How hospices’ charity shops are defining style

A chance conversation in an art gallery led to what’s now known as the ‘Hardie Collection’ – a donation so significant that it’s estimated to have raised £50,000 for St Columba’s Hospice Care in Edinburgh.

Following the death of his parents, Robin Hardie gifted thousands of vintage clothing pieces that they had kept in pristine condition since the 1940s. The collection included couture-level garments like Dior, Mary Quant, Gucci, and Harrods, along with vintage cashmere, designer hats, and children’s clothing.

The Hardie Collection was the single largest amount given by one supporter through donated goods to St Columba’s Hospice Care. 

Gemma, a fashion influencer known for her Dita Von Teese-inspired style, has built her stunning wardrobe entirely from Saint Francis Hospice charity shops in Essex.  

As a teen, Gemma discovered her unique style by embracing second-hand shopping. Today, she celebrates how charity shops offer sustainable and vintage options for those seeking individuality.  

Her advice? Find your own style, pay attention to fabric quality, and always measure before you buy.  

“Building a wonderful wardrobe involves patience and dedication – it’s a treasure hunt made more fun by the fact that the stock in charity shops is always changing. Just follow the golden rule that everything you buy should be something you love.” 

A newlywed from Greater Manchester purchased her wedding dress from the St Ann’s Hospice Bridal and Vintage shop in Stockport as a way of paying tribute to her mother, June Kiely.

Jo Johnson visited the store in secret with her maid of honour – but was feeling apprehensive about looking for her dress as it’s “usually something a girl does with her mum.”

After her mum died in 2015, Ms Johnson thought it fitting to buy her wedding dress from one of St Ann’s charity shops, as her mum received the “most incredible” care at the hospice’s Little Hulton facility.

“It was the most incredible day from start to finish and I beamed, grinned, and danced all day… I felt like a million bucks in my vintage dress.” 

Charity shops sell rare and vintage items, so knowing how to care for these treasures is key.  

According to Annie, Retro and Vintage Manager at St Wilfrid’s Hospice shop in West Sussex and Hampshire, caring for these older pieces is essential to making them last.  

Annie has these tips to remember when buying vintage clothing:

• Inspect garments for stains, tears, and other damage, and remember that vintage sizing is smaller than the sizes today.
• To maintain these items, avoid sunlight, use gentle detergents, and store them with care. For delicate fabrics like rayon and wool, professional cleaning may be necessary.
• Don’t forget to hang your vintage clothes inside out after wearing to keep them smelling fresh.

Annie’s top tip: Refrain from using metal hangers to prevent rust or discolouration

With the right care, your vintage finds will stay fabulous for years to come! 

St Christopher’s Chatterton Road shop exudes luxury style under the guidance of store manager Jacqui. After a corporate retail career, Jacqui found purpose in transforming the shop into a beautifully curated space with high-end donations. Using all the skills and knowledge from decades of experience in retail, Jacqui has brought a real sense of style to the shop.  

Jacqui adds, “Customers come in and say it feels like a little boutique. Some even call it a little Harrods.” With quality designer clothes on offer, the shop has become a fashion hub for stylish shoppers and a vital contributor to St Christopher’s in London. 

Young fashion enthusiasts Lewis and Olivia have embraced second-hand shopping at Barnsley Hospice shop for its unique finds. Lewis advises looking for sellers with a similar style on platforms like Vinted or eBay to find inspiration. Whereas Olivia loves the thrill of discovering one-of-a-kind items in store, noting that second-hand shopping allows you to create a more personal, off-trend wardrobe.  

One thing both agree on: it’s time to break the stigma around pre-loved clothes. 

With experience in high-street brands like Debenhams and M&S, Adele Bambridge and Veronica Herranz bring their retail knowledge online in support of St Christopher’s. From Balenciaga shoes to rare Adidas sweatshirts, they know how to spot high-value items!

Using their fashion expertise, they spot trends, then photograph and list unique donations on eBay. "Everything we do here helps make palliative care happen," says Veronica, as they maximise every sale, raising £6,000 so far this year. 

Sara, known as Rebel Rags Vintage on Instagram, is a dedicated ‘thrifter’ who stocks up at Isabel Hospice’s kilo sales in Hertfordshire.

“Thrifting gives me the opportunity to try new styles and trends without the high street price tag.” Sara said. “I actually love the thrill of putting an outfit together based on pieces I have found myself and hunted for without being told this is the latest style.”

She loves finding quirky items, like handmade costumes or old tickets hidden in clothes. Though she’s noticed more fast fashion in charity shops, Sara insists there are still treasures to be found - it just takes more hunting. She claims that she hasn’t shopped new in over five years! 

Anne Allmark, a shopper and seamstress, is a regular at the Herriot Hospice Homecare shop in Richmond, always on the hunt for interesting fabrics. She recently upcycled a wool skirt bought from the shop into a stylish Chanel-inspired handbag as a gift for a friend’s 40th birthday. Anne loves using charity shop finds for her projects, transforming preloved fabrics into new creations while supporting a great cause.  

“I studied fashion design and make my own clothes so am always on the lookout for fantastic fabrics,” said Anne. “Wool is a good fabric to work with as it’s fun to stitch and mould since it’s got stability.”

Creativity knows no bounds when you shop second-hand!