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Original poster

Would you buy work clothes in a charity shop?

90 replies

hpickup · 06/12/2013 13:29

I am desperate for some new clothes for the office, but being on a low salary and with Christmas can't afford new. Is it ok to buy from a charity shop or e-bay?

I am desperate - I am still in a cheap summer jacket as I don't have a winter coat. I have one business suit which I wear to work all the time as I have no other office clothes, and onlr one pair of work shoes which have ceral packets in them as there are holes in the soles!! Whenever it's wet i arrive in work with soaking feet

OP posts:

TheRobberBride · 06/12/2013 13:31

Yes of course.

If they are in good condition and appropriate then why on earth not?

I've found some brilliant clothed in charity shops.

OneLittleLady · 06/12/2013 13:32

I think it's fine, don't worry about where they come from, just go for what you can afford. No one has to know the clothes are from a charity shop unless you choose to tell them. As long as you pick out decent things with plenty of life left in them, I'll bet not a single person will be able to tell where you bought them

burnishedsilver · 06/12/2013 13:33

Yes, absolutely. Charity shops have some lovely things.

mysteryfairy · 06/12/2013 13:33

Based on what you've described as your current situation it would be mad not to! Another option is eBay...search on good workwear brands (Hobbs, jaeger maybe) and your size and you might pick up some bargains.

lambbone · 06/12/2013 13:37

Of course! And the best bet is to get yourself to the poshest town within easy reach. The charity shops in posh towns are awesome!

lottiegarbanzo · 06/12/2013 13:40

Oh yes, you have to shuffle through some odd stuff but there are brilliant things in there. I wouldn't (don't) give it a second thought, whether I can afford to buy new or not.

Ebay has some great bargains too, if you know what you want.

buttercrumble · 06/12/2013 13:40

Yes defiantly , I hate spending lots on work stuff

curlew · 06/12/2013 13:44

Why would it not be ok? You get clothes, the charity gets money and you're not contributing to the depletion of the worlds resources. And you're sticking it to The Man. Win/win/win/win situation!

SirChenjin · 06/12/2013 13:46

Yes - why on earth not? I'm a huge fan of charity shops - go to the naicest areas of town and it's amazing what you can find

Wednesbury · 06/12/2013 13:47

Yes definitely. I used to do this - worked in a posh area of a city. Got some great work wear in the nearby charity shops. You can get more things and better quality than buying new in the shops on the same budget. I know plenty of people who buy in charity shops. I think it's seen more and more as normal - it is the same as buying on eBay, really, only you are benefiting a charity. And you get to see and try the clothes first. I buy all my jeans in charity shops, at £4 a pair it doesn't matter about how frequently I wear them through at the knee crawling round after small kids. You get good makes too. There's a lot of good quality stuff in those places.

ShreddedHoops · 06/12/2013 13:48

Of course! I am returning to work on a budget next month. I have bought 7 dresses, carefully chosen to work with boots and tights now, and bare legs and shoes later. 1 from a charity shop, 4 from Ebay and 2 at 50% off in a sale. Sorted and all good brands, Hobbs, Whistles, Laura Ashley. Am waiting til after Christmas sales to get shoes, and am selling lots of things on Ebay atm to fund a designer handbag from Ebay and hopefully a sale smart coat too.

starofbethlehemfishmummy · 06/12/2013 14:01

Why not? You may habeas tks go through some tat in several shops to find what you need but I am sure younwill find something. I know people who have retired and immediately given their work clothes to charity shops so you may be lucky.

The only thing I would be fussy about are the shoes, but that's probably just me.

FetchezLaVache · 06/12/2013 14:04

Lol at "is it OK?" What do you think might happen- get summoned in by HR for an official warning? ;)

NorbertDentressangle · 06/12/2013 14:07

Of course its OK!

It's probably better than ebay too as you can try things on and avoid mistakes (eg. finding something doesn't fit despite being your size, or that something just doesn't look right on or is a bit more worn than a listing said).

And, of course, you're helping a charity.

TravelinColour · 06/12/2013 14:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NigellasLeftNostril · 06/12/2013 14:12

yes definitely and second the idea of going to the poshest town or area near you and hitting the charity shops there, you wouldnt believe what u might find!

VerySmallSqueak · 06/12/2013 14:13

I buy all clothes,pretty much,from charity shops - including my last wedding outfit.

YoucancallmeQueenBee · 06/12/2013 14:15

Currently at work wearing a very smart 100% merino wool jumper from GAP that I bought for £8 in a charity shop last week. I'm also wearing the suede boots I bought off ebay & arrived at work in a very smart Zara coat, also off ebay.

Only thing I purchased new (apart from tights & undies) was the skirt and that was from an outlet store at 50% off.

So, definitely yes!

Tiredemma · 06/12/2013 14:17

Most of my work stuff comes from the charity shop or ebay

Ephiny · 06/12/2013 14:21

Yes if there happened to be something nice and in good condition. I wouldn't rely on finding anything suitable, though, but you never know.

I've certainly donated good work clothes and shoes to charity shops (good brands, never-worn) just because I've bought the wrong size or something and not got around to taking it back for a refund. I'm sure I'm not the only one!

Floisme · 06/12/2013 14:30

Of course. However some charity shops are complete and utter shite. My local one is a thoroughly depressing experience and it's not like I live in The Bronx. So, as others have said, take a trip to the most affluent part of town and while you're there don't just go round the charity shops but look out for car boots and jumble sales too.

Original poster

hpickup · 06/12/2013 14:35

Thank you all so much - you have really cheered me up. Walking in this AM I was so cold and my shoes were still wet I was in tears. Thank you

OP posts:

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 06/12/2013 14:36

I've given things (not designer , I don't buy those) but recognisable names, and I haven't even worn them .
Labels still on.

So you might get some brand new with tags .

Anything that needs to, you can dry clean.

CointreauVersial · 06/12/2013 23:17

Yes, yes, Yes! Definitely find a smart town, as the charity shops sell better stuff.

Around half of my work clothes come from charity shops. Trousers, shirts, skirts, coats and jackets in fairly classic styles don't age much, so are well worth buying, however jumpers and jersey items in great condition are harder to come by.

I have stuff from Karen Millen, Banana Republic, Jigsaw, DKNY....All picked up for peanuts.

fossil971 · 06/12/2013 23:21

Totally. Find one in a posh part of town and look for Next , M& S or better brands. Work clothes are good for secondhand because blouses, tailored trousers etc wear much better than T-shirts and casual stuff. People normally just get rid because they're bored of things.

I also use ebay where I'm sure of sizing, if you have a little more to spend TKMaxx can have really good smart clothes around £15-£20 a piece.

I've just been to a Christmas do wearing my charity shop party dress.

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