Fact or Fiction? Top Five Myths About Charity Shops By Grace Hall

Ever since the early Salvation Army days in the 1800s, charity shops in the UK have been on a mission to help the community and provide affordable clothes for those in need. Even today, they are operated with a heart for community and tackle some of the biggest social and medical challenges we face; issues like disease, discrimination, poverty and child welfare. No matter what unique causes they stand for, charity shops all have one thing in common. They offer an eco-friendly way to buy and reuse clothes and live sustainably - literally saving lives and the environment. And, did you know that charity shops outperformed high street shops in sales growth for 2019? Now that 2020 is here, the second- hand fashion market is forecast to be worth $64 billion by the end of this new decade. So why on earth are charity shops often looked down on? In this Thrifty Article, we’re debunking the top five myths about charity shops.

Myth One: Charity Shops Only Sell Rubbish.

Reality: Due to popular demand, charity shops are raising the bar like never before when it comes to the standards of the donations that they are willing to accept and sell. If second- hand items are worthless, then why are more and more people choosing to buy them? 15 years ago, they might have had more of a chaotic-garage-sale vibe where anything goes. But right now, the preloved products sold by most charity shops are diverse, high quality and in great condition. No wonder they’re a threat to commercial retailers!

Many fashion outlets choose to donate brand new warehouse clothes and accessories from previous seasons, while members of the British public often donate clothes from sought- after brands and even designer labels. Rubbish? We think not!

Myth Two: Clothes from Charity Shops are Dirty/Unhygienic.

Reality: All major charity shops (and most smaller ones) use professional-grade cleaning equipment and work to make sure that all clothes are clean and presentable. This often includes steam cleaning facilities. But before all this can happen, staff and volunteers carefully filter through each new batch of donations. From time to time, some of the clothes that are given to charity simply aren’t good enough to be sold.

Given the high volume of donations and the fact that many charity shops are evolving into more of a boutique-style shop-front, this is not surprising. In cases where donated clothes are stained, torn or in otherwise unacceptable condition, these items are usually sent on to fabric recycling facilities so that they can be repurposed in some other way. This way, the charity shops minimise waste and make sure that they are selling the cream of the crop!

Myth Three: Charity Shops Don’t Benefit Charities Very Much

Reality: While it is expensive to run any kind of shop (rent, administration costs, etc.), charity shops raise over £100 million for British charities every year! Some stores rely solely on the support of volunteers who donate their time to keep the charity shops running. This means that volunteer-run charity shops do not use their profits to pay wages to the people working in-store. Other stores hire paid retail professionals – a decision which makes some members of the public sceptical about how much of the funds raised by second-hand goods actually profit the charity. However, there is no need to worry. When charities hire staff, they are serving the community by creating job opportunities and carefully selecting individuals whose expertise in business and the retail sector will lead to a boost in sales. Thankfully, the best way that you can help charities benefit most from charity shops is to donate clothes and shop there! So it’s a win-win.

Myth Four: Charity Shops are Smelly and Unpleasant to Shop In.

Reality: Almost all charity shops in Britain are lovingly maintained like independent second-hand boutiques. Most of these offer a unique shopping experience in a tidy space with nice displays, professional retail equipment, clean floors and great music. Like commercial shops, many have facilities to handle customer feedback. Of course, they don’t have the same top available in 10 different sizes and stock rotates frequently. Since you never know what you might find and shopping second-hand becomes a discovery process.

Many people find it relaxing to browse around. However, due fast fashion and mass retailers, many of us are used to a sterile, grab-and-go style of shopping that doesn’t require any patience or creativity. But the reality is that the fashion manufacturing industry contributes to 20% of the world’s water pollution and sends 1000s of clothes to landfill every five minutes! Charity shops present an amazing alternative environment to enjoy shopping in.

Myth Five: It’s Embarrassing to Shop for Second-Hand Clothes

Reality: It’s embarrassing to pay £150 for the exact same outfit that someone else was able to find in charity shops for less than £20! Staying true to their original mission in the 1800s, charity shops provide a great service to people in difficult financial times. The money raised from selling affordable clothes and essentials goes towards helping people, animals and a planet in need. However, second-hand shops are not just for the vulnerable; they’re for opportunists too. Where else do you have a chance of finding rare vintage pieces, designer labels, limited editions, casual chic and fancy-dress costumes for low prices? If you’re still embarrassed to be seen shopping second-hand, it’s all the more reason for you to download our Thrifty App and browse the best of local charity shops online!

