Your ultimate guide to charity-shopping in Cambridge

Students aren't exactly known for being flushed with cash. But, there is a solution. There is light beyond the long, dark shadow cast by your rapidly growing college bill and mounting debt. Cambridge is something of a goldmine when it comes to charity shops. From records to ra-ra skirts, Christmas cards to candles, tablecloths to trench coats, Cambridge has got you covered.

Charity-shopping is a fab way to spice up your wardrobe with something a little bit off-the-wall. All you need is a discerning eye, so you can sift through the dark green cardigans (there are so many of them), beige trousers and endless stacks of bric-a-brac. Where else could you find something like a pair of embroidered Zara jeans for £3.75, or a Miss Selfridge top for £1.99??

Unfortunately, it is a known fact that the range of men's clothing in charity shops isn't great (in the words of my older brother – "everything is XL, XXL or XXXL"), but if you have the patience, you might stumble across a hidden gem. And you can also scout for books, DVDs, records, or Christmas presents for undeserving siblings.

That's Christmas sorted then

So, here is a ranked list of Cambridge's five most esteemed charity shops (in my humble opinion)…

1. The Salvation Army Charity Shop

THE BEST charity shop I have ever visited. It's huge and you can get sunglasses for ONE POUND per pair. One. Pound.

Location: 44A Mill St, Cambridge CB1 2AS

Pros

– It is massive

– If you're a dangly earring fan, there's a huge selection and they're only £1 per pair

– Sunglasses are also only £1 per pair

– If you're going on the Varsity trip and need gear, the ski wear is a bargain (£4 for a pair of ski trousers!!!)

– Huge clothes section, extremely cool coats

– Tonnes of DVDs, CDs, records and videos

Cons

None – basically, 10/10 would recommend.

2. The Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Shop

Small, cosy and the best location.

Location: 30 Regent St, Cambridge CB2 1DB

Pros

– They sell gowns and graduation caps

– Great selection of ornaments and trinkets to spice up your uni room (I bought a little clay hedgehog for 95p)

Cons

– Quite small so a limited range of clothes

it's called fashion honey, look it up

3. Cancer Research

This one wasn't bad, but way too much Christmas stuff (it's barely October for God's sake).

Location: 42 Regent St, Cambridge CB2 1DP

Pros

– Surprisingly good for jeans, and they're reasonably priced

– A very extensive selection of DVDs

Cons

– Too much Christmas

4. Oxfam

There's two Oxfams in Cambridge worthy of a mention – the standard one as well as the Oxfam bookshop.

Locations: 2 Mill Rd, Cambridge CB1 2AD (general) 28 Sidney St, Cambridge CB2 3HW (bookshop)

Pros

– The Oxfam bookshop has a very broad selection and it is so cheap

– The general Oxfam is great for records

Cons

– the clothes selection in the general shop is absolutely packed full of ugly cardigans and not much else

– It also has weird opening hours, so be sure to Google them before visiting

No need for a record player, just convince people you're a 'collector'

5. British Heart Foundation

A 'higher end' charity shop – where Cambridge's more affluent residents deposit their goods.

Location: 10 Burleigh St, Cambridge CB1 1DG

Pros

– Good clothes selection – less baggy cardigans and more hidden gems

– Very friendly staff

Cons

– Pricey

So. Stop moaning about how poor you are all the time and hit the charity shops instead, taking this handy guide with you…