How can you pick up a unique outfit, save some money, help someone in need, and save the planet? Let’s go charity shopping!

Your first forays into the world of secondhand can be a little daunting if you don’t know what you are looking for. All those rails of mismatched items, the pressure of finding a gem of a vintage frock for your next big night out, the hustle and bustle of other bargain-hunters… it can all be a bit overwhelming.

So whether you are a seasoned charity shop addict (like me!) or new to this wonderful world of pre-loved fashion, here are my tips to grabbing those unique finds and bargain outfits!

Location, location, location!

if its high-end high street or designer clothing you are looking for, head to the charity shops in the well-off part of town. This is where the wealthy people donate their clothing to, often with the tags still on. But beware… the charity shops are not daft and will probably price accordingly. It’s a win-win situation though, as you still get some great pieces at a fraction of the price, and the charity makes more money.

Look at everything

Whilst charity shop workers and volunteers sort clothing and hang it in the right place, customers are less likely to put things back where they found them. Meaning that you may find a pretty blouse in your size stuffed in with the men’s shirts, or a size 12 bargain hidden amongst the size 8s.

And who’s to say that you can’t wear a men’s tee shirt? Think outside the box and you double your hunting ground. Two of my favourite charity shop buys have been a vintage tee shirt that I found in the men’s section. And many moons ago, I practically lived in a pair of men’s bottle-green silk pyjama bottoms that I grabbed for £1.50 from my local Oxfam, usually with a U2 tee shirt and my beloved Doc Marten boots. (But it was the early Nineties, so don’t judge me!)

Take it out of context

You don’t go into your local charity shop expecting high-end lighting and merchandising (although some like British Heart Foundation and Shelter are making huge steps in that direction. Rainbowtised rails anyone?)  So when you find an item of interest, imagine it in the Karen Millen shop window, or in the fashion pages of your favourite magazine. Looks better immediately, right?

Try it on

Before you buy, always try it on. It doesn’t matter if it only costs a few quid… it’s still a waste of money to buy something that doesn’t fit, and does’t make you look fabulous. Charity shopping is about sustainability, saving money, and keeping clothes out of landfill. Buying something that doesn’t fit only takes up valuable real estate in your wardrobe, wastes money, and keeps that item from being useful to someone else. Try. It. On!

Altered images

Find someone who is a whizz with a sewing machine, or learn how to make basic alterations yourself. A charity shop will only have one of each item in one size… so expand your pool of potential offerings by knowing how to alter that top you have fallen in love with, but is two sizes too big.

Don’t forget the accessories

Charity shops are an amazing source of vintage jewellery, quirky bags and scarves by the hundreds. If you are unsure about wearing clothing that has been worn by a stranger, start off your pre-loved adventure with a few accessories. Why buy high street replica vintage jewellery and accessories when you can grab the real thing for a fraction of the cost from your local charity shop?

Patience is a virtue

Charity shop stock changes on a daily basis, which means going back regularly and being prepared to have days where you’ll find nothing. More often than not, I leave my favourite charity shop in Dumfries empty-handed, whilst back in the early summer I picked up an entire capsule summer wardrobe of 11 pieces (plus some holiday reading) for less than £40. It all depends on the week’s donations… and you’re not going to find them if you’re not looking!

Look online

Many charities are going online with their best items. I love Oxfam’s online clothing store (easy to search, well-photographed items and £3.95 delivery) and the many eBay stores run by UK charities.

Donate while you’re there

You can’t expect your favourite charity shop to keep going without donations, so why not donate some of your own decluttered clothes while you are there? By following the “one in, one out” rule, your wardrobe will never overflow, and you’ll know your clothes will be off to find a second chance with someone else. Furthermore, if you are a UK tax payer you an sign up to your charity shop’s Gift Aid scheme which brings them an extra 25% on each sale. And you’ll get an email telling you how much your donations have raised too.

Above all, have fun!

Try things on, mix and match, giggle at some of the more outrageous items and have a chat with other shoppers as you all bargain hunt together… charity shopping for me is s much about community as it is finding my next favourite item of clothing. Get to know the staff (they might give you the heads up when they have a donation that is right up your street). Find out more about the charity that the shop supports, and go tell other people about the great work that they do.

Having sworn off new clothing for 12 months since doing the #SixItemsChallenge in March this year, my love of charity shopping has grown to new proportions. I literally can’t walk past a charity shop without popping in for a browse, and since my friends and clients know about my Secondhand Only Year, they are telling me about fun finds that they think I might like. Clothes shopping has become fun, a talking-point and a challenge… as well as a way to help support my local community and nationwide charities. I am not sure I can go back to the high street stores after the year is up!

What do you think of charity shopping? What was the last thing you bought from a charity shop?