Jo’s daughter is in reception at the same school as our youngest, so I bump into her most mornings and afternoons. She is the epitome of style and I was absolutely astounded when she told me she only buys clothes from charity shops. I always assumed we buy clothes from charity shops just to save money, but Jo has other views….
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I didn’t think much about charity shops before, mostly because we don’t really have them in France. So it was new to me and I barely knew what they were. I did notice there were quite a few wherever I went but I wasn’t that interested because, well I don’t need an old Marks & Spencer’s jumper and I don’t need greeting cards all year round either.
But then I got pregnant and needed a bigger coat as mine wouldn’t close any longer. I didn’t really want to spend a fortune in the fancy maternity stores, particularly for something I wouldn’t wear for more than a few months. So, I entered a charity shop just to have a look for a large coat.
So I found one and it did the trick.
What I also found was a pair of Chanel ballerinas for less than £20!!!!!!
Suddenly I got a lot more curious about charity shops. What are they? Who gives what? Who do they support? Somehow it became my ‘thing’. For the past three years now, I’ve never ever bought any new clothes or shoes! Well, guess what happened? My style became more eclectic (you never know what you’re going to find) and interesting. I would like to say I’ve saved a lot of money and it might be true. BUT. I am going to charity shops a lot. So I can’t say for sure. One thing I do know, is I am now wearing a Tara Jarmon dress to do a school run (as opposed to jeans and a tee) and keep warm in a Belstaff winter coat that I could never afford. So it feels pretty good.
Here are 5 reasons you should give it a try:
You will save money
The clothes are a lot cheaper than on the high street, so provided you are ok with second hand, you can buy much nicer clothes. I have a weak spot for French brands such as Comptoir des Cotonniers, Sandro, American Vintage and Vanessa Bruno. But I have never bought any new ones. As I believe they are quality pieces, I am happy to buy them second hand!
Your kids will grow out of it
Charity shops for children’s clothes are a goldmine. I have given barely worn items to charity shops that must have made fellow mums really happy. Once the clothes are too small, there is not much else you can do. Also, my son destroys his shoes with his scooter faster than I buy them. It drives me crazy but he needed three pairs in 3 months. I am happy not to pay a fortune for them. As for my daughter, she is extra picky (at the tender age of four), so it’s sometimes hard to buy expensive clothes that she will NEVER wear…
You will support a charity
From Oxfam to Cancer Research UK to Sue Ryder Care or the British Heart Foundation, your money is going to a really good cause so it feels great to shop and help out at the same time.
It will take you out of your comfort zone
Because you never know what will turn up, you will end up with something you love but would have never bought in a regular shop. It happened a lot to me: a leather dress, glittery shorts or floral prints – these are not things I would usually look into. But it’s there, it fits and it is cheap, so why not give it a shot!
It is a more sustainable way to shop
I find it a bit overwhelming with the way big brands throw 20 collections a year at us. You must wear flare jeans again, you need this camel handbag and by the way, checkered shirts are back. Too often the same styles are reproduced in haste. It is daunting to starting thinking about textile waste or the conditions in which these clothes were made.
There you go, my five reasons. I hope I’ve convinced you to give it a go. You will almost never find what you’re looking for, so just go ahead and keep an open mind. You might just be surprised!
Read more of Jo’s posts on Britishette, buy something stylish from her Shop My Closet, or follow her second hand fashion on twitter/instagram: @britishette
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An excellent and really important post. I used to work for Cancer Research UK and I know how much they, and many other charities, depend on the income they receive from charity shops. In the era of cheap shops, like Primark and H&M, fewer people are shopping in charity shops. This is a brilliant reminder of why heading into your local charity shop is a great idea. And you are right, Jo is uber stylish. Thanks for sharing with #SundaysStars. I am sorry it has taken me so long to comment. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
I agree – i think we should all use our charity shops more – it’s a win win situation all round. x
I have always looked in charity shops for the kids, I love finding unusual items I wouldn’t have found in the shops. I don’t tend to look at adult clothes, just this morning I had a few minutes to kill before a dentist appointment and looked around our charity shop, I automatically go straight to the kids section. Maybe I need to rethink that, especially as I have three charity shops on my doorstep.
Oh that’s interesting. My very local charity shops are mainly adult clothing, so I never think to go to the kids area!
I have some clothes from charity shops and clothes swaps but I hadn’t thought of solely getting my wardrobe that way before, despite having a friend in secondary school who did just that and always looked well dressed, if a little individual. I have found some ok pieces in our local charity shops but unless I went to the ones we have in town every day and hunted then I think I’m unlikely to find any gems / any great high end clothes #BigFatLinky
Yes that’s true – I think one would need time to do lots of rummaging for the 100% wardrobe! Love the idea of looking ‘a little individual’ 😀
Interesting post, iam not overly into fashion at all so certainly don’t buy heaps and heaps of clothes however when I do, I always go to the high street and would never ever think of going to charity shops. I think there is a common misconception about them and I for one probably don’t give charity shops as much of a chance as I should do. Thanks for the post, made me think! 🙂
#SundaysStars
I’m the same as you Becca and I’m going to start popping into charity shops more now. She made me think too!
Totally agree with this and I have got some great bargains in charity shops. I need to make more time to browse them. #bigfatlinky xx
You make a good point and time is something I don’t have much of either. It would be a lovely activity to do with the kids though!