Dublin Thrifting Guide ~ Rathmines
To use an American term I love to go Thrifting, which is the act of whiling away afternoons in search of fashion treasure in Charity Shops, second-hand stores and Flea Markets. Charity Shops are the most accessible Thrifting spots in Ireland from Barnardos to Oxfam, Irish Cancer Shop to Enable Ireland, Sue Ryder Care to Age Action and of course St Vincent de Paul. Every locale and main street has a Charity Shop with the weirdest and most wonderful things in them. And, there are no rags to be had, you can find high quality designer labels, beautiful home-wares, leather bags and shoes. What’s more some have never been worn and are a fraction of their original price AND your money is going to a very worthy cause.
It’s the random and unique that attracts me to Charity Shops. When we can tour high-street stores online in a matter of minutes I find myself hungry for something different or something to challenge or inspire. For those who are new to the game the trick is to pop into Charity Shops regularly, a once off visit will not suffice. Regular visits mean regular discoveries.
Spending a lot of time in Charity Shops over the last number of years I am starting to see patterns. Patterns of fashion styles repeating themselves, patterns of objects from different generations. These are objects that were once loved and are now no longer in vogue. The patterns of bad-buys or wedding outfits worn once and stashed in the spare room wardrobe and then relegated to the Charity Shop. There are the patterns of bad presents we didn’t like for Christmas and of course tome upon tome of those Diet books that (were) going to change our lives! Dr Gillian McKeith’s book is the throw out favourite du jour as are lavender-hued satin pointed kitten heels circa 1998 and their matching mini beaded bags.
This is the first in series of guides I’m going to share with you on my favourite Charity Shops locations in Dublin. The key Charity Shop areas in Dublin are Rathmines, Dun Laoghaire, Camden and Capel Street. These are locations where stores are clustered together making them really easy to get around. I see a Charity Shop run to a different quarter of Dublin as an afternoon out where something unexpected will inspire me, keep my (big) shopping habit in check and can be made even more fun with a spot tea-and-cake in many of the gorgeous cafes popping up all round the city. Why don’t you give it a try…?
THRIFTING IN DUBLIN GUIDE RATHMINES…
Begin your journey with a cup of cha at Wall & Keogh, a specialist loose leaf tea shop on Richmond Street, Portobello. This pretty shop serves a fabulous selection of tea, sushi and treats and there is even an outdoor space with a bright mural and tables to enjoy.
Once refreshed walk over the bridge into Rathmines village. When you cross the bridge and walk down the road you’ll find to the right just before Lidl a vintage store called The 3rd Police Man where they have a sensational array of vintage dresses at the back of the shop with prices ranging from €20-60 Euro for top-notch quality.
Next door, is The Irish Cancer Shop. Further up the Rathmines Road just under the town-hall clock tower is Oxfam and Barnardos tucked below the tower and at the very top of the street beside the 1930s style Post Office is St Vincent de Pauls. Once you have whiled away a couple of hours lost in old books and clothes you may want to finish your outing with a hot-whiskey in the cheerily painted Slattery’s pub situated on the corner.
What to bring thrifting…
Good Walking shoes (at least make them soft and low heels)
A canvas shopper
Cash (Most Charity shops won’t take cards)
An open mind