Feeling thrifty? Top second-hand shops in Brighton
Brighton is a bona fide second-hand goldmine. I was lucky enough to be born and raised locally, and thrifting has always felt second-nature for that reason. You can’t be a true Brightonian without at least dipping your toe into the treasure trove of vintage scattered across the city!
Over the years, I’d like to think I’ve become somewhat of a connoisseur of second-hand shops in Brighton – and who would I be to gatekeep that information? So, I’m going to do the nice thing and share all that I know. You’re welcome.
Brighton thrift shops come in all shapes and sizes. Some are brilliant for digging through rails of vintage clothing; others are better for books, furniture, and homeware. If you’ve landed here searching for thrift stores or the best second-hand shop in Brighton, this is a perfect place to get inspiration for where to go if you’re feeling thrifty in Brighton.
Best second-hand shops for clothes
Let’s kick things off with where to find the best second-hand clothing in Brighton, because who doesn’t love a pair of vintage Levi’s or an old-school flannel shirt? Here’s where to go for all your outfit inspiration and accessorising when thrifting in Brighton.
Just an FYI, these are all vintage shops, not charity shops. I recommend checking out all the charity shops in Brighton for bargains, and heading into Hove (namely George Street and Blatchington Road) for a less hectic experience.
Menace Vintage
30 Sydney St, Brighton & Hove, BN1 4EP
With a shop in London’s Brick Lane and a stand in Portobello Market, you know that Brighton’s very own Menace Vintage is going to be good. This is the thoroughbred of vintage clothing, with a range of carefully curated items dedicated to Y2K fashion. Head to their North Laine shop, keeping an eye out for their bright pink shopfront for two floors of second-hand ’90s and ’00s clothing.
Menace Vintage are worth following on social media as they regularly run special events, including their popular “£20 and under” thrift weekends. Â
Starfish Vintage Clothing
25 Gardner St, Brighton & Hove, BN1 1UP
A staple of North Laine, Starfish is a go-to for laidback second-hand clothes. The shop itself feels rustic and snug, with rails packed with different fabrics, colours and styles. Think graphic tees, denim dungarees, and well-loved pairs of Converse, fleeces and jackets, plus the odd wig or fancy dress find thrown in for good measure.
It’s not one of the cheapest Brighton thrift stores, so don’t expect charity shop prices, but the selection is strong if you’re looking for a quality, second hand piece and recognisable vintage brands. You can even find the odd wig in here, making it an essential stop for those one-off occasions.
Salvage & Sawdust
36 Meeting House Ln, Brighton & Hove, BN1 1HB
Tucked away in The Lanes, Salvage & Sawdust is an unmistakably cool vintage shop with a real collector’s feel to it.
It’s got a clear American vibe, with old Levi jeans, rails of workwear, military pieces, Harley Davidson t-shirts, and a lot of denim jackets (and I do mean, a lot). Salvage & Sawdust’s collection stretches from the late 19th century right through to more modern heritage brands with everything hand-picked rather than piled high for you to dig through.
You’ll pay more here than other Brighton vintage and second-hand shops, but that’s kind of the point. The hard work has already been done for you, making this a strong contender for one of the best second-hand shop in Brighton if you’re serious about vintage quality and pieces with a bit of history behind them. The shop itself feels super warm and welcoming, so it’s very easy to lose an hour (or three) in here. Love it.
Snoopers Attic
7/8 Kensington Gardens, Brighton & Hove, BN1 4AL
Tucked away at the very top of Snoopers Paradise in North Laine, Brighton holds a second-hand clothing secret. Snoopers Attic is a long-running collective of vintage sellers and independent makers, home to an eclectic range of vintage, upcycled, handmade clothing, accessories and plenty of one-offs.
Snoopers Attic is quintessentially Brighton; quirky and packed with things to look through, so don’t expect a quick in-and-out browse. It’s the sort of place you could find a wedding dress next to a leather biker’s jacket and think nothing of it.
Snoopers Paradise, on the first floor, is a different beast. We’ll come back to that later for its wonderfully odd bits and pieces. If it’s second-hand clothing you’re after, head upstairs first to find Snoopers Attic.
Dirty Harry
6 Sydney St, Brighton & Hove, BN1 4EN
How could I talk about Brighton’s second-hand clothing scene and not mention Dirty Harry in North Laine? The rails outside on Sydney Street are always worth a quick look and, more often than not, enough to tempt you inside. Once you do, it has three floors stacked to the rafters and multiple choices for just about every item of clothing.
Dirty Harry is especially good for vintage denim, flannels and classic brand finds like Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger.
There’s also a decent range of sizes, plus children’s clothing, vintage bandanas and prices are often pretty reasonable than some other Brighton thrift shops. A good one if you still want the chance of finding a second-hand bargain.
Best second-hand shops for books
You can find old, new, and rare books in Brighton’s vintage shops and second-hand spots. Dabble in Dickens? Adore a Sally Rooney modern romance? If you’re a book lover in Brighton, you’ll find a bit of everything and more in this city.
