Newcastle’s best thrift shops brought to you by The Tab

Bet you've been wondering where to find one! We've scoured across the streets of the Toon, hunting and judging the best places we feel you should check out for your 'new' wardrobe. We've selected a mixture of vintage and charity shops, all ranging in style and pricing. And so first off we have… *drum roll*

RETRO – best for vintage

Location: 2 High Bridge Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1EN (Just off Grey Street)

Opening Times: Weekdays – 10:30 – 17:30. Weekends – 11:00 – 16:30

Pricing: More on the expensive compared to others on this list but you can still find exceptions with jumpers going for £15

Facilities: It has a changing room with a big mirror to check yourself and your new wavey gwarms out in.

Our ratings:

Louis – Imma fan, people. It also makes me poor but if you ask nicely they will give you a discount. Worth a browse, you have an overdraft for a reason. 3.5/5

Nanda: One of my favorites tis v good. Have found some real treasures here-each piece is unique af so none of that she has the same dress as me nonsense. 4/5

TIME ANTIQUES – best for random

Location: The Antique Centre, 142 Northumberland St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7DQ (Top Floor)

Opening Times: Open when he feels like opening, but this is most of the time so no need to panic.

Pricing: Depends what you go for as they sell real antique jewels but obviously we are students so none of that business here. However there are lots of other random bits and bobs you can find so price is very variable.

Facilities: There is a record shop and you can get your watch repaired there too if ya fancy.

Our ratings:

Louis: If you like a nick nac, this is your shop. Otherwise its pointless. Unless you need a watch repaired. Then its great. But its still a no. 2/5

Nanda: Well I just absolutely love it really. Everything is totally random. A bit of bling and sparkle you won't be able to afford tossed about with feather boas, war memorabilia, wacky plates and even some authentic vintage clothing. Very easy to lose track of time here as you might just strike gold. 5/5

BUY THE BAG – best for quantity

Location: 76-80 Clayton St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5PG

Opening Times: 10:00 – 16:00

Pricing: So, here's the tea, there are three ways to pay, either fill a fat bag with as much as you want and pay £10 for it all. Option 2 is to have a smaller bag for £5 OR if you find the single gem you can nab that for a solid quid.

Facilities: …none…lol

Our ratings:

Louis: Its a bit smelly, there's always a lot of people in there, its also incredible. Shopping through the vast crates of clothes is a hole afternoons work and sometimes you strike gold others you come away needing a wash. But this is the bargain shops of all bargain shops, go in there looking for nothing and leave with a whole new wardrobe. 5/5 (Don't listen to Nanda)

Nanda: Well if I am being quite honest I think it's a bit of a waste of time. I mean you'd literally have to give up a day to go through the many and a little smelly crates but it's for a good cause and can't complain about the pricing… Worth a try though! 2/5

Red Cross – best for location

Location: 19 Nun St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5AG (next to Grainger Market)

Opening Times: Working 9 till 17:00, closed on Sunday.

Pricing: There's a sweet 10% student discount for those unwilling to contribute the full funds to charity. Pricing varies from a fiver up to 50 quid so you've gotta look around for a steal. It has it all, mirrors, clothes, your old pillow, all the things essential for a complete uni experience.

Facilities: Changing rooms (alley way).

Our ratings:

Louis: The best feature lies in its fully color coordinated clothes racks. Hunting for purple denim has never been so easy. However, its pretty bog standard past that point leading me to go den-umm? Overall good but distinctly average 3.5/5

Nanda: I'm one of those who goes for the discount – if it is there why miss out I say. Always come out with a bargain, be it statement earrings or a cheap as chips cook book the options are all there. They even have a little vintage section that is slightly pricier but have found original skating shoes from the 40s and some beautiful arm chairs both of which I did not buy. 4/5

FLIP – best for boys

Location: 104 Westgate Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4AF (near O2 Academy)

Opening Times: 11:00 – 17:00. Closed Sunday & Monday.

Facilities: Changing rooms (plural matters)

Pricing: Not cheap. Like Retro but less varied in style but slightly higher in pricing. We're looking at an easy £15 and up people.

Our ratings:

Louis: Its a shop for men, owned by men, essentially its just good for men (sorry not sorry women). Its a pretty decent shop for that all American lumber jack look i.e. dungarees and a chequered shirt. If that's your aesthetic, then this is the shop for you. Otherwise its a whole steaming pile of Trump. 3/5

Nanda: Disaster. Walked in and walked out. I am woman, not man: this was not the place for me. 1/5

SENSE – best for quality

Location: 50 Grainger St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5JG (Near the Central Station, home of the charity shops)

Opening Times: 9 – 17:00. Closed Sunday.

Facilities: Two changing rooms (how exciting)

Pricing: Mostly all just for £1, perfect for all poor people (students)

Our ratings:

Louis: Ngl, I went in with lower expectations but then left with a New Balance t-shirt for a quid so canne complain. If your of the male orientation though, you'll find a vastly smaller section which sucks but the value is still worth sticking your head round the door. 3.5/5

Nanda: I have found some of my best buys in this place. From Wilson tennis rackets to Phase Eight dresses all for a quid each. Super friendly staff and the perfect place for depop sellers: high chances of profit if you decide not to keep what you buy for yourself. 4.5/5

And of course there are plenty of other great charity shops that are always worth checking out too like the ones below…For example, Cancer Research's most expensive items are just a mere £3. Also keep your eyes peeled for events in the area such as the Vintage Clothing Kilo Sale whose page you can like on facebook and that should keep you updated. This kind of thing you'll need to get there very early for as the best pieces tend to disappear very quickly.

That's all folks… now run along and good luck! Big luv x