Want help improving your finances? Join my free Money Mess To Financial Success group to chat to likeminded savers!
Whether you’re looking to reduce the amount you spend on new clothes, or save the planet one preloved dress at a time, charity shops are the perfect place to snap up unique or vintage bargains for a fraction of the price they’ll cost you elsewhere.
If you’re interested in designer handbags, fifties dresses, or simply want to track down some really cheap jeans, here’s my guide to bagging the best charity shop stuff:
Take a list
When I first started trawling through charity shops on a regular basis, I didn’t really have a plan of action. I’d simply rummage around and pick up whatever I liked. Now though, I take a list with me of things I need so that I can keep an eye out and speed up my shopping trip.
Obviously there’s no point in saying no to something you love just because it’s not on your list, but it can take a long time to trawl through absolutely everything.
You might also like: 5 Ways To Save Money On Food (Plus a free £5 voucher off your next supermarket shop)
Befriend the volunteers
Have a chat with the volunteers in your favourite charity shops and you’ll soon realise just how helpful they can be. You’ll get to find out which days are best for getting first dibs of new donations, and you may even be invited into the back to rummage through new stock that hasn’t made its way onto the shelves yet.
There’s no need to be shy. I love how easy it is to drum up conversation in charity shops with both staff and fellow customers. If you turned to the person next to you in New Look and held up a top and said “Look at the state of this!” they’d silently and slowly back away from you until they’re out the door.
Don’t be put off by slightly smelly clothes
Don’t let the smell of charity shop clothes put you off. The vast majority of the time it’s nothing that a good wash with a nice smelling detergent and loads of fabric softener can’t fix. Dry the clothes outdoors if you can to give them some lovely fresh air.
Keep birthdays and Christmas in mind
Always keep in mind friends or family members whose birthdays may be approaching. Obviously, we all have one or two friends who might not appreciate something second hand, but if you have mates who are open minded and love a thoughtful and original gift, this could be the perfect opportunity to snap something up for them.
Think about the original price
I’d always recommend checking the label before you buy anything. It’s frustrating how many Primark dresses are priced at £8 each when they may have been even less to begin with. Of course, if you’re embarking on a charity shop adventure in an attempt to be sustainable and reduce the amount of clothes in landfill, this might not really bother you.
Dive in and have a good rummage
Be prepared to dive in and have a good rummage around. While the big handbag bin might not look so appealing at a glance, there may be some hidden gems that you’ve not spotted yet.
The charity shop’s location can make a difference
It’s amazing just how much of a difference the location of the charity shop can make. A couple of weeks ago I went on my first charity shop spree in Didsbury. As just about any Mancunian will tell you, Didsbury is a little bit fancy, and so as a result the charity shops there are filled with brilliant finds.
While you can pick up some great quality things in nicer areas, don’t be expecting any Dolce and Gabbana for a fiver. The vast majority of charity shop owners in these areas are aware how much these designer goods are worth, so they’re more than likely to reflect the quality in the price.
Keep an eye out for timeless treasures
Keep an eye out for things that will stand the test of time and still be wearable a couple of years down the line. By this I’m thinking denim, stripes, and little black dresses. Also keep an eye out for versatile items that will go with just about anything.
Try things on
Don’t hesitate to pop into the changing room to try stuff on. Some items may not have a size label on them and some sizes could be inaccurate. While you can usually return or exchange things, as I recently discussed in Would you return something you’d bought from a charity shop, it’s probably best to just try things on to save everyone the hassle.
Give upcycling a go
If you know your way around a sewing machine, you’ll have a much greater choice of items than someone with no upcycling skills whatsoever. However, if you’re a beginner, there’s no reason why you can’t teach yourself to sew today!
Got any top charity shops tips of your own? Let me know in the comments below. 
[…] said it myself many times in the past, the way to grab the best second hand finds involves shopping in posh areas. With so many wealthy residents nearby, many of whom probably don’t have the time to faff […]