Favourite Charity Shops?

FueledByAisling

Just a question for those of you who regularly go in and out of the charity shops to find some gems? Which is your favourite one or where do you know of any good ones? My local Oxfam has recently gotten really good, over the summer I've gotten:

- Brown suede ankle boots originally from Urban Outfitters still with the sale price tag saying €52 when I got them for €10.
- Ralph Lauren polo for €7.50
- A Banana Republic 100% leather belt for €5 and just found it on the website for £50

xOxSinéadxOx

My local Vincents is good. Got a DKNY wool jacket there during the year for a fiver and a tweed Ralph Lauren Jacket for a tenner. I haven't worn the Ralph Lauren one yet cos it's SO WARM. I love it though so can't wait for winter

DonnieScribbles

Could anyone point me in the direction of any charity shops on the north side of Dublin, mainly the Glasnevin, Drumcondra type area? I'm in the process of moving up and I'm a charity shop fiend so will need to know where to find them! I already discovered Camden Street, that passed a whole afternoon

As for the thead title, my favourite charity shops in Cork are the two Enable Ireland's, one on Oliver Plunkett Street and the other on North Main Street, and the Cancer Society shop on Princes Street. In Galway, I'm a big fan of the Curiosity Shop on Merchant's Road and the Simon shop on Sea Road.

OldGoat

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=71397647&postcount=1627

MadamX

Phibsboro (relatively close to Glasnevin, Drumcondra) has about 6 charity shops - happy bargain hunting

Sugar Free

Could anyone recommend a few of those shops that actually has a decent mens section? The couple I've been into in Templebar were 99% womens clothing.

eVeNtInE

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OldGoat

Mens clothing is notoriously difficult to find in charity shops. Traditionally women change their wardrobe more frequently then men. We buy a suit to last a lifetime.
The selection on the mens rail in the shops is a collection of cheap shirts, a few denim or faux leather jackets and a double handful of tweed shooting jackets. I'm lucky in that I like tweed jackets but for anything else you have to be very very VERY lucky.

The only way of making 'finds' is to be a constant visitor to the outlets. Even better is to buy anything of quality even if it’s not in your size and give it to a friend. Then hopefully they'll watch out for stuff for you.

Cultivate a relationship with the workers in the charity shops. Treat them well and you'll reap the rewards as they will let you know if anything to your tastes comes into stock.

Best source for mens vintage clothes is online. You pay a higher price, you risk the item not fitting (you can always sell it on again) but it's the biggest collection.

Trips to the UK pay off as the population base is so much larger the choice is better.

Watch out for local markets, flea markets, school sales of work, car boot sales. Hit and miss as to what you'll find but on rare occasions you'll find something extraordinary that makes the hunt worthwhile.

ipadzz

Flowerchild vintage in Drumcondra is a great find. Nestled just on the road in to Dublin, it's a converted flower shop (hence the name)

Caroline in there is lovely and very genuine, with lots of quality stuff. They have a broad spectrum of prices from €5 to €300. Some really good designer handbags and accessories, which some charity shops lack!

Also, I hear they do weekly facebook specials as well?!

DonnieScribbles

MadamX wrote: »

Phibsboro (relatively close to Glasnevin, Drumcondra) has about 6 charity shops - happy bargain hunting

Thanks again for this, I've been circulating them regularly for the past few weeks!

Sugar Free wrote: »

Could anyone recommend a few of those shops that actually has a decent mens section? The couple I've been into in Templebar were 99% womens clothing.

The Vincent's in Phibsboro has a pretty big men's section. I'm not a guy, but from my experience trying to find men's clothes, be it costume for films or whatever, most SVP charity shops have the largest selection. I think the Age Action shop on Camden Street has a large-ish men's section too, if I remember correctly.

OldGoat wrote: »

The only way of making 'finds' is to be a constant visitor to the outlets.

Most definitely, no matter what you're after. I find nice stuff all the time, I'd say 80% of my wardrobe is second hand, but I'm doing a trek of them every week. It's fun :pac:

Antibac

Just back from my local enable shop(Drogheda) they have a window sale every 4 weeks where all in window goes on sale. Usually a queue of 50 or so people. Anyway I was getting a few local history books and managed to pick up a nice brown Zara mens shirt goes well with chords and a Canterbury elite Leinster jacket. Nice for walking dog in winter for 8 euro for both! Decent mens section in it

FueledByAisling

Sugar Free wrote: »

Could anyone recommend a few of those shops that actually has a decent mens section? The couple I've been into in Templebar were 99% womens clothing.

Avoid Temple Bar like a plague I say, I never can find anything around there even though George's Streets Oxfam is supposed to be amazing I never find anything there!

fillefatale

FueledByAisling wrote: »

Avoid Temple Bar like a plague I say, I never can find anything around there even though George's Streets Oxfam is supposed to be amazing I never find anything there!

I've never found anything in George's Street Oxfam. Its gloomy and overpriced. Not a great show for the flagship Irish Oxfam store.