Throughout the past few years, thousands of families and fashionistas have been reconsidering the value that a charity shop haul could do for your wardrobe.
Due to the soaring cost of living and fallback of ‘fast fashion’ in recent years, charity shops have seen a huge increase in both sales and donations.
Charities like British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research are becoming popular when it comes to trawling the rails for anything from bric-a-brac to brand new clothes and shoes.
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Our reporter, Nicole McBride, went to the British Heart Foundation charity shop, keen to find all things weird and wonderful amongst the rails.
One of the first things that I noticed before even walking through the door, was the wonderful window display and colourful outfit that could draw any woman in with the promise of shoes and a skilfully put together short suit paired with matching accessories.
Located on Broad Street, along with Cancer Research which a few doors down, the smallish store was buzzing with shoppers enthusiastically purchasing multiple items.
Walking through the door, the first thing that caught my eye and had me releasing a gasp of excitement was a pair of women’s sparkly welly boots.
Completely impractical and much too big but for any girly girl wo frequents muddy areas with size 6 feet – AN ABSOLUTE MUST!! At only £5, these are a bargain compared to those found in sports shops 30 seconds down the high street at £25.
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Moving further through the store, I came across women’s clothes of all sized from New Look, to Zara, to River Island all for £15 or less.
For £2.99 a NASA shirt caught my eye that even though it said ‘Size 10’, my size 6 self was dying to try on.
Trawling through the store was a joy, hunting through the bric-a-brac home wear to books, toys, vinyl’s and CD’s. At the very back of the kids toys area, I found a union jack patterned miniature guitar – for only £3.99 - that I mistook for a ukulele.
The excitement of finding pre-owned toys much like finding toys from your own childhood. Memories flooding back from years gone by.
For any man (or woman) who likes a good quality pressed shirt – the men’s clothing area was a dream. Although not as big as the women’s, they seemed to have more high-quality merchandise.
Surprisingly, The British Heart Foundation had on display a pair of brand-new leather men’s brogues for £70. Although expensive for a charity shop, the quality was plain to see amongst the sea of donated clothes.
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At the back of the store came the ‘reduced’ rack, which always seems odd in a charity shop with prices already slashed to below average. However, this is where I found one of the wackiest dresses I have ever seen which somehow looked almost like a swim suit disguised as a party dress.
If only for the lack of available changing room did I resist trying it on. At just £3 I must say I was intrigued! Perhaps it’s one to go back for if I dare!
One thought that I did leave with was that I may have found a new shop when looking for hair accessories and costume jewellery which is all bought and packaged brand new by the charity.
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