Oxfam

This store use to be THE BEST, I would have actually made it my first 6 star review but since they have had to move the clothing Oxfam store from down the road and combined it with this fab book and vinyl it has become a little cluttered and manic.

This was the place to get you holiday reading from, starting at 20p a book you can't really go wrong, even if you don't enjoy the story. It was also a fantastic place to pick up vinyl that your mum would love and you know that you shouldn't like. I think I have several of my Dolly Parton and Disney records from here.

One thing that does upset me about this place is the way that stuff that's left outside just gets ransacked if the store isn't open to take it in, come on guys, this is for charity! Seriously!

I had heard and read so many things about Dalston's Oxfam that I had to check it out for myself. Apparently Channel 4's Miquita Oliver is a regular and found a vintage Chanel bag there. Having grown up in Hackney I was surprised to learn that there was a fashion mecca in Dalston.

I headed down there with high hopes of finding a vintage Dior clutch or maybe a YSL smoking jacket. After much fifling through rails I saw a few items but no Dior clutch or YSL blazer. With slight disappointment I left with an art deco frame (£5) and a small stained glass mirror (£7).

So I might not have discovered any designer vintage pieces but my frame and mirror would have been at least twice the price in Habitat.

If you wander in there without a wanting anything specific you may be surprised but otherwise you might leave disappointed.

Interesting stuff probably due to the large numbers of trendy urbanites in the locality. But prices are too expensive considering this is in a poor area. Perhaps if people did not leave donated stuff outside when it's closed. Then oxfam might be able to reduce prices because it would have more stock to sell, if it did not get stolen first.

I prefer the old store which was bigger and better though.

I buy books from here. The books are good. They cost £1. £1 is a good price for a book, and I am happy that I can do reading and give my money to a good cause.
I don't love the rest of the shop thought. Its fine as a charity shop goes, but its nothing special. I cant actually remember ever buying anything from here that isnt a book, so I obviously don't much love any of the clothes or other nick-nacks that are also on offer.
The staff are helpful, a little hipster (well, it is in Dalston after all) but friendly none the less.

Oxfam's Kingsland Road store is a rare beast. A charity shop that inspires the kind of zealotry usually reserved for high street powerhouses and cult boutiques. Let me preface this by saying that my respect for Oxfam's recent renaissance under the tutelage of ex-Topshop brand director Jane Shepherdson is boundless. Add to that the fact that I LOVE charity shops in the same way many women love shoes and you should have a recipe for bliss.

With blogs founded in its honour and a place on every 'Best Charity Shops in London' list, Oxfam Dalson is quite possibly just too hyped. This is the only explanation I can give for my disappointment in its wares. Second hand Ikea vases for £8? I'd rather not. Florence & Fred at Tesco jumpers for £10? Please! Visit Oxfam Kingsland Road if you're feeling lucky, but don't go expecting to find the charity shop mother ship.

What a treasure trove this place is! I love shopping in charity shops and vintage, simply for the fact, that you're not going to find your twin on a night out! This place is easily one of the best I've been to... Some beautiful skirts and dresses for £2.99. It's bargaintastic and definitely worth making the journey if you're not local to Dalston! I'm already planning my next visit to hunt the rails for another gem!

Last time I went to this Oxfam I watched a very old man, white wrinkled skin and a flat cap to boot, purchase a full length sahri complete with vail. What he was going to do with this outfit I will never know but it made for quite a bit of entertaining imagination on my behalf.

The Kingsland Road Oxfam is heralded by some as the best in London. Personally I've never come across anything particularly special in here but having heard stories of 'designer steals' I'll have to go along with the hype. Unlike vintage stores, this shop is laid out in a very organised fashion which makes it easy to see if there are any good buys. The staff are friendly although clearly their focus is the charity and not fashion so don't expect any coaching on what to buy from them. Price wise it's your average charity shop deal- some things are priced higher than you would expect and other things are obscenely low. This makes bargain hunting all the more fun because when you get something really good at a really cheap price you feel like you've won the charity shop lottery. Kingsland Road's Oxfam is a good charity shop but as far as the fashionista's are concerned, don't believe the hype.

I had read and heard much about this place. The first time was on an early bendy bus sojourn down Kingsland Road - the front of the shop seemed massive, more like a Tesco than a thrift shop. I was told that it was a hopspot to pick up great deals on clothes and music. My interest increased when I came across the Dalston cassette blog, where some guy digitises a random cassette that he has bought there each week.

Unfortunately, when I finally visited, I felt let down. The premises had recently changed and there seemed to be an over-organised air to the place. Too many labels, and too little quality merchandise to be found on any of the shelves. The vinyl section has proved disappointing on further visits and I have yet to be convinced of the legend of Oxfam Dalston.

Oxfam on Kingsland Road is an absolute Aladdin's Cave of bargains of all shapes and sizes from £1 vinyls to £10 leather jackets. Without meaning to sound like an absolute cliché, there really is something for everyone and if you like that shabby chic look you could probably deck out your whole living room for under £40!
It's always super busy here on the weekends as Shoreditchians tend to flock here to nab the best bargains so either head down there first thing in the morning (no one in East London wakes up THAT early) or on a weekday to avoid crowds and for premium browsing time.

Got a GREAT jacket that I've worn nearly every day since and super cute boots, each item for only 3 pounds. Highly recommend!!