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Charity Shop Bargain

62 replies

Cudz · 27/10/2024 17:14

I just had to share my charity shop bargain with you all. I've recently got into charity shops and I've bought quite a few nice things for me and my son but nothing I would class as a massive bargain, however today as I walked in I saw the most gorgeous vibrant pink winter coat in my size. It was only £12 and the label showed today's date so it had just gone out, so after trying it on and it fitting perfectly I bought it. The brand wasn't one I'd heard of before 'Damsel in a Dress' so I gave it a Google after I'd left and the coat is no longer available but retailed at £299!!!! It is in perfect condition - this has honestly made my week. I'd love to hear if any of you have had a better bargain x

OP posts:
IWillBeWaxingAnOwl · 28/10/2024 09:04

Yesterday I got a BNWT jigsaw dress for work for £5 and an Equipment Femme 100% cashmere jumper dress for a tenner! I was very happy and need to share with people who understand 😁

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 28/10/2024 09:14

A couple of years ago I got a beautiful MaxMara cashmere and wool coat for a tenner. My super-fashionable dd (23) has her eyes firmly on it. I wear it all the time.

isthismylifenow · 28/10/2024 14:01

I love this thread OP. And I love your new jacket as well. I hope you get so much enjoyment from wearing it.

I live in a not first world country and we get all the unsold items from the first world country charity shops. If you know where to go you can get jackets from one place, shoes from another etc etc.

My weakness are the jackets. I don't even live in a very cold climate, but sometimes I just cannot leave them and hence I have a vast collection.

I think my best find is the green pure wool coat from St Michaels (so I am thinking 70s or 80s). It fits just past my knee length, single breasted, and it has the most fabulous hood that is detachable. I call it my Harry Potter coat. I only got to wear it twice this winter just gone, when the temp really plummeted, but I am never parting with it. It is from the era of when sizings were a bit more real, it is size 12, but I am an 8 and it fits me well.

Some of the coats I have come across in there are unbelievable. Quite a few cashmere, which I can only imagine the price of when they were new.

But thanks to me snooping this board, I now recognize decent brands that are not really known here. Brands like Max Mara and the likes that don't readily make it this way.

I cannot recall the last time I bought something new. I actually got quite a shock when I did go into a shop, at the prices of new items that really are not that great at all.

BabstheBounder · 28/10/2024 14:08

What a gorgeous coat @Cudz !

I once got 2 metres of charcoal pinstripe wool material for the grand price of £2.50. I made a skirt out of it, then used the remaining offcuts for various toiles/practice attempts at bodices for things. Amazing quality.

I've never been so lucky with a charity shop since. Although I used to frequently get good quality material from a reuse and recycle shop near to where I used to live.

Cudz · 28/10/2024 14:18

I love hearing about all of your amazing charity shop finds! It really does give an adrenaline rush knowing you've bagged yourself a bargain! X

OP posts:
Jarviscockateel · 28/10/2024 16:20

I found this Ted Baker evening gown in our local charity shop for only £20. It even had pockets!

Charity Shop Bargain
NeedWineNow · 28/10/2024 16:26

@Jarviscockateel That is an amazing find, well done. The Cancer Research shop in our local town had a bobbly Ted Baker jumper today and it was £29.99!

CheerfulBunny · 28/10/2024 16:52

Not a garment, but I bought an oil painting in a charity shop for £20 which turned out to be worth over £200. But the best thing is that I absolutely love it and it has pride of place in our sitting room 😊

Charity Shop Bargain
southpawsofthenorth · 28/10/2024 17:19

Cudz · 27/10/2024 18:15

@Morven7 ah this one must work differently then as the woman who served me commented that the coat had only just gone out today and she wished that she'd put it aside for herself

I doubt they’re allowed to do that. Nothing decent would ever make it to the shop floor.

BadForBusiness · 28/10/2024 17:56

southpawsofthenorth · 28/10/2024 17:19

I doubt they’re allowed to do that. Nothing decent would ever make it to the shop floor.

It depends on the shop. Some let volunteers buy stuff after it's been out on the floor for a period of time, some let them buy things immediately if they've been independently priced by someone else, some let them buy things independently priced at a small discount, and some allow an absolutely free for all. After all if a staff member immediately buys something at the price it would have gone at to the general public then the shop hasn't lost out, as long as there's still a decent amount of quality goods being donated to get the punters coming through the door.

Each shop/chain tries to find a balance that recognises staff contributions without taking the piss, a few shops get it badly wrong and their volunteers exploit the system or flat out break the rules.

JaceLancs · 29/10/2024 22:43

Not much for me but DP bought 2 coats, 2 jumpers and 2 shirts last weekend in charity shops
Ralph Lauren, Barbour etc - spent £125 but well worth it
I was round the antique centres and bought some gold and Opal earrings, a gold bracelet and a stunning emerald and diamond brooch for Xmas presents - total £195

Beepbeepoutoftheway · 31/10/2024 08:31

@Cudz I love the coat - good find!

The funny thing is the day after you posted, I saw somebody wearing that exact coat! 😊

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