Charity shops and the rise of sustainable fashion

Charity shops have seen a surge in popularity.

Mixing compassion with sustainable fashion, charity shops have always been at the forefront of ecofriendly buying.

Whether it's because of environmentalism, the romanticisation of vintage clothing or people wanting to buy unique finds - the shift in attitude around second hand shopping has dramatically changed the perception of charity shops.  

What was once seen as a necessity to find cheap goods, the shops are now the place to be for savvy shoppers. What was once called ‘second-hand’ we now say is ‘pre-loved’.

To celebrate Sustainable Fashion Week, we wanted to assess the rise of charity shopping by looking at the impact this has on Julian House and whether this trend in itself is ‘sustainable’.

The rise of the charity shop

The circular nature of charity shopping presents itself as an ethical and easy alternative to fast fashion and throwaway culture, providing a direct and positive benefit for people across the UK.

Buying pre-loved at charity shops has allowed people to save money while indulging in retail therapy. This has been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis has resulting in customers are reevaluating where money is spent.

‘Over the past few years we have seen customer levels increase as more people become environmentally aware of the impact that fast fashion has on our planet. Shopping in your local charity shop is a great way of sourcing some amazing and unique clothes to suit your individual lifestyle and tastes whilst keeping within a budget - its a win win.’ Gemma Turner, Head of Retail at Julian House.

Charity shops have always been a driving force behind the circular fashion movement as they have remained on high streets. Customers have access to a wide variety of brands located on their local high street they can be found without means of a car or public transport.

But is necessity and sustainability the only reason charity shops are succeeding?

The jumble-sale association given to the charity shop has received a new narrative and is now considered a selling point. At charity shops, shoppers are given satisfaction with the thrill of finding a treasure amongst the donations which satisfies a desire for individuality and authenticity which cannot be replicated in conventional retail outlets. 

No more was second-hand clothing considered embarrassing or shameful; now it is seen as a trendy way to depart from the sameness of traditional fashion.

Charity shops work to satisfy that feeling of discovery, sustainability and authenticity while allowing the shopper to give back to their local community. 

The future of charity shopping

‘We are always happy to receive good quality items which we can sell in our shops. Because it is a second hand trade we do rely on the quality of donations which can be difficult to constantly provide. When the quality of the clothes drops it does make it harder for us to shift this stock.’ Gemma Turner, Head of Retail at Julian House.

With the surge in second-hand fashion gaining popularity across all ages, the future looks bright for charity shops and the resulting lesser impact on our environment.

Tips for donating to charity shops

1. Sign up for GiftAid: this tax relief allows UK charities to reclaim an extra 25% in tax on every eligible donation made by a UK taxpayer - so it's well worth signing up to, either when you're in the store or before you visit.

2. Donate by post: lots of charity shops allow you to donate by post and will even send you prepaid postage bags - so get in touch if you would like to receive this postage bag.

3. Check what charities want: some shops will be looking for specific items. It's always best to call ahead and find out what they're after or if there are any items they aren't accepting.

4. Organise a furniture collection: some furniture charity stores will pick up your donations, which may come in handy when moving house.

5. Prep your donations: in terms of getting donations ready they should be in a good enough condition that you'd be happy to give them to a friend or family member.

6. Don't leave your donations outside if the shop is closed.