Everybody loves shopping, isn’t it? The excitement of buying new clothes, shoes, books and more right before the new phase of life is surreal. Shopping is an everyday task where usually one goes out and buys stuff such as groceries, clothes, shoes and more.

Today, as we speak for every student, this blog has rounded up the best shopping spots for students in Birmingham. So, if you are someone living in student accommodation in Birmingham and figuring out places to shop, don’t worry. As we have a list of the best shopping spots for students in Birmingham.

From thrift stores to vintage stores, there are plenty of options to explore for your next shopping session. So, grab your keys and head to find what awaits you in the world of shopping. Let’s begin!

Which Are the Best Thrift Stores in Birmingham?

Thrifting is an art in the world of shopping. Speaking of which, Birmingham is surely famous for thrift stores. Buying clothes through thrift stores is often a smart decision as these clothes are always on sale. Here is the list of the top thrift shopping spots for students in Birmingham:

• COW Vintage
• British Heart Foundation
• Red Cross Charity Shop
• New Life
• Thriftology
• Oxfam Boutique

COW Vintage

The first in the list is COW Vintage, a place where vintage and reworked fashion has become a trend. Ideal for students and creatives, this place has a huge collection of thrifted clothes.

1. Location: Digbeth, near the Custard Factory.
2. Cost: Moderate, but slightly higher than charity shops. Still, this place is very affordable for students.
3. Gender: For men and women both.

British Heart Foundation

British Heart Foundation aims to bring a wide selection of second-hand clothes, books, and homeware. So, whether it is your student accommodation in UK or yourself, everything is available here. Not only the selection, they also offer student discounts.

1. Location: Harborne High Street and Birmingham New Street.
2. Cost: Very affordable and perfect for people with a tight budget.
3. Gender: For men and women both.

Red Cross Charity Shop

Charity and shopping most of the time go hand in hand. That’s why the Red Cross Charity Shop is ideal for students. While you pick out a branded item, you also end up doing charity. Also, they support humanitarian causes, making it more valuable.

1. Location: Kings Health High Street.
2. Cost: Low and budget-friendly.
3. Gender: Items available for both men and women.

New Life

New Life is a massive warehouse with both new and second-hand clothes. You can even find some items with their tag on and a great place for budget-conscious fashion hunters.

1. Location: Yardley, Birmingham.
2. Cost: Very low and very ideal for bulk shopping
3. Gender: For men, women, and children.

Thriftology

Thriftology is one of the vintage shops in Birmingham that is famous for its reworked and sustainable fashion. If you are wondering what makes this place special, this place is unique as you can sometimes find 90s/Y2K inspired styles. In short, it is a very ideal place for fashion lovers.

1. Location: Various pop-up locations and online, you can check their instagram for updates.
2. Cost: The pricing is moderate as they follow vintage pricing.
3. Gender: For men and women both.

Oxfam Boutique

Oxfam Boutique is also a very great spot for curated vintage and designer clothes. This place is great for sustainable fashion lovers. Alongside sustainability, you can also find stylish clothes for special occasions or everyday wear.

• Location: New Street, Birmingham City Centre.
• Cost: Moderate prices.
• Gender: Mostly for women but still find some men’s items.

Got inspired to head out from student housing in Birmingham to shop? Well, besides shopping spots, you can even find museums and cultural spots in Birmingham to get the classics.

Which Are the Best Vintage Stores in Birmingham?

Apart from great thrift shopping spots for students, Birmingham is also home to some great vintage stores. Here is the list of the top vintage stores in Birmingham:

• Vintage Hideaway
• Top Banana Vintage
• Urban Village Vintage
• Red Brick Vintage
• We Are Cow

Vintage Hideaway

Vintage Hideaway is a boutique-style setup that is curated by Vintage Looks. You can find bags, jackets, dresses, and accessories here. Because of this place’s looks and aesthetics, this place is definitely one of the Instagram-worthy spots for students in Birmingham.

1. Location: The Custard Factory, Digbeth.
2. Cost: The cost is moderate to high as it is a vintage store, £15-£60 is the pricing depending on the item.
3. Gender: For Women(some unisex items are also available).

Top Banana Vintage

Top Banana Vintage is one of the best shopping spots for students with affordable prices. You can find a huge variety of styles, from streetwear to retro. This place has a lot of denims, varsity jackets, and oversized fits. An ideal spot for students who are into retro casual wear.

1. Location: 61B Warstone Lane, Jewellery Quarter
2. Cost: Affordable to moderate with the pricing between £8-£30.
3. Gender: Both men and women options available.

Urban Village Vintage

Urban Village is quite famous for the fashion of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and mod fashion. A great spot for rare vintage pieces and collectors. You can find retro suits, printed shirts, and leather jackets here.

1. Location: The Custard Factory, Digbeth.
2. Cost: Moderate to high with pricing around £20-£80.
3. Gender: Mostly for men, but you can still find some women options.

Red Brick Vintage

Red Brick Vintage is a place that is home to numerous independent vendors. Simply put, you can find multiple vendors under one roof. From clothes to accessories, this is also a great place for quirky, one-off finds, and accessories. As a result, Red Brick is an ideal place for budget-conscious vintage lovers.

1. Location: Digbeth, inside the Red Brick Market.
2. Cost: Low to Moderate with pricing around £5-£35.
3. Gender: For men and women both.

We Are Cow

We Are Cow is like an extension of Cow Vintage. This place is quite famous for reworked branded items like Nike, Adidas, Levi’s. The store offers click and collect options, making it an eco-conscious and fashion forward shopping spot for students.

1. Location: inside Cow Vintage, Digbeth.
2. Cost: Moderate pricing, around £15-£50.
3. Gender: Both men and women options available.

These were some of the best vintage places to shop in Birmingham. Some places can be slightly expensive, but vintage things are often expensive.

Conclusion

Living abroad is quite an experience for students. From accommodation to shopping spots, there is so much to explore as a student in Birmingham. Well, at Uninist, we aim to bring what every student requires. This is why this blog has been curated for students who like to shop in thrift shops or experience vintage charm.

So, get out of your student accommodation to find something that you couldn’t resist by buying. There are numerous shopping spots for students in Birmingham, from regular department stores in Birmingham to vintage stores, Birmingham has something for everyone. And, mark our words, budget clothing and fashion can go hand in hand when in Birmingham!

FAQ