TRAID Dalston London: Second-Hand Fashion, Donations and Opening Times
TRAID Dalston London is a second-hand and vintage charity shop on Kingsland High Street in Dalston. It sells donated clothing, shoes, accessories and other selected items while raising money for projects linked with the clothing and textile industry.
The shop is easy to spot. It sits at 106–108 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2NS. TRAID lists the branch as open seven days a week, with longer hours from Monday through Saturday.
It is a proper charity shop. But the setup feels closer to a busy fashion store.
Quick Facts About TRAID Dalston London
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Shop name | TRAID Dalston |
| Type | Charity shop / second-hand clothing store |
| Address | 106–108 Kingsland High Street, Dalston, London E8 2NS |
| Phone | 020 7249 6939 |
| Monday to Saturday | 10:00am–8:00pm |
| Sunday | 11:00am–6:00pm |
| Public holidays | 11:00am–6:00pm |
| Main stock | Second-hand clothing, shoes and accessories |
| Clothing donations | Accepted |
| Gift Aid | Available for eligible donations |
| Charity number | 297489 |
| Legal charity name | Textile Reuse and International Development |
| Nearby station | Dalston Kingsland |
What Is TRAID Dalston London?
TRAID Dalston is part of TRAID’s London charity-shop network.
Its model is quite simple.
People donate unwanted clothing. TRAID sorts those items. Saleable pieces are sent to its shops. Money raised through those sales supports the charity’s work.
TRAID describes itself as a charity focused on fashion, reuse and international development. The organisation uses second-hand clothing sales to raise funds for projects connected with garment workers, textile production and environmental issues.
That gives the Dalston store two jobs.
It sells second-hand fashion.
And it helps raise funds.
Where Is TRAID Dalston?
The shop’s official address is:
106–108 Kingsland High Street
Dalston
London
E8 2NS
The official phone number is 020 7249 6939.
Dalston Kingsland station is close by. A current local listing places it roughly 150 metres from the shop.
That makes public transport simple.
Kingsland High Street itself is busy. Shops, food spots and other local businesses sit nearby, so TRAID can easily fit into a wider Dalston shopping trip.
TRAID Dalston Opening Times
The current official hours are:
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00am–8:00pm |
| Tuesday | 10:00am–8:00pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00am–8:00pm |
| Thursday | 10:00am–8:00pm |
| Friday | 10:00am–8:00pm |
| Saturday | 10:00am–8:00pm |
| Sunday | 11:00am–6:00pm |
| Public holidays | 11:00am–6:00pm |
These hours come directly from TRAID’s current shop listing.
Some older business directories show different times.
Ignore those older listings.
For a visit, TRAID’s own site should be the first place to check.
What Does TRAID Dalston Sell?
The main focus is clothing.
You can expect second-hand pieces for different styles, seasons and everyday needs. Shoes and fashion accessories form part of TRAID’s normal stock too.
The Charity Retail Association currently categorises the Dalston branch as selling clothing, shoes and accessories, along with books, bric-a-brac and homewares.
Stock changes.
That is part of the appeal.
You may see ordinary everyday clothing during one visit, then find vintage pieces, unusual designs or stronger branded items during another.
There is no fixed catalogue.
Everything depends on donations and what has reached the shop floor.
A 2025 Time Out review also mentioned items such as saris, African fashion, vinyl and haberdashery supplies. Those examples describe stock seen by the reviewer at that time, so they should not be treated as items permanently available in the shop.
Is TRAID Dalston a Vintage Shop?
Partly, yes.
It sells second-hand clothing, and vintage pieces can appear within the stock.
The Charity Retail Association currently labels this location a “Vintage & Retro Store.”
Still, do not expect every rail to contain vintage clothing.
There is plenty of normal second-hand fashion too.
Basically, stock can mix different periods, styles, brands and price points in one place.
That makes browsing less predictable.
For many shoppers, that is fun.
Are Prices Cheap?
There is no verified fixed price list for TRAID Dalston.
Prices can change by item.
Brand, condition, style and the type of clothing may all affect what appears on a price tag.
Time Out described the Dalston branch as inexpensive in its February 2025 review and reported finding very low-cost items during its visit.
That does not mean every item costs a few pounds.
Vintage or unusual pieces may differ.
So, honestly, the safest approach is simple: check the individual price tag during your visit.
Can You Donate Clothes at TRAID Dalston?
Yes.
TRAID allows people to bring suitable clothing donations into its shops.
The charity asks for items that are clean, wearable and in good condition.
Common accepted donations include:
- Men’s clothing
- Women’s clothing
- Children’s clothing
- Shoes
- Bags
- Jewellery
- Belts
- Hats
- Scarves
- Other fashion accessories
- Some household linens, including curtains
Shoes should be donated as pairs.
Simple enough.
If someone else could realistically wear the item, it has a better chance of being useful to the charity.
What Should You Not Donate?
TRAID also gives clear guidance about unsuitable items.
It says not to donate:
- Damaged clothing
- Heavily soiled clothing
- Scrap textiles and rags
- Duvets
- Pillows
- Furniture
- Bulky household items
TRAID says poor-quality donations can create extra handling costs because unsaleable items need to be redirected elsewhere.
So check the condition first.
Clean items help more.
Should Clothes Be Washed Before Donation?
Yes, where practical.
TRAID asks donors to send clothing in clean and wearable condition and recommends washing items before donating them.
Think about one basic question:
Would you give it to someone you know?
If yes, it is probably closer to the condition TRAID wants.
What Happens to Donated Clothes?
