Charity Shops - good tips?

[ZeldaWasMyGransName]

In the market for some new bits and I know some people have found things they love in charity shops.

I like the idea of not buying new and that I might save some money, but wanted to know if anyone had any good tips on how to find stuff, sorts of things to look for?

Yes, have an idea of what you fancy, know what colours suit you, and which labels are good quality and likely to fit you well, and drop in every week. Check the armpits for anything that's been worn next to the skin.

Currently getting a lot of wear out of an immaculate Hobbs dress/jacket suit which was discounted to seven quid, and the weather is improving to the point where I can take off my winter coats and start wearing my extensive collection of charity shop velvet blazers. They're exactly the sort of thing I love to look for - because they're so quirky that they'd be too risky, extravagant and expensive purchase to buy new, but for a tenner I'll take a punt on impulse and end up wearing them to death.

Read this this morning and then just picked up this which looks unworn m.portmans.com.au/shop/m20/en/portmans/tops-portmans/sleeveless-polished-peplum-top for a fiver! Very pleased indeed.

I would look at everything you like regardless of size on hanger. One of my favourite cashmere cardi's was ingnored by many because it was US sized but marked up in uk sizing. So massive on the British size 10's but a perfect fit for me!

Definitely go not looking for anything. You never know.I have just rebought two of my favourite boots because I found them nearly unworn in my size. One of the winter pairs was £25 in the charity shop but I had purchased them many years before in a outlet for £15. They are my face winter boots so I was pleased to find a second pair even at nearly twice the price. The other was a pair of unusual converse also which I never thought I'd get again.

On sizing - this has changed considerably over the years and something from the 70s marked as a 14 is more like a 10 these days, or an 8 in some shops.

Don't really agree that Monday is the best hunting day either - although it's definitely true that Saturday is the peak day for donations. Our shop gets so many bags on a Saturday that we're still going through them on the following Friday. New stuff is hitting the rails all the time. At the moment, we;re also working through summer stock which has come in over the winter and has been in storage - no point trying to sell summer floaty dresses when it's snowing.

Weekday mornings are quieter though and you'll have a chance to browse. If it's quiet I'm also more able to help customers and hunt through the back for a pair of shoes in a particular size or see if we have any pink handbags, for example. When it's busy we just haven't the time.

For years, I bought most of my clothes in charity shops in the USA. Feel for textures, as quality is instant under your fingers. Good fabrics feel wonderful and if the manufacturer has used good fabric to start with, then there is something to work with. I would like to sew better to salvage items.

Have a look at your local hospice shop. You are not just supporting an independent charity close to home but people will, for sad reasons, donate an entire wardrobe including all the bits that never ever got worn which everyone has in their cupboards. It then becomes the family's go to shop so you get donations to suit all ages and styles.

Did my first trip in today and there were some lovely things! Nothing in my size this week but thanks for all the responses, great tips and so nice to hear about things other people have found that they are please with.

Agree with everyone else. Go in regularly, and with an open mind. If you are looking for something specific, you will probably be disappointed, but be ready to buy something even if you might not have an occasion to wear it, in mind. I've bought some lovely things in charity shops that I've later worn to weddings or posh 'dos' of other sorts.

I like to buy second hand but I have to say that where I live, I recommend dress agencies and vintage stores rather than charity shops. I used to systematically 'work' the charity shops but these days I only bother in January, when everyone has a clear out. The rest of the time, even in the affluent areas round here, people sell on their decent stuff. A lot of so-called 'vintage' is only a few years old so don't be put off by the name.

Wherever you look, my other tip is to be rigorous about whether it suits and (unless you can get it altered) whether it fits. .

Here's a good lesson in the rewards of visiting often. Today I went to an area in my city where there are 5 charity shops close together. Not an especially well off area but I've found a few nice things before. So today I found a size 16, virtually unworn, lovely red coat from Coast for £20!!

There isn't even a Coast in my city so wasn't expecting that! Had to come on here and tell you all about it...

Well done! At the start of autumn last year I had in my head I needed a smart-ish winter coat, something other than an anorak. Weeks went by without me seeing anything, finally found a brand new, still with the tags on Hobbs 100% wool coat and fell in love - manager priced it at £20 and I was totally delighted. Have had so many compliments while wearing it.

I am also keeping my tween-age daughter supplied with Hollister hoodies at £5 or £6 a pop - there's no way she would even consider spending £30 on a new one.

be ready to buy something even if you might not have an occasion to wear it, in mind.

Yes to this!!