Nottingham shoppers are being urged to ditch fast fashion this festive season and turn to charity shops for their Christmas party outfits, as staff warn of rising waste and highlight the benefits of supporting local causes.
With December looming and bars getting booked up with office parties, the hunt for the perfect festive outfit has begun.
Whilst most people might rush to search for the cheapest sparkly dress online that you’ll most likely only wear once, charity shop staff are urging people to rethink where they shop.
Anna Paterson, who works at the White Rose charity shop in Old Market Square, has seen the run up to the festive season transform the shop floor into glitter and sequins, she said: “We have so much stuff here for Christmas parties, and the stock is getting better and more festive every day.
“However despite this, it’s good to support a charity and give back at Christmas time.
“It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
For anyone worried that second-hand shopping means compromising on style, it was evident that their items do quite the opposite.
Lots of the festive wear was tagged at under £10, with rails full of well-known brands like Zara, Boohoo, H&M, River Island and ASOS in near-new condition.
There’s also a strong line-up of festive footwear making it easy to put together a full party outfit on a budget in the city centre.
Unlike online shopping, everything in these charity shops is at your fingertips, which means no waiting for postage, no delivery fees, and no returns hassle.
“What’s here today might be gone tomorrow, and something even better could arrive an hour later,” Anna said.
For many people, Christmas is a time of giving back to the less fortunate, and when it comes to charity shops, the appeal goes beyond buying a bargain.
White Rose supports a charity dedicated to preventing genocide through peacebuilding and education.
“If you take care of the planet, everyone will have more great Christmases in the future.”
Anna Paterson
“If you help us in giving back to those who need it, we will help you in return by giving you an amazing outfit,” Anna added.
“There’s so much waste in the world already.
“If you take care of the planet, everyone will have more great Christmases in the future.
“It’s so much better to get your clothes second-hand than to buy from cheap, disposable websites, especially if you might only wear it once, it will end up back here anyway!”
Constant donations mean there’s always something new to discover, so for anyone planning their festive look, Nottingham’s second-hand shopping scene offers a simple and sustainable alternative to buying new.
