There’s nothing quite like the thrill of someone complimenting your latest second-hand find, only to reveal, “Five pounds – and they’re vintage leather from Battersea car boot.”
Thrifting, which used to be niche, has become the mainstream way to shop following the rise of fast fashion. This is partly thanks to second-hand apps: Depop and Vinted have millions of users in the UK. Roughly half of British shoppers have bought pre-owned clothes, and the global resale market is forecasted to reach around £350 billion by 2028.
This is fantastic news as the fashion industry is the second-largest global polluter, trailing only behind the oil industry. But…
Can I be honest for a second? As someone who dresses almost entirely second-hand, Vinted and Depop have started to feel like a bit of a scam. The TikTok-ification of thrifting has turned these apps into endless overpriced listings, hours of scrolling and paying postage that costs more than the item itself. And sorry vintagelucy1234 but that “vintage crop cami” is not worth £42. It’s not vintage, it’s not cropped and you probably wore it to a school disco in 2009.
In 2024, Vogue highlighted how online thrifters were reselling old fast-fashion items as “rare vintage” at heavily inflated prices. Somewhere along the line, thrifting went from rummaging to retail cosplay.
I take this personally because I know what things actually cost when you find them offline. My wardrobe is full of designer pieces I’ve picked up for under £20 – silk Dolce & Gabbana dresses for £15, £10 Vivienne Westwood shoes, £2 DKNY jeans – so inflated resale prices really grind my gears. When I show people these clothes, they often say, “You have to show me how!”
Well, here I am. Doing my civic duty to the car boot sale, the environment and your wallet.
I’m not against Vinted or Depop. You can find amazing things on there, and I love eBay with my whole heart. But going to the car boot sale is a different experience, and it gets a lot less intimidating once you know what to look for. So, consider this your guide to doing it the old-school way.
“I got a pair of New Rocks for £15 the same day someone tried to sell me old worn out cowboy boots for £120. You just have to look around.”
Arrive later
Arrive mid-morning or later at car boot sales. Early on, sellers are optimistic about prices; by midday, they’re eager to get rid of items, and practically throw things at you. “Everything for 50p!” will not be uncommon to hear at this time. Plus, entry fees often drop later in the day, so it’s a win-win.
Mind your budget
Most items at car boot sales range from 50p to £20, but prices can fluctuate. Some sellers only accept cash, although this year it’s more common for a cheeky Monzo bank-transfer to be available, which helps.
Some places *cough cough* Peckham car boot sale, which was featured in Vogue last December as a “fashion hotspot”, have fallen victim to the Depop girlies. Do not fear, but try not to fall into the same traps. At a car boot sale, unless something is really great quality or rare, I personally wouldn’t be forking out more than £30 for anything. I got a pair of New Rocks that retail for around £300 for £15 the same day someone tried to sell me old worn out cowboy boots for £120. You just have to look around.
If someone has a big pile of clothes all on rails that look “vintage” but the materials are polyester, satin posing as silk, 90’s windbreakers and fake leather, BEWARE! People buy bulk fake vintage online and just rake up the price. Avoid these racks like your life depends on it. A little intuition and some common sense will help you with this one.
Haggling
If you spot several items from one seller, gather them together and ask for a bundled price. You might get a discount! Don’t hesitate to negotiate prices at car boot sales; it’s all part of the game. If an item is priced at £5 but you only have £3, see if they’ll lower the cost.
Quality, please!
Steer clear of synthetic materials like plastic leather and polyester. Instead, look for durable, natural fabrics like genuine leather, wool, cotton, silk and cashmere – these are the ones that are built to last. I’ve got at least ten cashmere jumpers from car boot sales, all for under £5. Take that internet shopping!
Shoes
Be cautious when shopping for shoes online, as sellers may hide flaws. I’ve had the best luck at car boot sales where you can try on shoes to check the fit and condition.
I found a pair of R.Soles cowboy boots for just £10, and saw the same pair on Depop being sold for £600 soon after. These boots have been my go-to pair for the last five years. I’ve worn them so much that I’ve had to have them re-heeled. I wouldn’t have looked twice at them on Depop due to the price.
Embrace the imperfections
Don’t overlook items that are a bit worn or torn. Many imperfections can be easily repaired. Embrace restoration – it not only gives you a unique piece but also breathes new life into something otherwise overlooked. For instance, I found a vintage silk dress with a slight tear and sewed little stars over it.
Find unused high-end beauty products
Car boot sales often have unused high-end perfumes and makeup from brands like MAC, Bobbi Brown and NARS at a fraction of the retail price. It’s a fantastic way to grab luxury products and elevate your beauty routine for just a few pounds.
Jewellery
Most car boot sales have jewelers who come in with collections – these can sometimes be a bit more pricey, but check for real silver. You can tell if they have the 925 stamp on the item. Second-hand silver is still much cheaper than brand new, I’d say most rings are around £30 ish, and the vintage options are usually really beautiful, definitely worth a look.
Trinkets and furniture
Second-hand furniture and homeware is where offline thrifting becomes genuinely elite. At a car boot sale you can buy a solid wood coffee table for £3 just because someone didn’t want to carry it back to their car.
Car boot sales to look at
Battersea is my overall favourite car boot sale, but it’s temporarily closed. Peckham car boot sale can sometimes have higher prices, but there are loads of great items – just be ready to haggle and don’t fall for faux “vintage”. Pimlico is hit or miss; I’ve found some great things there, but the last time I went it was a bust. Balham can also be a bit hit or miss, too. Princess May car boot sale in Stoke Newington has a great reputation.
Stop by some of these spots for starters, and before long you’ll be able to sniff out a bargain. The very best thing to do is to GTFO and see for yourself.