Partly because I like that I can donate to charity, partly because I like the joy of the hunt. Partly because I am a poor student (we'll skip over that one shall we...)
I have learnt a few things in my time in charity shops.
1. Don't go in with a fixed agenda.
If I go looking for a second hand blue cardigan, chances are I will not find it. I have learnt you can't be specific when charity shop hunting. Part of the joy is going in with an open mind, which leads me to...
2. See the potential.
I am much more relaxed about sizing when I buy second hand. I figure if a dress is too long I could always hem it, if a shirt is too big I can tuck it into a pair of jeans. I also try to remember that these things have (on the whole) been worn before. My mum for instance bought a beautiful second hand cashmere cardigan several sizes too big. It had been shrunk in the wash so it fitted her perfectly despite what the label said!
3. Will I wear it?
I am often in danger of falling into this trap, particularly if the top/dress/shirt I want to buy is a nice brand. There is a perception with buying second hand that if it is a bargain it must be worth it. That isn't strictly true though. It will only be a bargain if you actually wear the item.
While you can't be as fussy as when you are going to a regular shop, I still try and look for things that fit with my wardrobe and fit with my 'style'.
4. Keep at it.Charity shops change their stock reasonably frequently. I often find it goes in fazes. There will be weeks when I find nothing that takes my fancy and then suddenly a flurry of items will end up in my wardrobe. Persistence is key!
5. Be aware of location.
Nicer city/town, nicer charity shops. On the whole I have found this to be true. I went to a charity shop in oxford and found a lot of Boden and Jack Wills branded clothes. The downside of a nice location is that the prices are much higher. Work out what you are prepared to pay for something depending on where you are. In Durham the charity shops are a real mixed bag. I have found some gems in there but also found some horror stories! It pays to be a bit savvy.
6. Donate!
Charity shops can't function unless clothes are donated. I try and keep the cycle going by having a clear out every now and again and sending some of my clothes to the shops.
So, are you a charity shop hunter? Do you have any tips or stories of incredible bargains?
14 comments:
I love a good charity shop rummage. That started during student/6th form days for me too. One of my best bargains was a large wooden bowl for 50p, which is still in use 25 years later. On the kitchen table full of fruit.
I once bought a bag for £2 and it turned out to be Gucci (a friend with a 'real' one checked it over and said it looked like a real one whereas I had assumed it was a fake but liked the colour!)
I love charity shops [and jumble sales and boot fairs] and have found some real treasures over the years.
My favourite shirt came from a charity shop and my favourite jacket from a jumble sale [for 20p]
I recently found an unopened pack of 50 card blanks for 50p in a charity shop.
Love Op Shopping, as we call it in Aussie! My current bag comes from one.....dunno what brand , but I've had a pile of comments on it....it's a bit worn, but will last a season, & for a couple of dollars, that suits me just fine. I'll be sick of it by then -which is why I love op shopping...quick, cheap fix!!!
I wish I had an incredible bargain story! I've never had much luck with clothes, but when my brother is home we love to go looking for books and old records together
I am not a keen charity shopper although I do look from time to time. I do donate a lot of the girls old clothes to charity shops and what I would say is to make sure you Gift Aid if you pay tax. The charity gets so much MORE from your items that way.
I like to support charity shops, if I can. We've just had the annual clothing collection from the Salvation Army - I was saving some of J's outgrown things for that, as the stuff we put in the bags goes directly to their shops, for sale (whereas a lot of the "charity bags" are actually sold on and only a small %age of the money actually goes to the named charity).
As for finding bargains - I've had several over the years. A friend came back to the office after lunch, with a fabulous Laura Ashley party dress, which she'd found in Oxfam and thought I would like. It cost her a fiver (which, 20 years ago, was a bit... but the original would have been nearer to £100!). She was a brilliant bargain-hunter - she just had "a nose for it" I think.
But I've found a few gems of my own - such as a wonderful summer dress (looked brand new), by an expensive brand, plus a very nice floral skirt, in a rayon lawn, both from a charity shop in Pangbourne-on-Thames (we lived just up the road, in Tilehurst, Reading). They had a wedding dress in their window that day, which was a stunner and probably cost hundreds new... they were asking about £50 for it - I was trying to think of a reason why I could need it!! (See Point #3 above!)
A couple of lovely blouses, jackets for work... a great pair of jeans with embroidered hems - lots of things.
And, leather bags... Now those I love to find - I can up-cycle them into fabulous leather books!
Love charity shops for surprise, ethically-sourced pre-worn gems!
I'm a big fan and agree about nice town nice stuff and find that Ilkley (a posh town near me) has some real gems but is a lot pricier. There is a £1 one in my old market town of Otley and I found some great skirts from Oasis and M&S there for a quid!
I'm a big fan and agree about nice town nice stuff and find that Ilkley (a posh town near me) has some real gems but is a lot pricier. There is a £1 one in my old market town of Otley and I found some great skirts from Oasis and M&S there for a quid!
I don't have much luck at consignment shops, though I do go to look with one of my friends, who always seems to find something great! My daughter has made out very well for her, and for my grandson.
definitely nice town = nice stuff. I mostly buy props for photographing, books to alter, t shirts to make yarn. My latest find is a fabulous Chinese jacket with mandarin collar & toggles, it's black, red & gold. I bought it for the fabric. I have a friend who loves visiting the charity shops, its great to have someone to go with.
It's always a good feeling to recycle :). My tip would be not to limit oneself to the clothes section normally associated with one's gender or age (if you're small) - I've found some great shirts in the men's section and some lovely jumpers in the children's one!
I learn a lot on your tips, Thanks for sharing it here because it is very important to me who doesn't have a budget to buy a brand new items. I can also used this tips on buying a secondhand shoes on this website http://www.boex.tv/ because they have a lot of affordable but good quality products of shoes.
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