HOW TO BE A SAVVIER SHOPPER:

Don’t waste money on duds! Follow these tips to make sure you’re on to a wardrobe winner:

● Consider the wear and care before you buy. Always read the garment care instructions. If you know you won’t have the time or budget to take the piece to the dry cleaners, iron in tricky pleats or wash it by hand, walk away.

● Inspect the item for defects. Try to gauge how an item might hold up after a few washes. If the seams are already fraying, the zip is getting caught and buttons are coming undone, it’s unlikely to stand up to everyday use.

● Try before you buy. If you can, try on clothes when you shop. Check the garment from every angle and try sitting down and moving around in it. If it pulls, rides up or comes undone, it’ll be uncomfortable to wear and isn’t worth buying.

● Shop at outlet stores. Find designer treasures at drop-down prices by shopping in outlet stores and shopping parks. Lots of fantastic items end up in outlets simply because stores need to make space for new products.

● Check the seams, the lining and the pattern placement. The linings and seams are a good way to judge a garments quality. A well-crafted lining is a sign that the whole piece has been made with care and attention to detail. Check the pattern placement, too. If the prints don’t match at the side seams, it can be a sign that the item was manufactured at a low cost.

● Choose natural fabrics. Natural fibres, such as linen, wool, cotton and silk, often look far more luxurious than acrylic, polyurethane and polyester. They’re also much more likely to stand up to everyday wear and tear.

Q ‘I’d love to buy more secondhand, but just feel overwhelmed by the choice in the charity shops. Can you help?’

Buying preloved pieces means that you can often get so much more for your money. Fashion is cyclical, so whatever you’re after, we guarantee you’ll be able to find it in a charity or vintage shop. Plus, you’ll be doing your bit for the environment.

Most charity shops organise items by colour or size, so it’s likely you’ll need to rummage. Be open-minded about the size. Clothing tends to come up smaller until it gets to the 1990s, so don’t worry about going up a size if you make a vintage purchase. Try shopping online if a trip to the shops is daunting. Many charities have stores on ebay, or you could try a phone app such as Vinted, Depop and Thrift+. Use the search toggles to refine by brand, colour, price and size.