Best charity shop finds

[ellequick]

Inspired by the fact that I've just snapped this up for £25, from a charity shop near my work:

www.cosstores.com/gb/Pleated_panel_dress/228955-5833677.1#c-24481

And I love it! Tell me of your most beloved finds. Not necessarily expensive things, anything that you just adore.

Well £18 bob - plus alterations but yeah very jammy.

Red country casuals car coat £10

Kimchi I agree, some CSs are full of disposable fashion at prices not much below first hand. I guess there’s so much fast fashion these days and the good stuff which used to be handed in gets sold on eBay. However if you look hard enough some places still have quality items.

Burberry Mac, with wool liner, made in
England and never worn £10, M&S St Michael pink leather brogues £5 again unworn,
Planet dress which is very unusual and very unlike their frumpy stuff £2, Geox grey suede slingbacks £4, Basler top £3, a variety of other bits, but all my best buys seem to be items that are not recent, but unworn, where the quality is far better. My latest buy was a pair of brand new Russell and Bromley navy blue ballerinas, for £10, which are still in their shops for £175!!

I started doing better when I started thinking like an affluent donor: if I were in their shoes which shops would I chose? I realised that the one nearest my house might not be that convenient, that the one I passed on the way to work might be easier, especially if it had parking close by. Or that it might be a charity that meant something to me personally e.g. the local hospice.

I found that the best place for charity shops where I live isn't the most affluent neighbourhood - it's a group of shops in a studenty area, on a main road into the city centre and close to a free car part.

Respect Flo- that’s advanced level charity shop analysis !

I don’t think I’ve ever had a clothes bargain in a charity shop. Books yes. So I am v envious of all your finds. I donate lots - well a few - of nice things (Cos, whistles etc) and I often wonder where they go. I don’t see them in the same charity shop. Unless my stuff is so VERY nice that staff are snapping it up

Anyway I am a little green at your finds. I will take on board Flo’s tips and give it a go.

Thank you bob - maybe I'll do a paper on it

Hmmmm yes Flo, but there’s a dilemma- do you want everyone knowing your techniques? I guess if you keep it general . I’m probably selfish but I wouldn’t broadcast my best addresses.

I know - it's a dilemma! But on balance, I think it's better for everyone if people know where the good ones are and if they do well. My favourite charity shop of all (where I bought a VB shirt for £6.99 and walked away from Alexander Mcqeen and Vivienne Westwood) closed down because they couldn't afford the rent.

My winter coat, which is now on it's 4th winter, is grey wool and cashmere and was brand new with tags with a retail price of £135 and it cost me £7.99. it fits beautifully, is warm and still looks like new even after 4 years. I think it's an M&S brand one

I've also found brand new Dr Martens for under £20, some leather and velvet superga high tops brand new for around a fiver, I found a 50ml bottle of Clinque Happy perfume for £4. I've found all sorts, i love a good charity shop rummage. My latest find was a knee length denim skirt from Monsoon for £1.50, fits like ti was made for me

Yes Flo, I can see the point. It’s good to see the wider perspective.

IN days of yore, I dressed an eight piece band out of charity shop finds. Not sure that it would be possible now. I used to find fantastic ties and jackets, and even once managed a cream-grey window pane wool suit out of two different charity shops a few miles apart. It was too hot for stage wear; i got complained at for that one. This was Northern New Jersey.

A Jaeger wool coat (black and white with a touch of sparkle) for £20 from the local hospice shop. A beautiful Pinko dress for £8.50.

For DD a Tommy Hilfiger padded winter coat £4.50. She loves charity shop shopping too.

Live near Rochdale so not particularly affluent area.

Got a fab all saints black biker style jacket for £9.50 in a charity shop in Leeds a few days ago
Regularly find jaeger, whistles, jigsaw, phase 8 etc
I do trawl them very frequently though

Recent bargain white stuff jumper £4