POPPING into the charity shop in Ellie Wardell, 25, headed straight for the bargain basket of bras at the back of the shop.
Searching through the used offerings including sexy lingerie with ribbons and bows and brand name sports bras Ellie picked up one in her size – 32A.
She then turned her attention to the pants on offer and found a gorgeous pair in size eight.
All were ‘as new’, meaning they might only have been worn once or twice.
Some were corporate donations – handed over by companies.
Ellie didn’t care – she refuses to buy undies which aren’t secondhand.
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“I only have used bras or charity shop knickers in my wardrobe,” said single Ellie, of Kingston, south west London. “It's not any different from buying a pre-loved swimsuit on eBay.”
According to Ellie, a writer and environmental charity co-founder, everyone should do it.
“The bras and socks I buy are usually used but ‘as-new’ which means they may have been worn once or twice but not loads.
“I find some items still in their package that are brand new.
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5“The knickers are either quality seconds or gifts that people have donated to shops and never worn.
“I feel like I am hunting for treasure and when I find a sports pant or running bra from a designer brand like Nike.
“It’s like finding gold. I take them home, wash them and they are as good as new.”
Not only does Ellie benefit from good fitting underwear but also enjoys huge savings on her purchases.
Over the past three months she has discovered two GymShark sport bras, paying a combined total of £4.
Ordinarily they would have cost £50 combined.
“That's a saving of £46,” she said.
I only have used bras or charity shop knickers in my wardrobe
“The fit is great and once they are washed you wouldn't know the difference. Who cares if someone wears them once? If they are clean and of good quality it works for me.”
Ellie buys up to five bras for the price of one brand new item.
Her home knicker drawer only contains charity shop purchases.
Ellie’s sock drawer contains only secondhand pairs. She pays just 50p per pair.
A red Speedo swimming costume she bought cost £4.99, rather than £22. “I put the £17 I saved towards my gas bill,” she said.
Ellie started using charity shops aged just 15, prompted by a geography lesson about the impact of fast fashion.
“I realised I could buy on-trend fashion at a fraction of the price by using charity shops,” she said.
“I haven’t bought something from a high street store in almost eight years.
It’s like finding gold – I take them home, wash them and they are as good as new
Ellie first bought underwear from a charity shop when she was 17.
“I found a sports bra still in its wrapping and clearly brand new at a charity shop and grabbed it,” she said.
“At the same time I picked up some knickers and vest tops to check the quality. I paid just £2 for five items and tested them out.”
Ellie washed her purchases when she got home and started wearing them on a daily basis.
At the same time Ellie researched how brand new underwear items ended up in charity shops.
“I discovered many big companies would offload end of run items or items with minor defects to buyers and they’d inevitably find their way to charity shops,” she said.
“These stores are not just stocked with donations from people clearing out.
I have been labelled manky and shocking when I tell people I am wearing charity shop panties or bras
“Charity shops are also given clothes by companies and stores and it’s something not many people realise. They are part of the fast fashion cycle and knowing I could nab a bargain inspired me to buy all my underwear this way.
“It’s green-friendly and means less clothing – including knickers and bras – end up in landfill.”
But not everyone agrees with what Ellie does.
“Most people are gobsmacked and shocked when I tell them my knickers, bras and socks come from charity shops,” she said. “Their first response is to wrinkle their nose and label it gross and disgusting.
“I have been labelled manky and shocking when I tell people I am wearing charity shop panties or bras. I don't care because I know the items are top quality and above all clean even if they’ve been worn.
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“There is still a stigma about charity shop clothes. That means buying charity shop bras and knickers is really the final frontier in charity shop purchases.
“People should realise the shops are careful about what they sell. They always check to see if the items are clean or dirty. I have found bras and knickers still with the original price tags on so if you are prepared to hunt you will find a bargain.”
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