Sunday 3 May 2015

Charity shop sweep.

I'm unfortunate enough to work most Saturdays but after finishing a little early yesterday, I though I'd go for a quick walk in Chorlton. I only intended to go to the Age UK Silver Service shop which is my favourite there. I never get chance to go as it is one of the few shops in Chorlton which doesn't open on a Sunday. I think the shop is great as it strikes a perfect balance between organised and jumble sale! There's normally some unusual pieces of jewellery along with fairly priced, good quality clothing and a stack of bargain books - usually 5 for £1! In addition to that, the staff there are wonderful - the lady who works on the till is almost a friend of mine now!


My first pick was these skinny black patterned trousers for £3. In my experience, trousers aren't big sellers in charity shops and managers seem to be offering them quite cheaply in most shops I go in.


I also picked up this plain dark green cardigan for £1.60. It is actually far better quality than it appears in this photograph! Light and a nice fabric - perfect for when the weather gets a little warmer.


I also picked up this bracelet for £3. Maybe a little on the expensive side but I instantly fell in love with it!


Next, I went into Sue Ryder which is a fairly new addition to Chorlton high street. It's a huge shop with furniture and clothing for sale. There's also a 'vintage' section at the back which I have to say, I'm not a fan of! It's mostly made up of vintage-style high street items which have had their prices unfairly bumped up!
I overheard the manager saying the shop had had its most successful week ever financially so they must be doing something right!  
The skirt above is originally from River Island and cost £3.50.


I also picked up this pale pink (and very creased) top which was £5 - far more expensive than I would usually pay for a such a simple item but it's from Whistles and is such excellent quality.


My final Sue Ryder purchase was this Topshop cardigan from the outside pound rail! 

I also bought this £1 Oasis dress from the RSPCA shop. (Why is everything so creased?)



Then, I went BACK into Age UK...I'd seen this item on my first visit and really couldn't decide on it but after a little walk around and a think, I decided I would be a little sad if I went home without it and if I didn't like it, I could just donate it back!


I'm not sure how to describe this...it's like a long blazer? I've tried it on now and I absolutely adore it! It nips in nicely at the back and fits me perfectly. I was a bit worried it might look too 80s with the shoulder pads but it's just perfect for £6.50...I'm so glad I went back for it!


I also picked up this light blue Topshop dress for £5.95 which'll be nice for a night out. 
My final purchase was this small stack of silver-coloured rings for £2. Definitely overpriced but simple enough to wear every day.


I made all of these purchases inside an hour which even for me is quite an achievement!

Has anyone made any Bank Holiday charity shop purchases this weekend?

Char x



14 comments:

  1. My two favourites are the leopard print skirt and the topshop dress 😊😊 its a big bug bear of mine when shops try and sell things as vintage when they aren't! We have a Sue Ryder vintage shop in leicester and while there are a few things that are genuinely lovely and vintage half of he stuff is from topshop with the prices double what you'd pay in any other charity shop! I even went to a vintage fair not long ago and there was a h&m jacket with the labels cut out and it was £25!! Brand new it was £15!! Anyway that's enough of a rant from me ...

    Charlotte | www.discoveringcharlotte.co.uk

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    1. Sue Ryder are dreadful for it! I understand why they do it - you just don't get enough real vintage through the door to maintain the section - but still annoying. I used to manage in a shop which had a vintage section and after I'd been off, I used to have to go through the whole section and filter out everything which had been put there by mistake.

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  2. You are a charity shop master - I never cease to be amazed as what you pick up. Ive definitely become picky about what I buy, I just can't justify £10 for a second hand, used dress. However, what I've bought recently has been of great quality. Toast, Hobbs and Coast for under £20. Really like the coat/jacket. Can imagine that looking gorgeous with black, ripped skinny jeans! Debating whether to try shopping tomorrow, wonder if the shops will be open!

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    1. It's definitely just a case of right place, right time and I'm not as picky as I should be! I never try things on and there's always something that doesn't fit when I get it home! I was saying to Charlotte above that I have to put that skirt on over my head because my thighs are too fat for it! But agreed, I'd never spend £10 on a dress unless it was something magical. I think you've got the right attitude. Yeah I know, so glad I went back for it! I'm going to try an hour or two I think. The ones which open Sunday are usually open bank holiday.

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  3. Amazing buys! Love the Whistles top; I work for Whistles and most tops of this style start at the £75 mark so for a fiver you definitely got a bargain! Love the long blazer too, it reminds me of my duster coat, such a lovely style. Also adore the leopard print skirt too, such a cute style! I mentioned you on my blog today x

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    1. Thanks Amie! I feel much happier about my £5 spend now - I guess it would be around that mark!x

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  4. Hello Charlotte. Just popping over from my friend Amie's blog. Some useful finds there and great prices, too. No charity shopping finds this weekend as I've been working but some fab stuff at the Bank Holiday car boot sale. x

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    1. Hello! Thanks for looking :) Amie's blog inspired mine quite a while ago now! Jealous of your boot sale success - I'm always trying to find a good one in Manchester.x

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  5. Hi there Charlotte! I went on a blogging charity shop crawl with two blog friends on Saturday and bought loads of things! Love what you found esp that long blazer!x

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    1. Hello! Sounds good, whereabouts were you shopping?x

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  6. I hadn't realised you had a blog?
    That blazer and cami dress seriously got my thrifty juices flowing
    x

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    1. How can I follow you on GFC?

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    2. Hi Amber! Yeah, I've been trying to post regularly since January this year. On GFC? Not sure what that is? Am I being stupid?x

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