A thrifty woman has saved hundreds of pounds buying charity shop clothes and transforming them into her own custom-made garments and accessories, turning a skirt into a top and tracksuit bottoms into a bucket hat. Emily Harrison, a 22-year-old shop assistant from Leicestershire, has spent no more than £15.50 on a single charity shop item over the last five years, with a typical spend of £6 or less.
Emily will hunt through charity shops, such as Cancer Research UK, RSPCA and Dogs Trust, to find a bargain, and she will then transform the item into a unique fashion garment – making savings as large as £250 on one piece of clothing. After learning to sew by watching her grandmother Betty, Emily has transformed a £1 woollen skirt into a strappy top with a crossover back detail, and £1.50 nightdress into a cut-out summer midi dress.
Emily explained: “I’ve never really been one to be wanting designer things.I wouldn’t personally go out and buy something for £100 because I feel like I’m always thinking about the value of money.
