Could I get a new work wardobe from charity shops?

[Jemster]

I'm back to work after maternity leave in March. I have literally nothing to wear as I am not the same size I was, and not much money as my mat pay has finished.

I've heard people say you can get some bargains in charity shops. We have a lot here but I've always felt funny about buying clothes from them. Now I'm thinking maybe worth a look to try and kit myself out in some new stuff for work. What do you think, anyone done this and got nice stuff?

I think you would. Today I popped out on my lunch break and got a cream cashmere jumper for £8! Last week a pair of unworn Hobbs ballet pumps for £14.99.

I personally wouldn't buy trousers unless they are new but dresses, shoes, skirts, tops, bag etc just go for it.

Go for natural fibres and stick to things that look newish. Banardos and Marie Curie have a good choice normally.

Let me know if you succeed and what 'discoveries' you make

I work next door to my local cancer research shop and have had some fantastic bargains, brand new new knee length clarks black leather boots £10, Boden tea dress as new £8, new Superdry hoodie (teenage son) £8. I pop in most days so I do really well in there, I love a bargain.

Thanks Tweet you got some nice things then, I guess it's a case of hunting through it all. I don't think I need loads as I only work mornings. Would natural fibres be able to be machine washed? I've never handwashed anything and not really sure I'll have time with two little ones.

Gosh Gucci how exciting, great bargains. Do they label things 'new' or can you just tell?

Cotton, a lot of wool and some silk can be washed unless very high end. I throw most in the washer at 30 degrees unless very expensive/fragile.

Try and create a list of what you are looking for and go hunting! E.g:

White shirt
Grey jumper
Black cardi
2 x black skirt
2 x jersey dress
1 x boots
1 x small heel shoe
1 x work bag

Based on my 'finds' you'd be able to get the lot above for around £50/£60 and that would all be high end/designer if you're lucky to be in store at the right time!

Jemster there is nothing wrong with charity shop clothes, it's just a case of going in and looking for things you like in your size.

Work clothes in particular are easy to find in charity shops, they always have shirts, trousers and skirts of good quality.

Go and have a look.

Jemster just look at the clothes, you don't need to buy 'new' things, just buy things you like that are in good condition.

Then wash them when you get home.

Entire wardrobe, no. Vital bits and pieces, yes. I drop into local charity shops when I'm passing to stock up on cheap basics for DCs (jeans, wellies, winter coats and party frocks) so I always glance at the women's rails - I've got a nice suit, some good coats and jumpers over the years. Look at the labels to see if they can be machine washed, and be very very fussy about condition and quality but think creatively about fit - your local tailor can work wonders.

You can most definitely get work wardrobe from charity shops. Before I worked in my current job, I was absolute skinny jeans, converse and top girl. When I got a part time job in an office, I didn't want to spend all my money on clothes that i would 'only wear to work', esp as I wasnt used to wearing skirts etc. I found some fab bargains in charity shops and love love love it. You can try things that you wouldnl't normally buy and be very pleasantly surprised by trying diff styles. And if after a while you don't like it, it didn't cost you much and the money went to charity! Its a win win as far as im concerned. My friends are always amazed that I can dress so well, just from charity shops. In fact I don't like buying brand new now and adding to land fill. Give it a whirl, go to an area with 'money' and you get the best stuff. Good luck and good luck with the new job!

I'm fine with non new clothes but I was wondering about the shoes and boots which I would prefer to buy new. I get arthritis in my feet so I probably need to stick my usual places to get shoes anyway to make sure they're comfy.

I recently bought some gorgeous things for work in charity shops - a perfect Jigsaw blazer jacket (£8), a lovely Jaeger jacket (£8) and Jaeger trousers (£6), plus an absolutely divine mohair Jaeger coat in absolutely perfect condition. My tip would be to go to charity shops in affluent areas. When I lived in London, I used to go round the charity shops on Kings road in Chelsea, once got a pair of Chanel court shoes for a fiver as well as many other choice finds. Agree that you should always go for natural fibres as these will show less wear and last better. You do just need to be patient and go often and not expect to get everything in one go!

Otherwise TK Maxx can also be good, I get nice pure wool knitwear there for £15. Uniqlo also worth a gander for basic white shirts etc. Agree you can usually wash most natural fibre things on a cool delicates cycle in the machine.

Most of the new ones still have the original shop labels on them.

I've got a lot from charity shops. Don't just look at labels. If you run your hand across a rack of clothes, quality material will jump out at you, and you may find some lesser known labels which are great quality.

Check all clothing for tears, missing buttons, ripped seams, and most importantly, moths. For some reason these seem to be more prevalent in charity shop finds so if there are any small holes, no matter how hidden, avoid the item.

I agree with a PP that charity shops in afluent areas are often better for expensive items, but you will probably find that items also cost more too.

I've found Jaeger, genuine Louis Vuitton, Armani, Fenn Wright Manson, Donna Karan and a host of other labels during my years. You do learn to have an eye for quality items, and you also need to learn patience. You can go to 20 shops and find nothing, then another day you'll go and every shop will have 3 or 4 absolute gems.

I have often got some really good bargains in charity shops. You just need to have the time to go through the rails and seek out the quality item in your size from the tat. One tip have a good look at each garment before you buy, There is often a stain or snag which could ruin it for work.

I always think that tk maxx is more expensive than I expect it to be. Im always shocked by how much stuff costs in there. am a cheapskate tho.

You could try ebay as well - I have got some very nice work clothes from there for a song. In fact today I have on Duo boots (£20), Boden t-shirt (£4) M&S skirt (£1) - of course you have to factor in postage but theres more choice and sometimes you can get 2 or 3 bits from one buyer and get postage reduced.

I was going to say Ebay, I've had some great bargains on there.

I have bought things from ebay before but they almost always don't quite fit and then I end up reselling for less than I paid! I did ask once in the charity shop if something didn't fit could I return it and they said yes so this might be a safer option for me. Agree there is some lovely styff on ebay at great prices.

I would try eBay particularly if you know what sizes you fit from which shops. I have bought some lovely stuff from eBay including a suit and a lovely winter coat.

I have had some amazing work stuff from TK - a Viv Westwood Red Label skirt for £30 and a Moschino pencil skirt for £20. One of my favourite work skirts is a coated cotton knee length number that looks like leather and was £3 from the British heart foundation! I also have a lovely navy blue leopard print LKB wrap dress that came to me via eBay.

I was in my local charity shop the other day and tried on a leather Raoul dress, a BNWT Anglomania and a pair of Marc Jacobs trousers. I have 1970s Gucci handbag that cost me £9 from Oxfam. You would be amazed at what you might find!