I've shopped in charity shops for 30 years – here's what you can do to make the most of buying preloved too

I can still remember the skirt I bought to wear to my first temping job. A below-the-knee tweed pencil skirt, lined, and I think about £6. It was from M&S, and the cut of it suited me so well. The other thing that suited me down to the ground was the price – cheap, because it was from a charity shop. Paired with a plain white shirt, it was the ideal thing to wear to the office I was temping in.

After all, they'd never have let me in wearing my usual ripped Levi's, DMs and Pearl Jam T-shirt. Charity shopping began for me in my student years, when I would buy my outfits for work in charity shops to avoid spending the hard-earned cash on clothes I'd take off as soon as I was home from a shift. Back then, though (we're talking early 90s) this wasn't the done thing.

Admitting you had got an item of clothing in a charity shop was akin to saying you'd robbed your granny's wardrobe, and probably smelled like it, too.

Over the years I've loved seeing charity shopping get the recognition it deserves, and been fascinated, too, by the rise of so-called 'fancy' charity shops (such as Mary Portas collaborating with Save the Children for 'Mary's Living and Giving' shops). While I love selling my old stuff at car boot sales, and have dabbled in using Vinted, when it comes to buying preloved, I'm all about the charity shops.

If you are feeling the urge to shop preloved, to return to charity shopping after a break, or you're shopping in a charity shop for the first time, then here are some tips I've learned, along with some from followers and Forumites, too.

Want bargains in the charity shop? You need to shrug off the 'ick'

There is a big difference charity shopping in 2024 compared to when I used to do it as a 17-year-old student in 1994. Back then, shopping in charity shops was a big 'ugh', with people assuming that you were too 'poor' to shop new. Oh, how times have changed. We are now a nation – no, world – of thrifters (thrift shops are the US equivalent of a charity shop, from 'thrify').

Thrifting is huge on TikTok (thrifters use the hashtag is #thrifttok), as are charity shop videos across social media where people video their visit to a shop, and what they buy. Wearing a preloved bargain is a badge of honour and people take huge pride in saying something is second-hand (oh, the irony compared to my teenage shopping days when it was just 'used').

Charity shops have gone from stuffy and jumble sale-esque to boutiques with designer rails, and some even have sections with prom and wedding dresses. You need to shake off the 'prejudge' if you want to shop preloved. Here's my take on how to do it:

1. Visit a charity shop or two! You may be surprised at how curated the stock is and what's on offer.

2. Browse slowly. Look at labels, and you may well start to see some familiar names.

3. Check the labels – if something says 'cashmere' or 'silk' on the shop tag, see if the washing instruction label on the item matches.

4. Give it the sniff test! That might be a gentle sniff of the fabric, or the armpit or collar if you dare. These days, items will be steamed or ironed by staff before they go on the shelves, so they're more likely to smell of washing powder from the previous owner than body odour.

5. You can expect high standards. Kelly-Marie Marshall at the Charity Retail Association shared some advice with me on this, too, saying: "Each charity may have slightly different procedures, but when sorting clothing donations, the first step is to inspect for stains, rips, fading, or other visible wear. Zips and buttons should also be checked. However, as part of their increasing sustainability efforts, some charities are now actively choosing to sell garments in less-than-perfect condition as ‘seconds’ at highly discounted prices. These items can then be repurposed, helping to keep them out of landfill."

You need to browse shops regularly

This was as true back in the 90s as it is now. Going to charity shops needs to be a regular thing. Often you can go into a charity shop and have one of those moments where you find something wonderful. But the best way to get good value is to go often.

This means you can browse the rails and see what's new, and become aware of how quickly stock turns over. You need to make this a habit because then you'll become better at finding brands you like, items that will be right for you, and knowing the kind of prices you might be willing to pay.

The Blue Cross charity shop in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. Towns like Chipping Norton are well-known as charity shop 'hotspots' for posh brands.

Have an idea of what you want before you go

Sometimes, I'll head to a charity shop with jumpers in mind. Another time, I'll be looking for something more niche, like a fancy dress item or a pair of costume jewellery earrings for a party. While browsing regularly is key, it's also good to have a mental shopping list of what you're after.

That way, you can focus in on certain areas and save time (and not get distracted) by other departments, which may cost you more money. For example, if you are looking for some jeans, then knowing that means you head to the trouser rail, and don't get sidetracked by a quirky cardigan you don't need.

Shopping in 'posher' places can pay off

Hilary Cooper, who follows MSE on Facebook, shared this tip, saying: "My tip as a shopper is that charity shops in posher areas are better because the locals buy quality products and get bored with them sooner than poorer people." I agree.

