Weekends at charity shops, antique fairs and car boots across Dorset and beyond have taught me one thing: having the right thrifting kit makes the experience easier. On my journey of sourcing vintage furniture and antiques across the UK and France, here is what works for me.
Car boot season runs spring through autumn, but antique fairs and charity shops offer year-round opportunities for vintage hunting. Having your kit sorted means you are ready whenever you spot a promising event.
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"For many of us, thrifting is more than just shopping. It is a hobby, a passion, and for some, a way of life."
A Proper Canvas Tote Bag for Thrifting
Having a reliable thrifting bag makes the whole experience better. I have seen people turn up with trollies that get stuck in mud at outdoor car boots. IKEA bags work and plenty of people use them, but they are not very stylish. What you really want is something that holds a decent amount, stays comfortable for hours, and keeps your hands free for browsing vintage furniture and antiques.
Mine has a 37-litre capacity because you never know when you will have one of those days where everything catches your eye. I designed my Thrift Haul™ tote bags because I needed a proper vintage hunting bag. Heavyweight canvas with reinforced handles, built specifically for hauling finds from car boots and antique fairs.
Wrapping Supplies for Fragile Vintage Items
Tissue paper, bubble wrap or newspaper is essential if you buy fragile vintage items like ceramics or glassware. I keep wrapping supplies in my car at all times.
I learnt this the hard way at my first auction house purchase. Auction houses do not provide any wrapping at all. An antiques dealer helped me out that day or my beautiful vintage glasses would have smashed on the way home. Now I always have supplies ready. Protecting your finds during transport from car boot sales, antique fairs and auction houses prevents damage and means your vintage pieces make it home safely.
Hand Sanitiser and Wipes for Thrifting
I use wipes because some of my vintage finds are filthy. I always carry them in my tote and have extras in the car. They are useful for cleaning vintage furniture purchases before they go in your car, or for examining something grimy to check what is underneath the dirt.
Waterproof Boots and Layers for Car Boot Sales
I ruined several pairs of trainers until I bought a pair of waterproof comfortable boots. Thrifting at car boot sales means walking miles and being on your feet for hours, often in muddy fields across the UK.
Layers work because indoor antique fairs vary in temperature and outdoor venues can be freezing at dawn then warm by midday. A waterproof jacket stays in my car year-round because British weather does what it wants. Winter antique fairs often run outdoors or in partially covered spaces.
Cross-Body Bag for Antique Fairs
I use a cross-body bag to keep essentials secure whilst leaving my hands free for examining vintage furniture. It holds my phone, wallet, keys, and the smaller kit items. Something with secure fastenings works better at busy antique fairs and car boot sales.
Cash for Car Boot Sales and Antique Fairs
Smaller car boots and many antique fairs across the UK are cash only. Mix of notes and coins means you can move fast when you spot vintage furniture or antiques. Sellers appreciate not having to break a twenty at 7am.
Measuring Tape for Vintage Furniture
I have carried one since my early twenties and it is super helpful for buying vintage furniture. Small tape measure, massive difference. Measure the piece, your car boot, your doorways, the space it is going. Takes seconds and means you know if vintage furniture will work before you buy it.
Protecting Your Car When Hauling Vintage Furniture
I also know the litre capacity of my car boot. After trying to fit large and small items over time, I have learned ways to maximise the boot space. Any true thrifter or reseller will tell you your car takes a bashing when hauling vintage furniture and antiques.
I take blankets if I am being precious about the car, especially with furniture or anything that might scratch. This protects both your car and your vintage finds during transport from car boots and antique fairs.
Google Lens for Identifying Vintage Items
If you are new to thrifting, Google Lens is a game changer for identifying vintage furniture and antiques. Google Lens is a free app that identifies things using your phone camera.
Here is how to use Google Lens at car boot sales: Open Google Lens on your phone, point the camera at a hallmark on silver, a pottery mark on the base of ceramics, or a signature on artwork. It searches and shows you similar items, makers, and often values. You can do this whilst you are standing in the charity shop or at the antique fair stall.
This helps you spot vintage pieces worth far more than the asking price. I have found valuable antiques this way that I would have walked past without knowing what they were. If you have been thrifting a while, you probably already use this. If you are just starting vintage hunting, download it now.
Finding Car Boot Sales and Antique Fairs UK
I use www.findcarboot.co.uk for car boot sale locations, dates and times across the UK. During car boot season, I check it regularly because new events appear all the time.
For year-round antique fairs UK, www.iacf.co.uk/antiques-fair-calendar is my go-to. The International Antiques & Collectors Fairs calendar covers antique fair events from small local fairs to major antiques shows across the UK.
I also just search on Google for things like "antique fairs near me" or "car boots Dorset" and often find interesting places that are not on the main sites. Sometimes the best vintage furniture finds are at smaller, lesser-known events.
Optional Thrifting Extras
Magnifying glass: For examining hallmarks on antiques and checking vintage furniture joins.
Start Simple with Thrifting Kit
I started with just a tote bag, cash, and a measuring tape. Everything else, including the waterproof boots, I added as I worked out what helped with vintage hunting.
Having your thrifting kit sorted means you can focus on finding great vintage furniture and antiques. Antique fairs run throughout the year across the UK, charity shops are always open, and car boot season returns every spring.
Why the Right Thrifting Bag Matters
I designed my Thrift Haul™ tote bags specifically for vintage hunters and resellers. Heavyweight canvas, 37-litre capacity, reinforced handles. Built for serious hauling whether you are at antique fairs across Dorset or car boots anywhere in the UK. Available in three colourways and purpose-built for the thrifting lifestyle.
Having reliable thrifting kit means never missing an opportunity to find vintage furniture and antiques. From autumn antique fairs to summer car boots and year-round charity shop visits, being prepared makes every trip more successful.
