Lets talk about Charity (thrift) shopping.
I am not sure about how things work overseas, but in the UK charity shops can be a hit or a miss.
{Warning: 90% miss!}
There is often a jumble of (quite frankly) over-priced tat.
I see many cheap, and nasty, tops, jumpers and dresses...bobbly, stained and priced at a silly price points.
Sometimes more than they were originally!
Then there is the smell.
Fousty.
Damp.
"Old lady".
... or worse!!
Yuck.
I'm not painting a very attractive picture am I?
After reading that, it might be hard to believe that I love charity shopping.
In fact, I can't walk past a shop without having...
"Just a quick look, 5 minutes, honestly!".{Cue the collective groan from my family}
Yes, there are plenty of over worn (and worn out) clothes to look through...
But, then.
Hello!
A real gem.
See some of my favourite Charity shop finds here...
In fact, most of my outfits involve at least one secondhand item.
Sometimes the whole look!
Last Saturday I was having a look through one of the local charity shops, ready to discover that hidden 'gem'.
There were some gorgeous vintage 80's clothes (I assume someone had a big clear out) and a few nice pairs of high-street-designer shoes.
Unfortunately the clothes were a 14-16, and the shoes a 6.
Never mind.
Better luck next time.
As I was leaving, I decided to have a quick rummage through the jewellery.
It is usually a tangle of really cheap (and uninspiring) pieces.
All priced at £3.00.
All worth no more than 50p!
I don't hold out hope of finding anything.
BUT.
Today (amongst the tangle) was this necklace.
Not only is it chunky and colourful (which is right up my street) but it is also one of my favourite colours!
Delicious knobbly chunks of vibrant turquoise.
Perfect to add life to any look.
£3.00 very well spent!
It may come as no surprise to you that this outfit started with a necklace.
A beautiful, full of character, full of colour, necklace!
Simple dark wash jeans, and a blush coloured jumper (last seen here) are lifted out of the doldrums with this pop of turquoise.
Burgundy brogues (with a tartan design) seemed the obvious choice of footwear.
Comfortable and practical, with just enough personality to compliment, without competing with, the necklace.
They have touches of turquoise in the tartan panel, subtle but effective.
This beautiful necklace goes to prove that popping into a charity shop for a 5 minute rummage is well worth the effort.
Every now and again something special will be lurking, and could be yours for the price of a coffee!
What's not to love about that?
Hmmm.
Well, I know for sure that some people really hate charity shops, and I totally understand why...
- Outfits are hard to visualise.
- Colours are random. {Although there is a shop near me that hangs everything in groups of colour, which is really pleasing to the eye...like a rainbow!}
- The general messiness.
- The lack of sizes.
- The chaotic nature of the whole experience.
- Old clothes can be unappealing.
- Rifling through rubbish can be disheartening.
- Not to mention the smell...did I mention that?!
A clean, ordered and well presented shop is much more appealing.
- Outfits are laid out for you.
- Colours compliment each other.
- The sizes are reliable {Although, not always these days!}.
- Styles are safe and socially acceptable.
- There is little danger of looking eccentric or "different".
- Fabrics are modern and (usually) washable.
- Items are new.
I really enjoy both types of shopping experience.
{As long as it involves coffees and lunch...like this!}
But, if I had to choose, I would pick a rummage through a charity shop over a high-street shop, any day!
Over to you...
How do you feel about charity shopping?
Do you love it?
Or, can you not be bothered rummaging through the tat?
Please share your thoughts on this in the comments.
Or Contact me!
Feel free to leave a link (or email me a photo) and share any charity shop finds that you are particularly proud of.
I love reading your comments, and would love to see some of those hidden gems!
NECKLACE: Charity shop (This necklace is similar)
JEANS: H&M (similar)
JUMPER: Primark (this one is cool)
GLASSES: Fenchurch
BAG: Rosetti (this one is lovely)
BROGUES: Clarks (these are cool, and half price!)
