More Charity Shop Bargains for 2018 & beyond!

goldfinches

Sayschezza said:

May I ask please how much of your CS bargains do you actually wear. I work in a CS and always go in early to bag any bargains on that day. I rarely (never) come away empty handed but I am not as discriminating as I would be with department store buys because it's cheap. After a wash and several days (weeks) hanging in the wardrobe I sometimes can't think why I bought said article in the first place except for the fact it was a good make and fits. It then gets donated back and I hate to think how much money has been wasted over the years. I do keep some things that have become firm favourites but they are in the minority. I do wonder if CS shopping actually saves me money. What do you think?

I think it's all about deciding your overall philosophy and then sticking to it.
For instance this year I have decided that I will sort out three core everyday outfits that both fit and flatter and then will wear them in rotation. What this means is that I only consider everyday clothes for about 30-45 minutes once a month and for the rest of the month I'm dressed nicely without having to think about what I'm going to wear at all. This approach turns out to be easier if, like me, you aren't very good at clothes and tend to pick by what you like without considering how it goes with what you have or what it looks like on you. In other words, sort out complete outfits suitable for the current time of year and then wear those and nothing else.
I have also tumbled to the fact that a well fitted bra is an essential and you should allocate your budget by proportional wear so that everyday shoes and clothes get more spends than special occasions.
This is a philosophy still being formulated but is really helping me to weed out items which while nice on their own either don't fit, don't flatter or don't go with any other stuff I already have and I'm setting my face against adding to the wardrobe if I can possibly avoid it.
Sorry for the treatise, but writing it down is helping to crystallise the stray thoughts. Interesting how difficult lots of us seem to find this and how many pieces of clothing we never or rarely wear isn't it? 
Night all and sweet dreams, goldfinches.

lapis_lazuli

I should’ve mentioned this back then but in May or June, I think it was, I went to a local junk shop once the shops re-opened after we went down a few lockdown levels.  My partner had been hankering after a Sodastream if I could find one for a cheap price and they happened to have one for NZ $20 (about 10 pounds).  It was a bit dirty with a few scratches due to being stored in a garage or somewhere but came complete with a carbonating bottle and the gas bottle was 2/3rds full.  Brand new versions of the same model are currently selling for NZ $120!!!!  I did end up spending another $20 on three more carbonating bottles since the one it came with didn’t have a lid but even so, it was still a steal, cleaned up pretty nicely and the colours happen to match our kitchen.:)

Wednesday2000

I went out again to three chazzers. I got lots more stuff! A black lace top, a black jumper, 3 black and white tops, a brown jumper, a pink jumper and a purple jumper. I also bought 2 necklaces and a black and white checked shirt. That is it for clothes I think as I have practically doubled my wardrobe recently! I won't buy any more clothes unless I see something really special. I got in nearly 9000 steps as well. 

I'm prepared for the weather to get colder. I don't think I need anything else now.

Living_proof

I went to my local market town to meet a friend for lunch. It would have been rude not to go into the charity shops and I was delighted to find leather smart 5th Avenue sandals for £1.49, Kays suede wide fit flat shoes no wear £3.99 and mauve (my fave autumn/winter colour) dressy suede Hotter court shoes £12 unworn. All my size but I was unable to try on as I only had socks on and I would have worn pop socks or tights with them. I got them home and was completely dismayed to find they are all the wrong fit - either not wide enough or like boats on me. I can take them back but it's always such a disappointment to find your latest triumphs just don't fit. Just hoping the quarantining trousers won't go the same way!

Sayschezza

I returned 6 tops and a pair of trousers yesterday but came away with a different pair of trousers that will go in my cruise wear wardrobe. I think I will try the outfits formula Goldfinches. It will at least point out the orphans.

Apintplease

Sayschezza said:

Thanks for replying Apintplease. That's where I obviously go wrong I grab it just because it's a bargain. Unfortunately I do much the same with clothes sales. Must give it more thought.

Have you heard of a capsule wardrobe?

Thats where you have a few items of clothing that all mix and match?

