Thrifting in Johannesburg has evolved from budget shopping into a full-fledged fashion movement embraced by influencers, celebrities, and style-conscious shoppers alike. Whether you are hunting for designer bargains, vintage gems, or everyday affordable fashion, Joburg offers an incredible variety of thrift stores, charity shops, and flea markets. Here are the top 10 places to find second-hand clothing in Johannesburg.
Top 10 Second-Hand Clothing Stores in Johannesburg
Snapshot Of Second Hand Clothing Stores In Johannesburg
| Store Name | Area | Style/Vibe | Price Point | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wizards Vintage | Dunkeld | Curated vintage & designer | Mid-to-high (R350–R3,000+) | Luxury vintage, designer labels |
| Conrad Collective | Blairgowrie | Boutique, curated | Mid-range | Quality slow fashion |
| Second Chance Clothing | Honeydew | Organised, everyday | Budget (blazers from R80) | Daily wardrobe basics |
| Junkie Charity Store | Linden | Treasure hunt, eclectic | Budget | Unique vintage finds |
| National Clothing Distributors | Alrode | Warehouse, bulk | Budget (coats from R50) | Winter coats & outerwear |
| Picnic and Thrift | Various (pop-up) | Market, social | Budget to mid-range | Variety & themed events |
| Chinatown Flea Market | Bruma | Flea market, bargaining | Budget | Bargain hunting, souvenirs |
| The Curiosity Charity Shop | Northcliff | Charity shop | Budget | Charity shopping |
| SAINTs Animal Charity | Northriding | Charity shop | Budget | Supporting animal welfare |
| Salty Hippy Thrifted | Fourways | Flat-rate | Budget (R55 per item) | Extreme bargains |
1. Wizards Vintage
Located in Dunkeld, Wizards Vintage is widely regarded as one of Johannesburg’s premier destinations for authentic designer and vintage fashion. The store has been in business since 2008, founded by Annabelle Desfontaines Everest and Braam Naude, who bring decades of retail expertise to the experience.
What sets Wizards Vintage apart is the personalised service. Naude, the store manager, has a keen eye for style and helps customers put together outfits, pulling elements from various racks and shelves to create cohesive looks. The store operates on a consignment basis, so you can also sell your pre-loved designer items here.
Brands you may encounter include Loewe, Karl Lagerfeld, Vince, Alexander McQueen, Prada, Gucci, and local labels like Tiaan Nagel, Guillotine, and Marianne Fassler. While prices range from R350 to over R3,000, the pieces are significantly cheaper than their original retail prices.
Location: 32 Bompas Rd, Dunkeld, Johannesburg
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00 – 16:00, Saturday 10:00 – 14:00, Monday by appointment only, Sunday closed
Contact: +27 71 132 7014, wizardsvintage.shop@gmail.com
2. Conrad Collective
In the heart of Blairgowrie, Conrad Collective offers a boutique-style thrifting experience that stands apart from traditional charity shops. Founded by Skye West, it evolved from The Swap Movement and focuses entirely on slow fashion and mindful shopping.
The store features neatly arranged racks of gently worn designer and non-designer clothing, all in excellent condition. Unlike chaotic thrift bins where you must dig endlessly, Conrad Collective’s layout makes browsing easy and enjoyable. A visitor reported finding a dress there that resembled something from SA Fashion Week for a fraction of the price.
The aesthetic leans toward Y2K styles, suede skirts, festival pieces, and club-ready looks, making it particularly popular with younger fashion enthusiasts.
Location: 94A Conrad Drive, Blairgowrie, Randburg
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 – 17:00, Sunday 9:00 – 14:00
3. Second Chance Clothing
With multiple locations across Gauteng, Second Chance Clothing is one of the biggest names in Johannesburg’s second-hand scene. Their Honeydew branch is a well-organised, brightly-lit store that is restocked six days a week, offering thousands of items.
The store carries womenswear, menswear, and children’s clothing, neatly organised so you do not have to dig through piles of fabric. Prices are exceptionally affordable, with tailored trousers going for about R40 and blazers starting around R80.
It is an excellent choice for everyday wardrobe staples, office wear, and denim basics, with a mix of new and vintage items available.
Location: Shop 17A, Honeydew Shopping Centre, Blueberry Rd, Honeydew, Roodepoort (additional locations in Centurion and Vanderbijlpark)
Website: secondchanceclothing.co.za
4. Junkie Charity Store
Junkie Charity Store has been a Joburg institution for years. Formerly in Melville, it has now moved to a new space in Linden, but the treasure-hunt experience remains as exciting as ever.
Packed to the brim with clothing, shoes, books, records, trinkets, and home décor, every visit promises something new. The clothing rails feature vintage Woolworths blazers, Armani jackets, and all manner of dresses that make rummaging worthwhile. While prices are slightly higher than some budget stores, the quality of the finds justifies the cost.
What makes shopping here even more rewarding is that proceeds support charitable causes, making it thrifting with purpose.
Location: Shop 18, 59 4th Ave, Linden, Johannesburg
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00 – 17:00, Sunday 10:00 – 15:00
Phone: 072-070-3767
5. National Clothing Distributors
For winter wear, National Clothing Distributors in Alberton is an unbeatable destination. Located in an enormous warehouse in an industrial area, this store specialises in imported jackets, coats, and general outerwear.
Racks upon racks stretch as far as the eye can see, featuring authentic Swedish ski jackets, British Fleet Street utility coats, and a huge variety of styles from around the world. Quality winter coats can be found for as little as R50, making this the go-to spot for affordable winter preparation.
