The economy may be in dire straits, but
who says your wardrobe has to be? Six shopping experts give us their tips on
recession-proof dressing
The Oxfam Oracle: Jen Holmes
“When you head into a charity shop, you
need to totally zone out, root through the rails and be really thorough. That’s
the only way you’ll get the top bargains.
“I recently picked up a pair of
Gina shoes
in Oxfam for $12.80. They’re classic and go with everything. My top find
so far
is an Hermès purse, still in its box, which cost me $6.40 from a tiny
shop in Leeds. I do feel a bit guilty when I buy something so cheap and I
know it’s worth a
fortune, but it’s such a rush getting a fantastic bargain.
“Where I’m from in York, the charity shops
are brilliant. More falluent postcodes do tend to have amazing items, although
that is sometimes reflected in the price. It’s worth checking out lots of
different areas.
“Charity shops are good for buying men’s
clothes: the men’s section is always massively stocked and you never find men
shopping in there. Last winter, I picked up a gorgeous wool coat for just $16
and I often find good-quality Thomas Pink shirts that look fab belted up as
shirtdresses.
“They’re also great for homeware and quirky
gifts – I once picked up an old-fashioned typewriter, still containing a letter
written by the original owner in 1978!
“I write my blog A Little Bird Told Me to
give tips on shopping for bargains. I’ve been doing a feature called
‘second-hand home challenge’, where I have to furnish my house entirely with
second-hand items from charity shops, car-boot sales and auctions. It’s
difficult, but fun and inspires people to shop in a different, thriftier way.”
Jen’s tips for charity-shop find:
Hit the shops frequently
“Shop daily. Charity stock is replenished
constantly – it’s not just once a week like in the high-street stores.”
Check for hidden damage
“Inspect everything closely – check the
lining for rips and look for stains and discoloration. Smell it too – certain
odours can’t be washed out.”
Beware hidden expenses
“Don’t buy something just because
it seems cheap – if it needs to be dry-cleaned or repaired extensively before
you can wear it, it’ll end up expensive.”
Don’t pay attention to the label
“Sizing guidelines have changed over the
years, so don’t dismiss something you think isn’t your size.”
Don’t ignore something just because
it’s not perfect
“You can always tweak things – I often
remove shoulder pads or change the buttons on jackets. If it’s too big, have
it taken in, belt it, or get it shortened. Only leave it if it’s too small
for you.”
Get online for more tips
“For inspiration, I check out A Thrifty
Mrs, Pretty Much Penniless, Vintage Vixen and the Oxfam blog.”
