Clothes-where to buy?

Camomile

Not really sure how to start.

Never been a fashion follower however need to buy some clothes sometimes, just like anybody else.My everyday outfit is a pair of wellies, denims/leggings and fleece.
I’m on a budget so had numerous 2nd hand clothes from ebay, car boot sales,charity shops.
The only new things I bought for myself are shoes(and underwear).Reason being I need to try them on and it’s difficult to return them.

Never liked throwaway fashion as I’m quite environmentally aware person but can’t afford new clothes plus can’t see the point of spending £40 for an item.

Where does everybody buy their clothes? Looking for something that’s going to last and doesn’t cost arm and leg.
Can’t wear synthetic tops as I start sweating in them quite badly.

Any suggestions welcome

maman

Not really sure of your question. If you're still happy with your charity shop purchases then why not continue with that? It's a green and cheaper option as you're recycling.

I buy from a range of places but you said you can't afford new clothes.

If I misread this then probably your best option is some of the supermarkets like Asda or Sainsburys. Even the fast fashion outlets like Primark and Matalan sell some things in non synthetic fabrics.

VfM4meplse

Camomile wrote: »

I’m on a budget so had numerous 2nd hand clothes from ebay, car boot sales,charity shops.

Always the chazzer!

Change you approach but not your shops: chazzers work best when you have something in mind, and then your brain is on the lookout for it even though you may not realise it at the time.

P'interest is your friend under such circumstances.

Doom_and_Gloom

Most the clothes I've bought in the last 8 years were charity shops or (2nd hand) boutiques.
Throwaway fashion is an environmental and financial travesty.
Buying items that last is better for the ecosystem and your wallet.
I've fixed items where need be or even 'upcycled' or repurposed items.
We have a pillow that all the stuffing is from old clothes that were so past it they couldn't be worn.

Items from the fast fashion that I've been gifted I keep going by using my sewing machine to reinforce the stitching and I make sure to wash less, airing out an item etc can mean less washes in general, to aid longevity on any item.

JIL

I buy a lot of my clothes from gap. They are natural fibres, and last for ages. I buy stuff that doesnt need ironing. I usually get them from a retail outlet with 50% off and if you do a survey you get a further 20% off.

suki1964

Camomile wrote: »

Not really sure how to start.

Never been a fashion follower however need to buy some clothes sometimes, just like anybody else.My everyday outfit is a pair of wellies, denims/leggings and fleece.
I’m on a budget so had numerous 2nd hand clothes from ebay, car boot sales,charity shops.
The only new things I bought for myself are shoes(and underwear).Reason being I need to try them on and it’s difficult to return them.

Never liked throwaway fashion as I’m quite environmentally aware person but can’t afford new clothes plus can’t see the point of spending £40 for an item.

Where does everybody buy their clothes? Looking for something that’s going to last and doesn’t cost arm and leg.
Can’t wear synthetic tops as I start sweating in them quite badly.

Any suggestions welcome

I dress the same as you for every day but yes you are right, you do need some smarter clothes for the times when the wellies need to be left at home and like you, don't have a clue about fashion

I buy from charity shops, but Im careful about what I buy. Quality every time. Even if you aren't au fait on labels, its easy to feel quality. I bought a lovely wee top there just before Christmas , just a cotton t shirt type but the quality was good. Checked it out and it was some designer and cost £40 odd quid new.

I never go in with a fixed idea of what Im looking for, I just work through the racks, checking everything. Sometimes Im lucky, then I might go weeks before I something again. And I don't do fashion, I do a few trousers, a few pairs of jeans, a couple of skirts and a variety of tops. Im short and dumpy with great legs and no neck lol. I prefer longer length but fitted tops with a bit of a neckline ( promote the bust to hide the tum), above the knee skirts ( but well lower then the bum ) and skinny jeans and tailored trousers. Been wearing those styles for the past 20 years because they suit me. Buying quality, tying to keep the weight down, Ive stuff in my wardrobes older then the wardrobes themselves

t14cy_t

im off to update my wardrobe tomorrow.....at a jumble sale!!! scour the local papers and google to find one nearest to you. sometimes we have to travel abit but it gets us out and about meeting like minded recyclers!! so worth the petrol!! always take our own car picnic too!!

Prinzessilein

I really wish that charity shops were an option for clothing here! The town I live in has a fair number of charity shops, but the clothing is really not that good at all....well with one exception, there is one charity shop that does a really nice line in 'outsize' clothing ...I know it's good because I donated it after losing weight!!!

I would never go for second-hand shoes...I think it is partly the way Mum brought me up - we wore clothes from thrift shops, but shoes were ALWAYS new....I have always bought underwear new too.

I have no transport. so getting to carboots isn't an option for me either.

Now that I have lost so much weight, (and a little way to go!)...I can buy clothes off the rail (it used to be everything from the bigger-size-catalogues)...I am fond of M&S...and they currently have a sale on...a nice selection of casual and smart/casual at less than half price for some items...well worth a look.

lindens

Carry on using Ebay but look for certain brands that last and are well made. Weird Fish springs to mind - their macaroni tops. The North Face or any of the outdoor-type brands

dolly84

A few years ago I stopped buying new - this is everything not just clothes but with the obvious exceptions. I buy all my clothes from charity shops, car boots etc. It has got a bit out of hand to be honest and I am packed out with clothes so I am having a break from it this year. I now stick with quality brands such as Crew Clothing, Joules, Boden, Lazy Jacks, Weird Fish, I love linen and wool especially hand knitted items. When I buy new I go for ethical retailers that respect the environment and people.


I think the quality of M&S is very poor these days but they still have a loyal following from when the quality was good, Tu is good quality for the money but doesn't fit with my environmental values, the one place I absolutely will not shop is Primark, I hate the place with a passion, half the stuff is falling apart in the shop, a pair of jeans takes the same resources to make whether they last for 3 months or 10 years, it is just wrong to make such shoddy rubbish.

bsuije

I'm a big fan of charity shops, too, and with an already-bulging wardrobe, I can be picky and make sure I only buy quality items (e.g. all natural fibres, posher brands, etc.).

My high-street go-to is Uniqlo. I am a HUGE fan of their HeatTech range and use various bits from the range to get me through most of the year. I also have a few Ultra-light down things (a coat, 2 jackets and a vest), which weigh almost nothing and pack down into a small pouch, so are handy to have packed away as an extra layer in case of need (I really hate being cold...). One final highlight would be their woolens range. They do 100% wool, 100% merino wool and 100% cashmere in a range of classic styles (v-neck, roundneck, polo) and a huge selection of colours. I tend to buy when things are in the sale (can get down to £13 or less), or might splurge out full price if it's an item I know I'll wear a lot.