How to Prepare for Life After University 💡
Shopping in Edinburgh: a student’s guide
Planning a spending spree in Edinburgh? The city’s shopping scene is handily one of the best in the UK! And it’s not all expensive boutiques – there are plenty of charity shops, vintage stores and high-street favourites with student discounts that keep things affordable.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through all the best places to shop on a student budget, from the main streets and shopping centres to hidden local spots for the latest streetwear, retro fashion and a whole lot more!
TL;DR: Edinburgh’s shopping scene caters to all styles and budgets – the best part is that the city centre is compact, so you can tackle lots of shops in just a few hours. Princes Street is your go-to for high-street shopping, while the Grassmarket and West End are packed with independents. You’ve also got loads of great bookshops, record stores and charity shops where you can find real gems at bargain prices.
Edinburgh's top shopping areas 📍
Edinburgh’s shopping scene is spread across a few key areas, stretching from the historic Old Town to the west of the city centre. Knowing where to head will save you time and save you from trudging up and down the city’s hilly streets.
Princes Street
Princes Street is basically ground zero for shopping in Edinburgh. Running through the city’s New Town, it’s about a mile long, incredibly picturesque and has pretty much all the classic student brands you can think of.
We’re talking Primark, H&M, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, Dr. Martens, plus loads more. It’s also home to two of the city’s biggest shopping centres in Waverley Market and St James Quarter, with the latter just off Princes Street on Leith Street.
West End
If you’re looking for a more relaxed shopping experience away from the busy crowds of Princes Street (and you have a little more budget to play with!), Edinburgh’s West End offers the perfect change of pace.
Centred around William Street and Stafford Street, this upscale area has some fantastic local independents and luxury boutiques – there's Frontiers and OSKA for high-end fashion, Paper Tiger for quirky gifts and FOPP for books, vinyl and DVDs.
Grassmarket
Sitting in a valley below the castle, the Grassmarket is one of Edinburgh's oldest and most atmospheric areas. It’s packed with cobbled streets and historic buildings that regularly feature on Instagram photo dumps of the city.
The shopping here is eclectic and brilliant, with vintage stores, quirky boutiques and second-hand bookshops in abundance. There's also a weekly market that takes place every Saturday with arts, crafts and street food.
Finding fashion essentials in Edinburgh 🛍️
Every student needs a few trusted spots for refreshing wardrobe staples and finding your next pair of trainers. Edinburgh has all the essentials covered, with most of the classic brands centred around Princes Street.
High-street fashion
When it comes to high-street brands, Edinburgh has some absolutely massive flagship stores that always come in handy. As we’ve already noted, Princes Street is home to Primark, H&M, Uniqlo and Urban Outfitters.
You’ll also find Zara, Levi’s, Next, MANGO, COS, Pull&Bear and Ralph Lauren in nearby St. James Quarter. George Street is another shopping hotspot with slightly more upmarket options like AllSaints, White Stuff and Anthropologie.
Sportswear
Whether you need new gym gear or a cosy fit for lazy study days, Edinburgh’s got all the big retailers and brands. JD Sports has two stores in the city centre, while Sports Direct on Princes Street is huge and a great budget option.
There's also a New Balance store in St. James Quarter and The North Face on Princes Street. If you’re willing to venture out to Fort Kinnaird Retail Park, you’ll find some amazing deals at the Adidas outlet store.
Streetwear
Edinburgh has some great streetwear spots that have served students for years. Along with big retailers like size?, you’ve got great local spots like Frontiers which stocks brands such as Folk, Norse Projects and Universal Works.
If you’re a sneakerhead, you’ll definitely want to check out Flip Supply on Hanover Street, which has a host of hard-to-find kicks. For skatewear, Route One on Rose Street and Focus Skateboard Shop on the Royal Mile are both must-visits.
Top tip: Most high-street brands offer student discounts, so it's always worth asking when you get to the till. Be ready to show your student ID card or relevant digital ID from platforms like UNiDAYS and Student Beans.
Edinburgh’s independent shops ✨
Exploring the indie shopping scene is one of the most fun things for students to do in Edinburgh. These places have unique stock, bags of personality and will take you beyond Princes Street, so they’re a great way to do some exploring even if you don’t end up buying anything.
Clothing
Edinburgh has some wonderful independent clothing stores selling everything from quirky retro items to designer pieces. Biscuit Clothing over in Bruntsfield is a lovely little spot that stocks quality womenswear from indie brands all around the world.