TRAID says donated garments are sorted by hand.
The team then groups suitable items by factors such as type, style and season before sending saleable pieces to its London shops.
That sorting process explains why its stores can feel more curated than a simple donation warehouse.
Some clothing reaches shop rails.
Other pieces need another route.
TRAID says that where donated items cannot be resold, it works with designers, upcyclers and textile recyclers to find other uses where possible.
Can You Use Gift Aid?
Yes, if you qualify.
UK taxpayers can choose Gift Aid when donating eligible clothing.
TRAID says Gift Aid can raise the value of an eligible donation by 25%, without an extra cost to the donor.
You can ask about Gift Aid while making an in-store donation.
Does TRAID Collect Clothes From Homes?
Yes.
TRAID offers a free home clothing collection service in London, subject to the collection address being covered by its service.
You can book online.
TRAID also lists 020 8733 2595 for collection bookings.
The charity asks people to place donations in large bags and says the driver will call ahead while travelling to the collection.
This can be handy if you have several bags.
No trip to the shop needed.
Can You Donate by Post?
Yes.
TRAID also provides a postal donation option using participating Collect+ locations.
Its current instructions say parcels should:
- Weigh less than 10 kg
- Be no larger than 60 × 50 × 50 cm
- Contain suitable wearable donations
TRAID provides a label through its postal donation process.
This option is especially useful for people outside London.
TRAID Clothing Banks
Another option is a clothing bank.
TRAID currently says it has around 700 clothing banks across London and surrounding areas.
These banks accept suitable clothing donations.
Again, condition matters.
Clean and wearable pieces are preferred.
What Charity Runs TRAID Dalston?
The registered charity behind TRAID is Textile Reuse and International Development.
Its Charity Commission registration number is 297489.
The Charity Commission describes TRAID as an environmental and poverty-relief charity.
Its activities include textile reuse and recycling, charity retail, education and financial support for international development work connected with textiles and global poverty.
So money spent inside the Dalston store feeds into a much larger organisation.
How Does TRAID Make Money?
Clothing is central to its fundraising model.
People give garments.
TRAID sorts them.
Suitable pieces are sold.
The money then helps fund its charitable work.
That is different from organisations that rely mainly on cash donations or grants.
TRAID itself says selling donated second-hand clothing forms a main part of how it raises money.
How Large Is TRAID?
The Charity Commission’s latest published financial data currently covers the year ending 31 December 2024.
For that period, TRAID reported:
- Total income: £9,324,811
- Total expenditure: £9,429,787
- Income from charitable activities: about £9.07 million
These are figures for the whole charity, not the Dalston branch.
That distinction matters.
The Dalston shop’s individual revenue is not published in the sources checked.
Does TRAID Dalston Accept Contactless Payments?
Apple Maps currently lists the shop as accepting Apple Pay and contactless payments.
I found no equally clear current official TRAID page listing every payment method at this individual branch.
So cash acceptance and specific card networks should not be assumed from that information alone.
Why Do People Shop at TRAID Dalston?
There are a few clear reasons.
First, the stock changes.
That keeps repeat visits interesting.
Second, buyers can find used clothing rather than buying everything new.
Third, money raised supports a registered charity.
And yes, bargain hunting matters too.
People visiting a second-hand shop often want something different. Maybe an inexpensive jacket. Maybe older clothing. Maybe an odd accessory that would never appear in a normal chain store.
You cannot predict every find.
That is basically the point.
Is TRAID Dalston Good for Thrift Shopping?
It can be a useful stop for anyone already shopping around Dalston.
The branch combines ordinary second-hand clothing with changing vintage, retro and unusual stock.
But expectations matter.
Do not visit expecting one exact brand.
Do not expect fixed stock.
Do not assume yesterday’s bargain will still be there.
Go ready to browse.
Check each rail.
Look at condition.
Then check the price.
That is how thrift shopping works best.
Things to Know Before Visiting
A few points make the trip easier.
Check official opening hours first.
Bring suitable donations if you have them.
Give yourself time to browse.
Check garment condition before buying.
Look through different rails.
And remember that stock moves.
A visit one week may look very different from the next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is TRAID Dalston London?
TRAID Dalston is at 106–108 Kingsland High Street, Dalston, London E8 2NS.
What time does TRAID Dalston open?
It currently opens at 10:00am Monday through Saturday and 11:00am on Sunday and public holidays.
What time does TRAID Dalston close?
The shop currently closes at 8:00pm Monday through Saturday and 6:00pm on Sundays and public holidays.
Does TRAID Dalston sell vintage clothes?
Yes. Vintage and retro items may be available alongside normal second-hand clothing. Stock changes regularly.
Can I donate clothes at TRAID Dalston?
Yes. The shop accepts suitable clean and wearable clothing, shoes and accessories.
Does TRAID accept damaged clothes?
TRAID asks people not to donate damaged or soiled garments. Items should be clean and suitable for reuse.
Can TRAID collect clothes from my home?
TRAID offers free home collection in covered London areas. Availability depends on the postcode.
Can I Gift Aid clothes donated to TRAID?
Yes. Eligible UK taxpayers can choose Gift Aid on qualifying clothing donations.
Final Thought
TRAID Dalston London is a useful stop for second-hand shoppers and people clearing out their wardrobes.
The shop is open seven days.
Stock keeps changing.
Clothing donations are welcome.
And sales help support the work of registered charity Textile Reuse and International Development.
If you enjoy thrift shopping, the uncertain stock is actually part of the fun. One visit might be simple. The next could turn up something far more interesting.
