Do/would you wear second hand clothes?

I never seem to get any bargains in charity shops (and the smell puts me off - sorry) and whenever I've looked at clothes on eBay I'm just completely overwhelmed by what's on offer and don't know where to start! However, a friend of mine keeps urging me to try - she lives in a poorer part of London and about once a month goes to charity shops in some of the richer areas - she's had LOADS of amazing bargains; labels that usually sell for hundreds of ££ and some with their labels still on, so I guess it depends where you live. (Some she keeps, some she sells on eBay!)

I love a good Chazza shop. I have got some lovely blouses, handbags scarves, shoes and coats from them. I draw the line at undies though.
Don't let the 'charity shop' smell put you off. Giving the items a wash soon puts paid to that!

Yes. Most of my stuff comes from charity shops also have been known to buy a few from jumble sales before Covid took that joy away. I always give new clothes a good wash even if I bought them from a shop as even in the poshest shops you do not know who has tried them on before. If I get fed up of them I then pass them back to a charity shop or cut them up as rags. Eco friendly here.

Yes, absolutely. I’ve been on a weight loss journey over the past three years, and also taken early retirement so money is tight. Love buying from eBay and charity shops. Do buy shoes and undies new. Also donate a lot.
I thought it was just ladies of a certain age doing this, but witnessed a couple of trendy young ladies spending big in a charity shop this week. Love it.

I used to get quite a bit off ebay but I prefer charity shops now.

The one I volunteer in (and no, we do not get first dibs!) only puts out clean stuff, sometimes get a whiff of fabric softener but that's all.

As someone with variable weight - was 26, now 14, aiming for 12 - it's a great opportunity to experiment with what suits without paying a fortune.

I always buy from the charity shop, apart from underwear of course. Mostley pay about £3 for a top, and some very expensive brands in my main shop.

Yes. If you have a good idea of your size and what works for your shape, why not?
Not bras or knickers though.
I will buy unworn shoes…sometimes people buy them for a wedding and they are not comfortable when pre-wearing around the house, so they get sent to the charity shop.
I found a beautiful pair of almost new shoes which looked lovely…my size and everything. Unfortunately they had been worn and had obviously caused a blister because there was a bloodstain in the heel. I left them on the shelf….I draw the line at bodily fluids.

There are a lot of people on here saying that they must wash anything bought second-hand before they wear it.

Does no-one wash brand new clothing before they wear them? People have tried items on in shops (pre-covid), they touch items without having washed their hands etc.

Personally, regardless of whether new or second-hand, all clothing gets washed in my house before it's worn.

I can't afford expensive designer or even high street labels, I've worn supermarket labels for years and
I'm still able to sell loads of clothes on ebay, I wash them before listing them (unless they're brand new with their tags), I don't iron anything because they'll probably get creased in transit and most people wash them again anyway.

I've made over £2k selling clothing and books on ebay since the lockdowns started and I'm still adding stuff on a regular basis, eventually I'll have completely decluttered and will be in a position to move house.

I have loads of pre loved clothes. All good brands...linen and cotton. I have even sold clothes on Ebay that I originally bought on there. Love my preloved clothes.

I love wandering around Charity shops but dont buy clothes I mainly buy books. I can wear somthing someone I know has given me if it fits, but that doesnt happen very often,I am not a great clothes buyer to be honest.

I do happily whenever I can find any that are my size and suited to my age.

Size 10 and 70.

Most women my age are not size 10, only girls between 14 and 16 seem to be and looking at their clothes on them is fine, but on me?

Do I hear Grannie muttering from the hereafter "Mutton dressed as lamb!" Yes, I do!

May7 I too have got my ebay bidding down to a fine art and nearly always get what I am bidding for.
Last week I "won" a Next dress still with tags at £32 for just £7 and it is still available in store also a leather Radley bag for £12 ebay is my go to first stop when I am looking for something.

I donate my clothes, but I never buy from them. I was the youngest of four girls and never had new clothes or shoes, always my sisters the hand- me-downs, so I like having new inexpensive things.

No, I can't wear second hand clothes. I don't know why but I just can't do it. I thought it was because, as a kid, I only ever had hand me down clothes but my sister buys all her clothes from charity shops and she had the same poor upbringing as me. I have probably only bought 2 items of clothing from a charity shop in my life, I am happy to buy bric a brac etc from them but wearing someone else's clothes just does not appeal to me.

Yes, all the time (apart from underwear).

Love charity shops and worked at one for many years. I bought my Hilary Morgan designer wedding dress from the local hospice shop for £20 and the evening dress which was silk by Monsoon for £20. Not many brides can say that! Donated wedding dress to a baby charity that cut out little gowns for very sadly deceased babies to be buried in.

I rarely see items in my size in charity shops but have bought some things from someone I "know" from a hobby forum. We live at opposite ends of the country so are unlikely to meet up unless pre arranged - so she wont see me in her old clothes!!

Yes , I buy a lot from ebay . Some are new with or without out tags . Others are worn once or in excellent condition . Also the fun is if you get it for the price you want to pay . I always set myself a limit to what I'm willing to bid , if it goes over it wasn't meant to be . Then it on to looking for the next item . My mother-in-law can't believe some of the items I have got , for the price I paid .

Yes! I've been buying clothes and other items from charity shops for years! I have a wardrobe of Next, Oasis, Monsoon, Wallis and M & S clothes which I could never have bought full price! Two things I always buy new - underwear and shoes. I've bought a few things from Ebay - often brand new. It's good for the environment and good for your purse.

MissAdventure

I'm currently carrying my essentials around in a Jasper Conran handbag. £4.

Typical MissAdventure
Nice to see you posting.

Have always worn second hand, in fat me and a group of friends when I was younger and poorer used to bring all our unwanted/un-needed clothes and items to a different house each week to do 'swapsies' lol. I got some great stuff out of it! Love me a charity shop, espcially for the kids clothes, as a lot of kids have grown out of things before they are even worn!

Last time I bought something new was a jumper from a Next sale in 2005. lol.

I'm happy to wear second hand if I see something I like that fits. When my children were small I often bought second hand for them as they grew out of things so fast and the charity shop items were usually good as new. One year I bought a beaufiful coat for my daughter from the local charity shop. When someone admired it and asked if it was new she announced very loudly "Yes Mummy bought it from Oxfam!" It was just another shop to her! One of my favourite shirts at that time was from the same shop.

Thank you Namsnanny

I’d say 95% of my wardrobe is from charity shops. I started using them wayyyy before it became popular! The only thing. I buy new is underwear’s and sometimes shoes. I’ve had some amazing bargains over the years and people often compliment me on my outfits! I love it …. ‘saves me a fortune, and saves the planet at the same time ?

I have, yes, and more particularly this year.90% of stuff bought was v good, 10% rubbish. If you know the brands you like and know your size, why on earth not ......a fraction of the price !