London’s best cheap shops

Home to all things novelty, Flying Tiger is a real treasure trove. Offering cute home and kitchen accessories, stationary must-haves and party trinkets, this Danish chain is perfect for all ages and won’t break the bank (where else can you get a candle holder, a notebook and a storage basket for a tenner?). Whether you’re stocking up with colourful notebooks and pens for the kids or on the hunt for that perfect plush cushion, you’ll definitely lose a few hours in Flying Tiger.

MUJI, the Japanese concept boutique, is a big hit with fashionable Londoners. You can expect all things practical and minimalist from this store, whether you’re after some storage units, a new winter wardrobe or even some brand-new skincare products – nothing says practical better than buying your furniture at the same time you buy your new skincare routine. If you’re thinking about revamping your home, office or wardrobe, MUJI is the place for that minimalist chic look without the eye-watering maximalist prices.

This clean (it reeks of Mr Sheen) and brightly lit branch sells a good selection of high-street and mid-range brands at very good prices. The shoes and jeans are well worth a look here. They’re all sold alongside a range of new, cheaply priced accessories, including necklaces, earrings and hairbands from at little as £2.

No matter how many cheap stores pop up around London, Primark will always remain one of the most trustworthy of them all. Mascara? £3. Bedside lamp? £3. Leggings? £7. With such dirt-cheap prices, it does mean that it balances out a bit with the in-store experience. Expect long queues, a slim chance of getting into the changing rooms and chaos with the clothing rails. That being said, where else can you walk in with £50 and leave with an entirely new wardrobe?

They say good things come in small packages and that’s certainly true of Bohemia. It might not be the biggest second hand store in the city, but it definitely makes good use of what space it does have, filling it with bargains of all kinds. Whether you’re looking for something new (to you) for your wardrobe, a print for your walls, furniture or accessories, you’ll find some great gems here.

For those of us who have grown up with H&M, we’ve watched it take on many aesthetics but now, the retail chain has finally settled on trying to deliver fast fashion in a sustainable way. Shopping at H&M is never an unpleasant experience, especially when you can grab yourself a few tops for under a tenner all together. Head here for staples like cosy knitwear and comfy, basic tees.

It's located right in the centre of London’s current hipster enclave, so perhaps it’s no surprise to find that this particular Oxfam store is media-savvy enough to have not only its own blog but also a popular fan blog dedicated to digitising its analogue musical offering, as well as a Twitter account to promote its best buys.

Oxfam Dalston goes beyond simple retail offerings, with cultural events taking place in-store, from poetry readings and live music to the occasional quiz. It also has managers who value good books, and organise their excellent library section in an orderly fashion. Be ready to root through men's and women's clothing, homewares, children's toys, records and a few framed prints. The average garment is satisfyingly under £5.

Expect bargains galore at TK Maxx, the high street mega chain known for promising huge savings (60%!) on big brands. While that may not always ring entirely true, there is always some kind of bargain, particularly on premium designer gems. So if you’re after a Kurt Geiger bag or feel like treating yourself to a Karen Millen dress, TK Maxx is where you can get them for a steal – as long as you’re not fussed about them being from the current season's styles.

A lovely curated chazza shop that feels more like a boutique than a secondhand store. This Fara store is always well-stocked with a range of designers, unique pieces and high-street names (the good ones). The vibes are always great inside, and the fitting rooms are excellent – they’ve even got flattering lighting, which is practically unheard of in the charity shop world.

If you’re after frills, cute ditzy prints or flattering cuts, New Look is always a good place to start. Catering to fashionable twenty-somethings and the stylish teen, this high-street favourite hosts a huge varied range of clothing. Whether you’re on the hunt for new work threads or after something more form-fitting for a night out, you can get some good quality clothing for your buck with some very nice dresses coming in at just under the £20 mark.