Faye finds herself a stylish bargain
If you’ve ever stumbled across our blog – Sugar Spun Sisters – you will know that we are big charity shop fans. As we write this now, our entire outfits (bar the underwear, because gross) is from a charity shop and we are monumentally proud of that fact. Not only did one of our tops (tie dye, no less, so bang on trend) cost £3 – which went to Cancer Research – but a number of people have asked, enviously, where it’s from. Some have even mistaken it for Topshop. Considering the Topshop equivalent would have been ten times the price we think we are, if it was still 2011, winning.
So what makes a good thrifter? Being brought up by a Mother who was in Oxfam more often than she was at home has served us well. So hopefully our tips will come in handy when you want a whole new outfit and begrudge paying for it.
Firstly – you need to approach charity shops in the same way you would any high street shop. It’s easy to walk into a charity or thrift shop, see rails and rails of faded M&S blouses, old teddies and other such bric a brac and say “Nope, nothing in here, let’s go”. But have faith, ye of little. Mooch over to each rail, and purposely look for things that are in fashion. Have you just put back a bright green jumper because, at four sizes above your usual one, it looks
ridiculous? Thought so. But would you happily pay well over the odds for an on trend, oversized, neon green jumper from the high street? Thought that, too. Chance it! It’s only a few quid. And if you get home and really hate it – donate it back! You’ve hardly lost anything, and may have gained something amazing.
Secondly, TRY ON. We are always so shocked when people don’t try on in the charity shops. Yes it’s all relatively cheap, but when you’ve got an armful of goodies, these £2 midi skirts really add up. Most charity shops have a fitting room, so take your haul in and try the lot on. This also helps you to imagine each item in your own wardrobe, which brings us on to our next tip...
What will you wear this with? Don’t forget, someone before you has donated this item. Perhaps they wore it to death and hate it now, maybe it no longer fits, but either way – it’s left their wardrobe for good. Do you really need it in yours? If it’s a faded pink Tammy Girl t-shirt, chances are probably not. No amount of nineties nostalgia is going to make that look good. But if you can’t fathom why whoever donated this did, go for it. So what if the turquoise and brown paisley shirt (yes, really) that you’ve just picked up could be described as garish by some? Once you’ve paired it with some Mom jeans, creepers and ankle socks, it’s going to have Urban Outfitters written all over it. And you can let the asker of the inevitable “Where’s that from?” know that “This? Oh, it’s vintage.”
Ultimately, charity shops reign supreme over all other shops. More often than not, you’re getting an absolute bargain, your hard-earned money is going to a good cause and you’re giving an unwanted item a new lease of life. And the best part? There’s very little chance of running into someone else wearing the same thing. So make like Macklemore and wear someone’s Granddad’s clothes. Because, trust us, they look incredible.
Eve and Faye from the Sugar Spun Sisters
Tagged in fashion Charity fashion tips