Infinite Critique

I’ve always been a big fan of charity shops. When I was younger and dressed in tiny skirts, two-tone cherry red docs and various shades of opaque tights, I loved routing around in chartiy shops of a Saturday afternoon or after school or work. I got a buzz out of looking for the perfect scarf, funky top, chunky cardy or costume jewellery to compliment my outfit. Young and adventurous I revelled in finding that fabulous item that my mates longed for but that I knew was pretty much a one off.

Apart from the fact it was the cheapest way to get a good pair of Levis, I also loved looking through the vintage stuff that other people had thrown out. The 60s style suit, the long brown leather coat, the black leather jacket with the seventies collar. The little designer dress that looked hardly worn or the cute t-shirt with the big smile on the front or the enormous daisy.

I know some people hear the word charity shop and just think of smelly old shoes, shirts with yellowed collar and cuffs, or garish hand knitted cardigans that would probably alarm small animals, but that isn’t always the case. Many secondhand shops these days have gone for a much more professional look. They are nicely laid out, the clothes seem freshly laundered and ironed and there isn’t that fusty smell that I remember of old.

Other smaller concerns such as our local PDSA store are slowly catching up, but to be honest you’re more likely to find the real gems in these as people are less likely to go in there and really have a good look.

With all this in mind I was so excited to read this.

“Oxfam has opened its first sustainable designer boutique as part of a rebranding of the charity shop.”

The shop will sell a range of fashion wear made from donated clothing and put together by a team of young designers, as well as Fairtrade goods and accessories made by volunteers. There will still be room for the usual second-hand clothing, but shoppers will be able to pick up more environmentally friendly alternatives to designer chic at the same time to add to their own eclectic style.

It may be a while before the boutiques, currently being opened in West London, Chelsea and Chiswick, reach the darker realms of Nottinghamshire and further North, but I for one can’t wait to explore them.

My only concern is that prices will go up so high that those of us on normal salaries may not be able to afford the new shabby chic. I really hope that doesn’t happen. I do love a good bargain. Sighhhh.

I just read this and I thought it was a realy brilliant idea.