{"id":12277,"date":"2026-02-07T13:06:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T13:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/07\/people-pay-me-to-style-them-most-of-their-clothes-are-from-charity-shops\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T13:06:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T13:06:31","slug":"people-pay-me-to-style-them-most-of-their-clothes-are-from-charity-shops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/07\/people-pay-me-to-style-them-most-of-their-clothes-are-from-charity-shops\/","title":{"rendered":"People pay me to style them \u2013 most of their clothes are from charity shops"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Catherine <\/div>
I\u2019m a personal stylist and colour analyst (Picture: Nicky Bamber Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When I was four, I wore my first-ever charity<\/a> shop bargain \u2013 and hated it. <\/p>\n

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 \u2013 which, to me, was anything but.<\/p>\n

This was the 1970s \u2013 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\u2019s, but it made me squirm with embarrassment.  <\/p>\n

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<\/a> dress \u2013 while the other tweens had boob tubes and ra-ra skirts. <\/p>\n

Fast-forward five decades and I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Catherine <\/div>
I\u2019ve turned bargain-hunting into an art form (Picture: Nicky Bamber Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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In fact, I could not do without them. Over 50% of my wardrobe is second-hand.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve turned bargain-hunting into an art form. <\/p>\n

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\u2019s horse. <\/p>\n

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 \u2013 and there was always something for all of us. A dress or bag for me; books or toys for the kids.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s 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\u2019m not claiming sainthood, but at least my slow-fashion shopping habit helps someone. <\/p>\n

\n
\"Catherine <\/div>
It\u2019s taken years to hone my second-hand shopping skills, and a few questionable purchases along the way (Picture: Nicky Bamber Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And most importantly, there\u2019s the thrill of the hunt; that electric moment when you find the piece<\/em>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not alone here. When I help my clients edit their wardrobes, there is nearly always a sad looking jumper \u2013 with an unfortunate print or nasty fabric \u2013 languishing, unworn, at the back of the cupboard. \u2018It was just such a bargain!\u2019, they\u2019ll sigh.<\/p>\n

These days, I shop much smarter. This means I always have a few things to consider: firstly, whether it\u2019s 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\u2019t suit me.<\/p>\n

\n

Catherine\u2019s top 5 charity shopping hacks: <\/h2>\n
\n

1. Stay true to yourself and your style. If it\u2019s too tight, too square, too shapeless, or makes you feel \u2018meh\u2019, walk away, no matter how cheap it is.<\/em> <\/p>\n

2. Location matters. If you\u2019re in London<\/a>, for high-end treasures, head to Chiswick, King\u2019s Road, or Portobello Road. For quirky finds, try Hackney or Walthamstow.<\/em> <\/p>\n

3. Ignore the size label: I\u2019m a 10\/12, but I\u2019ll happily consider anything from an 8 to a 14. Old sizing runs smaller, and brands vary wildly.<\/em> <\/p>\n

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\u2019s second-hand heaven.<\/em> <\/p>\n

5. Feel it. Literally. If it feels itchy, rough, or plasticky, it\u2019ll drive you mad. 100% oldschool polyester is rarely worth it.<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Secondly, I consider whether the colour drains me. As a Colour Analyst, I now know I suit bright, clear colours,<\/a> so I won\u2019t touch anything in black, beige or khaki.<\/p>\n

Finally, it may have a little place in my heart; but that doesn\u2019t 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\u2019t think of good answers to both these questions, it stays on the rail.<\/p>\n

With this know-how, second-hand shopping becomes a pleasure rather than a source of dubious purchases \u2013 and now I\u2019d take a charity shop over a high street<\/a> shop every time. <\/p>\n

My best finds include a vintage beaded bag from Loughton, brand new Zara dresses for a fiver in Devon<\/a>, and a pair of heeled sandals that are so comfortable I couldn\u2019t believe it. <\/p>\n

\n
\"Catherine <\/div>
As a stylist, people approach me because they\u2019re feeling a bit held back \u2013\u00a0personally or professionally \u2013 by what they are wearing (Picture: Nicky Bamber Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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. <\/p>\n

As a stylist, people approach me because they\u2019re feeling a bit held back \u2013 personally or professionally \u2013 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. <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve found that most of us wear around 20% of what we actually own, endlessly rifling through the rest \u2013 whereas true happiness can be found in opening your wardrobe and loving everything in it. <\/p>\n

\n
Comment now<\/title><\/use><\/svg>What are your best charity shop finds? Share your stories in the comments<\/span><\/span>Comment Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

When I help clients edit their wardrobes, I notice that charity shop and Vinted purchases are often high up on the \u2018discard\u2019 pile. This isn\u2019t surprising, because we tend not to use the same judgement shopping second-hand as we do when investing in something new. <\/p>\n

Consequently, we outgrow these bargain pieces much quicker. <\/p>\n

\n
\"Catherine <\/div>
Once I help clients clear out what doesn\u2019t serve them, they often ask what happens next; and, of course, it comes back to charity shops (Picture: Nicky Bamber Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u2019ve lost track of the number of times I\u2019ve heard people say things like, \u2018Well, I know I have quite a few black tops already, but I couldn\u2019t resist this one because it looked comfy and it was only \u00a33.50\u2019. <\/p>\n

\u2018Yes,\u2019 I want to reply. \u2018But it\u2019s also faded and bobbling under the arms.\u2019 If something already has loose threads, bobbles or obvious stains, trust me: it\u2019s not going to get any better with wear.<\/p>\n

Instead, these bargain pieces will get outgrown quickly<\/a>, and will then pile up, unused, in our wardrobes. <\/p>\n

Once I help clients clear out what doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Because the other great thing about charity shops<\/a> is that, unlike the high street, they stock a rainbow of colours all year round.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Catherine <\/div>
Know your colours, check the fit and don\u2019t compromise (Picture: Nicky Bamber Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the moment, there\u2019s a plethora of chocolate brown and deep burgundy on the high street. <\/p>\n

But one of my favourite blouses is sunshine yellow, a colour that lifts both my skin tone and my spirits. <\/p>\n

There would have been pretty much zero chance of finding something in this colour at Westfield right now, and so I\u2019m thankful that charity shops make different colours available even in the depths of winter. <\/p>\n

Ultimately, I\u2019d never advise buying something just because it\u2019s cheap \u2013 but I do advise buying second-hand and simply applying the same rules there as you would in any other shop.<\/p>\n

Know your colours, check the fit and don\u2019t compromise. <\/p>\n

So next time you pop into your local charity shop, take your time, trust your instincts and enjoy the thrill of the find. There\u2019s nothing like walking out with a bargain that makes you simultaneously look good, feel good, and do good.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jessica.aureli@metro.co.uk<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Share your views in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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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. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12277"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12277"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12277\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}