The Real Deal

If you’re looking for a sales clerk to meet you at the door with champagne and grab hold of your ankles while you levitate around the store, then charity shopping probably isn’t for you. But if you’re anything like our Thrifty App team, then buying and donating second- hand clothes will always keep your fashion evolving so that you can stay fresh for any occasion. You’ll love it when your friends (or even strangers) stop to ask: “Where did you get that shirt?” Shopping second-hand will help you enjoy special things even if you don’t have much money to spare. On top of this, charity shopping will develop your imagination and help you engage with the needs of your community and wider world. Charity does begin at home – by donating clothes and having a great second-hand wardrobe!

The Dos and Donts of Donating Clothes By Grace Hall

Imagine deliberately buying a pair of broken roller skates to give to your younger cousin for his birthday. Or receiving a white t-shirt covered with mascara stains as a gift from a friend. My guess is that you wouldn’t stay friends for very long! When we’re giving things to people that we personally know and care about, we tend to reach for nice presents because this choice communicates that we value them as people. And the same should apply to charity donations. When you donate clothes to charity, you’re not just getting rid of old bits-and-bobs that are cluttering up the house. You’re giving the charity a gift and demonstrating support for their work. This is why it’s important that the clothes you give are in good condition and can be useful to others who might buy them. This Thrifty article aims to show you the right way to donate clothes to charity shops.

Do Find a Cause That’s Close to Your Heart

Your clothes donations become even more meaningful when you have a personal connection with the cause they are supporting. With over 11,000 registered charity shops in the UK and more on the way, you’re bound to find one that resonates with you in your local area. As you will most likely have to make the trip to donate clothes in person, it’s best to stick with charity shops that are close to home or work. Here are just a few examples of the good causes that you could consider supporting:

• If you or someone you love is battling illness or crisis, you may want to look into Cancer Research, British Heart Foundation, Marie Curie or the British Red Cross.

• If you want to help vulnerable children and their families, you could opt for charities like Bardardo’s, Save the Children or Action for Children.

• If you’re a dog person, you might choose the Dog’s Trust, while the Cat’s Protection would be an ideal choice for cat lovers.

• Lovers of animals in general could support PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) or the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

Once you have chosen a charity to support, please make sure to visit their website for detailed information about their specific needs and requirements. Or you could always pop in your local charity shop to speak with staff members/volunteers.

Don’t Donate Clothes That Are Broken, Deeply Stained or Overused

While there is a lot of truth to the old saying that ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’, there are some things that no one in their right mind would see as treasure! It’s good to remember that your donations must to be items that people would be willing to pay at least a little bit of money to own. If you can see that the clothes you are considering donating are extremely worn out, damaged, permanently discoloured or unhygienic, they probably won’t be of any value to the charity shop and will end up being sent to the “rag man” for recycling. If you think the clothes you want to donate might be okay, go for it!

The vast majority of your preloved clothes will be gladly accepted – especially if you’ve washed and folded them! The growing popularity of second-hand clothes means that charity shops are more in need of donations than ever before! It’s a good idea to choose unwanted gifts, items that don’t fit your figure/ style or clothes that you don’t wear often enough to justify holding onto. Alongside the specific online or in-store advice given by your chosen charity, some useful donation guidelines have been compiled by Charity Retail.

Do Choose a Donation Method

Photograph: Joseph Clemson 2/Alamy

Most of us live on-the-go lifestyles and, luckily, most charity shops have a range of methods available to make it convenient for donations to be sent and received. Once you have organised your pile of clothes and shoes (and maybe other things too), you can decide how you would like to make your donation. The three main options are:

• IN-STORE: This is definitely the best method because you get to see the volunteer’s happy faces, engage with the charity directly and fill out any necessary forms. However, it is limited to opening hours and may not work for everyone.

• BY THE DOOR: Outside opening hours, you can pretty much leave your bag of donations by the door any time of day or night. However, this doesn’t give you a chance to fill out necessary forms and items left on the street could be stolen.

• BY COLLECTION SERVICE: Charity collection vans often pick up donations weighing 10kg + from your home. You simply use a customised charity donation bag, schedule a collection slot online/by phone and fill out a form at your door.

Don’t Forget to Gift Aid If You’re Eligible!

In future, we’ll be doing a whole article about why Gift Aid is important but, for now, we’ll just share the basics. Gift Aid is a way to make your giving go further. Most of the donations you make to charity as an individual are tax-free. Since many people who donate to charity have already paid at least minimal taxes, Gift Aid is a way that the government gives the tax-value of your donation back to the charity you’re supporting*. It’s a UK scheme that credits an extra 25p for every £1. For example, if the all clothes that you’re donating to charity end up selling for a total of £40, the government will pay the charity an extra £10. Understandably, charities are keen for any eligible gift-aiders to sign up and will probably offer you a form when you donate.