Well what I honestly do is think about my life and what clothes I actually wear day in day out

I wear trousers/jeans/ trackies.  So thats what I buy, and tops that will mix and match


I go to work - trackies , I work about the home - jeans - I go out for a drink - trousers. Rare I have a wedding or a posh party, so then its dress trousers

I ripped my bedroom apart start of lockdown and threw everything I never wear back to the charity shops - I nearly bought the same skirt back cos I thought it was lovely and a bargain, then realised it was my donation lol


Charity shopping fills a lot of needs, you can shop and not feel guilty for spending, you can shop knowing you are giving. But there really isn't any point if all you are doing is filling your home with " STUFF"

When you shop, stop before you buy and think seriously about when you are going to wear the bargain of a century. If you aren't going to wear it, you are just throwing money away

Charity shopping can take a lot of time and money but like all shopping you really need to need the item for it to be money well spent

goldfinches

You're definitely making me think @Apintplease. I've used the scales I bought earlier this month every day since I purchased them and the Pyrex jug almost as often. Clearly I'm much more skilled at selecting culinary equipment than anything else, perhaps I should start advertising myself as a secondhand kitchen furnisher on social media.
Joking aside this is a very interesting area and has certainly added to my musings when observing other people I encounter. My inner commentator notes fit particularly but has begun to notice overall co-ordination as well as suitability of footwear/clothing to current walking conditions.
The proportion of women who don't own comfortable walking shoes is very revealing in my opinion, especially when compared to the person with whom they are walking. Husbands wearing good shoes while accompanied by wives/partners/children who are not definitely get a negative mark from me.
Anyhow, I'm currently avoiding the temptation of the local chazza but may just admire the window dressing tomorrow on my way to the library so we'll see if anything tempts me inside. 
Night all and sweet dreams, goldfinches.

Miró

Last womble of the week round the local chazzers yesterday.  Came home with a long silk scarf in shades of navy, pink and white for £1.  Wanted to make it into a ‘twilly’ for the handles of a good bag but decided to keep it as is.  Also got a b/n Pierre Cardin silk tie (for prezzy stash), pale yellow with red & yellow tiny tulips tiptoing across it £3.  Then in a bin of reduced shoes I found a pair of Clarkes tan leather sandals - high wedges but with a small platform so quite comfy to walk in.  Gave them a good squiz and they were brand new with a price sticker on the sole of £60... chazza price £3.25.  Finally I could not resist a hair clippy thingy for 25p, (I once paid £7.50 for one like it).

Re the question of how much do you wear.....sometimes I just get pleasure out of owning some particular things even if I know I’m unlikely to wear them...does that sound crazy?

Well, from midnight tonight we will be in local lockdown here, they reckon for 6 months.  😩

goldfinches

Sorry to hear of your troubles @Miró, internet solidarity and sympathy for you and your neighbours and may you soon be released from durance vile. If I see that D*m*n*c C*mm*ngs anywhere local I'll be sure to give him an extra kick from you.
Best wishes and hugs to you, Albert et al, goldfinches.

dolly84

Miró said:

Last womble of the week round the local chazzers yesterday.  Came home with a long silk scarf in shades of navy, pink and white for £1.  Wanted to make it into a ‘twilly’ for the handles of a good bag but decided to keep it as is.  Also got a b/n Pierre Cardin silk tie (for prezzy stash), pale yellow with red & yellow tiny tulips tiptoing across it £3.  Then in a bin of reduced shoes I found a pair of Clarkes tan leather sandals - high wedges but with a small platform so quite comfy to walk in.  Gave them a good squiz and they were brand new with a price sticker on the sole of £60... chazza price £3.25.  Finally I could not resist a hair clippy thingy for 25p, (I once paid £7.50 for one like it).

Re the question of how much do you wear.....sometimes I just get pleasure out of owning some particular things even if I know I’m unlikely to wear them...does that sound crazy?

Well, from midnight tonight we will be in local lockdown here, they reckon for 6 months.  😩

I think we've been in it 8 weeks here now and tbh no one does it, people are just getting on with their lives.  Absolutely against your human rights to expect you stay away from your support network of loved ones for months on end.  It should be individual choice now whether you hide away in fear of what may happen or get on with living.  I know I won't be popular but I am totally fuming about the whole thing and the devastation it will cause for years and years to come and all people do is say well it's about saving lives - whos life, for how long and how exactly.  Imo the only people who can still be on board with this can be those who receive a pension, benefits or the type of job you never lose (we all know the ones) so don't need to worry.