So I've bought some good bargains since my mother-in-law opened my eyes to charity shop shopping. A plastic messy play mat, "The Jolly Postman" book, a xylophone just like Peso's in Octonauts. I've also picked up some lovely books, clothes and toys from a NCT Nearly New Sale last year. Its such a good feeling to buy something for a fraction of the price that will do exactly the same job as something brand new and full priced. I haven't, however, ever been charity shop shopping for myself.
I think the reason for this is that I somehow felt that second-hand clothes wouldn't look as good. Or as in fashion. Or as clean. I think some of these preconceptions have changed as I've become more comfortable with who I am. I love fashion, but I don't follow it. I know what styles I like and I know what styles look good for my body shape, so I buy accordingly. And as for the clean issue, I've got really good at laundry and did I mention I had two boys? I've had to let a lot of my compulsions about extreme cleanliness go!
As I've also mentioned, my mother-in-law is a charity shop genius. I've been toying with the idea for a while about buying clothes from one, so I've been listening to her many tips. Like that many charity shops have a donations/ sorting day on a regular basis. Once you get to know a charity shop you can be there to peruse the new stuff. Also, if you're anywhere "posh" then check out the charity shops. I hear Alderley Edge and parts of Cheshire can be brilliant if you're there at the right time. Yesterday I visited Holmfirth and I'll definitely be making a trip back to their charity shops.
Another thing that I'm learning from my mother-in-law is that a smile costs nothing. Just talking to the volunteers will not only enhance the experience as a whole, it also makes people more willing to help. This was shown to me in our local Sue Ryder shop, the volunteer said that if I ever have my hands full (with my boys) but see something in the window that I could pop in and quickly ask for it to be saved. Genuine people, genuine community.
I think in a sense that's what I like about charity shopping on my local high street. It encourages a sense of community, a way of helping in these economically hard times.
So for £10.30 last week, I bought a dress, a tunic and a pair of shorts at our local hospice and Sue Ryder shop. All three are exactly what I wanted for the remaining summer days. They all washed nicely and I'm pleased with my purchases.
Here's my own top tips for charity shopping:
- Donate as well as shop when you can and make sure you gift aid if you can as this adds an extra amount onto the sale when your item is sold.
- Get to know your local shops. Some shops can often seem to get more of one thing than another. For instance, the Francis House shop in Didsbury seems to get a lot of toys donated.
- Look at what you need and make a mental note of your accessories, then shop around this.
- Get to know the staff in your shops. They are usually lovely volunteers and will try their hardest to find what you want.
- Check the labels for dry cleaning. You don't want to find you've bought something wholly impractical to launder.
- Try it on - most shops will have a modest fitting room. If not then you may end up having to donate them item back again.
So how about you? Any top thrift/ charity shop tips out there? Do you charity shop? What's your best find?
