When I moved from Newcastle to Durham, I was a tiny bit heart-broken that I couldn’t just nip to Primark at the last minute to get something cheap to wear for a night out. Here, avoiding the lure of Topshop, (especially when you live in the Viaduct and pass it every day), is so difficult – you buy something on a whim, telling yourself you’ll wear it all the time and then regret it a week later. But if you’re only spending £2-£5 on an outfit, it’s not so bad! #noregrets
North Road is lined with amazing charity shops that not many people, particularly freshers, are even aware of. Admittedly, you have to do a bit of trawling through all the mumsy Per Una and Bon Marche numbers, but quite often you leave victorious with a bag full of second-hand gems. Not to mention you’re giving to a good cause at the same time as dressing well on a budget.
One of my good friends is one of those people that can pull off just about any outfit and most of the time she finds her clothes from the charity shops of Durham and Sheffield. I asked for her help looking for stylish bargains, and this is what we found:
Jumper: £3
Jumper: £3.50 (Can’t beat a good old Grandad jumper in the winter months!)
Sequin dress: £4.99 (Perfect with Chelsea Boots on a night out, or even with heels for a formal. Formals can be expensive enough without having to order yet another LBD).
Pink Jumper: £2 Skirt: £2.50 (Because you’ve always wanted to dress like the girls from Clueless).
Floral T-Shirt: £2.50, Tassel Skirt: £.2.50, Bowling Bag: £5 (Not often you can buy an outfit this jazzy for £10!)
Cropped Jacket: £2.50 (This one’s for everyone who dresses like they’re off to Paradise Disco on a daily basis – you know who you are.)
There are so many charity shops to choose from in Durham. It really is worth taking a look if you’re low on funds already, or if you just fancy giving to a worthwhile cause whether it be St. Cuthbert’s Hospice, The British Red Cross, The Children’s Society, Oxfam or one of the many others!
Thanks to Billi Golland, a.k.a Durham’s best bargain-hunter!