Thrifty mum-of-two reveals she’s saved THOUSANDS buying clothes from charity shops – and says she’s even bagged a gown for 10p and designer brands including Givenchy
- Nina Dixon, 29, from Blackburn, Lancashire, says 90% of clothes are secondhand
- Bagged items from brands including Moschino, Ralph Lauren and Givenchy
- One of best buys is Barbour coat for £20 instead of £180 for her dad, Stephen
A thrifty mum-of-two has revealed how she’s saved thousands of pounds by only buying outfits from charity shops and car boot sales – even bagging a glamorous evening gown for just 10p.
Nina Dixon, 29, from Blackburn, Lancashire, has snapped up bargains from designer brands including Moschino, Ralph Lauren and Givenchy for a fraction of their original price by patiently pawing through second-hand rails.
The bargain-hunting beautician has even converted her boyfriend Jacob Nelson and children Millie, 12, and Keaton Thornton, eight, into following in her thrifty footsteps.
Nina was introduced to unearthing second-hand treasures in charity shops by her mum Caroline Dixon, 65, when she was a teenager – but would stand outside mortified in case any of her pals saw her.
But now, she proudly champions a more frugal and environmentally friendly way to clothe her and her family – and wants to spread the green message to others.
Nina Dixon, 29, from Blackburn, Lancashire, has saved thousands of pounds by only buying outfits from charity shops and car boot sales. Pictured, in a 20p top from a car boot sale, a Lavish Alice skirt, £7 from a charity shop, silver sandals, £4 from a charity shop and £1 handbag from discount chain, Steal
Nina also told how she’s bagged a glamorous evening gown for just 10p. Pictured, wearing £2 dress from discount chain, Steals
Nina wearing a floral dress, £5 and heels, £4, both from a charity shop – an outfit she wore to a christening
Nina explained: ‘I love the thrill of not knowing what you’re going to find in charity shops.
‘My mum and I have a look round the charity shops on a weekly basis and say even if we were millionaires, we would still probably shop in charity shops and car boots because it’s exciting.’
‘You get such a buzz from it and can find things that are so different. I’ve saved thousands of pounds over the years by shopping like this.’
While Lauren had always been into re-using and recycling – now 90% of her wardrobe is second-hand.
‘When it comes to clothes it’s become more of a hobby rather than a necessity,’ she said. ‘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?
The savvy mother has snapped up bargains from designer brands including Moschino, Ralph Lauren and Givenchy for a fraction of their original price by patiently pawing through second-hand rails. Pictured, wearing a £2 dress from discount chain, Steals
Nina, who admitted she was embarrassed at the prospect of buying second-hand clothes when she was younger, said becoming a teenage mum changed her outlook. Pictured, wearing a white floral jumpsuit bought from discount chain, Steals for £2
‘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 landfill – it’s a win-win-win situation.’
Nina’s best finds include a brand new Barbour coat for just £20 instead of £180 for her dad Stephen Dixon, Hugo Boss and Givenchy shirts for her 24-year-old boyfriend and Moschino and Ralph Lauren jackets and tops for her children for less than a fiver.
The size 8 mum has also managed to track down hard-to-find size two shoes for herself from charity shops and countless tops, dresses and jeans for under £4.
Nina said: ‘I’ve picked up all kinds of things over the years – both high street and designer brands.
‘One of my favourite things I’ve ever found was a brand new Barbour coat that was still £180 on the website that I got for £20.
‘Whoever donated it must have had quite a bit of money, my dad loved it. I went to a charity shop that was closing down four years and 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.’
Nina wearing a 10p dress she bought from a charity shop closing-down sale. She wore it to a black-tie event
Nina wearing a pink Ralph Lauren top she got from a charity shop and a Lipsy skirt brand new with tags from a carboot sale for £5. Pictured, Nina and mum Caroline Dixon, 65
Nina’s dad Stephen, wearing a £180 Barbour coat bought new from a charity shop for £20 – one of her best purchases
Savvy mum Nina and her mum Caroline, visit charity shops and car boots regularly, Pictured, in a charity shop
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.
‘My mum introduced me to charity shops when I was a teenager, she used to always get me things from there but I was always embarrassed by it.
‘I would hide by standing a bit further down the road in case anyone I knew saw me but when I had my daughter I needed to do things as cheaply as possible so it started from then.
‘I had some friends who would say ‘I’d never shop in a charity shop’ or ‘I’d never put my kids in secondhand clothes. Comments like that fired me up to promote them as I feel so passionate about it.
‘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.
Mother-of-two wearing £3.95 jeans, £4 jumper and £6 coat – all from a charity shop – which she paired with patent leather boots gifted from a friend
Nina shares her bargains to show people the stylish secondhand outfits that can be found. Pictured, wearing £2 t-shirt and £3.50 shoes – both from a charity shop
Nina told how boyfriend Jason Nelson, 24, (pictured together) didn’t listen to her at first – but said now he’s a convert
‘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 secondhand outfits that can be found.
Nina 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.
‘A lot of the things in charity shops are from the high street but they could be last season’s or a couple of years old.
‘I remember buying a coat a couple of years ago and wore it on the school run and everyone was wearing it.
‘With charity shops you don’t have to worry about someone wearing the same outfit as you.
‘My boyfriend Jacob didn’t listen to me at first and I had to argue my case but now he’s more open to it.
‘A few weeks ago we went for a night out and he needed something to wear. I said “leave it to me, I’ll come back with a shirt for you”, which I did. He’s a convert now.
‘Every six months I go through my wardrobe and if I haven’t worn something for a while I’ll donate it back to the charity shop.’
The thrifty mum wearing a Boohoo top bought for £2 from a charity shop, a skirt bought for £5 and shoes for £5 from a clearance shop
The bargain-hunting beautician has even converted her children, 12-year-old Millie and Keaton Thornton, eight, into following in her thrifty footsteps. Pictured altogether
Nina Dixon’s dad Stephen Dixon, 62, wearing a YSL jumper she bought for just £6.99 from a charity shop
Charity Retail Association Chief Executive, Robin Osterley, said: ‘Charity shops are home to a wide range of high street brands, designer labels and vintage items which have been donated to raise money for good causes.
‘Charity shops raise around £295 million for good causes each year. The choice, quality and value for money offered by charity shops is unrivalled.
‘As well as raising money for charity and being the go to place to find hidden shopping gems, charity shops reduce the impact of throwaway fashion on the planet.
‘Buying pre-loved items reduces the amount that goes into landfill as well as avoiding all the environmental costs associated with low cost fast fashion.
‘Volunteers play an indispensable role in helping deliver an incredible shopping experience, with over 230,000 people volunteering in charity shops each year.
‘In turn, volunteers benefit from a sense of community as well as developing a wide range of skills.’
Speaking of her decision to bargain hunt, Nina said: ‘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?’ Pictured, wearing a £4 Levi’s top and £1.99 leggings, both from a charity shop
Nina said even if she was a millionaire she’d still buy her clothes from a charity shop. Pictured, wearing a £2 top and £4 shorts from a charity shop
The savvy mum wearing a PLT jacket, £3, and Topshop mom jeans, £3.95 – both from a charity shop
Nina wearing a River Island jacket, £4.95, and H&M trousers, £3.29, both from a charity shop and ebay boots, £6
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