Pre-loved, vintage, pre-worn, second hand... whatever you prefer to call it, the recycled wardrobe is back in vogue.
With a host of weddings and summer parties around the corner, Siobhan O'Connor went on the hunt for the perfect outfit while doing her bit for sustainable fashion.
Our self-confessed charity shop addict was taken aback at the value out there – proving you can look like a movie star at a fraction of the cost...
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My love affair with secondhand clobber began in Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin, at the age of 16.
I’d while away the hours rooting through rails in vintage shops to find the perfect suede coat to look “grunge” for the Grove disco.
Fast forward almost three decades and I’m still hooked – and now there’s an explosion of charity shops stuffed with designer labels.
Setting myself the ultimate challenge, I went on a mission to find the perfect dress ahead of the Platinum VIP Style Awards.
First stop is Oxfam in Talbot Street in Dublin city centre; I never fail to pick up a gem here.
The trick is not to spend too much time rooting, just let your eye draw you to an item.
Two dresses immediately grab my attention – first is a white lace mini dress from Penneys (€8.50) which would look fab with knee boots.
I concede I’m no longer 20, so that’s not the one.
Next up I’m swayed by a navy chiffon gown draped on the mannequin.
You can’t try on clothes in this particular Oxfam, so I buy the dress anyway at a steal of €12.50.
My favourite bit of charity shopping is Googling what the dress would normally cost brand new.
My navy find was Debut occasion wear from Debenhams, which usually retails at €120 – so a saving of €107.50.
Next up is South Great Georges Street, a mecca for charity shop bargain hunters.
If you fancy trekking further up to Camden Street you’ll be spoilt for choice too.
I nip into another Oxfam and I’m immediately drawn to a pink Warehouse shift dress.
At a rock bottom €10.50, it’s hard to leave it behind.
You would be hard pushed to find a dress like this on the “high street” for less than 70 quid. But it’s not quite the look I want, so I don’t buy it. St Vincent De Paul on South Great George’s Street is my next port of call.
SVP is the largest charitable organisation in Ireland with more than 10,000 volunteers supporting families living in poverty and working for social justice.
The volunteer behind the desk is super helpful and steers me towards a gold jumpsuit.
He tells me I look like Kylie in it – not even close. But I give it a whirl.
The rare find is Xtaren – the cost €12.50.
When I check online you find this label on eBay with 70% off the original price, costing on average €50.
I don’t have Kylie’s bum, so I ain’t buying this bad boy.
Next, a dusky pink dress by Pussycat London looks fab for a tenner and usually retails online for €35.
I put it back on the rack, it’s too mammyish.
Nestled in Kilbarrack Shopping Centre in North Dublin lie two of my favourite charity shops.
They are small, you’re in and out in five minutes and I always pick up treasures.
First I nip into NCBI. With 130 shops nationwide, every time you buy something here you are helping 54,000 people living with sight loss.
I’m drawn to a yellow jumpsuit with no label. It’s brand new with a price tag of €15, so I buy it.
Right next door is Barnardos where I find a Monsoon chiffon dress embellished with flowers for €8.50. This type of gown usually retails from €95 to €220.
I don’t purchase it as it’s more of a bridesmaid look.
For me the jewel of all charity shops is Oxfam Fashion Relief located at the back of the Frascati Centre in Blackrock.
The pop up shop is the brainchild of Lorraine Keane and Aisling Wallace, raising funds to address the injustice of global poverty.
I try on the most magnificent Self Portrait dress usually retailing at €500, it’s a steal at €125.
You will find everything from Zara to Prada here, with prices from a fiver for a scarf to a couple of hundred euros for a Gucci bag.
Irish designers including Umit Kutluk, Deborah Veale and Helen McAlinden donate sample dresses to Fashion Relief.
Irish celebs such as Rosanna Davison are regular donors too, and Maia Dunphy handed over her Jenny Packham wedding dress.
My eye is drawn to a funky bright yellow Regine dress with a panel of sequins.
This dress usually retails from €160 to €200, but the price here was €50. Much as I liked it, I felt it was not the perfect red carpet number – enter volunteer Michelle Aherne who helpfully spots a full-length sequined number.
I pop it on and it’s showstopping – I feel a bit like a mermaid.
I glance at the price in disbelief. It’s brand new, never been worn with a tag still on which reads: “Kevan Jon London €320”.
Fashion Relief’s price is €35. So with a saving of €285, it’s the winner. I feel like I’ve won the lotto.
Like a personal stylist, Michelle finds me a pair of blue Pied A Terre Shoes for a rock bottom price of €15 – they often retail for 200 quid a pair.
My entire look cost me €50.
Great bang for my buck, sustainable and helping a good cause – what’s not to love?
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