Set aside at least a few hours on a weekend to properly explore their offerings.
Location: 12 Borax St, Alrode, Johannesburg
Website: nationalclothing.co.za
6. Picnic and Thrift
A different kind of thrifting experience, Picnic and Thrift is a pop-up market that brings together various vendors for themed shopping events. Founded in 2019, they create an accessible marketplace for small businesses and artists while providing an exciting place for shoppers to explore and buy sustainably.
The events feature Y2K vibes, summer clothing, festival outfits, and streetwear styles, with multiple vendors offering their unique curated selections. Because vendors are competing for attention, they tend to style their clothes attractively, making for easier, more visual shopping.
Follow their Instagram page for announcements of upcoming dates and locations in Johannesburg, Centurion, and Cape Town.
7. Chinatown Flea Market (Bruma Oriental City)
Located on Ernest Oppenheimer Avenue in Bruma, the Chinatown Flea Market offers a diverse selection of second-hand goods and unique items in a bustling, multicultural setting. The market operates daily, with hundreds of stalls selling everything from clothing and accessories to household items and collectibles.
What makes this market special is the bargaining culture. You can negotiate prices with vendors, often walking away with unexpected bargains. The security staff are noted as friendly, creating a safe shopping environment.
The area is also known for its Asian cultural influence, so you may find African souvenirs and crafts such as wooden sculptures, paintings, beaded masks, and jewellery alongside second-hand clothing.
Location: 49 Ernest Oppenheimer Ave, Bruma, Johannesburg
Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
8. The Curiosity Charity Shop
Operated by the registered nonprofit White Elephant Charity Organisation, The Curiosity Charity Shop in Northcliff supports organisations ranging from animal rescue centres to old-age homes.
The store has a classic, slightly faded charity shop facade, but the clothing section tucked away in the back corner has offered some fabulous finds. You will need to navigate past old books, CDs, and tea sets to reach the clothing, but persistent shoppers are rewarded with vintage clothing at excellent prices.
While it may require more effort than a curated boutique, the thrill of discovery and the knowledge that your purchase supports good causes make it well worth the visit.
Location: 225 Beyers Naudé Dr, Northcliff, Randburg
Phone: 011-888-0707
9. SAINTs Animal Charity
Shopping with heart meets sustainable fashion at SAINTs, a charity thrift store that supports animal welfare organisations across South Africa. Proceeds go toward sterilisation projects, shelter support, and animal rescue initiatives.
The store sells quality second-hand clothing, shoes, books, and homeware, all donated and sold at affordable prices. It is a feel-good thrifting experience that saves animals while keeping fashion circular.
Location: Northriding area (check their social media for exact address)
Note: Beanies for Beings (482 Boundary Road, Northriding) is another registered NPO charity shop in the same area that accepts donations for people and pets.
10. Salty Hippy Thrifted
For thrifting on a serious budget, Salty Hippy in Fourways is hard to beat. Every item in the store is sold at a flat rate of R55 per piece, making it one of the most affordable thrift options in Johannesburg.
Expect rails of colourful clothing, playful prints, and quirky accessories. It is a favourite among students and fashion experimenters who want to refresh their wardrobes without breaking the bank.
While you will not find designer labels here, the low flat rate makes it perfect for experimenting with bold styles or picking up everyday basics.
Location: Fourways area (check their social media for exact address)
Price: R55 per item
Bonus: Yeoville Flea Market
For a truly authentic, pan-African thrifting experience, the Yeoville Flea Market on Rockey Street is a decades-old informal retail hub. It features hundreds of vendor stalls offering second-hand clothing, textiles, fresh produce, spices, crafts, and household items.
The market is dominated by small-scale African entrepreneurs, including Congolese and Nigerian traders, providing a multicultural assortment that appeals to those seeking authentic, ethnic goods. Stall rental is very affordable, and footfall reaches up to 10,000 visitors on weekends.
Hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Location: Rockey Street, Yeoville, Johannesburg
Tips for Thrifting in Johannesburg
Set aside time. Many of these stores are packed with treasures that require dedicated browsing. National Clothing Distributors alone warrants a few hours.
Go with an open mind. You rarely find exactly what you are looking for, but you will often find something better.
Check for quality. Vintage pieces are often of higher quality than today’s fast fashion, but inspect for damage.
Know your store types. Curated boutiques like Wizards Vintage and Conrad Collective cost more but save time. Charity shops and flea markets are cheaper but require more digging.
Follow social media. Pop-up markets like Picnic and Thrift announce dates on Instagram. Many stores also post new arrivals online.
Bring cash. Some flea market vendors may not accept cards, though most established stores do.
Check store hours before visiting. Many thrift stores have limited weekend hours or are closed on Sundays.
Summary
Johannesburg has truly become South Africa’s thrifting capital, offering something for every style preference and budget. Whether you are hunting for designer vintage at Wizards Vintage, curating a sustainable wardrobe at Conrad Collective, stocking up on winter coats at National Clothing Distributors, or seeking the thrill of discovery at Junkie Charity Store, there is a thrift destination waiting for you.
Thrifting is not just about saving money – it is about sustainable fashion, self-expression, and the joy of finding hidden gems that tell a story. Happy hunting!
Related:
- Second Hand Clothing Bales In Randburg
- Second Hand Clothing Cape Town
- Gucci Shirt Prices in South Africa
Disclaimer: Store hours and locations may change. It is advisable to check each store’s social media pages or contact them directly before visiting, especially for pop-up markets and charity shops.