By Lauren Perera
In this series, Revival visits some of the most renowned charity shops in South and East London. Finding those hidden gems and diving into what makes them so popular. We uncover those rare deals that you don’t want to miss!
Tucked away at the end of Rye Lane, the Crisis charity shop hides. It may seem unassuming from the outside, but when you walk in, you are met with rails filled to the brim with a gorgeous array of vintage pieces.
This isn’t your typical charity shop; it’s a thoughtfully designed space that feels unique in a good way. Trust me, you’ll want to check this place out! One stand-out feature of the Peckham Crisis is the in-store cafe, offering a selection of hot drinks and Vegan muffins and brownies, all under £5. How often does a charity shop have coffee? Never.
Every purchase made here directly supports Crisis in its mission to end homelessness, helping to provide essential services like housing support, training and advocacy. By shopping in Crisis, you support their mission to help people find safe and affordable accommodation.
The open layout enhances the browsing experience and highlights the quality and uniqueness of each piece. The clothes are categorised into style and colour, making it so much easier to find exactly what you’re looking for. The railings are spacious and the clothes are easy to access, a feature of every good charity shop!
A Vintage Wonderland
The Vintage section at Crisis Peckham is an impressive collection of items celebrating fashion from the 70s, 80s, and 90s and offers something special for everyone. One of my favourite parts of the shop is its incredible selection of vintage winter coats. There’s shearling, suede and fur, all in such great quality and all under £50. You might be thinking, crikey, that’s a lot for a charity shop, but honestly, the quality is amazing, these coats are so worth the splurge!
Designer Labels without the Hefty Price Tag
High fashion lovers will be thrilled to discover that this Crisis branch regularly stocks high-end brands, such as Christian Dior, Alaïa, Acne Studios, and more. When I visited, the clothing ranged from £15 to £140. As a vintage designer lover myself, this section is an absolute goldmine. Investing in second-hand designer clothes, at prices like these cannot be beaten!
More Than Just Shopping
I always find that Crisis charity shops have a real sense of community. I remember walking into the Crisis in Brick Lane to see Jennifer Coolidge’s face plastered all over the walls, and I thought, ‘This is my kind of place!’. For years, Crisis charity shops across London have built a reputation for their one-of-a-kind shop floors and high-quality items at bargain prices.
The vibe of the store is completed by the staff, who are so friendly and welcoming, ready to help with anything you need. And if you’re looking to donate, Crisis welcomes donations of menswear, womenswear, shoes, accessories, books and even vinyl records.
For a relaxed browsing experience with unique vintage items and a cosy coffee shop, Crisis in Peckham is the place to be. There really is something for everyone here, even if you’re not in the mood for shopping, you can just stop by for a cuppa!