Thrift Factory — Local services in London

I like foraging for my clothes. I have been thrifting in Paris. I have been thrifting in Los Angeles. I have been thrifting in the San Francisco, Amsterdam and Budapest. I have never found anywhere with the hidden gems that Thrift Factory has. I have also never experienced as much hospitality from an establishment as I have here

Yes, when you arrive, it will look like a series of bins and racks of clothes hiding under an overground overpass, but to any seasoned thrifting eye, all you will see is potential. There is literally not enough time to go through it all. On your worst day here, you will find a great place to source cloth for upcycling and new projects. On your best day, you will discover pieces so unique, so tailored to a tee, you will question what you did to make the thrift gods look upon you with such favor. I have experienced miracles with how amazing things fit, especially considering they weren’t tried on before purchasing. There were also so many pieces I knew wouldn’t fit me, but I just KNOW someone out there will love (please come here and get them because if they end up in a landfill I’m blaming you).

The normal kilo offer last time I came (outside of special items) was £14.99 a kilo. Between my friend and I, we got three pants, three belts, two jackets, two shirts, a dress, and a skirt for £90. Which means for just the regular kilo sale, we averaged about £7.50 an item so do with that what you will. Oh, and everything fit, no tailoring or remixing.

Every time you come, there will be hew finds and sales. Most recently, they were offering genuine vintage leather jackets in amazing quality for £40. With a crazy variety of styles and sizes, I was able to find a vintage midlength, brown 100% leather jacket (the same make and style I can remember my mother buying in the 90’s) at a steal.

When I went shopping, it was cold and slightly drizzling. They did a great job of keeping all of the clothes dry regardless, even though they were an outside shop. Even further, they offered us a warming chai tea while we shopped. I know I’m going to sound like I’m exaggerating when I say this, but honestly, I would come here just for the chai anyways. It was literally the best chai I have had in my life.

All in all, a great place to come through in an afternoon and pick through their wares. Possibly the last bastion of the true thrift experience. Whether solo or with friends, it’s always a good time. From ready to wear bits to project pieces, I promise if you love thrifting, you’ll...

I'd been to the previous Thrift Factory in Docklands (which all the pictures are from, by the way), and there had been staff in there giving out bags to carry your finds, and it was obvious where to go to weigh and pay for your items. However, there's none of that in the Hackney site. You go in, and there are no staff, it's not clear where you go to weigh and pay, there's nowhere to get a carry bag from, or any signage to any of these things. I was lucky I just found a discarded carry bag lying around. I found a couple of items I was going to buy, but after walking round the site twice I still couldn't figure out where to go and weigh them. I asked another shopper and they didn't know either, so I just dumped my items and left. I'm sure this place is great if you know how it all works and where to find the staff, and the other reviews seem to be mainly good, so maybe I just went on a bad day!! Also I'm used to thrift stores in the US and the stuff here is really bad quality in comparison, mostly Primark/Matalan/Shein etc rejects and all...

Chaotic, but super duper fun! 🤣

I have never been to a kilo sale before, but I gotta say I kinda love it lol. It’s basically a treasure hunt as you can really find anything you can imagine or anything you can’t imagine here.

When you arrive, you will be handed a plastic bag at the entrance for you to put your purchase in. They will only weigh the clothes you get when you leave, and not the weight of the bag. And it’s £10 for a kilo. Simple and clear~

I got a silk robe for £3, and my friend got two fancy big capes for just £10.

They also have free water and coffee on site. Always keep hydrated 👍🏻

Half of the clothes are hung on racks, and the other half are just freely piled up. The one star deducted is for the messiness, but tbf it is also the fun part to dig in and go through piles of clothes. XD

I think I do recommend it, but only bring your friends that are into vintage stuff and dun mind a little...