To still buy clothes from charity shops?

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

Been discussed on MN before but would appreciate some help getting my head around a heated debate last night.

I’ve bought clothes from charity shops ever since I started work over 30 years ago. Couldn’t afford a full work wardrobe, discovered charity shops and never looked back.
I am now financially very comfortable. I still browse the charity shops, and still buy from there If I see something that looks like new that I really like. I also buy books and other things eg an old fashioned trifle bowl and some unusual vases.
Somehow the conversation came round to charity shops at my book club last night. I know from previous discussions that most of them wouldn’t dream of buying second hand clothes. A few of us do - the need to spend money wisely never leaves you and I’ll admit to loving the thrill of finding a bargain.
So we revisited that old discussion but with the added very vocal suggestion that it is incredibly wrong of us to continue buying clothes from charity shops in the current economic climate, as we are taking away the opportunity for people struggling financially to buy those clothes.
I was taken aback at the strength of feeling about this, quite vitriolic.
I’d accept it more if we were rinsing the shops and if the shops were short of stock. But between us I think we had bought 10 items this year; we have at least 7 charity shops in our small town centre (all well stocked) and the next town similar.
While I appreciate the charity benefits whoever buys from them, I am now conflicted. I honestly can’t see that buying a few bits from a charity shop is taking stuff away from those that need it (on the basis that there is plenty of stock in the shops, of which there are many). On the other hand maybe they have a valid point. But then if those clothes didn’t get bought the charity would lose out.
I’ve been going round and round on this since I woke up, hence posting. Re-reading this it does sound like I am making something out of nothing but the accusations became quite unpleasant, and I found myself unusually shaken by them so am just trying to process it.
Thank you for reading, sorry it got so long!

I love shopping in charity shops... you never know what you'll find, and you can't beat the thrill of finding a label you can't normally afford. I also but things like wine glasses as I'm a bit clumsy and keep breaking them, and I have a huge stack of white china charity shop plates that I bring out at parties! With clothes I have a personal "rule" that I'm not allowed to buy a brand I can easily afford new - like F&F or Tu for example.. however this is just to stop myself buying piles of tat, rather than for social reasons.
As many others have posted, the point of charity shops are to raise money for the charity. The ones I go to are always rammed with stock, and sometimes have signs asking people not to leave donations, so I hardly think I am taking from others. I also donate used clothes, especially children's wear.
Plus there is the reduction of wastage inherent in charity shopping. I think those who object so strongly are just trying to show their own positions as "caring, socially aware individuals", and trumpeting it to all. Is this what is called "Virtue Signalling"? I'm not 100% sure it's the right terminology!!

As someone on a very limited budget I’ve always shopped second hand and always will. I would much rather buy a better quality second hand item than something from say primark that 5000 people also have. Keep shopping in charity shops. Even a lot of their stuff ends up in landfill. If we can reduce this then job well done.

Yes, you should keep shopping in charity shops a d buying second hand where possible.

Better for the charity and better the environment.

Charity shops don't exist for those who can't afford brand new.

You can afford to buy clothes from the charity shop? Stealth boast.