‘I Am An Professional At Shopping for Garments From Charity Retailers, These Are My Suggestions For Discovering Treasures’

In line with the BBC, 67% p.c of millennials within the UK store secondhand, and in response to a report commissioned by the net retailer ThredUp, two in 5 objects in Gen Z’s closet are pre-owned.

It’s honest to say that buying secondhand could be very a lot in, and with so many charity retailers to select from, in addition to the growth in apps like Vinted and Depop , who can blame us for bagging pre-loved bargains relatively than shopping for model new quick vogue?

Nonetheless, whereas that is turning into an increasing number of in style, it does imply that discovering actual treasures is getting slightly more durable. Between key phrases on apps and packed clothes rails in retailers, how do you discover precisely the vibes you’ve been searching for?

HuffPost UK spoke with Abigail Owen, an Oxfam on-line store merchandiser who hasn’t really purchased new garments for over a decade, who has shared her suggestions for nabbing the very best secondhand finds on the market.

Owen mentioned: “Procuring in charity retailers is like probably the most thrilling treasure hunt. Once I discover one thing so thrilling, it feels prefer it was serendipity… prefer it was ready there only for me.”

She additionally mentioned that 99% of her garments are pre-loved and the one exceptions are leggings, underwear and a few band t-shirts from excursions. Even her swimwear is pre-loved!

With this in thoughts, these are her suggestions for an important thrifting session:

• Have an open thoughts. “The factor I really like most about secondhand buying is the sensation of serendipity you get whenever you discover one thing that feels simply made for you. However to do this, it is advisable go in with an open thoughts for what you would possibly discover!”
• Strive it on. “Among the best issues you are able to do is attempt stuff on. Not solely do sizes typically fluctuate massively between completely different manufacturers, however generally it’s nearly making an attempt it on, having a little bit of enjoyable with it within the altering room and mix-and-matching slightly.”
• Discuss to the store volunteers. “I will at all times have a natter with the workers and volunteers in charity retailers as a result of they know the place a few of the greatest objects of clothes are, or level out one thing attractive they simply noticed are available!”
• Give your self time. “One in every of my greatest suggestions is to provide your self time to go searching the retailers for the factor you need and truly benefit from the expertise of buying – relatively than feeling like you must rush straight out and in.”

Whereas charity retailers typically do imply that we’re getting attractive finds for beneath a tenner, Owen shares: “I’ve paid as little as 99p when buying secondhand, however my costliest charity store buy was my attractive blue, classic Christian Louboutin heels (with authentic purple sole!) from the Oxfam On-line store for £150, which I completely adore.”

Generally, the true advantage of buying secondhand is definitely that the garments simply really feel higher once they’ve been pre-loved. Owen shared the garments that really feel greatest when purchased from charity retailers:

• Doc Martens. “I haven’t purchased a pair of Doc Martens new in 20 years. As a result of mine are all secondhand, they’re worn in to perfection by the point I name them mine. This is able to undoubtedly apply to different exhausting boots which want carrying in. By shopping for secondhand, you save your self the ache of carrying them in and so they instantly really feel nearly as good as they appear.”
• Denims. “Shopping for denims secondhand means they’re worn in already and simply really feel so significantly better. It might probably take weeks or months to correctly put on in denims to suit properly, which you simply don’t want to fret about with secondhand.”
• Leather-based jackets. “I really like that purchasing leather-based jackets secondhand signifies that they have already got the right stage of misery worn into them, which you don’t get with model new jackets.”