Christmas jumpers, party outfits, even a costume for the dog – new clothes for the festive season are a must for most people. But as Irish shoppers become more comfortable with the idea of the circular economy, many consumers are turning to charity shops in a bid to find something seasonal that is both sustainable and unique.
One of the busiest charity shops in Dublin is the two-storey Vincent’s store on South Great George’s Street. Its general manager, Ileana Pop, says there are two reasons why people are increasingly looking to charity shops when clothes shopping.
“One is the price, as people want to buy something for less as their living costs get higher but still get quality,” she says. “The other is that they are looking for something unique. People want to find a one-off, so that when they go to a party they are not dressed the same as someone else.” Only the best-quality items make it to the shop floor, as unsellable items are recycled.
But not everything in the store is second hand. According to Pop, as many of the shops in the area donate their excess stock, 50 per cent of their clothing and accessories still have their original tags on. This means unbelievable bargains are to be had. “It’s brand new but for a fraction of the price. We had a recent dress from Karen Millen that sold for €60 when it was worth more than €200.”
The musty dusty charity shops of old are a distant memory. The shop is a veritable treasure trove of high-end brands, from Cos to the Kooples, and Tommy Hilfiger to Ted Baker. It also allows shoppers to try before they buy, unlike when buying preloved clothing online. For those seeking gift ideas, it also sells accessories, shoes, books, vinyl records and homewares.
“We have people from all backgrounds shopping here, from people coming here to save money to those looking for a collectible item,” Pop says.
All the money raised goes to the SVP and helps supply people with food vouchers for Christmas. Local SVP conferences can also provide people with Vincent’s gift tokens for clothing and furniture, which they can use in any of its shops to pick out what they need.
SVP has more than 230 shops across Ireland, which are mainly staffed by volunteers and people on community enterprise schemes. Everyone is getting ready for their busiest time of the year, Pop says.
“Christmas will be very busy for us and the busier the better as it means more money to help families in need. Everything goes back into the community.”
Hair and makeup: Leonard Daly, using Dyson hair products. Makeup: Leonard Daly, using Charlotte Tilbury. Photographs: Emily Quinn
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