A mum-of-two has a stunning wardrobe full of designer goods, all purchased from various charity shops and car boot sales.
Thrifty mum Nina Dixon, from Blackburn, has snapped up bargains from designer brands including Moschino, Ralph Lauren, and Givenchy for a fraction of their original price.
Patiently pawing through second-hand rails, Nina, 29, has even bagged a stunning black evening gown for a mere 10p, wearing it to a swanky black-tie event.
The bargain-hunting beautician has even converted her family to her ways.
Nina was introduced to frugal living by her mum as a teenager but was embarrassed to admit she shopped at such places.
But now, she champions environmental living and wants to spread the message to others.
She said: ‘I love the thrill of not knowing what you’re going to find in charity shops.
‘I’ve saved thousands of pounds over the years by shopping like this.’
Nina says 90% of her wardrobe is second-hand and encourages others to reuse and recycle.
Sometimes when she has worn some of the goods she’s come across, she donates it so others can also enjoy wearing it.
The thrill of shopping second-hand is also more of a hobby than a necessity, says Nina.
‘It’s not that I can’t afford to go somewhere else for clothes, it’s just that I get the fun and excitement out of finding something that’s a lot cheaper.
‘I can get an outfit that looks just as good for a fiver rather than paying £50, why wouldn’t anybody want to do that?
‘It’s not only saving people money going to charity shops but it’s also helping charity and the environment by keeping clothes out of the landfill – it’s a win-win-win situation.’
Nina’s best finds include a brand new Barbour coat for just £20 instead of £180, Hugo Boss and Givenchy shirts and Moschino and Ralph Lauren jackets and tops for less than a fiver.
It’s also all about luck, she adds, as she had bought the black evening dress at a charity shop that was closing down.
‘They had an offer to fill a bag for £1. I picked up the dress and had nine other items in the bag, meaning it cost just 10p.
‘I wore it to a black-tie event at a charity boxing match and I got compliments on it.’
Despite being embarrassed at the prospect of buying second-hand clothes when she was younger, Nina said becoming a teenage mum changed her outlook.
Nina said: ‘I had my daughter when I was 16, having a home and baby was very expensive.
‘There’s a stigma towards charity shops but once you’ve brought an item of clothing home and washed it, it’s brand new.
‘Some still have the tags on them, so they’ve never been worn.
‘Baby clothes are barely worn before they’re donated to charity shops, a newborn baby’s probably been in it twice.
‘The clothes are like brand new, it’s such a shame that all these lovely things aren’t getting used.’
Nina now shares her bargains from charity shops, car boots and discount chain Steals to show people the stylish second-hand outfits that can be found.
She said: ‘The items I buy are things I would never have gone looking for, I end up falling upon it.
‘I want to look different, stand out and be unique and you can’t get that from just shopping on the high street.
She adds: ‘With charity shops, you don’t have to worry about someone wearing the same outfit as you.’
MORE: Thrifty mum pays for daughter’s entire prom night with just £12.50
MORE: Mum saves money by giving her kids ‘the gift of time’ instead of presents
MORE: Mum spends just £115 transforming her bathroom into a tropical paradise
source https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/20/thrifty-mum-wears-10p-charity-shop-evening-gown-to-black-tie-event-10950515/
0 Comments