What is your charity shop bargain of the week?

Miró

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Phase Eight sizes I think are comparable with M&S. The hierarchy as I see it (this denotes cost rather than quality):

- Karen Millen, LK Bennett
- Hobbs, Coast, Phase Eight, M&S Autograph (<---much of my work wardrobe)
- Monsoon, Wallis
- Topshop

Feel free to challenge my view!

I pretty much agree with your 'hierarchy'. I would be interested to know where you would fit Jaegar, Ghost, Lipsy and Whistles in??

Obsessed with labels? Moi?? Nooo!!! :rotfl:

Miró

silvasava wrote: »

Miro - maybe that was why the dress was in the CS? Might not be that bad though with the silk in it. My local CS had a beautiful Mother of the Bride outfit in the window. It probably won't sell quickly because the dress was creased across the front where you sit down - if only someone had thought to iron it before it was put on display.
No bargains for me, just a pile of DH books to be donated but only because he wants to make room for a new author!

I think you may be right! The dress looked pristine in the chazza shop, (think they must have pressed it), but by the time I got it home it was looking rather sorry for itself. Quick spritz with the steam iron soon sorted it though. I guess it will be one to add to my collection of 'evening out only' outfits, (along with all the ridiculously high heels:o), rather than an 'all day' dress! I am surprised at how big L K Bennett sizes are - I could have got away with a size smaller than my usual....found this also with a pencil skirt of theirs a while back.

Miserable rainy day here today so think a trip to my current favourite 99p chazza in Otley is in order.

silvasava

Good hunting Miro!

C_J

A pair of Hotter Nirvana shoes, brand new and still with the tags on, from the Sally Army shop for £5 (they retail at £65 so I'm very happy!)

Pollycat

C_J wrote: »

A pair of Hotter Nirvana shoes, brand new and still with the tags on, from the Sally Army shop for £5 (they retail at £65 so I'm very happy!)

Just a word of warning re your shoes:
Thete have been threads on the PV & W board and posts on this thread too about the soles of Hotter, Ecco & Clarks shoes disintegrating if not worn.
On my phone at the moment so can't post links but will find later if you want.

C_J

Yes, I remember reading those threads too - but for a fiver, I don't think I'll mind too much. I needed some flat shoes as I have a temporary foot problem and need something comfortable until it's healed so these will be fine - but thanks for the warning/reminder! I'd be unhappy if I'd paid full price and they fell apart though

VfM4meplse

Pollycat wrote: »

I agree.

There is no similarity in the quality of the 2 makes.
And I don't there is any similarity in styles either - other than Roman also use large flower prints..

There has been a definite change in Roman "style". They are attempting to rip off Phase Eight IMO and making an exceedingly bad fist of it.

osbornbiscuit

Hi.
I read with interest the posts on creased clothes. I volunteer at a charity shop and there are two us the debag and size and tag and one lady who steams. All the clothes are hung up and she places the 'iron' (I don't know what to call it) and the creases fall away. I must admit though there are days when it seems like a sweat shop:rotfl:but great in the winter.
I must admit volunteering in a charity shop did cut back my shopping as I had to start asking myself do I really really need it.
It doesn't stop me looking at all the bargains.

Hermia

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I thought back to this post when I was wandering round a Roman store yesterday. With my business head on, I can see that the brand is trying to emulate Phase Eight styles and pitches its prices lower. At full price, they are still not cheap clothes though I can see on price alone would be enough to entice shoppers if they were looking at the two brands online and had no prior knowledge of either.

The big difference is that of quality. Roman garments are of significantly poorer quality than Phase Eight, they have a "plastic-y" feel about them. Phase Eight however have a very distinct quality about them. If choosing between the two, I would recommend buying Phase Eight in the sale instead, or better still at the chazzer.

The only Roman store I have been to is the one in Clark's Village. Even though everything was really cheap I did not buy anything as it was just so dreary.

My brand hierarchy is purely about whether it fits me! I won't hear a word against Wallis purely because their petite work suits fit me so well. I actually went into a tiny local charity shop yesterday and they had several petite range items from good brands so I am assuming a fellow gnome has been decluttering her wardrobe. I think I will have to pop in again!

coffeehound

Got a BNIB (well, blister pack) Fridge and freezer thermometer for 99p. Seems accurate and it alerted me to the fact that my fridge was at 10 degrees C :eek: Explains why my Cravendale milk hasn't been lasting so long recently.

Also two silicone egg poachers for 50p. I like the idea of dry poached eggs but don't know how to use these. Do they float on the water or stand on the bottom of the pan in a bit of water? Do they take longer to cook eggs than ordinary poached eggs?