Get to know the shops around you
Not all charity shops are the same, visit the ones in your area and get a feel for what they stock, how they organise it, when new stock is added etc.
Some charity shops sell a bit of everything while others specialise for example in children’s clothes, in adult’s clothes, even sometimes in occasion ware or wedding dresses.
Keep a list in mind of the items you are looking for
There is no harm in browsing to see what is available, but you need to make sure that doesn’t lead to buying items you don’t really need. It’s great to have a list in the back of your head (or your phone) of what you are looking for, whether that is as vague as “an outfit for work” or as specific as a “blue fair isle style wool jumper”. If you know specifically you are looking for jeans you can skip the tops and jackets and head straight to the trousers, avoiding temptation.
Give yourself plenty of time
Charity shopping is a totally different way to shop and it needs a bit more time, if you need something very specific and leave it to the last minute the chances of you finding the right item are low. Think about what events you have coming up and leave enough time, you might need to make a few visits to find something right.
Look out for labels (or the lack of them)
You can find some really good quality items in charity shops and it’s worth keeping your eye out for brands you recognise, trust and know about the quality of. You might even find some brands you aspire to own (though don’t buy it just for the brand name if you won’t wear it). If the label looks a little off, check for the washing instructions label to check it says the same.
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for garments with their labels intentionally cut out. Sometimes it is just a sign it had an itchy label but some shops or brands have agreements with charity shops where they donate sample runs or stock clearances but insist on the labels being removed.
Don’t worry about size, if it looks like it might fit, try it
Many of us shop in the same places as a matter of habit and we get used to the idea that we are a particular size in that shop, in charity shops it is a bit different. Don’t restrict yourself just to one size, have a look a little above and below to see if you can spot anything you like that looks like it might fit. Likewise, if you like oversize tops or jumpers, look a few sizes up to find what you like.
Once you’ve identified any items you like that look like they might fit, try them on. A lot of charity shops have a changing cubicle and a mirror though not all so this is something to keep in mind when you’re getting to know the shops around you.
If trying items on isn’t an option you can always take your measurements at home and bring a tape measure along to get a better feel of whether it will fit.
Go posh for better brands
There is a theory, although it isn’t always true, that by travelling to more upmarket areas you are more likely to find designer names and higher quality finds. However, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that the price of an item doesn’t indicate its quality so proceed with caution.
The idea is that if you are looking for a particular item or a specific brand you would be better looking for one in charity shops in an area where people wear them. For example you are more likely to find a waxed jacket in a charity shop in a wealthy rural area than in a deprived city centre and you are more likely to find children’s clothes in an area with lots of families rather than one that is mostly retirees.
Keep and open mind
Charity shops only have one of an item and not a whole range of sizes of the same thing so it is often easier to go with an open mind than a very specific desire. For example “an outfit for a job interview” rather than “navy tailored trousers and a cream silk blouse”. Also, don’t dismiss it until you’ve tried it, you might find that colours or styles that you wouldn’t usually consider look better on you than you think so if you think it might be for you, try it on.
Be realistic about your repair skills and alteration costs
It may be that you find a cardigan you like but the buttons don’t do it for you, if you have the skills, swapping the buttons could be a really easy fix to take it from something you like to the cardigan you love. Keep simple changes like this in mind while browsing.
Likewise, if you like it but it’s just a little too long could you take it up? If you don’t have the skills yourself, you could use a professional to alter garments but keep the cost of that in mind. Taking a skirt up or trousers in at the waist to get the perfect fit might be relatively cheap but remaking an item is not.