Charity shopping is the next big thing in fashion writes Emma Iannarilli.

For whatever reason, whether it be the deep economic recession leaving us less disposable cash in our pockets, the resurgence in vintage dressing or simply a desire to step outside the normal fashion perimeters, more and more people are taking their first trip to a charity shop and liking what they find.

I first discovered charity shopping in my teens. I visited my local shops on a regular basis, hunting for a-line skirts, crushed velvet apparel, vintage underskirts and nighties and 70′s Adidas tops.

I loved my local charity shops, but they weren’t for everyone, with a somewhat musty smell to them and a general worry that someone might have died wearing the clothes on the shelves.

But charity shopping has completely changed in the last ten years. Almost all charity shops now steam clean items so they smell fresh and new, while some items are brand new, with tags intact, due to the nature of our throwaway society. The shops are bright and airy, with shiny laminate flooring and trendy shelving units.

And the clothes are properly sorted, usually by size and sometimes by colour. It’s now easy to go to the exact section you want without having to trawl through endless rails of unsuitable clothing.

A vintage 1950's raffia bag picked up from charity shop - fashion-mommy

Many charity shops have a vintage section – a treasure trove of amazing and unique vintage finds. Some charity branches even have bridal sections, for the budget conscious on their big day.

But most amazing of all is the new stock that many charity stores now sell. Oxfam have a fab range of fair trade jewellery and beaded bags, Scope have a fab, and mega cheap range, of jewellery and bags called the equality range, whilst cancer research have the most amazing eco-bags, including a fabulous can-can dancer bag designed by Red or Dead founder Wayne Hemingway.

As expected, there are a great deal of low-cost high street brands like George and Primark, with the ‘fast fashion’ aspect of these brands meaning they are discarded quite quickly. But you can also find quality high street brands like Monsoon and Wallis in abundance.

You can also find Jigsaw, Precis Petite and Planet items in most charity shops. One of my best recent buys was a pink and grey graphic print silk dress from Jaeger, which I picked up for just £7. It had a definite Peter Pilotto feel to it, and after I added a thick belt it got rave reviews from family and friends.

You can also find a range of designer wear, I got a great men’s Paul Smith suit from a Wednesbury charity shop priced up at £5. I sold it for £50 on eBay when it didn’t fit the hubby. I’ve also picked up items by Jil Sander, Tods and Miu Miu from charity shops. Vintage items, such as Kelly style bags and vintage pearls, are also great finds and are often only sold for a few pounds.

In addition, the book section can often add to your style collection. I found a shabby, but now much treasured, book which contained a history of illustrated Vogue covers from a charity shop in Ironbridge for £2. I now donate all my read fashion magazines to a local charity shop, where they are sold again. Now, that really is recycling style.

Buying from charity shops is ecologically sound as it is another form of recycling. It raises much-needed funds for good causes, whilst providing the shopper with an outfit that hasn’t cost the earth, either financially or ecologically.

If you’re still not convinced, then take a look for yourself – visit a charity shop today.

Emma Iannarilli writes a fashion and shopping blog at www.fashion-mommy.com