Godiva on the Grassmarket is a true treasure trove with vintage clothing, accessories and handmade jewellery all at amazing value. For something a bit different, Pie in the Sky on Cockburn Street has an eclectic clothing range inspired by famous moments in pop culture.
Bookshops
If you’re a lover of books, you’ll feel right at home in Edinburgh. Two of the city’s best second-hand bookshops – Armchair Books and Edinburgh Books – are placed just a few paces away from each other on the Grassmarket – ideal for a big book haul at a bargain price!
Other must-visit spots include Topping & Company Booksellers, which has a brilliantly curated collection and regularly hosts book club events, and the intimate Typewronger Books – one of Edinburgh’s hidden gems – with its shelves lined with vintage typewriters.
Record shops
Edinburgh loves its music just as much as its books, so it’s the perfect place to build your physical collection. Assai Records near the Grassmarket is one of the city’s best-loved record shops, with an incredible selection of vinyl across every genre plus regular in-store events.
Thorne Records in Bruntsfield is another favourite with super-friendly staff and crates you can dig through for hours. If electronic music is your thing, you’ll love Underground Solution on Cockburn Street which has a deep selection of house and techno.
Edinburgh’s vintage shops 🧥
Edinburgh has a fantastic vintage scene that’s right up there with the best in the UK. Scattered throughout the city, you’ll find up to a dozen vintage shops where you can find pre-loved pieces from different eras, all at great value.
Armstrongs Vintage
Armstrongs Vintage has been going since 1840 and is easily Edinburgh’s most famous vintage shop. It’s got several locations in the city, but the main one is spread over two floors on the Grassmarket and is absolutely huge.
They stock everything from 50s dresses to 90s sportswear, denim jackets, band tees, military surplus and loads of leather goods. So whether you’re looking for fancy dress or a new statement piece, it’s definitely worth popping in.
Epoca Vintage
Located over on Leith Walk, Epoca Vintage has a wonderfully curated mix of stock ranging from 60s boho to 90s streetwear, replete with original pieces from all sorts of big-name brands.
Among the many racks tucked away in this treasure trove, you’ll find dedicated sections for vintage leather, quality denim, designer items and retro sportswear – so there really is something for everyone.
Carnivàle Vintage
Just a short stroll from the Grassmarket, Carnivàle Vintage is another gem in Edinburgh's vintage scene. It specialises in period pieces from the 40s through to the 70s, though you’ll also find items inspired by the late Victorian era.
This one definitely has more of a boutique vibe, with some stunning dresses, jewellery and accessories. Even if you don’t end up buying anything, it’s fascinating to step back in time through the different eras.
Edinburgh’s best charity shop areas 💰
Edinburgh is packed with charity shops that will help you keep your wardrobe fresh, even if you’re working with a tight budget. Many of these shops are clustered together, so you can do a proper crawl without having to venture far.
Stockbridge
If you had to pick one place to go for charity shops, it would be Stockbridge. This village-like neighbourhood just north of the New Town is one of Edinburgh’s poshest areas, which means the charity shops here get incredible donations from wealthy residents having clear-outs.
Lined up along Raeburn Place, you’ll find no less than five charity shops just a few doors down from each other – so you’re guaranteed to leave with something. Stockbridge is also just a beautiful place to stroll around, which is always a plus.
Morningside
Sitting south of the city, Morningside is another charming part of Edinburgh with a fantastic lineup of charity shops. It’s close to Edinburgh Napier University, so you’ll find a lot of students in the area on the hunt for bargains.
Morningside Road runs through the neighbourhood and is home to several charity shops, including British Heart Foundation, St. Columba’s Hospice and Save the Children. They all do a bit of everything, from vintage clothing and accessories to furniture and books.
Newington
Newington is right by the University of Edinburgh, which means charity shops here see loads of student donations alongside contributions from local residents. The result is a brilliant mix of trendy high-street pieces, vintage items and everyday basics, all at really affordable prices.
There’s a string of nearly a dozen charity shops that stretch from Nicholson Street down into South Clerk Street and Nicholson Road. So whether you’re after new reading material or some wardrobe additions, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon shopping.
Edinburgh: a top city for student shopping
Edinburgh’s shopping scene is genuinely unmatched – it's got the variety of the UK’s biggest cities but is compact enough to actually visit all the spots you want to see. No doubt the city will have left its mark on your wardrobe by the time you graduate.
Heading to the Scottish capital for university? Yugo offers a wide range of student accommodation in Edinburgh, with spots like our Brae House, Canal Point and Arran House residences – see what life is like inside our spaces below!
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