One of our most favourite places to shop second hand is, of course, charity and vintage shops. They are a treasure trove of affordable pieces, but outside of clothes, there are lots of pieces that often get overlooked!

So take a hot sec to have a look outside the usual clothing racks to see what you can find.

Jewellery

No matter what your style is, you can probably find some lovely pieces of jewellery. From chunky necklaces to fun costume jewellery, it’s never in short supply. Our top tip would be to take a second to really peer into the cabinets around a charity shop. This is where more valuable items will be stored, and you can find beautiful pieces such as sterling silver chains, gemstone brooches and well-made watches, all for a fraction of what you might pay for them brand new.

Belts

This one will usually take a bit of rummaging through, but it’s worth it when you find a piece you know will last forever and not just one season. You can typically get a good quality leather belt in every style imaginable, for usually no more than a couple of quid. Leather is a material that lasts, but buying new can be expensive, and it’s not one for our Vegan friends. Buying secondhand avoids both firsthand leather and the harmful manufacturing of pleather whilst still getting a beautiful piece that will last you a lifetime.

Shoes

You can find anything from trainers to stilettos, and they are usually in abundance! So many pairs of shoes are donated to charity shops with a lot of life left in them, and they are just waiting for you to take them home. If you head into a Vintage store, you may be able to find some truly unique pairs that are out of circulation or just plain unusual to turn heads when you wear them out! Like with belts, new leather shoes are expensive, so buying secondhand will help save the environment and your wallet.

Bags

With the resurgence of 90s fashion, charity shops are the go-to for finding a “new” bag. All those tiny shoulder bags that your mom or auntie donated? The little leather handbags that became uncool but are now the must-have item? You can find them all in your local charity shop if you take your time and have a proper look. Usually, you’ll find a bucket full of bags of every shape and size, so see if you can find what you are looking for before buying a new one.