Charity shops have been part of Millie Bull's life for as long as she can remember. Packed with vintage clothing, old toys, second-hand books and unusual items, some of her best childhood memories involve leaving a charity shop with a bag full of finds. As a teenager, she visited local charity shops to find affordable clothes rather than spending her entire Saturday wage on a single Topshop purchase. Now in her 30s, the habit continues, and most of her wardrobe is made up of preloved items bought from charity shops, consignment stores or platforms such as Vinted.
Hunting down good pieces is not always easy, especially for beginners. Sometimes you can spend an hour going through the rails and leave with nothing. After years of browsing, Bull has noticed a common mistake that stops people from finding the best items: only checking their usual clothing size.
Why you should browse beyond your usual size
Her advice is to start at one end of the rail and work through every item until the other end. Vintage clothing often runs small, so trying a size or two up is worthwhile. Sizing also varies a lot between brands – she tends to size up for Zara, and down for Tu, Primark or F&F.
Think about the fit you are after. If you want an oversized look, do not be afraid to go up a few sizes – or check the men's section. Taking in an oversized item is much easier than letting out something too small.
The men's section can be very useful for women. Bull once found a men's medium Patagonia fleece in a local charity shop for just £8, typically around £90, and says it is a little oversized but one of the warmest and most comfortable jumpers she owns. Men's linen shirts, in particular, work well worn open over a vest in warmer weather.
Hunting down designer pieces
Many charity shops have a dedicated designer section with labels including Whistles, Mint Velvet, AllSaints, Levi's, Rixo and Ralph Lauren. Designer finds at low prices are a good result, though fit can be tricky – higher-end brands often come up small, so Bull usually goes up a size. If you're unsure, most charity shops have changing rooms, and those that don't will usually accept returns as long as you keep the receipt and tags.
Check the label before buying
Before buying anything – especially vintage – she always checks the label to see what the item is made from. This helps work out whether it's worth the price, whether it is easy to care for, will keep its shape, or is likely to pill.
With knitwear in particular, always check the label. A jumper that is mostly wool will usually last longer, keep you warmer and need washing less often than a synthetic one. Natural materials such as wool, silk, linen and cotton tend to last longer than synthetic options. Labels are sometimes removed before items go on sale, but checking can tell you whether you've picked up a high-street piece or something more upmarket.
Where are the best charity shops?
Bull says the best finds are often in more well-off areas. On a visit to Chelsea in London, she was surprised by how many designer items were on the rails. Marylebone and Primrose Hill are also worth a visit.
Elsewhere, affluent towns such as Tunbridge Wells, Winchester, Chichester, Bath, Marlborough and Cambridge tend to have better quality items on offer. University cities are good for on-trend pieces at prices well below the high street, and usually have a wider range of vintage and eclectic items too.
