Find treasure in a charity shop

Twenty years ago when I was a single mother of three wee girls my only outlet for a fix of self indulgent clothes shopping was in the local charity shops.

How I loved them, and still do. Although nowadays, with tenners no longer an endangered species in my purse, I can occasionally be found studying the form in Fenwick’s French Salon.

My shopping binge of choice however, is still the charity shops. It’s here where my talent for finding something special is fully exercised.

No matter how financially challenged we can always afford a charity shop buy, and it really can be a gem of a gown with pedigree and charm. Indeed, I have become the self-appointed doyen of vintage French flea market chic; the very look currently taking New York by storm in the new Anthropologie store on Rockefeller Plaza.

But no need to squander air miles or a small fortune; go no further than suburbia where fashion treasures await. I have bought many a handsome household item too; my most graceful stemware was found languishing in an ‘everything 50p box’, and can I remember when I ever paid more than 75p for a book?

Good quality novels only, of course; no trash on my shelves. Charity shopping is a thoroughly nourishing experience, albeit sans cappuccino. Who needs refreshment when an entire outfit can cost less than lunch?

For me our high street fashion houses feel like manicured, antiseptic units, whereas charity shops are a sweet meadow of wild flowers there to be picked and mixed.

The department store’s pared down rails of prescribed colours and shapes are counter to creativity; we are directed towards one homogenised style ‘statement’. But what does it say about you – where’s the individuality? It demands a dash of daring to go for the eclectic, but it’s an affordable and fascinating challenge.

Then there’s the enchantment of the secret journey of the garment; where has it been?

I’m certain the sexy forties style dress I bought from a street market in Berlin just after reunification must once have belonged to a beautiful femme fatale double agent.

Each time I find an elegant dress, or delicate silk blouse it’s like opening the perfume bottle of time and releasing the scent and sense of a past waiting to be revived, reinhabited. I find myself imagining what went before and engaging with fashion and social history.

Could my fake leopard skin jacket have been to Monte Carlo and back? And I do wonder about the fifties bride who’s divine powder blue ballerina style dress I wore for my wedding this spring, courtesy of the Salvation Army shop in my home town of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Some of us are rather squeamish about the second hand clothes scene, but rest assured all clothes are clean, well cared for and attentively selected by dedicated volunteer assistants. There’s something very edifying about wearing a cherished garment. I feel I am respecting a thing of beauty and character, giving it another chance to come alive and participate in the occasions of life; some of them very special.

So, I am dedicated to the cause. And not only because of the midnight blue Norman Hartnell evening coat that always gets me noticed (£4), or the Betty Jackson jeans jacket (£2) that my daughters line up to borrow. Nor is it entirely altruistic, although I am glad to be fundraising without hassling my compadres or bungee jumping off the Tyne Bridge.

In truth the real deep down feeling I have is self satisfied smugness. I create my unique style; donate to charity, all without injury to the bank balance. And, it’s a safe place to make those fashion gaffes; just give back the skinny jeans next time you’re passing.

This must be ethical consumerism. I may be a charity shopaholic, but I believe I tread respectfully in the steps of fashion history. And as well as supporting a range of worthy causes, I am doing my bit for the environment. After all, there is only so much space in my closet and I don’t go to too many cocktail parties. So after a brief but loving relationship, when next I visit the charity shops, I will be donating my gorgeous cast offs for recycling. Will you be on the look out?

Seven reasons to support Charity Shops

1. No one will try to sell you an in-store credit card
2. No buyer’s remorse
3. Shop with abandon
4. Avoid the chain store massacre
5. Find forgotten treasures
6. Create a unique, personal style
7. Recycle those idle items in your wardrobe.

To find out about buying, donating or volunteering at your local charity shop contact the Association of Charity Shops at www.charityshops.org.uk