Where can you find clothes this chic? Charity shops (yes, really)
WANT a designer fashion item but don’t want to pay designer prices? Then head to your nearest charity shop. ‘People would be amazed at the kind of designer bargains you can pick up,’ says British Red Cross director of fundraising Mark Astarita. JILL FOSTER toured the country to find out if it’s true . . .
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD DRESS FOR JUST £80 Claire House Children’s Hospice, Frodsham st, Chester. we Found: Vivienne westwood dress, £80 (normally £375).
‘WE’RE so lucky to be supported by lots of fashionable people; the Cheshire set often stop by with bags full of clothes they’re clearing out,’ says manager Jeanette Stubbert. ‘As well as this beautiful Vivienne Westwood dress, selling in our shop for £80, we’ve had Jimmy Choo bags and several pairs of Louboutin shoes that have flown off the shelves. It’s the ultimate in guilt-free shopping!’
YVES ST LAURENT SKIRT, SAVING £320
sue ryder, Burford, oxon. we Found: yves st laurent pencil skirt, £80 (was £400).
‘WE ARE given items from Prada, Armani and Ralph Lauren to vintage names such as Frank Lyman, Marcelane, Rozae Nicols and Frank Usher,’ says manager Diana Tri nder. ‘ We have celebrities with second homes or staying nearby, from Kate Winslet and Kate Moss to Gary Barlow and even Liz Hurley, so we might receive donations from them.’
£790 KAFTAN, DOWN TO £75 NORWOOD, Golders Green Road, Golders Green, North London. We found: emilio Pucci kaftan £75 (was £790).
‘WE GET around 30 designer items donated every week,’ says manager Donna Sanders. ‘Today, for example, we’ve been given a huge bag full of designer clothes, including Michael Kors and Donna Karen bags. We get donations from the many local celebrities as well — but sadly we can’t name any names!’
SNAKESKIN VERSACE BAG AT ONLY £250
Oxfam, elvet Bridge, Durham. We found: Vivienne Westwood striped shirt £125 (was £250), brown snakeskin Versace bag £250 (was £600).
‘WE HAVE pieces from Mulberry handbags to Versace shoes, thanks to our regular well-heeled donors,’ says manager Michael Ridsdale. ‘Recently, a young man bought an exclusive engagement ring for £800 from our shop, then dropped down on his knee and proposed to his girlfriend in front of us.’
HUGO BOSS DRESS KNOCKED DOWN TO £35
Cancer Research, marlow, Bucks. We found: a Dvf printed scarf, £25 (was £60) and a hugo Boss pink dress, £35 (was £240).
‘WE HAVE some regular donors who drop off a bag of some high-value items, such as handbags, shoes and dresses from brands like Prada or Hugo Boss,’ says manager Alex McTaggart. ‘We once got a Kenneth Cole bag worth £250, which we sold for £90. From time to time we’re lucky to get some brand new items with labels still on — these would fly off the shelves within hours. Our customers appreciate good value.’
NICOLE FARHI JACKET FOR £40
Pdsa, market harborough, Leics. We found: Tommy hilfiger ballet shoes £25 (were £60) and Nicole farhi woollen jacket £39.99 (was £250).
‘AS OUR shop is in an affluent rural market town we often receive valuable designer fashion items, from clothes and shoes to accessories like handbags and scarves,’ says manager Karen Delone. ‘Recently we had a pair of Versace jeans, a Louis Vuitton handbag and a pair of Kurt Geiger ladies heels donated.’
CLASS FROM CALVIN KLEIN, YOURS FOR £30 acorns, hewell Road, Barnt Green, Birmingham. We found: Calvin Klein dress £29.99 (normally £550).
‘THE catchment for our shop includes football stars and pop singers and this is reflected in the items we have,’ says manager Sandra Redfern. ‘For a small shop, we get a lot of donations. Recently we had a pair of top condition Christian Louboutin shoes which retail at £2,000. We sold them for £400. It’s a complete mix, but the main designer names are Calvin Klein and Armani.’