A charity shop fanatic has shared why she gave up fast fashion for good and how the thrifty lifestyle helps her save thousands of pounds every year.

Growing up, Lauren Reynolds, 24, from Surrey, occasionally shopped second-hand items, but when she turned 16 decided to give up fast fashion completely.

The bargain shopper got a thrill from finding incredible pieces rummaging through charity shops, car boot sales and online marketplaces that only sell pre-loved goods.

Lauren estimates she has saved thousands by shopping second-hand over the years.

Her love for all things vintage and pre-loved actually began in childhood – with her parents and grandparents often buying toys from charity shops.

"I have a vivid memory of going to a charity shop with my nan when I was young and being given a £1 coin to go and spend on whatever toy I wanted,” Lauren told Jam Press.

"I couldn't believe my eyes at how much you could get for £1 and really enjoyed being able to sift through the mountain of toys to find the one that I wanted.

"I think this really showed me the value of money as a child and made me realise how expensive things were new.

"My family love that I have continued this into adulthood, we are a family of thrift shoppers, we all love thrifting and I've even got my friends into it too!"

Lauren made the conscious decision to give up fast fashion in 2016, after learning how garment workers are treated in factories.

She estimates she saves £20 on most items of clothing, spending around £5 on pieces from the charity shop, and as little as 50p on items bought at car boot sales.

Lauren also introduced her partner, Sam Gladman, 28, to second-hand shopping when they first met.

She added: "My partner was very new to shopping second-hand when we first met but is now completely on board, my best find for him was an All Saints leather jacket in pristine condition down a car boot that I bought for £30, with the retail price being nearer to £300!

"His whole wardrobe is nearly all second-hand now too."

In March 2021, Lauren turned her love of bargain deals into a business, launching Thriftscape – a second-hand search engine that helps people find what they're after without having to scour the web for hours.

She also runs an Instagram account where she shares pre-loved outfits and tips to inspire others.

If you're trying to become a bargain hunter this year, the expert thrift shopper has some tips on how to find deals and where to look.

GO AT THE RIGHT TIME

Lauren said: "Make sure to clear a morning or afternoon, or even a whole day, to really commit to having a good look around the charity shops.

"Go in with the right frame of mind, it’s so important that you go to a charity shop, jumble sale, car-boot etc, in the right head space.

"If you’re feeling tired or in a rush, you won’t be able to get into the swing of looking closely at items and finding those hidden gems."

SET A BUDGET

It can be tempting to splash the cash if you find several items but try to stick within your budget – or barter down the prices.

And only take cash if you know you'll be tempted to tap the bank card.

Lauren said: "Set yourself a monthly thrifting budget that is right for you.

"I tell myself that I don't want to spend more than £50 a month, and if for some reason I do buy more than that, then it's definitely time for a wardrobe clear out and to pop some items onto eBay.

"Make sure that you think the item is actually worth what you are spending on it, and if you think it's overpriced it may be best to walk away.

"My mum has always said to me 'just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean you need it,' and I hear her words in my head every single time that I make a decision when thrifting."

DON'T BUY JUST TO BUY

Lauren said: "When we buy things, our brain releases a chemical called dopamine, otherwise known as the happy hormone and while this feels great, it’s not good for our purses and, incidentally, the planet.

"Yes, buying second-hand does reduce waste going to landfill but charity shops are still fulfilling our incessant need to buy.

"Charity shops give clothes another lease of life – it’s important to only buy what we need as otherwise we’ll contribute to this waste.

"To find the best gems at the best prices, you can’t be afraid to get down and rummage."

BUILD BONDS WITH SELLERS

Don't be afraid to talk to the seller – it could get you a better deal or even multiple items for a bulk price.

Lauren said: "Befriend the seller. When you are at a car-boot sale or shopping online on Vinted, eBay or Depop, remember that you’re dealing with an actual person.

"If you love one piece of clothing that they are selling, you’re likely to find that you have similar style and they can offer you other pieces which you might be interested in too.

"You never know, they might even do you a deal for buying multiple items!"

IT'S NOT JUST CLOTHES

Lauren said: "Don’t just look for clothes. When I moved out, I managed to furnish our entire house second-hand, apart from our bed and sofas.

"We spent the past year travelling all around my local area picking up items from the Facebook Marketplace and other local selling sites and it was actually so much fun to do."

BRANDS VS BRANDS

In terms of which brands to invest in, Lauren's opinion is that anything from a well-known label is always a solid purchase.

She said: "Buying anything designer second-hand is always a good shout, plus if you manage to see any sustainable brands.

"Take a look at the labels and see what materials have been used to tell if it's a piece of clothing that is made to last, for example try and avoid clothes with polyester and look more for organic cotton."

Lauren still avoids fast fashion even when it's on rails in charity shops.

She said: "I tend to avoid the cheaper fast fashion brands such as Shein, Primark, Boohoo etc as I know they're not made to last.

"I would always recommend checking the seams on everything you buy and making sure that there are no stains, holes etc.

"If something looks like it's been cheaply made, then it's probably best to avoid it as it won't be a long-term staple in your wardrobe."