A guide to thrift shopping in Sheffield

As more and more information emerges about the detrimental impact of the fashion industry, sustainability is fast becoming a priority for many shoppers. Fortunately, in Sheffield there is ample supply of charity shops and vintage stores, offering environmentally friendly, desirable fashion at affordable prices, perfect for the gift-giving season. Below are just a few of the vintage shops you should check out to find some truly unique, affordable and sustainable Christmas gifts.

Cow (156-160 West Street)

Perhaps a familiar shop name, Cow is the perfect place to find some thrift-flips, a huge range of shirts, denim and jackets. Though they may be a tad on the pricey side, you can guarantee that it’s rails will be filled with current, on-trend items. Cow’s quirky interior and window displays offer great inspiration for styling in a more sustainable way. As it is a chain, it also boasts a global website of unique, ethically sourced items, perfect for the current situation.

@cowsheffield

Vulgar (127-129 Devonshire Street)

When walking down to the city centre, it is hard to miss the iconic pink exterior of Vulgar. It is a quirky, independent shop which allows trendy pieces that you will have seen on your Instagram feed to jump straight into your reality. Similar to Cow, Vulgar sells re-worked clothing and is proudly inspired by nineties and noughties fashion. Although the price tag might be slightly on the expensive side, the clothing is worth the expense - especially if you are looking to invest in any designer vintage items.

@VULGARshop

Preloved Kilo (76 Division street)

One of the latest additions to Division Street is the Preloved Kilo store. Though it may be smaller, the regular rotation of stock and the fact that the price you pay is determined by weight, means you are guaranteed to secure a bargain. As the window stickers say, one kilo of clothing only costs £15. The rails hold an abundance of denim jackets, plaid shirts and 90s style sportswear. In my opinion, perhaps the best feature is the bucket of silk scarfs at the entrance. Scarfs are versatile and can be styled in your hair, as a top, or simply around your neck - they weigh almost nothing which is a bonus!

@prelovedkilo

Ryan Vintage (25 Division Street)

Though Ryan Vintage may look like more of a warehouse than a shop from the outside, the inside is an Aladdin’s cave. With vast stock, priced ridiculously low, have a rummage and you could find a hidden gem that the loose change in your pocket could buy you. It may take you a little while to scour through it all, but it most definitely will be worth it. Some of my best spots are Levi’s for £5 and coats for less than £3!

Freshmans Vintage Store (6-8 Carver Street)

Where price is concerned, Freshmans is the perfect in-between. Items are individually priced and picked to fit with the 70s-inspired vibe that the store exudes. Neatly organised, each rail features a multitude of shirts, jackets, denim and dresses. There are even some great accessories dotted around, such as sunglasses, badges and bags. Check out their online store for more stock and styling inspiration, as well as a blog.

@freshmansvintagestore

Whether you are looking for something in particular or just fancy a browse, all of these shops are Covid-safe, making a vintage crawl the perfect way to spend an afternoon - you may even tick off some names from your Christmas gift list.

Edited by Katie Wheatley