 6th, Shop Kilo hosted their Kilo sale event here, which I attended. The atmosphere was great, everyone was so excited to find a hidden gem amongst the wide range of different clothes. They provide a range of different brands which are second-hand and charge them by how heavy they weigh (£20 per kilo).

It is a unique way to buy your sustainable clothing as you are not paying for the brands, but the weight of the item. As a tip, I would recommend getting an early bird ticket to these events so you can get the good stuff before it goes.

Cathedral Market

The Cathedral Market is Lincoln’s only indoor market, which you can find at the back of the High Street. It is full of amazing products ranging from clothes to pet supplies, it truly has something for everyone. On the outside of the market, there is a list of some of the shops the market provides.

This makes it easier for customers so they know what the market contains, instead of running around trying to find something that isn’t there. I would highly doubt that anyway as it contains everything! It is also a good way to help out the community in a fun way.

Related stories recommended  by this writer:

• Lincoln’s best dressed students: Let’s have a brew in week two

• A Lincoln student’s guide to the best books by female authors

• Women’s History Month: Five influential women you didn’t know were from Lincoln