If you shop in charity shops. What do you buy?

[PopcornKettleBlack]

I only ever look for books and dvds. It's made me wonder am I missing out on anything else? I'm not a clothes person, well I wear them obviously but I hate shopping for clothes. Now I'm wondering what else I might be missing out on.

What do you buy from charity shops and have you found any bargains lately?

Go in with an open mind! I've bought brand new items for presents, immaculate toys, unworn shoes, children's clothes, books, homeware.

I think I have a running list of things in my head that I am interested in, but am open to other things that catch my eye. I do mostly but clothes, mostly recently a pair of black levi's, as often you can pick up some good quality items. When the dcs were smaller, a lot of toys. I have also bought kitchen items, paintings, blankets... lots really.

I get all my best clothes from charity shops, inc shoes.

The only dress I own that has pockets came from a charity shop.

I love your new username, by the way! That was a fun thread!

Personally, almost everything of mine comes from charity shops. I prefer to try buying second hand before buying new. From various charity shops, I have found black walking boots that can be worn with just about anything (my name isn't AutistGoth for nothing!), a second hand leather jacket for DH, records for our record player, a black blazer which can be worn with jeans and band t shirt for a gig or smart dress and heels for a job interview, a very smart black shirt from a good name brand for DH, a black ruffled cardigan which has been keeping me warm for over a decade, the dinner plates and bowls that we have been eating off for all my adult life, various dresses, a pair of smart linen trousers and my personal favourite: a t shirt with the logo of my favourite band. I've also purchased gifts for people from charity shops too.

I get loads of great quality clothes for me and the kids. Bought a beautifully soft, new looking coat a few months ago for £5 - googled it when I got home and they cost £400 new! Never would have paid that.
I also buy good quality kitchen equipment, books, toys etc. I love a good rummage in the charity shop.

Clothes, and they're great for plant pots (or things you can use as one even if that's not their intended purpose!) And picture frames, even if it's got a picture already in I've got some really nice ones that I've then put my own picture in.

@PopcornKettleBlack oh you've been missing a trick! I've picked up some great handbags and purses over the years! Picked up a fabulous crystal vase for £15; my best purchase yet and a candelabra which I upcycled. I buy Christmas cards there too. Not cheaper but much prefer the charity benefits from my spending. Start checking out the other goods. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Happy shopping!

Most of my clothes are from charity shops. I rarely go in with something particular in mind, and if I do it's quite generic, like "leather jacket", which led to my gorgeous Karen Millen one.

Recent purchases have been a gorgeous Per Una white maxi skirt, a cream silk Phase Eight top, a coral coloured Jaegar t shirt, a Wallis cream lace pencil skirt, and an embellished Lipsy waistcoat. All of them work together in different combinations, so I've got about 6-8 outfits from them.

I've also found designer jeans dirt cheap - 7 for all Mankind, and Paige - an Armani jacket, a pair of Christian La Croix shoes, and a pair of Diane Von Furstenburg trousers.

I used to hate charity shops but I love them now. I have a rummage most days and have picked up some high end clothes for a few quid. Makes me feel so good! Brilliant for kids toys and books as well

Jeans, children’s books and clothes, games, jigsaws, random things like drawer organisers and mail holders, wine bottle holder, Beano annuals, toys, costumes for school plays, music stands, a bird bath, a comfy armchair, garden bench...

Almost everything I own is from charity shops.

I have developed a great eye. I get clothes and household bits.

Last 2 trips I got a painting for £2 that's being sold on the artist's website for £150, a Delftware mug for £4 and a horse bronze for £3 that's being sold for £115 on Wayfair.

So much other stuff. A beautiful dinner set for £2 where each lye goes for £40 on eBay.

And I don't even know where to start with the clothes. Loads of high end high street and designer stuff.

Let me knowing you want tips!

I bought this little jug today

I sometimes get generic things like a denim jacket or smart black trousers. They can also be good for dresses for nice occasions, because often formal/smart dresses are given to shops hardly worn and, round my way at least, some good makes or even designer labels do turn up.

Glassware and knitting wool.

Almost everything. Nearly all my clothes are from charity shops. Also paintings, ornaments, vases etc for house. Books. Furniture has come from junk shops or off FB.

