GUEST BLOG POST, FREYA KING.

Hey Guys, 

Just a little note to say thank you to Freya who has taken the time out to do a blog post for Sauver about her charity shopping experience and tips. This girl has fucking amazing style and her clothes are on point, I am so jealous of her wardrobe and the sweet things she finds in charity shops. Go check out her instagram for serious charity shop inspiration.

Alicia x

I can still remember the faint embarrassment I felt as a child knowing that all of the clothing I wore was second hand, but now, nothing makes me feel more smug than when someone asks me where I got my outfit and I can say it's from a charity shop.

Over the years I’ve built up an amazing collection of ‘finds’ that have cost me a fraction of the price of shopping on the high street, and I can be safe in the knowledge that I have a wardrobe that is truly unique.

For me, charity shopping is mainly a solo activity. Wandering from shop to shop is one of my favourite ways to spend an afternoon, and rummaging through the rails looking for treasure is almost a hobby in itself. The satisfaction of finding something weird and wonderful is a buzz that I don’t think I’ll ever tire of.

One of my luckiest finds was a dress that I had fallen in love with from H&M, but didn’t fancy paying £40 for. That might not sound like a lot to some people, but when you’re used to paying a tenth of that it’s a bigger deal. It’s a good job I decided not to buy it, as a week later the same dress turned up in Age UK for a fiver!

Another of my greatest treasures is a huge faux fur lined coat that I picked up a couple of years ago from the British Heart Foundation. It’s the kind of coat that makes it worth braving even the coldest of winter days just to show off, and it only set me back £8.

Other finds worth mentioning include a gorgeous daisy print 1940s number that I wore for my graduation, a long suede tassel waistcoat, and countless paisley print dresses in varying

degrees of floatiness.

Although my own style leans heavily towards the loud side, you can find something to suit any vibe, if you have the patience to look. Here are some of my top tips for those who are new to the world of charity shopping; I hope you can get as much enjoyment out of it as I have.

Go in with an open mind

You never know what you might find next, and some of my favourite pieces are items that I would never have gone out looking for. If you are on the hunt for something specific you may leave disappointed, so be ready for anything!

Check back often

Thankfully, people are very generous with their unwanted clothing, and the charity shops I go to regularly always seem to have fresh stock. If you have a spare half an hour it’s always worth popping in for a quick look to see what’s ‘new’.

Bring your own bags

This goes for any kind of shopping, but there’s no point spoiling all that good karma by carrying your haul home in plastic bags.

Check out the books and DVDs

With so many fabulous clothes to look through, it can be easy to forget what else charity shops have to offer. Personally, I don’t think you can ever have too many books, and you can’t go wrong with a film for 99p.

Donate!

If you have things in your wardrobe that you don’t love, then somebody else may as well have them! I’m guilty of being a bit of a hoarder, but a clear out is always a good move, and knowing that you’ll be helping out a positive cause makes it a win-win.