CASE STUDIES

One of my biggest ever bargains was a pair of Doc Martins for £12 – worth £150 People get attached to their baby’s things and want to see them go to a good home

ZOË NISBET loves nothing more than snapping up a bargain.

In fact, about 80% of her wardrobe contains recycled clothes.

Zoë, above, only visits the high street when she needs something specific, like running shoes or new underwear.

The 34-year-old, from Blantyre, said: “It really is the best way to shop. You can guarantee if you find a little gem, you won’t spot two or three people walking down the street in the same outfit and I’ve so much money.”

Zoë, mum to 14-month-old Lucy, says finances are tighter SECOND-HAND clothes are so in style that even babies are wearing them.

Mum-of-two Roz O’Callaghan set up Swaddle in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, selling pre-loved products for the under-fives just nine months ago.

It’s already a huge success, with hundreds of items flying off the shelves every week.

Swaddle adopts a modern twist. The contemporary store stocks second-hand baby products from sleepsuits, shoes and swings to cots and even maternity wear.

But it also doubles up as a community hub for new mums, offering workshops in breastfeeding and postnatal depression and a cool space to just hang out.

Roz, 36, quit her high-flying since she and her fiancé became parents.

But second-hand shopping has been a big part of her life for decades.

“My mum and dad loved the second-hand culture, so we’d spend our Saturdays out trawling the local charity shops. It was so much fun that I’ve just carried on.

“In fact, one of my biggest ever bargains was a pair of Doc Martins. I paid £12 and when I looked them up online they were £150.

“Sometimes you’re lucky and sometimes you’re not, but when you persevere there are some real gems to be found.” London marketing post after having first daughter Mary-Kate (now three) to follow a career in social enterprise.

“Personally, I’ve always been a bit of a bargain hunter, and adopted the same philosophy when shopping for my own babies, especially with the big items like prams,” she said.

“But in general, there’s a problem with over-consumerism. This generation has much more for their babies than our parents or grandparents had when they were raising small children.

“And babies grow so quickly that things don’t get worn out. People get attached to their new baby’s things and want to see them go to a good home, that’s why they donate.

“Projects like this are breaking down the barriers and I think that’s key to our success.”