I love to shop secondhand when I need to buy something new-to-me to wear for a special occasion, and it’s always a lovely idea to support charities while you shop.
So, when I needed a dress for a wedding this month, I headed to my Nan’s favourite charity shop and was lucky enough to find the perfect dress for the occasion. It was the ideal floaty fabric, my favourite icy-blue colour, a pretty floral print AND a flattering design.
It had been donated to the charity shop but was still a new item, with the original tag still attached. However, it was too big for me. Did I let that stop me from buying it? No way! And that’s because I knew I could make it fit with just a few tweaks.
One of the main problems with shopping secondhand is that you can’t always be sure that something you love is going to be available in your size. Unlike high street shops, where you can try on three (or more) sizes and choose the one that fits you best, with charity shops, you just have to hope that it’s a good fit…
OR know how to make it work for you!
I’ve been a volunteer blogger for Oxfam Fashion for around ten years now and I’ve recently blogged about the solutions for the top 5 secondhand shopping gripes on the charity’s blog.
The problems I’ve solved include clothing being the wrong size, small imperfections on secondhand items, dresses being too long, needing an item in a different colour, or simply not knowing if you’ll get a chance to wear it.
These are all secondhand shopping issues that can definitely be overcome so be sure to check out my article on the Oxfam fashion blog to find out how to make your bargain finds fit you perfectly and suit your style.
Let me know if you’ve had any lucky finds from secondhand stores or charity shops in the comments below, I’d love to hear what bargains you’ve bought or any customising you’ve done.
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