To be eligible for Gift Aid, you must be a UK Tax Payer.

*Please visit the official government website to learn more about general requirements and exceptions as well as to assess whether it is the right choice for you.

A Stitch in Time: Why Preloved Fashion is the Future By Grace Hall

Once upon a time in medieval Britain, wearing preloved clothes was considered a dirty secret and wearing nice outfits when you were not actually rich was a crime. Imagine – normal people who wanted to get dressed up for date night risked jail time! Historically, industrial fashion has never been about creating equal opportunities. Instead, it has been about reinforcing social class systems by making sure that people only have access to clothes that reflect their ‘status’. For the longest time, wealthy people have worn the riches and poorer people have worn the rags. However, with the rise of second-hand shopping, the tide is starting to turn. Second-hand fashion – particularly when sold by charity shops – is revolutionising the way we experience clothes and the impact we have on the planet. This Thrifty © article will explain why the future is preloved!

News Flash: Fast Fashion Is on Its Way Out

Fast fashion is kind of like fast food. Both got their jump start in the industrial revolution and began a takeover in the 1990s. Fast products are cheaply produced and sold to the masses for huge profits. They’re designed to be an easy, convenient and relatively mindless experience. And if they’re the only part of your diet, you’ll probably start to feel bad about yourself. Unlike the menu at your local chippy, fast fashion is expanding to the point where it has become unsustainable. With micro-seasons launching every week, fast fashion encourages clothes to be manufactured, bought and discarded up to 52 times per year! No wonder the industry is responsible for 10% of worldwide carbon emissions. As life continues to change, fast fashion is a model that no longer suits the demands of the modern world: people’s evolving values and a planet in need of healing.

Preloved Fashion Has Nothing Hidden Up Its Sleeve

There is something refreshing and honest about preloved clothes. I mean, when was the last time you saw a billboard featuring an exotic model on a remote island advertising a second- hand dress? My guess is never. While the mainstream fashion market works hard to promote new clothes as a form of self-transformation (i.e. “This new dress will turn me into a happier/better/more popular person”), the second-hand market is all about making the world a better place. With its practical and inspiring solutions to personal style needs, community challenges, fundraising and sustainability, preloved fashion is attracting more happy customers than ever before. And all this without the use of massive advertising campaigns. Hello, integrity!

Nice Clothes Don’t Have to Cost an Arm and a Leg!

Whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or living comfortably, finding high-quality products for affordable prices can be an incredible feeling. This is especially true in times like these – when the world’s economy is suffering. Fast fashion assigns a strange financial value to clothes. As time passes, the same jacket in the same condition could go from costing £60 to being dumped in landfill depending on where it sits on the manufacturing cycle. So why pay £60 for something that retailers themselves will soon be willing to write it off as waste? Second-hand shopping allows you to reflect on what the clothes are worth to you as you search for potential instead of pre-packaged products. At charity shops, it’s not unusual to find gently used clothes from popular brands and designer labels – sometimes from as little as £5! Catch one of these in your net and I guarantee you’ll want to do an air-punch while Don’t You Forget About Me blasts out from a boombox.

Preloved Fashion Has a Heart for Climate and Local Community

Business is booming in the second-hand retail sector, so it’s not surprising that number of independent shops have tapped into the preloved fashion market. While these boutique stores offer a more selective stock of gently used clothes, they often have bigger price tags. For example, we’ve seen denim jackets second-hand boutiques priced at £100. Yikes! Ironically, a lot of these boutiques are actually run by people who spend a lot of time combing through jumble sales, flea markets and the Salvation Army. Without a doubt, the best that preloved fashion has to offer is found at the source: charity shops. Local stores get donations. Local customers buy affordable clothes. Charities receive funding and, in the long run, thousands of life-changing services are made available to people in need.

Second-Hand Clothes Expose You to More Variety

Fashion legend Gianni Versace said it well: “Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live.”

At the end of the day, variety is the spice of life and the key ingredient of inspiration. The fashion choices you have access to can either limit you or open you up to new possibilities. More often than not, mainstream retail stores have rotating collections of mass-produced clothes that conform with seasonal trends and aren’t made with lasting quality in mind. But charity shops offer something new every time – an explosion of designers, decades and delights. Gone are the days when people were condemned for wearing clothes that seemed to contradict the labels that society placed on them. Whether you’re shopping for preloved items in person or online through Thrifty App, we know your future self will thank you!