When it comes to second-hand clothing and sifting through charity shops, sometimes it’s hard to know what to look out for. So in this blog post, I have listed out the do’s and don’ts when it comes to shopping second-hand.

I’d say my style is a true mixture of second-hand clothing, high street and vintage; with every now and then some higher-end thrown in for good measure. I feel like this outfit depicts that perfectly: a Ganni sweater, a quilted coat from a charity shop in Yorkshire, vintage jeans from a charity shop in London, Public Desire boots and an H&M bag - told you I like to mix it all up!

For as long as I can remember I have loved finding good second-hand clothing and have been an avid charity shop lover. Sifting through rails of clothes jumbled together and random bric-a-brac is the idea of pure heaven to me. What is it they say… one person’s trash is another person’s treasure?

I owe my love of second-hand fashion and charity shops to my nan and grandad. They dragged me and my sister in and out of Hampshire’s best second-hand shops, car boots, and antique fairs and I grew to become absolutely obsessed with finding a bargain.

Not only do I enjoy a good old rummage, but I am also pretty good at it. I’m not blowing my own trumpet here, but I have been a serial thrifter for years, and it comes to a point when you kind of just get a sense of what to dig out and what to leave behind.

There are plenty of benefits to shopping savvy – aside from the thrill of bagging a bargain – it’s also a great way to save some cash, live a bit more sustainably all whilst donating money to a good cause.

Charity shops sometimes have sales too (IIIIII KNOW) and if you’re lucky, you might stumble across a £1 rail (yes, these are a thing) where you could find the coolest pair of trews patiently waiting for you to take them home.

I have a few pals that are put off by the thought of wearing someone else’s seconds, but the trick is, to not be! Take away any stigma that you have attached to charity shops and just give them a whirl.

I thought I’d put together a little thrift shopping guide for you so the next time you spot a chazza shop, you’ll be equipped to rummage…

Research

Why not have a look over the latest trend pages or street style shots on Who What Wear before you head out on a thrifty mission. It means you’ll be well versed on what’s hot, and what’s not - there’s no better feeling than bagging a bargain that is bang on-trend.

Focus on colours

What is YOUR colour or, the colour of the season? Some chazza shops like to get a bit organised and put the donated clothes in colour order which means all you have to do is head straight for your favourite shade.

Don’t be put off by sizes

I have so many amazing shirts that are 2,3 or even 4 sizes too big for me and work perfectly worn oversized or un-buttoned over an LBD.

Always look at the labels

Whether it’s vintage M&S (St Michael) or a COS top for a fraction of the price, make sure you check out the labels as it will give you a good indication of the original cost and quality. I tend to look at what it’s made out of too.

Don’t be afraid to ask

If you’re on the hunt for something don’t be afraid to ask the volunteers. When I was living in Australia I would regularly be on the hunt for workout wear (lol how that’s changed!) and remember once asking the lady behind the counter if they had any more exercise leggings. Next thing you know, I am in the store cupboard knee-deep in athleisure gear and bagged a pair of perfect condition Lululemon leggings for 5 bucks!

Things to look out for

I always go straight to the coats, winter or not, a good coat can sometimes be hard to find and cost you the most. From Harrods to Aquascutumn, I have found some amazing coats in charity shops.

Don’t forget to check out the accessories too, it’s crazy what people part with and the amount of cute vintage scarfs I have found that look fresh out of Pinterest when tied in my hair is just ridic.

Don’t forget the guys

Shop unisex is another top tip when charity shopping. Cool army jackets and vintage shirts tend to be lurking on the men’s rails too. Also, men’s blazers… we all know how cool, oversized blazers are doing the Insta rounds at the moment!

Take your time

Charity shops are full of all things weird and wonderful so you must dedicate a little time to the hunt. It’s a process, a thorough investigation, and totally worth it because you might just find exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

Try an online charity shop

You can even find an online charity shop these days with the likes of Oxfam, eBay and even Depop or Vinted selling brilliant second-hand pieces.

Close up of Abbie wearing a green quilted jacket

Enjoy your thrift shopping and let me know your best charity shop find in the comments!

Second hand clothing: My guide to finding the best bits in your local charity shop