The Cape Town thrift guide

Buy designer pieces, rare sneakers, furniture and more

Last updated: 27 February 2023

Whether you want to invest in a designer piece or vintage furniture, or simply buy budget-friendly clothes, there are tons of eclectic spots to thrift in Cape Town. Save some money and visit the Mother City’s thrift stores, from Muizenberg to Mitchells Plain (and even your couch). 

OWN A DESIGNER PIECE  

Looking for designer items, but don’t want to empty your savings account? At Afraid of Mice, you’ll find labels like Burberry, Versace, Balmain, YSL and Louis Vuitton. This tidy store also offers budget-friendly items, with brands like Levi’s and even has a bargain box. 

Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am - 5:30pm. Saturday, 10:30am to 3:30pm. 

99 Harrington St | District 6 | 021 423 7353 | @afraidofmicect | Image: Afraid of Mice 

FIND RARE SNEAKERS  

Sneakerheads, this one’s for you. Yams is an online thrift and sneaker store that offers some big brands: Think Yeezy, Air Jordan, LeBron James x Nike, Converse and more. Yams also sells new sneakers, graphic tees and sportswear.

Find it: On Instagram. 

SPEND MONEY FOR A GOOD CAUSE  

Oasis is a charity store that benefits (and employs) people with intellectual disabilities. It sells secondhand bric-a-brac, furniture, clothing and books. The funds from Oasis are used to sustain daycare centres, provide counselling and skills development training and even healthcare. Oasis also willingly accepts used items - find out more about Oasis here. 

Hours: Varies (locations in Claremont, Fish Hoek and Elsies River)

Various locations | 021 671 2698 | Web | Image: Jessie Leverzencie

BUY FUNKY CLOTHES + DECOR 

Retro Club & Co is a relatively new addition to the Cape Town thrift scene, having opened at the end of 2021. This colourful store sells funky secondhand clothes as well as eco-conscious new items, jewellery, candles, home goods and other wares from small local businesses. 

Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 10am to 4pm

6 York Rd | Muizenberg | @retroclub.co | Image: Retro Club & Co 

INVEST IN A VINTAGE RADIOGRAM 

iVintage Yakho is an online store that offers chic and elegant women’s clothing. You’ll find items like classic dresses, blazers and vintage suits. It also sells vintage furniture that’s difficult to find elsewhere, like sideboards and radiograms. 

Find it: On the website or Instagram. 

KIT OUT YOUR HOME (OR DROP OFF OLD GOODS) 

This furniture shop is called Anything Goes for a reason – you can find virtually anything that you’re looking for here. Tables, chairs, ottomans, beds, lamps, decor, accessories and genuine vintage items are just some of the offerings on sale. Anything Goes also has a furniture removal service and will sell your unwanted items for you.   

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm. Saturday, 9:30am to 2pm. Sunday, 9am to 2pm. 

45 Victoria Ave | Hout Bay | 064 128 9186 | Web | Image: Anything Goes 

VISIT THIS THRIFT INSTITUTION 

Nevernew has two stores (both in Observatory) and when it comes to clothing, you’ll be able to find just about anything. The stores are evenly divided between men’s and women’s items and there’s everything from classy dresses, sturdy jean jackets, festival gear, Doc Martens, retro button-downs and more. 

Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10am to 6pm. Sunday, 11am - 5pm

Various locations | Observatory | @nevernewstore | Image: Nevernew

HELP THE HOMELESS WITH YOUR BUY  

U-turn has charity shops all across Cape Town, from the CBD to Durbanville and Mitchells Plain. Profits go towards serving the homeless community in Cape Town and U-turn provides basic needs relief, rehabilitation and occupational therapy and skills development support. They offer secondhand clothes, furniture and household goods. 

Hours: Varies; dependent on the store. 

Various locations | Web | Image: Derryn Trentham

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MAKE MORE THRIFTY BUYS 

Sage & Sunday could be Cape Town’s most sustainable fashion brand.

Browse all things vintage and thrift at the Thrift Fest. 

Learn more about Oasis, their history and the work that they do.
If you love vintage, Toeka Stoor is a must-visit.

Check out what you can get up to this weekend.

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