Bag a designer bargain! Charity shops are flooded with secondhand gems post-lockdown

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Could YOU bag a designer bargain at your local charity shop? Stores are flooded with luxury items after lockdown clearouts – including £26 Dolce and Gabbana shoes and vintage Balenciaga for £45

  • Fashion lovers set to reap benefits of Britons’ lockdown wardrobe decluttering
  • Nation is set to discard 67 million items of clothing and 22 million pairs of shoes
  • Several DEBRA stores reopened June 16 with designer items among donations
  • Here FEMAIL takes a look at some of the best pre-loved fashion finds on offer 

By Hayley Richardson For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Fashion lovers are set to reap the benefits of Britons’ lockdown wardrobe decluttering and bag a sustainable designer bargain.

With many charity shops preparing to open their doors over the past couple of weeks, after non-essential retailers were given the green light on June 15, branches await an unprecedented volume of donations. 

According to a survey by the government-backed recycling and reuse body Wrap, the nation is set to discard 67 million items of clothing and 22 million pairs of shoes, after two in five of us had a lockdown clear-out.

A number of DEBRA stores – the national charity in the UK supporting people suffering from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a potentially fatal skin condition that causes constant pain due to unstoppable internal and external blistering at the slightest touch – reopened on June 16.

And there are already a bundle of designer bargains to be had, with local residents donating items ranging from Gucci sunglasses and shoes to vintage Balenciaga dresses.

Here FEMAIL takes a look at some of the best pre-loved fashion finds on display at DEBRA stores across the country. 

This vintage floral Balenciaga dress, in a size small, is currently for sale for £45. Secondhand items from the luxury fashion house founded in Spain often retail at over £1,000

These classic Gucci black leather pumps (left), in a size 38.5 (UK 6) are on sale at DEBRA for £110 - a bargain given similar styles are being sold online for £575. There's also a pair of mint condition Russell and Bromley sandals in a size 7 for £20. The Lauren Flat Sandal is still retailing ar full price online for £95

These classic Gucci black leather pumps (left), in a size 38.5 (UK 6) are on sale at DEBRA for £110 – a bargain given similar styles are being sold online for £575. There’s also a pair of mint condition Russell and Bromley sandals in a size 7 for £20. The Lauren Flat Sandal is still retailing ar full price online for £95

These chic, glossy black Dorothy Heel Pumps by Michael Kors shoes (pictured) look in mint condition and are retailing at £95 full price - but you can pick up a size 3.5 at DEBRA for £45

There is also a pair of Emma Hope evening and wedding shoes in a size 8.5 that look like new for just £20. They usually retail between £409-£499

These chic, glossy black Dorothy Heel Pumps by Michael Kors shoes (left) look in mint condition and are retailing at £95 full price – but you can pick up a size 3.5 at DEBRA for £45. There is also a pair of Emma Hope evening and wedding shoes in a size 8.5 (right) that look like new for just £20. They usually retail between £409-£499

This Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress in a size small is a steal at £40. Wrap dresses of this style from DVF usually retail at £450

This Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress in a size small is a steal at £40. Wrap dresses of this style from DVF usually retail at £450

This floaty floral DKNY top in a size small is also for sale at DEBRA priced at a bargainous £12. DKNY tops of this style retail at around £60

This floaty floral DKNY top in a size small is also for sale at DEBRA priced at a bargainous £12. DKNY tops of this style retail at around £60

Need a new pair of sunglasses? This pair by Gucci come with the case and are priced at £85. The cheapest sunglasses available on the fashion house's website are £225

Need a new pair of sunglasses? This pair by Gucci come with the case and are priced at £85. The cheapest sunglasses available on the fashion house’s website are £225

These Roberto Vanni black leather court shoes in a size 6 are priced at just £15. Similar styles are being sold online for £35-50

These brown leather Dolce and Gabbana summer sandals (size 5) are on sale for £26 - a steal given similar styles retail new at £775

These Roberto Vanni black leather court shoes in a size 6 are priced at just £15. Similar styles are being sold online for £35-50 (left). There’s also a jazzy pair of Karen Millen heels and a pair of brown leather Dolce and Gabbana summer sandals (size 5) for £26 – a steal given similar styles retail new at £775

Yet another pair of designer sunglasses on offer complete with their original case. These Prada glasses are for sale at £65 - but retail new from £210

Yet another pair of designer sunglasses on offer complete with their original case. These Prada glasses are for sale at £65 – but retail new from £210

Chantelle Milne, retail director at DEBRA said: ‘Like many other charities and organisations, the last few months have been a challenging period for DEBRA. 

‘Alongside our stores being closed, fundraising events, which usually raise hundreds of thousands of pounds, have been postponed or cancelled. But we are confident that our customers and donors will continue to support us as we exit lockdown. 

‘I think now more than ever we should embrace the joys of pre-loved shopping, hunting out one of the many amazing, stylish bargains within our stores whilst supporting the EB community and looking after the environment at the same time.’ 

What to expect from your charity shopping experience post-lockdown 

Like all charity shops, DEBRA relies heavily on income from in-store purchases and told FEMAIL it is working incredibly hard behind the scenes to implement health & safety measures in order to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and keep customers, staff and volunteers safe.

DEBRA has 120 charity stores around the UK selling fashion items, small household goods and furniture. Health and safety measures it is putting in place include:

· Social distancing at 2m ensured with limitations on the number of customers allowed in-store at one time

· Contactless donation option in-store and strong encouragement of contactless payment in all stores

· Cleaning stations and free hand sanitiser provided at the entrance of each store

· All clothing will be quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours in line with guidance from CRA (Charity Retail Association) and all hard items such as furniture will be sanitised before going in stores

· Opening and closing times adapted to enable thorough in-store cleaning

· Clear signs to remind customers not to touch or sit on items

· All changing rooms will be closed.

DEBRA is the national charity that supports individuals and families affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). For more information go to www.debra.org.