A beginner’s guide to thrifting

The word thrift comes from the Old Norse meaning ‘to thrive’ and relates to the careful management of money, proving that when we buy second hand our wardrobes and wallets see the perks.

The second hand market is booming as more of us wake up to the idea that second hand shopping gives us a ‘thrill’ in a way that always buying ‘new’ can't.

Because not only is there a world of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, but when we thrift from a charity shop the money we spend keeps giving long after we’ve left with the goods.

If you want to know how to thrift in the UK, it's a great idea to get to know your local charity shop volunteers. This way, you’ll be able to find out when new donations go out onto the shop floor – all shops will do this differently.

It might be first thing on a Monday morning to clear the backlog of weekend donations, or it might be filtered throughout the week (potluck!) or maybe there’s a Friday golden hour when they’re gearing up for the weekend footfall.

Use Oxfam's store finder tool to locate your closest Oxfam shop in seconds.

You can also discover brilliant finds 24/7 on Oxfam's Online Shop.

Thrifting doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Often, you can find higher quality items in a charity shop or preloved website even more so than the mainstream shops. New doesn’t mean better.

Charity shops are treasure troves for classic silhouettes, expertly crafted vintage designs and made-to-last fabrics. However, we should all be thinking about ways to work harder to maintain our clothing, too.

Firstly, make sure when you're buying second hand that you're looking for the right sizing, paying attention to the care labels, and doing that last quality check before you take it to the till.

And no matter how well-made an item of clothing seems, over time we still need to know how to replace buttons and fix a broken zipper.

Every year Second Hand September encourages us to shop more mindfully ahead of autumn, but for many, thrifting is a ritual that becomes second nature and the need to buy new feels less appealing.

There's plenty of basics to be picked up in a charity shop, along with amazing designer brands and corporate donations fresh off the rail to offer everything you could possibly need to build a wardrobe.

You don't have to wait for a trip to town either, as the Oxfam online shop has hundreds of items waiting to be discovered.

1. Look for timeless styles that keep on giving

Finding a brand new, unworn grey cashmere jumper for a few pounds set me on a path to shopping second hand.

When I realised I could buy an item of high quality with little expense just by working that little bit harder to rummage through the rails, I never looked back.

The benefit of curating a second hand capsule wardrobe is that you only need a few carefully chosen items to do all the hard work.

Trends come and go, but a special few items in quality materials and timeless designs will see you through everything.

2. Check the premium rail

In some charity shops, there’s a ‘premium rail’ of items which might include things like designer brands, vintage or new corporate donations.

Look for wooden hangers, a smaller clothing rail strategically placed on its own, or items placed closer to the till for security reasons. This is where you're more likely to find natural materials like cotton, linen, wool and cashmere that are made to last.

3. But check every single section of the shop, too!

Where else could you walk out with a Le Creuset cast iron pan, a Ted Baker blazer and a Prince vinyl but a well-stocked charity shop?

If you only browse a couple of rails you’re missing out on finding a hidden gem. Check the baskets, check-up high, even check the changing room. It might just be the time you find your ‘cashmere jumper’ equivalent.

4. Don’t forget the men’s rail

Every second hand fashion influencer will tell you to ‘check the men’s rail’. Often in the menswear rail you’ll find high quality materials, vintage steals and impeccable cuts.

If it doesn’t quite fit, you can take it to a local tailor for a few pounds to achieve the look you’re after. Think tailored shirts and blazers, oversized trench coats and leather biker jackets for a fraction of the price.

5. Go online for brand favourites

Choose from thousands of second hand items on the Oxfam online website by searching a brand name.

You can also use filters like category, sizing, condition and price to check thoroughly daily. A quick search on a Sunday afternoon and I was able to find matching bridesmaid dresses for my upcoming wedding, L.K. Bennett wedding shoes for me, and an antique pocket watch for the groom.

6. Shop out of season

The joy of shopping second hand is being able to find a bikini in November for your apres-ski experience, or a suede jacket in July for the trans-seasonal weather ahead.

It also means finding a great bargain, as charity shops don’t have the luxury of space to hold onto everything. So, if you’re looking for a good deal, shop ahead of the season and you won’t regret it when the time is right.

7. Save on your Christmas shopping

The golden rule of how to thrift shop at Christmas is to never leave it to the last minute. Instead, use the joy of shopping second hand throughout the year to keep one eye open on Christmas gifting ideas.

Why? Because if you’re paying attention, you can find unique pieces your favourite people will love, and there’s nothing better than getting that right for them on Christmas Day.

Check out our round-up of 10 Second Hand Gift Ideas for inspiration.