I’ve been on a bit of a thrifting go-slow this month and haven’t been to a charity shop or car boot sale for what feels like ages. So when my mum suggested a quick look round some local charity shops I jumped at the chance. We popped to Cheam Village in Surrey which has 4 really good charity shops and also has a really nice tea room, so it’s perfect for a quick shopping trip.
Here’s what I bought…
I got this pretty pleated skirt for £4. I know it’s a little bit of a granny skirt, but it really appealed to me and I have loads of ideas of how to style it. I can never resist a pleated skirt!
I also got this smart red skirt for £2.50, it’s unworn and still has it’s original tag. It’s from the 80s but I have a really pretty 1940s blouse which I plan to wear with it for a more vintage look. I’m also going to try to find a better belt to go with it as the matching one is a bit cheap looking.
I am really unsure about these sandals, but they are so similar to ones I’ve seen in vintage magazines and I think they’d look great with a pretty vintage summer dress. These were about £4.
I got this pretty hair clip, I have such thick hair that I find it really hard to find a clip that will keep it all up but this one is perfect. I also got this plastic bangle. It’s almost identical to a bakelite one I have and although this is a newer plastic they will look great in a stack together. These were both 50p
I got this king size vintage sheet for £3, and I plan to make a dress out of it.
I also got this shell print valance sheet for £1.90, which I’m going to use for my next sewing project – so watch this space!
After a hard mornings shopping, a cup of tea is always required so we popped in the tearoom for a late breakfast and pot of tea.
While I’m on the subject of charity shops, I just wanted to talk about a couple of things. I’ve found that in the last year or so, charity shops have really raised their prices. Some to a point where I feel that items have been priced way beyond what they are worth. I think this has a lot to do with second hand clothing being a lot more popular these days. But I feel a little like they are pricing themselves too high and putting off customers who still want a bargain.
I’m going to write a much more detailed post on this in the next couple of weeks but would love to hear your thoughts, so please let me know your opinions in the comments. xxx
11 Comments
jo
May 16, 2014 at 7:44 pmI really agree on the charity shop subject. I am happy to support charities of course, but i don’t have unlimited funds and when you see Primark clothes for more or less what they cost new I leave them on the rail. Even the vintage bedding i use for dresses etc is getting more expensive. I have noticed also that a lot of my local charity shops seem to be turning themselves in to boutiques!? I find the most reasonably priced are the little independent charities – and i’d prefer to support those anyway!
vintagefrills
May 16, 2014 at 7:51 pmExactly! I love the smaller charities, and always find the most fantastic things in their shops. I went to a charity shop yesterday that wanted £50 for a kids wooden train set and £30 for a really ordinary 1960s dress. I would have bought both had they been cheaper so they lost out on my custom.
jo
May 16, 2014 at 7:56 pmShocking! Well, I spoke to my local little friends of the animal charity shop about what they thought about it all (and run by the sweetest retired ladies!) Their response was “we aren’t being greedy” they said that they would rather price low and sell lots and therefore raise more money. Makes perfect sense…and it seems to work for them!
vintagefrills
May 16, 2014 at 7:59 pmI was in oxfam a few weeks ago and heard the manager talking about the impossible targets they have to meet, so I guess the larger ones are under pressure.
I think it’s a shame as they also are a lifeline for people who can’t afford to buy new clothes.
Thanks so much for your comments. Xxx
mancunianvintage
May 16, 2014 at 9:05 pmAmazing haul! I love that floral skirt and those sandals 🙂 Look forward to seeing that bed sheet being transformed into something lovely!
http://www.mancunianvintage.com
Emerald Dove
May 16, 2014 at 9:33 pmGorgeous picks! Love the first skirt – your charity shops have some great stuff in! 🙂
theemeralddove21.blogspot.co.uk
Hayley
May 18, 2014 at 5:26 pmCharity shops are getting more expensive but so is everything else so I don’t mind paying a bit more when it’s going to a good cause. You can still get good bargains too, a few weeks a go I bought a 1930s travel vanity set with mirror, brush and glass bottles for £15!
porcelina
May 18, 2014 at 9:45 pmIt’s been happening steadily for quite some years now – I don’t even bother going in the big ones like Oxfam or Tenovus anymore. I feel for the people who have so little money that they have to buy everything second hand – the charity shops are not just there to raise money for their cause but to provide a helping hand to those people. No wonder everybody flocks to Primark! I feel lucky where I live, as the charity shops prefer to price ’em low and shift ’em quick. They get through tonnes and tonnes of stock, and are really successful at raising money. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the topic too! (And by the way, loving your fabric choices, the shell print in particular is divine!) x
Tricia
May 19, 2014 at 9:04 amI’m in agreement as well. I find the ‘independent’ charity shops are still the lower priced ones with the more ‘quirky’/interesting items for sale.
The bigger ‘chain’ charity shops seem to being run as business – which I get, they are there to make money for the charity – but it does mean the shops are given targets so price higher.
I now won’t shop in some of the very big charities shops since finding out where the money raised goes too (CEO wages, advertising etc)
I do think there is a north/south divide on the prices too.
Looking forward to seeing the valance sheet skirt… and wishing I could sew!
Jessica Cangiano
May 21, 2014 at 8:00 amYou’re not alone, that’s a trend I’ve been seeing for several years here in Canada, and not just on vintage items (which are next to nonexistent at most thrift/charity shops here any more), but on the bulk of their merchandise in general. I look forward to reading more of your take on the matter.
♥ Jessica
Linda
November 15, 2014 at 7:04 pmWarm greetings from Montreal, Canada. I absolutely love charity shops. Unfortunately we do not have as many as you have in the U.K. The ones that we have that come to mind are Goodwill and Salvation Army. We don’t have Oxfam, Animal protection, Heart Foundation, etc., like you do. I wish we did. Great post, and lovely finds!