If you love hunting for something a bit different or just want to shop in a more sustainable way, Swansea has some brilliant vintage and thrift shops to explore. Whether you’re after a standout jacket, a classic band tee, or just enjoy the thrill of finding something totally unexpected, there’s a shop here for you.
RAVS
RAVS has 3 store locations across Swansea that you can visit as well as various online channels to purchase from:
- 6, The Arcade, Swansea SA1 3BE
- 40 Uplands Cres, Uplands, Swansea SA2 0PG
- 23 Wind St, Swansea SA1 1DZ
“The idea came from the fact that I’m passionate about retro and vintage clothing and believe it’s important to encourage as many people as possible to wear pre-loved clothing,” said Sion.
“Fast fashion produces waste in excess of 300,000 tons a year in the UK alone which is a worrying, growing statistic.
“I’m personally very interested in the style and sustainability aspects of this kind of clothing and a strong believer that more should be done to lower this number and believe that the introduction of more vintage shops will play its part.” – Sion Williams, Credit: https://www-2018.swansea.ac.uk/press-office/news-archive/2019/studentslaunchretroandvintageclothingstoreincitycentre.php
Hobo's
214 Oxford St, Swansea SA1 3BG
Although Hobo’s is most commonly associated with a fine range of retro and vintage clothing, their website looks to offer products and a range of items from bands and musicians that helped to establish our aesthetic from the outset.
Hobo’s has a rich history that extends further than just their shop, which includes helping further develop and progress the Swansea and South Wales music scene. From nights such as Barons Thursdays, Dub Club, Face Off, Funked Up, The Indie Thing, Yum Yum Club, Bubba Club, The Shakedown and many more. If you have been going out in Swansea from the mid 80’s onward, then you are likely to have been to an event that they were involved in! Credit: https://hobos-swansea.co.uk/pages/about-us
Retroplex
22 Park St, Swansea SA1 3DJ
Retroplex is based at 22 Park Street, between The Bunkhouse and Darkside Cafe and opposite Simply Pleasure. Their aim is to create a great place for the local community to buy affordable music merch and preowned clothes.
They sell: Quality vintage and retro clothing, New music merchandise like t-shirts and patches, Gothic and witchy accessories, Rude cards, Badges and mugs, Cool jewellery, Vintage and new collectibles and action figures including LEGO, Star Wars, Transformers, GI Joe, NECA and more. They also buy clothes by weight and buy preowned collectibles and toys like the brands mentioned above.
Karma Bespoke (The Sanctuary)
1 Mansel St, Swansea SA1 5SE
Karma Bespoke (The Sanctuary) offers designer streetwear new & old, holistic supplements, street art and pets to enjoy.
What customers are saying:
“Great clothes, lots of 80s/90s stuff….Some great classic football shirts as well…. Lovely staff and staff pets!….a little taste of Brighton Lanes for me coming from Sussex…. An experience as much as a shop”
“Lovely owners really kind and always up for a chat! Let you give the animals a cuddle! The animals are just an added bonus to the shop. All the animals are lovely and very cared for. Should check out the instagram! And amazing deals on clothes and accessories! Safe space for everybody”
YMCA
Portland House, 58-60 The Kingsway, Swansea SA1 5HQ
The 2 shops in Swansea are operated By YMCA (England & Wales), the charity which represents their collective YMCA family.
Money raised in these stores helps YMCA intensively support 572,000 young people every year, ensuring each young person they meet has an opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive.
Their amazing stores sell a large range of items including second-hand retro, high street and designer clothing, shoes and other accessories, books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl, bric-a-brac, electrical goods, furniture, home-wares, games, sports equipment and jewellery. So whatever you are looking for, you’re likely to find a bargain.
YMCA Swansea benefits from a share of the profits from both of these stores.