For those who enjoy nosing at other peoples' charity shop/op shop/thrift store finds (like me), you're in for a treat! Lately I have been working HARD at scoring major bargains, let me tell you. The above booty was all found in one day whilst Dolores and I were visiting my parents in Essex.
My dad, Dolores and I hit an unsuspecting Leigh-on-Sea one Tuesday afternoon. (Witness Dad and Dolores enjoying a mid-trip coffee break and one of her new books above.) With the baby strapped on, Dad and I quickly discussed our tactics on route (avoid the Salvation Army one because the staff are pretty racist and Oxfam because it's too expensive). We came away with nine vests, two t-shirts, one gilet, five books, one pair of leather Zara shoes (50p!) and one wheelie duck. Total spent: £11.70. If I'd bought all these things for Dolores new, I probably would have spent about five times that amount.
Closer to home, I enjoyed further success in the limited yet bountiful charity shops of St Leonards, East Sussex (pictured above). Another crop of goodies all for Dolores, this time I got three books, one soft bath towel, one plastic rake and one spade, two t-shirts, one dinosaur sweatshirt and one swimming costume. Can't remember how much I spent, my apologies, but with those books coming in at 10p each, you can bet I spent a lot less than I would have buying each item new.
On the same day I later snared a faux fur jacket (pictured above) in a charity shop in Hastings for £25. It's in mint condition so I thought it was a fairly new item. However, after a good look I'm pretty sure it's vintage judging by the labels. I love how the grain of the fur faux runs on the bias down the sleeves. And the best thing about it? The lining has freaking eyes on it!
Of course, it's not just the money saving that I love about charity shopping. There's the thrill of not knowing what you're going to come across, and finding out how kind the Gods of Charity Shopping are feeling on that given day. Plus I truly believe that we all need to try and consume fewer mass-produced products for the sake of slowing down global warming and the consumption natural resources. By buying things that have already been bought before and still have heaps of use left in them, I hope that it will, in some infinitesimally small way, mean that the world my daughter grows up in will be a better one than what I fear she's currently looking at inheriting. Have you had any good second hand scores lately? What is it about charity shopping/op shopping/ thrifting that you love, if in fact you do?
13 comments:
Oh my goodness, you scored big with that jacket!
Awesome haul. We have one good consignment shop for kids stuff in my town. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything equally good for adults-the second hand shops are either expensive (and cater to high end clothes) or they are pretty sad looking. However, every little bit helps. Can't wait to see how you style that faux fur jacket
What a great haul. Don't think that it makes sense to buy much for tiny children new as they grow so fast. Saying that I was inundated with lovely clothes from my Mum who is a shopaholic but they all ended up being given to the charity shop so all was good. I made a lot of things too. I love scoring things in charity shops. You never know what you ar going to find and a big plus points for me is that you don't look like a high street clone and don't have to indulge in rampant consumerism. That was good luck with your coat. Proper vintagestuff is getting harder and harder to find.x
Hi! What fantastic finds - especially the fur jacket! I love those eyes on the lining. I rarely find good quality clothes for myself in charity shops in my area though. My husband on the other hand finds amazing suits and has not bought a new one for years. As a result, I have become a dab hand at taking in waists and letting down trouser hems!
May I mention that I am having a Simplicity pattern giveaway on my blog this week. It is over at http://carolineparadigmdesign.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/simplicity-its-birthday-giveaway.html
xx
Oh my god, that jacket!!! Scored a winter coat for Maria in Dorset. It's the girliest thing she has ever owned, but you can't always be too choosy when praying to the charity gods!
Oh, and how much does Dolores look like your dad? So cute! X
Good team work - a brilliant haul. I had a success this week buying a Janome overlocker on EBAY - it is very satisfying picking up a second hand bargain!
So happy to have discovered your blog! I definitely agree that we should all try to consume less and reuse. Lately, I've been using thrift shops and old clothes as a fabric resource and recently made a Vogue 1247 top out of a thrifted maxi. Since I'm still working out fit issues and practicing finishing techniques, it makes me feel better to repurpose. P.S. LOVE the eyes on that coat lining. Score!
I'd be tempted to wear that jacket inside out sometimes lol!
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What a great haul! Question - how do you keep Dolores entertained while you are shopping? Shopping is not my childrens' strong suit!
Great haul. It's fantastic what's available in thrift shops. As for Dolores, well her smile can certainly banish the Sunday night blues! Thank you. Rachel ☺
Well done - great success. I visit a mate in Leigh on Sea occasionally and love the charity shops there. Apart from the fact that you can get a bargain, and save a tiny bit of landfill, it's the surprise factor and the fact that you've probably got something a bit different. I bought a fab fake fur coat a couple of years ago - not as luxurious as yours, mine looks more like ageing curly teddy bear fur - but boy, is it warm!
Ah I love a good charity shop (and some really are so much nicer to shop in than others - some round our way are still quite smelly!). Anyway, you did really well. I often notice there are a lot of virtually pristine baby clothes in charity shops. I think it's because babies grow so fast they don't get worn out. Children's and teenagers clothes are slimmer pickings though. I also find my luck comes and goes, this time of year is not so good for some reason (maybe it's not a traditional clearing out time), but I still go and look a couple of times a month in case. I shop in charity shops mostly because I think we produce way too much for our needs and I worry about the strain on the earth, but I also find it interesting because you never know what's going to pop up. I like not being bound by whatever colours and styles the fashion industry have decreed might be current. Also a couple of months ago I scored a lot of second hand fabric - someone was having a stash clear out - so you never know!
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