SHOP the LOOK
I love rummaging in charity shops. I've found some lovely things - I bought a Laura Ashley coat for less than a tenner. It cost that to have it dry cleaned but it was worth it. I've picked up some nice jewellery too - some I take apart and make into other pieces. That turquoise necklace is beautiful and really pops against the blush jumper!
ReplyDeleteEmma xxx
www.style-splash.com
Thank you for sharing Emma. It always makes me laugh when you find a beautiful coat for a tenner next to a grotty fleece jacket for the same price! Who decides what should cost what? That coat sounds like £20 well spent! :oD XXX
DeleteI love rummaging in charity shops. I've found some lovely things - I bought a Laura Ashley coat for less than a tenner. It cost that to have it dry cleaned but it was worth it. I've picked up some nice jewellery too - some I take apart and make into other pieces. That turquoise necklace is beautiful and really pops against the blush jumper!
ReplyDeleteEmma xxx
www.style-splash.com
What a great find!!!
ReplyDeleteJaymie
www.jaymieashcraft.com
It's cool isn't it? Thank you Jaymie. XXX
DeleteI'm finding that I enjoy charity shopping more and more simply because the items are SO affordable. It sounds like here in the US we also have a greater variety of second hand clothing purchasing options. There are different types of thrift shops (profit making businesses), then there are charity shops ( where profits go to training workers at the shop to become more skilled and employable) and there are consignment shops where items are used but must still be "on trend" and gently worn. You find lots of designer clothing, purses, boots, and shoes in these shops and the shop owner pays you for your clothes (%) up front or when they sell.
ReplyDeleteI've found my hottest bargains in the charity shoppes, a place called Goodwill. I found an Italian leather, floral printed, handbag. I literally saw it from 50 yards away and quickly floated to it and snapped it up! I found a genuine shearling sheep vest that I embellished with silver beads and turquoise nuggets at the yoke. Lastly, I found a black leather pencil skirt. Every one of these items were $10.00. We'll worth the money.
I feel more creative energy in these kinds of stores because I have to do the styling and imagining myself. I LOVE the adventure of "the hunt" and bagging a fabulous, stylish bargain!!!!
I'm finding that I enjoy charity shopping more and more simply because the items are SO affordable. It sounds like here in the US we also have a greater variety of second hand clothing purchasing options. There are different types of thrift shops (profit making businesses), then there are charity shops ( where profits go to training workers at the shop to become more skilled and employable) and there are consignment shops where items are used but must still be "on trend" and gently worn. You find lots of designer clothing, purses, boots, and shoes in these shops and the shop owner pays you for your clothes (%) up front or when they sell.
ReplyDeleteI've found my hottest bargains in the charity shoppes, a place called Goodwill. I found an Italian leather, floral printed, handbag. I literally saw it from 50 yards away and quickly floated to it and snapped it up! I found a genuine shearling sheep vest that I embellished with silver beads and turquoise nuggets at the yoke. Lastly, I found a black leather pencil skirt. Every one of these items were $10.00. We'll worth the money.
I feel more creative energy in these kinds of stores because I have to do the styling and imagining myself. I LOVE the adventure of "the hunt" and bagging a fabulous, stylish bargain!!!!
Ooooo your finds sound great Judy! Especially that shearing vest...and the handbag.
DeleteI have spotted items from across the shop before and made a bee-line! Such a thrill isn't it? Bagging something that gets your creative juices flowing is a great thrill. :oD XXX
Love the turquoise necklace. I also really enjoy charity shopping, but the smell... Ooft, minging. And the choice sometimes... £5-£8 for a top ex Primark or similar just isn't realistic. But sometimes there's a gem - I got a Saint Laurent top four £5 in a charity shop on Dalry Road once. 100% silk and gorgeous
ReplyDeleteMinging indeed! (I love that word). The ex-primark £5 price tags are laughable, especially when they are hanging alongside your Saint Laurent silk beauty. That sounds like a real score :oD XXX
DeleteI am a huge fan of thrifting. In fact, I now find shopping in regular stores boring. There isn't as much variety, it doesn't fuel my creative senses. Yes, the smell can be bad, but the treasures waiting to be discovered are worth it.
