Pre-Loved Fashion

Question: What do all the dresses I'm wearing in the pictures above have in common? Answer: They all came from Charity shops in the UK and cost around £3 each!

I come from a family of bargain hunters. I used to adore spending time with my grandmother as she rifled through thrift stores in town, and even though my elegant mum had an undeniable penchant for new designer labels, she certainly wasn't averse to pre-loved clothes; she used to love an irresistible jumble sale bargain.

As a penny-counting teenager in the nineties, I was absolutely thrilled to discover that my local branch of Top Shop was giving all its slightly imperfect clothes to the Oxfam charity store down the road. I was in heaven as I eyed up the hangers, grabbing anything half decent that would fit, with just a small hole to sew up or a button to replace.

When I visited the UK last year, after a long time living overseas, I was struck by just how many charity shops there were on the high streets. Now, I know they don't make for the prettiest of store fronts and, aesthetically, a street full of independent, boutique style shops is far more appealing, but, for me, these charity shops hold an enticing allure. Who knows what pre-loved bargains could be hiding inside?

I mostly look for pretty dresses. Dresses are just so easy to wear, you can simply slip one on without thinking of any other garment that might pair well with it. So, inside the shop, tunnel vision ensues; I'm a woman on a mission, charging straight towards my size hangers and deftly flitting through the musty rails for any vague possibilities. When I finally make it to the changing room, like a magpie fleeing with its trinkets, and discover that my chosen items not only fit, but actually look reasonably ok, a warm sense of satisfaction envelops me. A new wardrobe piece for the loose change in my purse. Fantastic.

Last year, I bought a knee length, Laura Ashley, black, floral, button up dress with a waist tie, which I adored the moment I set eyes on it (top, left picture). I also bought a black and white patterned, pretty Oasis dress, which seemed to be the perfect choice for a day trip to Paris (middle, left). This year I bought a green, patterned, layered Fat Face dress which was ideal for our escapades in the Welsh countryside (bottom left), a simple, blue and white patterned shift dress with a cinched waist (top, right) and a black and white Next dress with a frilled and buttoned neckline (bottom, right).

I don't worry too much if my potential purchase seems too much like an occasion or formal dress (within reason), because I tend to wear these dresses with a pair of plain white trainers, which tones down the look, and a simple jacket in case it gets chilly (on my recent visits to the UK, my denim jacket is the only jacket I've taken as it's so versatile and goes with everything).

It's also blissfully liberating to not have buyer's remorse lurking in the shadows; I can take clothing items out of context and indulge in the fun, eclectic and bizarre without worrying too much about the financial output. One of my recent purchases shrank in the wash. Thankfully, at £2.50, I didn't lose any sleep over it and simply gave it to my daughter, who it now fits perfectly.

I'm well aware that some people find the idea of second hand clothes distasteful, but, as far as I'm concerned, everyone's a winner; I enjoy the treasure-hunt and get new additions to my wardrobe for a bargain price, while the charity makes money for its worthy cause. Buying pre-loved apparel is also good for the planet; textile waste takes up a huge amount of space in landfills. If you think about all the new clothes that are churned out on a daily basis to meet the demand for fast fashion, the impact is staggering, from the vast amount of raw materials used, to the energy and water required for production and the resulting pollution. In this context, recycling fashion seems to make even more sense and adds to the feel-good factor.

Sadly, there are no charity shops where I live in Doha, but if I lived in the UK I know I'd be making all sorts of creative ensembles out of charity shop offerings. As it is, I have to look forward to my next visit, when I'll be in my element once again, diving into the clothing racks, searching for the next wearable bargains to see me through my holidays! Hold the designer labels for me British Heart Foundation, Dogs Trust and Save the Children! I'll be back soon!