7 Feb, 2026 | | No Comments
People pay me to style them – most of their clothes are from charity shops
When I was four, I wore my first-ever charity shop bargain – and hated it.
It was a stiff blue wool coat that stopped me lifting my arms and a matching fur hat with bobbles that tied under my chin, from a shop called Good as New – which, to me, was anything but.
This was the 1970s – so, when everyone else was in cheerful synthetics, I looked like a miniature Edwardian governess. My mum thought she was being stylish, as well as saving money, by putting her child in a retro outfit unlike anyone else’s, but it made me squirm with embarrassment.
As I grew up, and clothing became a little more affordable, these charity shop purchases, thankfully, became more sporadic. However, I have never forgotten attending my end-of-primary-school disco in a blue woolly second-hand polar neck M&S dress – while the other tweens had boob tubes and ra-ra skirts.
Fast-forward five decades and I’m now a personal stylist and colour analyst. And, while I never would have believed it when I was four years old, charity shops are at the centre of my work; and my wardrobe.
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In fact, I could not do without them. Over 50% of my wardrobe is second-hand.
I’ve turned bargain-hunting into an art form.
Part of my love of second-hand shopping is in my DNA. I may have loathed that first coat, but I adored my second-hand Sindy doll clothes and Action Man’s horse.
But it was when my children were young that I really fell in love with charity shops. Slowly, they opened up on UK high streets with their promise of an enticing bargain – and there was always something for all of us. A dress or bag for me; books or toys for the kids.
Then there’s the guilt-free factor. Buying from my local Saint Francis Hospice or British Heart Foundation feels infinitely better than filling a basket at Westfield. I’m not claiming sainthood, but at least my slow-fashion shopping habit helps someone.
And most importantly, there’s the thrill of the hunt; that electric moment when you find the piece.
It’s taken years to hone my second-hand shopping skills, and a few questionable purchases along the way. Skin-tight see-through trousers, peculiar 90s slogan tees, and mumsy tea dresses with vice-like sleeves all spring to mind.
I’m not alone here. When I help my clients edit their wardrobes, there is nearly always a sad looking jumper – with an unfortunate print or nasty fabric – languishing, unworn, at the back of the cupboard. ‘It was just such a bargain!’, they’ll sigh.
These days, I shop much smarter. This means I always have a few things to consider: firstly, whether it’s right for my body shape. I have an hour-glass figure, so anything resembling a shift dress, which is basically shaped like a rectangle, won’t suit me.
Catherine’s top 5 charity shopping hacks:
1. Stay true to yourself and your style. If it’s too tight, too square, too shapeless, or makes you feel ‘meh’, walk away, no matter how cheap it is.
2. Location matters. If you’re in London, for high-end treasures, head to Chiswick, King’s Road, or Portobello Road. For quirky finds, try Hackney or Walthamstow.
3. Ignore the size label: I’m a 10/12, but I’ll happily consider anything from an 8 to a 14. Old sizing runs smaller, and brands vary wildly.
4. Know your colours: High street shops often sell only seasonal shades, but charity rails are a rainbow year-round. If you know which colours flatter you, it’s second-hand heaven.
5. Feel it. Literally. If it feels itchy, rough, or plasticky, it’ll drive you mad. 100% oldschool polyester is rarely worth it.
Secondly, I consider whether the colour drains me. As a Colour Analyst, I now know I suit bright, clear colours, so I won’t touch anything in black, beige or khaki.
Finally, it may have a little place in my heart; but that doesn’t mean it should have a place in my wardrobe. In order to buy something, I need to be able to imagine both when I would wear it, and what I would wear it with. If I can’t think of good answers to both these questions, it stays on the rail.
With this know-how, second-hand shopping becomes a pleasure rather than a source of dubious purchases – and now I’d take a charity shop over a high street shop every time.
My best finds include a vintage beaded bag from Loughton, brand new Zara dresses for a fiver in Devon, and a pair of heeled sandals that are so comfortable I couldn’t believe it.
Now, I want to pass the joy of bargain shopping on to my clients; which, ironically, often involves getting rid of second-hand clothing first.
As a stylist, people approach me because they’re feeling a bit held back – personally or professionally – by what they are wearing. They need a helping hand to find the colours and styles that make them shine; and I always start by helping them have a major clear out.
I’ve found that most of us wear around 20% of what we actually own, endlessly rifling through the rest – whereas true happiness can be found in opening your wardrobe and loving everything in it.
When I help clients edit their wardrobes, I notice that charity shop and Vinted purchases are often high up on the ‘discard’ pile. This isn’t surprising, because we tend not to use the same judgement shopping second-hand as we do when investing in something new.
Consequently, we outgrow these bargain pieces much quicker.
