The lesser-known designer labels to bag in charity shops that’ll make YOU a mint

RUMMAGING around in charity shops may seem a laborious task, but when you know what to look for, it’s easy to find gems that could end up making you money in the long run.

As well as timeless classics that are worth investing in (from trench coats to white shirts), there are also labels that experts advise we snap up and take home as soon as we find them.

“Ideally, look for brands that will retain their value or even increase over time – and which aren’t always readily available on the high street,” says British stylist Abbey Booth.

Abbey – who runs Stories With Clothes – also recommends targeting charity shops in affluent areas, such as Marylebone High Street in London or Gloucester Road in Bristol.

Here are the top 10 labels to look out for:

Paul Costelloe

One of the most established brands in Britain and Ireland and Diana Princess of Wales own designer, Paul's designs epitomise timeless and feminine classics.

If you see this label, it’s worth buying, says Abbey.

St Michael (old M&S branding)

This stopped being used in 1999 after a huge drop in profits, Abbey reveals. She says she’s always excited to find this brand in a charity shop as the quality is “next level”.

Those pieces are 20 years old plus yet still retain their quality as the fabric and the cut was so superior to anything they have produced since.

Aquascutum

This was a brand in trouble for a long time but their trench coats and tailoring are beautiful and now no longer trading will become a rarity.

Abbey says she has often purchased a men's shirt to get extra length in the body and arms. She adds: “Think outside the box with charity shopping and you will recoup!”

J.W. Anderson

Abbey says you’ll need to hunt high and low and in affluent areas again but these pieces are timeless and anyone can wear across the men's and womenswear collections.

Joseph

A classic in quality fabrics, Abbey says she has a caped coat she found in a vintage store about ten years ago “which is completely timeless”.

Renowned for elegant and feminine tailoring this is one which again you won't find regularly but is worth looking out for and pouncing when you do, she says.

& Other stories

Stylist Lalla Bronshtein, founder of fashion label LallaxRR says this is an amazing brand that suits all ages and they have beautiful dresses and jackets.

It's very classic and cool but the items are quite high prices – but it will definitely sell on for quite a bit of money.

Hunter

Lalla says she loves Hunter boots – and even saw a pair for as cheap as £10 in a charity shop.

“If you find a pair in a charity shop – you could definitely sell them on for a good price,” she explains.

Belstaff

Lalla says she has always loved the brand as it is very cool – but you’d need to be very lucky to find it in a charity shop as it would get snapped up instantly – also for a lot of money.

“They are an amazing all round brand with great jackets for every season,” she says.

Isabel Marant

"I am a huge fan of this brand and their beautiful cut dresses,” Lalla says. She adds that their outfits are classic, chic and great for evening and daytime.

Longchamp

This brand offers the perfect bags for trips away to the country or seaside, Lalla advises.

“I have always been a fan of their pieces. It's a really fresh young brand. They do a variety and I just love the bags, they do amazing square bags in all different sizes.”

She says she has found a few in a charity shop but they are too nice to sell on.

In other fashion news, Pandora has announced it will be holding a Black Friday sale every week in November.

And this woman's £1.45 charity shop scarf turns out to be Alexander McQueen.

Plus one woman revealed how online shopping sprees using buy-now-pay-later schemes her £1,500 in debt and homeless.

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