Back in my student days, the main town I shopped in was my then-home town of Reigate in Surrey (fairly 'posh'). One of the first things I like to do when I go back there to visit my mum is to go to the charity shops. In 2021, I moved to Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds, and the four charity shops there are all the kind you might want to visit because of their 'posh' items, such as brands like Boden, White Stuff, COS, Whistles, Mint Velvet.

MSE Jenny H in three of her charity shop bargains – a kaftan from 'One Hundred Stars' (these cost from £150 new depending on length and style), Barbour jacket (similar version spotted for £134 online in October 2024) and dress by Scamp & Dude (these usually retail new from £100 to £120).

Work out which days they sort the stock

Once you know the manager, you could ask what days they sort the stock, so you can be one of the first to get those fresh new bargains.

This tip is from Forumite annieb64: "I think it all depends on the shop. In the shop where I worked, the book sorters were in on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. There were no clothes sorters on Tuesday or Thursday, and Monday was probably the best day for bric-a-brac. We usually received more donations just after Christmas and in the school holidays, but things like the weather could also affect the supply of donations – nobody wants to carry boxes of books in the rain etc."

Following shops on Instagram helps, too

Now this is a new one to me in my 30 years! Back in my early charity shop days, the only way to know what was in stock was to visit the shop. Nowadays, lots of charity shops have Instagram accounts, and post their new stock on their page or stories. I follow one of my local ones, the Helen and Douglas House, and by doing so managed to nab a gorgeous kaftan that was new in stock because I saw it in a picture and raced down there.

Many shops post on social media if they are doing a sale, or if they are opening on a day they'd normally be closed, like a Sunday.

Getting to know the manager can bag you a bargain

I've done this more recently with the manager of the Helen and Douglas House shop near me. She's so lovely and she is a true fashionista with an eye for designer labels, and even curates a designer rail for the shop. I might mention to her that I am planning for something (eg, when I was looking for 80s items for my own hen do), and then she might mention the item to me when I'm browsing.

If you're friendly with the manager you might even be able to message them on Instagram. I've done this recently with my manager friend. I saw a velvet Laura Ashley suit for £20. I put it back but then just couldn't stop thinking about it. So I messaged her on Instagram and the manager kindly put it aside for me. The pay-off for her is that I then post on my Instagram and tag them when I have a new purchase.

Ignore sizes, try it on anyway if it looks like it might fit

One of the biggest silver linings of charity shopping, aside from saving loads of money vs buying full-price new clothes, is that I've found it has boosted my body confidence. This is because I shop by the item, rather than the size or label.

For example, in a high street store I'd be a 14 or 16, but I have bought items that are an 18 in a charity shop because, well, I liked them. Suddenly that feeling of 'not fitting' doesn't feel so difficult because there is only one of the item. So it's either 'your size' or not! Analyse the item, rather than the size on the hanger or label, as it might be there is something that fits even if it's on a hanger that isn't 'your' size, especially when it comes to vintage pieces.

Be wary of 'vintage' that might be priced higher just because it's old or a strange brand

Talking of vintage, this is an area to exercise some caution. As a nearly 47-year-old, I am one of those people who is shocked to see something from the 80s or even 90s labelled as vintage! (Sadly, no Pearl Jam T-shirts spotted yet). But this can happen. Things that are just older can be labelled as vintage, and often priced more highly because of it. A google of the label can help you see if this is worth the spend.

One rule I go by is to have a good look at the labels – the one in the neckline and also the washing instructions label. Vintage clothes, especially from the 1950s and 1960s, will look different, and some will have unusual names, for example, they may be called 'Dolly' or an older-sounding name. They often look less mass produced (compared to, say, an M&S or Shein label).

Be open to adjusting or mending items you buy

Often an item can be hemmed, de-bobbled, or you might want to replace the buttons. That's the joy of spending only a little in the first place, especially if you're nifty with a needle and thread. Many Forumites have shared their experiences on a dedicated charity shop thread, including de-bobbling cashmere, and discovering a dress had been hemmed so was longer than they thought (which they preferred).

It's not just about clothes - think homewares and toys, too

Charity shops can also be a treasure trove of non-clothing items such as vases, storage, toys and games. I love buying jigsaws from charity shops because I only do them once. Then I regift them when I'm done. Many of my local charity shops even have Le Creuset cookware or fancy wine and champagne glasses. Toys to keep an eye out for which often retail at a high price include Lego and PlayMobil.

Give as well as buy - especially in the run up to Christmas

Charity shops are able to stock such great stuff thanks to the people who donate it. And you can, as a charity shopper, be one of those people. At the time of writing (October 2024) Christmas is fast approaching and charity shops have put out appeals for people to donate toys now ahead of Christmas for those who are shopping for their children on a budget.

You still need to think of the money mantras

Just because it's preloved, that doesn't mean you need it. Before you purchase, consider the Money Mantras, and ask yourself: "Will I really use or wear this item?". If the answer's no, don't buy it.