ReplyDeletebisous
Suzanne
I wish we could go thrifting together Suzanne! I am sure you could show me a thing or two and we could share the thrill of the hunt.... then the elation of a great find. :o).
DeleteI agree totally about the smell being worth it for the chance of finding that treasure. XXX
I like the Mary Portas Save the Children shops - tend to stock better items, laid out as you suggest, although also tend to be pricier. Sometimes benefit from new goods donated by brands - picked up a much loved Boden denim skirt v cheaply this way. Am attempting to set myself a challenge this autumn - no new clothes unless purchased in a charity shop! It will be interesting to see if I can hold myself to this...
ReplyDeleteSam, that sounds like a great challenge! What a lot of fun.... especially if you have better quality shops to look in. Please let me know how you get on!!
DeleteAre there any pieces you struggle to find? I always have trouble with jeans....they all seem to be half mast or boot fit. I daydream of finding a perfect pair of worn-in wrangler or Levis. Unfortunately this has not happened yet. Keep me posted on your success. :oD
I love puttering in thrift shops. As Marilee says, we have many options in the U.S., but sometimes the rummage or jumble sales are my favorite. Then when the gorgeous gem emerges from the bottom of the heap, it's as if the angels sing!
ReplyDeleteI'm a sometime beader. I'm afraid what you have there is dyed howlite, not turquoise--the uniform color is the giveaway. Still a very pretty necklace. Here is a photo showing some howlite beads: http://rocktumbler.com/blog/dyed-howlite-the-turquoise-impostor/
I did suspect that it was dyed Howlite Velma...my friend is a keen gemstone collector and was casting here beady eye over it (pardon the pun). She said she thought it was real, but perhaps she was being kind. I would never sell it anyway (as dyed howlite or turquoise) I love it too much!
DeleteThe turquoise colour is so rich and delicious...I'll forgive it anything :oP
You are right about jumble sales. You can't beat that feeling!
Thank you for taking the time to comment and leaving your link. XXX
I love the idea of getting a deal at the thrift stores!!
ReplyDeleteIt's almost like sharing clothing with your friend or neighbor!!
Your necklace was an excellent find Samantha!!
But you know I have to comment on those shoes----love them!!
jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh Jodie, thank you for mentioning my little burgundy brogues...they are "knocking on a bit" now but I still love them (and they look like new...no scuffs or anything) XXX
DeleteOMG!can t believe you bought the dresses and the bag in a charity shop! Btw, I bought the same jumper, but I never shop at charity shops just because of the smell! Perhaps I should give it a Chance, next time when I am in the UK I will look for one and visit it!
ReplyDeleteOMG!can t believe you bought the dresses and the bag in a charity shop! Btw, I bought the same jumper, but I never shop at charity shops just because of the smell! Perhaps I should give it a Chance, next time when I am in the UK I will look for one and visit it!
ReplyDeleteYou should Nancy!
DeleteSome of the smaller shops in 'posher' areas can have some beautiful items.
Also, some of the cities have specific branches that sell designer items or real vintage pieces.
Happy hunting! XXX
i love adding coffee and lunch! What a gorgeous necklace, and great find. It makes your whole look sing. thanks for sharing, xo
ReplyDelete-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Me too Patti! Sounds like a perfect day. XXX
DeleteI loved rummaging through the things in second-hand shops when I was a student in New Zealand, and I continued to love doing it in vintage shops in Paris and Tokyo. I wish Malaysia has these shops, but we don't! My eyes would have caught the very same necklace too, it's SO beautiful - and does not look like it's worth 3 pounds, not at all!
ReplyDeleteLiyana | Affordorable
Vintage shops in tokyo sound AMAZING!!!! What happens to old/secondhand/vintage clothes in Malaysia? xxx
Delete