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Original poster

Charity shops - do you or don't you and why?

84 replies

VoluptuaGoodshag · 06/03/2008 11:37

Just curious. I'm a huge fan and have picked up some wonderful bargains. On wearing one particular ensemble which was attracting many admiring glances my DH mentioned that I'd got it in a charity shop. It was interesting to see the expression on people's faces. Some were a sort of 'good for you, that's great' type. Others looked completely aghast as if I was wearing something that smelled.

OP posts:
mishymoo · 06/03/2008 11:39

I do occasionally. Never find anything for my DS though. You do have to be careful as they seem to be getting more expensive these days

Wuxiapian · 06/03/2008 11:40

I like charity shops.

They have become quite expensive, though. But then, they're businesses now - with managers and staff to pay.

taipo · 06/03/2008 11:45

Haven't bought anything for myself from one for ages but then I haven't bought anything new clothes for myself either.
They're great for children's books.

jellies · 06/03/2008 11:47

Agree with the childrens books.. I've bought some really good shoes formysef which have so obviosly never stepped outside!

jesuswhatnext · 06/03/2008 15:03

my dd 16, has a very individual 'vintage style', last weekend we found the most wonderful 60s coat/dress affair, superb quality £20, makes dd look very young jackie o!

i am sooo

i would look real frumpy mummpy

widgypog · 06/03/2008 20:08

my sister is a manager of a charity shop so I get first dibs on all the cool stuff....how cool is that? except I don't live in Knightsbridge and the stuff isn't that good !!! he ho I live in the hope that posh might fancy a trip to the countryside!!!

rantinghousewife · 06/03/2008 20:11

The only clothes I buy for myself, are from the charity shop. Yes, I am entirely clothed in other peoples' cast offs.
Incidentally the best dressed person I know only buys her clothes in charity shops. Unfortunately, the fact we both only shop in charity shops is where the similiarity ends.

expatinscotland · 06/03/2008 20:12

Not so often anymore because I'm out in the sticks.

But in Edinburgh, absolutely! My first port of call.

All of our furniture is from a charity shop.

rantinghousewife · 06/03/2008 20:13

Oh and the why, mainly because I loathe most high street offerings and I pick (or try for) style over fashion.

Carmenere · 06/03/2008 20:13

Yes I do occasionally. My friend is incredibly talented at buying real quality items and gets stupendous bargains. He got a GORGEOUS Prada leather coat for 20 quid once. But he does live beside Goodge st and lots of very wealthy folks donate in that area. However he was in my local charity shop and picked up a gorgeous really really good quality cashmere sweater for me for 2 quid. It is one that easily cost a couple of hundred quid when it was new (I know because I have cheapo ones too - this one is a world apart).
I more usually buy books rather than clothes in them but I think that is because the area I live in the clothes are usually crap.

KaySamuels · 06/03/2008 20:14

I do and have had some fab bargains. Only recently started buying clothes for myself and have some lovely bits and bobs already. I usually look for clothes for ds, books and toys.

I usually get a bargain, something I couldn't afford full price, plus it helps the environment and the charity. Best retail therapy ever IMO.

expatinscotland · 06/03/2008 20:14

High street stuff never fits me properly, especially trousers.

Before we moved here, I bought all my clothes in charity shops or they were gifts from my sister or mother.

muppetgirl · 06/03/2008 20:16

Yes we do, we love a good rummage here in muppetland...

They are getting alittle expensve though -£4 for a toy car the other day ds got told he was having the 50p one

needmorecoffee · 06/03/2008 20:16

get all the kids clothes there when they are little. They grow so fast so whats the point in spending 8 quid on one cardi when it lasts a month?
I also like the 'recycling' and green elements.
I don't think I've ever paid for a kids coat 'new'

Posey · 06/03/2008 20:16

Love them! A new one has just opened up near me where the stuff is brill, not overpriced, and the assistants are friendly and say thank-you if you take stuff in too.
Recently bought a brand new PVC-type tablecloth for nursery messy play for £1, and a fab Monsoon top also for £1.
All sorts of lovely stuff and because of all the reasons stated above, I pop in a couple of times a week on my way home from swimming.

Mercy · 06/03/2008 20:18

I do.

Books, videos, only occasionally clothes, knick-knacks.

rantinghousewife · 06/03/2008 20:20

Ah the price. You have to pick your charity shops carefully to get a bargain nowadays. More often than not Oxfam and Cancer Research are the dearest and tend to have the less interesting stuff in imo (or they do round here).
My favourite one is a local animal charity one which is like a huge treasure chest, amazing stuff in that one and cheap too. Followed by the OAP ones, they usually have more unusual, better quality stuff too.

ShakeysGirl · 06/03/2008 20:20

I do all our clothes and toy shopping in charity shops and agree that they are getting expensive! I used to be ashamed because i was doing it of necessity rather than choice but have realised that even if i could afford high street shops i would still shop at charity shops and i love them!

TurkeyLurkey · 06/03/2008 20:24

I love having a look round charity shops for bargains. Got some of the kids clothes there, plus books for all of us and videos for the kids. I've picked up all the Disney films there...whats the point in waiting for the expensive Disney DVD to come out when you can get the video for 50p?

Am on the lookout for a coat for DS at the moment.

southeastastra · 06/03/2008 20:26

there are so many old ladies in them, they're scary

muppetgirl · 06/03/2008 21:32

The british heart foundation in hungerford is extortionate....

Ebay is better. Got ds 1 clothes on there lovely monsoon clothes we'd never buy (love the boys jumpers/cardi's quite unlike anyone elses)

Hulababy · 06/03/2008 21:38

I go and have a browse occasionally. Normally if I arrive too early at school after work, I walk down to the shops 2 minutes away and have a wander. There are about 4 or 5 charity shops there. Because of the area they are in you can get some really good quality stuff for very reasonable prices. Have to admit I don't tend to buy clothes though but often pick up books esp for DD.

Smithy · 06/03/2008 21:40

I get pretty much all my stuff in charity shops. Have a selection criteria - i.e. label (Gap jeans, Fat Face, White Stuff, Per Una, Next). Then must co-ordinate with rest of wardrobe colourwise. Then must be right size (obviously). Have got some fab bargains! Get odd bits for ds1 and ds2 and occasionally dh too!

harpsichordcarrier · 06/03/2008 21:46

yes, I do.
I buy a lot of books and toys, very rarely clothes for the dds (nothing there, usually) but I do buy clothes for me.
most of dds clothes are second hand (hand me downs and NCT nearly new sales)

Fimbo · 06/03/2008 21:47

I live in a village and ours is quite good. I have a brand new Boden bag which was £1 (still had the wrappers round the handle) and last week I got brand new Birkies for £2.

I tend to only buy stuff that is new though or books.