A young entrepreneur has revealed how a strategic trip to charity shops in London's wealthiest neighbourhoods yielded a treasure trove of designer items, including a bespoke jacket believed to have been made for actor Hugh Laurie.
The London charity shop haul
Tom Scott, 24, from Northumberland, decided to focus his bargain-hunting efforts on affluent areas of the capital, including Chelsea, Marylebone, and Parsons Green. His strategy paid off spectacularly, with a single shopping trip netting him a profit of around £1,000.
Tom explained that while he usually shops around Newcastle, the concentration of high-end brands in London charity shops is unparalleled. "In London every charity shop is full of high-end brands," he said. "Whilst I do get some great finds up north, they are getting rarer these days."
Star finds and savvy resales
Among his most notable purchases was a tailored tweed jacket with a label reading "Hugh Laurie Esq" and dated 26/10/06. Tom bought the jacket for £160 and later sold it online for £750.
His recent London spree included several other lucrative discoveries:
- A Ralph Lauren shirt bought for £29.99.
- A pair of Salomon trainers for £15.
- A Lock & Co. fedora for £35.
- An Engineered Garments blazer for £58.
- A Kjus ultra-lightweight golf jacket, priced at £14.99 and sold for £150.
The standout item, however, was a pair of loafers from luxury brand Loro Piana. Tom purchased them for £30, had them professionally refurbished by a "shoe surgeon," and resold them for £336. "The Loro Piana shoes were an incredible find," he remarked.
Building a business from bargains
Tom runs a business called Tweed & Tailored, which specialises in selling men's tweed jackets and bespoke tailoring sourced from places like charity shops. His flair for finding valuable items began in his teens in North Shields, when he bought a leather jacket with a cashmere lining for £8 and sold it for £650.
He has since turned his skill into a full-time career. "I wouldn't say how much I make, but it's a fantastic lifestyle," Tom said. "I love what I do, and I make enough to get by!"
Tom is a strong advocate for charity shopping, highlighting its triple benefit. "It is a fantastic way to shop – sustainable, affordable and fantastic for so many UK charities," he stated, adding that the thrill of the hunt is a major part of the appeal: "I wouldn't be as enthusiastic about charity shopping if I knew there wasn't going to be the odd complete bargain like these!"