Oxfam Bookshop
30 Kensington Gardens, Brighton & Hove, BN1 4AL
If you’re moving on from clothes to second-hand books, I’d highly recommend starting at the Oxfam Bookshop in North Laine. There’s another over on Blatchington Road in Hove, but the Kensington Gardens shop is handy if you’re already making your way around Brighton’s second-hand shops.
Unlike a normal Oxfam charity shop, these are solely devoted to second-hand books, and has a huge selection to choose from. I’ve found some gorgeous older editions and vintage classics here over the years, which makes it one of my go-to second-hand bookshops in Brighton for when I’m looking for a gift for another book lover. Of course, I usually end up leaving with something for myself too.
Books for Amnesty
15 Sydney St, Brighton & Hove, BN1 4EN
Just a few doors along Sydney Street in North Laine, Books for Amnesty is another brilliant stop if second-hand books are your weakness – totally devoted to books. They focus on contemporary fiction, social sciences, art, poetry, drama, history and children’s books, so there’s plenty to work through without it feeling like one giant jumble sale.
Books for Amnesty also regularly have a stock of novels in their £1 sale (usually on the shelves outside the shop, though if it’s chucking it down, you’ll find them inside).
Snoopers Paradise
7/8 Kensington Gardens, Brighton & Hove, BN1 4AL
We said we’d come back to Snoopers Paradise, and here we are. Honestly, it couldn’t have a more accurate name. If you like snooping, rummaging and foraging for second-hand everything, this really is your paradise – it feels like an endless maze of cabinets, shelves and little corners filled with second-hand treasures.
Snoopers Paradise holds a few hidden gems, and their book selection is one of them. They have a few bookcases right at the front of the shop, with an array of modern, classic, and special edition novels, as well as more books scattered around the place. I don’t know how they do it, but I always leave here with at least one book to add to my shelves.
Of course, Snoopers Paradise goes far beyond books. There are records, old toys, jewellery, homeware, antiques, collectibles and all sorts of weird and wonderful trinkets. It feels almost like one of Brighton’s attractions in its own right, so give yourself time. Saturdays can get slightly overwhelming for some shoppers, and finding something you spotted on a previous visit is not always as easy as you’d think.
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Best second-hand shops for home
From vintage art to furniture, Brighton isn’t short of second-hand pieces for your home. Skip HomeSense and IKEA to find something a little more unique in one of these wonderful second-hand shops for homeware in Brighton.
Shabitat
Saunders Park Depot, Lewes Rd, Brighton BN2 4AE
Set a little further afield just off Lewes Road, Shabitat is so worth the trip. It’s a big, warehouse second-hand shop with large furnishings (like sofas and coffee tables), second-hand clothes, homeware, bric-a-brac and all sorts of random finds to take home with you.Â
Prices are refreshingly low, so you can come away with a genuine bargain here. The clothing section is worth digging through too, especially if you prefer thrift shopping to feel a little less curated and a lot more unpredictable.
Brighton Flea Market
31a Upper St James's St, Kemptown, Brighton & Hove, BN2 1JN
Wander out towards Kemptown for the Brighton Flea Market. This enormous space is full of the weird, the wonderful, and the genuinely useful. It’s a real mish-mash of items, and you’re just as likely to find a mid-century coffee table as you are a French puppet from the 1800s. You name it, and it’s probably in the Brighton Flea Market!
Get more Brighton inspiration
Hold up, I’m not done yet. While we might have got a lot of inspiration for second-hand shopping, there’s plenty more on offer in this wonderful, quirky city. From Hove to The Lanes in Brighton, be sure to take a peek at Brighton shopping guides to discover the best the city has to offer.Â
Still have questions?
Check out answers to some of the more popular questions about second-hand shopping in Brighton.
Is Brighton good for thrift shopping?
Brighton’s an excellent spot for thrift shopping thanks to two things: availability and variety. There are countless vintage, charity, and thrift shops, each of them offering something slightly different and unique. Whether you’re in the market for retro designer clothing or antique home decor, Brighton’s second-hand shopping scene has everything you could hope for
Where are the best places to thrift in Brighton?
For thrifting in Brighton, start in North Laine, which is considered the boho centre of the city and is home to the largest array of vintage and retro clothes shops. From there, head towards George Street in Hove, The Lanes in Brighton, and Kemptown for many more vintage goldmines and charity shops.
Which UK cities are the best for thrifting?
Brighton is definitely up there as one of the best cities for thrifting. It has a huge range of second-hand clothing shops with a whole lot of variety, as well as flea markets, charity shops, and antique shops. North Laine, in particular, is famous for its retro thrifting spots, like Dirty Harry, To Be Worn Again, and Beyond Retro (to name just a few). Other top cities for thrifting in the UK include London, Norwich, and Manchester.