I reckon the only new thing in our house is our bed and mattress, to be honest.

I love all things MCM so I am always on the lookout for that kind of thing.
Good for costume jewellery as well.
I read a lot but for some reason I just don't like second hand books.
I used to buy clothes but not really these days

I buy a lot of clothes with the labels still on unworn. Best was a gorgeous Jaeger dress - cost £30, but bagged me a job after wearing it to the interview.

Today:
12 books- £10
Vase- £2
Levi's jeans- £2
Jumper- £6
Jumper- £2
Blouse for work- £2
Headscarf- £1
Lacoste hoodie for DS- £1
Jeggings for DD- £1
Sewing pattern- 50p

Usually looking for clothes. Got a gorgeous Ralph Lauren dress brand new with its £115 price label on for £20 last week.

Books

Jeans- often get lesser known designer demin for under a fiver- I've saved about £300 on my last three pairs of jeans!

Clothes in general, although it takes patience to sift through, I pop in to my local high street charity shop about 3 times a week but only find something about once or twice a fortnight but it's worth it.

I went in one last week and bought a backpack for £5 that was also on sale in Claires next door for £20!!

Clothes for the kids mainly, our local one sells everything for £1, I've had some great bargains, Next dresses with the £35 tags on, Monsoon dresses, Jasper Conran jeans.

I always have a look at the other bits there too, last week I bought a John Lewis picnic blanket with the tags on, a rug and a couple of Ainsley plant pots.

My Mum used to be a helper at Help The Aged and she said there were so many brand new things donated or barely used, you do of course get broken, useless things too but they never make it out onto the shelves.

I am a volunteer in a charity shop and I buy LOADS. (And always at full price, before people start trotting out the old shite about all volunteers going home with a bag of designer stuff for 10p).

The charity I work for gets bulk donations from large high street stores, often it's the sizes which haven't sold like 6 or 8, or 24 and 26. But occasionally it's better stuff. Last donation we had in I bought a pair of brushed cotton tartan jammie bottoms for DD (£4.99) and a grey cotton crew neck sweater for my Dad (£5.99) both brand new (although not with tags as the retailer asks us to remove them).

Since we've opened back up after the latest lockdown I've also bought:

A Mint Velvet navy cotton sweater blended with cashmere (£6.99)
A White Stuff loose slouchy sweater designed to wear with a long sleeve tee underneath (£5.99)
A pack of three Lush bath bombs for DD (£2.99)
A tube of Burt's Bees hand cream (£1.99)

Over the years I've had so much stuff from the big purchases like a Hobbs 100% wool coat still with the tags on for £20 to endless balls of yarn for knitting, craft supplies, a painting...

I am a MASSIVE charity shop fan.

Furniture, glassware, decanter, books etc.

Lasted addition is a 1930s bureau for £18. I'll paint it, replace a knob, and put a circular hole in the back for wires. All in it'll cost about £30. I can't buy a new one for that, let alone a decent one.
Once done it'll go in DDs bedroom so she can keep all her school crap in it and close when not in use. I love a bureau, really useful!
Bought a boxed set of LSA wine glasses for a fiver before too. They're lovely, but very delicate.

I'm currently on the look out for a 1ltr pyrex jug, a trifle dish and pudding bowls.
I buy at auction too, furniture (indoor and outdoor), dinner service and artwork.

You've just got to keep your eyes peeled for something you love and can use.

Old maps. I love old maps. When they have them in I buy all of them. Just wonderful record of history and the past industries. The older the map the better.

You can learn so much about an area from the old maps. Especially when you compare the area to the current maps.

Mainly books.

Most of my work clothes are from charity shops. I don't like clothes shopping and hate the faff of trying clothes on; if I buy clothes from a charity shop and when I get home I find that I don't like them or they don't fit then I can just return them and treat it like a donation to charity. If they were new, I'd have to try them on in the shop or try and get my money back if I didn't like them. Too much hassle either way.

Lots of toys and clothes for dd when she was little.

Jigsaws for my mum.

Try to avoid buying ornaments etc because there's too much clutter in the house already.