I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve heard people say things like, ‘Well, I know I have quite a few black tops already, but I couldn’t resist this one because it looked comfy and it was only £3.50’.
‘Yes,’ I want to reply. ‘But it’s also faded and bobbling under the arms.’ If something already has loose threads, bobbles or obvious stains, trust me: it’s not going to get any better with wear.
Instead, these bargain pieces will get outgrown quickly, and will then pile up, unused, in our wardrobes.
Once I help clients clear out what doesn’t serve them, they often ask what happens next; and, of course, it comes back to charity shops, where they will find a treasure trove of one-offs that will really help them stand out from the crowd.
Because the other great thing about charity shops is that, unlike the high street, they stock a rainbow of colours all year round.
At the moment, there’s a plethora of chocolate brown and deep burgundy on the high street.
But one of my favourite blouses is sunshine yellow, a colour that lifts both my skin tone and my spirits.
There would have been pretty much zero chance of finding something in this colour at Westfield right now, and so I’m thankful that charity shops make different colours available even in the depths of winter.
Ultimately, I’d never advise buying something just because it’s cheap – but I do advise buying second-hand and simply applying the same rules there as you would in any other shop.
Know your colours, check the fit and don’t compromise.
So next time you pop into your local charity shop, take your time, trust your instincts and enjoy the thrill of the find. There’s nothing like walking out with a bargain that makes you simultaneously look good, feel good, and do good.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jessica.aureli@metro.co.uk.
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Cold weather causing skin flare-ups? These beauty editor-approved swaps soothe inflammation fast
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Winter can wreak havoc on your skin, and plummeting temperatures can leave your face feeling dry, inflamed and sensitive, with increased redness, cracked lips, tight, itchy or flaky skin.
The cold air holds less moisture, which is only exacerbated when we turn on the heating at home, and our skin ultimately suffers as a result.
Worse still, going from extremely cold environments like your commute from the office into warm spaces like your bedroom can only make things worse and often leads to flushing and redness.
Some forms of rosacea are particularly affected by temperature change, but eczema flare-ups are also very common this time of year.
With that in mind, there are a few tweaks you can make to your skincare routine. Without spending a fortune, there’s a handful of skin barrier repairing balms, moisturisers, lip treatments and targeted serums that can provide some much-needed TLC for your face and body.
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All are available on the high street and have been tried and tested by Metro’s shopping contributor and beauty expert Louise Whitbread, so rest assured you’re in safe hands.
Cold-weather skincare swaps to make this winter
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm 100ml
If I’m struggling to get a hold on inflammation in the form of redness, breakouts and textured cheeks, this is my holy grail product for repairing skin.
This multi-purpose thick balm is designed to treat irritation and can be used as often as needed on your face and body, including post-beauty treatments like chemical peels or to heal areas of dryness.
When my rosacea can’t be calmed during the winter months, this is the only thing I reach for to use as an overnight moisturiser to calm down redness. I also like to apply a thick layer of a mask treatment on occasion when my skin feels more sensitive than usual, thanks to the cold weather. I’m currently on my seventh tube, it’s that good.
Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream 80ml
If you have combination skin like me and find rich balms and creams too heavy, this brilliant Korean moisturiser is a go-to.
Packed with ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier, it’s soothing without leaving a greasy shine – it's perfect for your evening skincare routine.
A little goes a long way, but it’s fast-absorbing, leaves skin feeling instantly softer and reduces redness across my nose and cheeks.
Vieve Bounce Balm 10ml
A good lip balm is a no-brainer when temperatures dip, and this rich, glossy, vanilla-scented formula from Vieve is a cut above.
Having taken it away on skiing holidays where the weather got as low as -15 degrees, it doesn’t freeze up, become grainy and keeps that horrible sensation of dry, cracked skin at bay.
It has a high-shine finish without any stickiness and a plastic applicator that requires a hands-free application, so you never have to get your hands messy either.
CCS Cracked Heel Repair Cream 75ml
It’s not a glamorous addition, but an essential if your feet are feeling sore, tired and extremely dry.
The formula of this rich cream is a mix of lactic acid and urea, to exfoliate, slough away dead skin cells, and soften coarse skin. It takes just four days for me to see results, and I keep it by my bedside so I won’t forget to apply.
Naturium Urea 5% Body Serum 414ml
If your elbows, knees and shins are bearing the brunt of cold weather, this supersize body serum rich in urea is a speedy way to ensure smooth skin.
It has a milky texture that doesn’t take ages to rub in but has the hydrating benefits of a thicker cream. It’s a huge 414ml bottle too, which has lasted me three months already, and I’m only halfway through.
For me, it works like a charm to prevent my eczema flare-ups on my hands and feet.
Dry skin? I hardly know her.
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