I’ll say it once and I’ll say it a thousand times; one persons trash is anothers treasure, and it’s never been truer when it comes to our wardrobes. As crazy as it sounds, I believe that if we don’t wear our clothes once we buy them, they aren’t fulfilling their fashion destiny. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are my key words for this post as I take a trip to The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice shop in Shawlands for Pass it On Week – a celebration of donating and giving something old a new lease of life. So tell me, when was your last visit to your local chazza?
I’ve been a second-hand shopper since my early high school days and although my style has definetely changed somewhat during that time, there is one constant: I am always wearing at least one vintage or second hand piece. Infact, while I type, my entire look is thrifted, down to the plate my eggs are sitting on. I tend to almost dress as different ‘characters’ depending on my mood and having unique items is really important to me in expressing my sense of style. I picked out some of my favourite piece from the Hospice shop when I was there last week and found a bunch of stuff just waiting to up someones wardrobe anti. Starting with this pristine Antartex Sheepskin coat.
Apart from finding incredible one offs like this beauty, there are so many reasons why we should all be shopping second hand. First off is the obvious affordability factor, with more great quality brands available than you would think that will last a lifetime. Secondly, with the rivival roundabout of trends you can find the opportunity to buy something from ‘the first time around’ rather than the contemporary adaptation you found from Forver 21 which will last you a few months at best. Which brings me to my last point, the waste factor. I may sound like a broken record with this but the fashion industry is already one of the most wasteful of them all, so we the consumer should do what we can to help by donating what we don’t want and reusing what’s already there. I mean, would you just look at this 100% wool 60’s style vintage two piece? For just £15?! You can take that style straight to the BANK!
Now I’m not saying that Charity shops are this big untapped resource with mountains of unique treasures to be found. If anything it’s quite the opposite. I have my favourite chaazas which I got around religiously. Constantly popping my head in to see what’s new and catches my eye. What I love about the Hospice shop, was that everything was so neatly presented by size, trend or colour with a big vintage section at the front. My tactic is always to start off with the obvious good rails, then breeze through the unlikely heroes for some good quality day to day pieces. There are many staples you might not think to buy gently used, but you might be suprised! Just like when I spotted this British Lambswool mustard polo for just £4 hiding amoungst the other jumpers. With that price and that quality, second hand shopping really should be a no brainer, right?
Pass it on Week started last Saturday and the Hospice’s 16 stores are getting right in about it. Starting with the staff who all donate regularly, we all need to raid our homes and really look at what we use and what we can give away to be used once more. The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice is a charity, founded in 1980. They provide free person-centred and family-focused care with their staff and wonderful volunteers working alongside people with significant challenges to their health and wellbeing. To say you are giving your donation and money to a good cause is an understatement. With pensioners support hanging in our governments balance, donating your unwanteds to the hospice will help more than you know. I think I need to go back for that Antartex Sheepskin coat. What’s your favourite chazza shop find? Don’t forget to #PASSITON!
Woah… the first coat is 65 pounds? from a charity shop?
Man, I used to thrift from charity shops too back in my ‘young and poor student’ days. I still have my trench coat I bought from one of Oxfam shops 16 years ago, which was about 7 quid as I recall, and I thought damn, it is expensive! ha. Anyway, it is still one of my favourite coats amongst my many other more expensive coats I purchased over the years. Timeless pieces like that last and last, don’t they? No matter where they were bought from. I also donate a lot when I clear out my wardrobe. :)
Great post, by the way! x
^^ while that sheepskin coat is totally beautiful I am somewhat offput when charity stores jack up their prices… there’s something about second hand clothes costing as much as something new which annoys me BUT if you would buy it in a store, why not donate your money and save clothes being sent to landfill?
Also thanks for dispelling the rumor that charity stores are chock full of treasures- it usually takes a lot of hunting before you find a vintage gem!
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Aw thank you Rose! I’m glad you like it! My biggest charity shop bargain was a Moschino two piece, mint condition for £12, it’s incredible! I thought £65 was a bit steep too but it literally hadn’t been worn and that company sell new for £495 so still a great quality piece for Topshop prices! Nothing keeps me from a bargain! Ha!
I couldn’t agree with you more Adele, I was saying to some of the volunteers in the shop, West End charity shops are more expensive than the vintage shops these days, they need to keep it realistic for the market. The ones in shawlands like this one are much more reasonable. At the end of the day, £65 for a new made in the UK sheepskin coat isn’t exactly terrible compared to the high street! What I really love is when you find a great piece from a charity shop, you almost love it even more. Am I right?